College chapters of sororities and fraternities, typically pledged by the single and child-free, are attracting new members with families or full-fledged careers. It's not unusual for academic or profession-based organizations to attract adults, but it has been far less common for older students to join the more socially oriented Greek-lettered organizations.

"It definitely has changed," said Jacquelyn Thweatt-Pippion, president of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Chicago alumnae chapter, which sponsors several collegiate chapters in the state. "A lot of our undergrads now do have families. They work extra hard because they have to work a job, or with their children. That's a second job."  more >>

Marta Washington Gore is a voiceover professional whose community involvement and bids for radio and television commercials keep her very busy.

Along with lending her voice to commercial businesses that need a crisp, clean greeting for their telephone answering systems or giving life to product marketing campaigns, Gore performs vignettes, weekly puppet shows and drama workshops at her church and in local schools.

"I can create any kind of character using my voice," she said. more >>

Alpha Kappa Alpha service sorority, Sea Island Co. and Job Corps all pitched in to make the long neglected stretch of road a lot nicer looking.

Initially, beyond cleaning up the area, trees were planted to beautify the streetscape. However, due to nature, that wasn't too long lasting.

"About a year ago, the Georgia Forestry Commission called and asked if we wanted some seedlings," Smith said. "They were small, not over 2 or 3 feet tall. Unfortunately, they did not survive the summer months."

However, Alpha Kappa Alpha stepped in to help.

"They wrote a letter to Sea Island Co. to see if they would donate some larger trees," Smith said. "And they did."   more >>

An Orangeburg man who has excelled as a minister, author, publisher and professor has been awarded the state's highest honor for community service, the Order of the Silver Crescent.

Dr. Lawrence Chesterfield Bryant has been a lot of things in his life, but slothful and uncommitted are not among them.

Bryant, whose many affiliations include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the American Association of University Professors, has been married to Ila Thomas Bryant for 60 years. Mrs. Bryant is a retired elementary school teacher who taught in the former Orangeburg School District 5 for 22 years.  more >>