Enrollment on the rise at Xavier University

Educators from across the country joined with community leaders here on Friday for an education symposium aimed at closing the achievement gap among urban youth and tackling other critical issues affecting them.

"We believe it takes a village," said Dr. Louise A. Rice, national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which hosted the three-day summit as part of its continued commitment to the rebuilding city. "We are so pleased that so many people have gathered for the same cause-the education of our children."

Rice said at least 300 people had registered for the conference, which concludsed on Sunday.

"Our purpose is to examine the hidden pitfalls for African-American students and to dispel the myths that they face in education," she said Thursday at a news conference.

"We believe education is the great equalizer. The education of our people affects where and whether they go to college, what they eat, employment opportunities, their health, finances, where and how they live. The education of our children also affects crime, poverty and other social ills.

"For our children," she continued, "the achievement gap continues to widen, and it is imperative that we, as parents, educators and other concerned people take action now."

Other National Pan-Hellenic greek-letter organizations participating in the symposium include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

At the culmination of the discussion, Rice said she hoped participants would return to their communities, continue the dialogue and spur change.

"We hope they take the strategies that are developed here back to their communities and replicate them, implement them," said Rice, who has taught at the high school and college level and has been an administrator on the elementary level. "We want this to spread throughout the country to help our children maximize their potential."

Rice also noted that the education symposium is yet another show of support from the sorority to the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

Last year, the sorority awarded $250,000 each in hurricane recovery grants to Dillard and Xavier universities, which were severely damaged in 2005 by flooding in the wake of Katrina. In addition, the organization gave $200,000 to Southern University at New Orleans to sponsor a distinguished professor endowed chair.

While in the city, Rice said the sorority also planned to distribute $15,000 in vouchers to help disadvantaged youth at several schools in the area.

This article was provided by: Louisiana Weekly
Written by: Chevel Johnson