NT’s chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. wants to help pre-teen girls broaden their knowledge of science, math, technology and personal health awareness. Members of the sorority are hosting the kickoff event this Saturday for the Delta Academy, a program for girls ages 11 to 14.

“The opening session is going to be a hip-hop aerobics class promoting physical and mental health to learn how to stay in shape,” said Ashley Hyder, Houston senior and sorority president.    more >>

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity members will sleep in tents on Kuhlman Court in an effort to raise donations for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The fraternity began its campout on Monday and will complete it on Wednesday.

“We are looking for donations as well as non-perishable goods, clothing, diapers, canned goods and anything else that can be used,” said Andrew Kelly, Phi Beta Sigma’s deputy director of marketing.   more >>

The Delta Rho Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will have its biennial scholarship fund-raising program at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Rochelle Middle School, Rochelle Boulevard.In keeping with one of the national objectives, the chapter awards yearly scholarships to deserving high school graduates enrolling in college.

Receiving the 2005 scholarships are: Porsha Andrews, Jones Senior High School, Trenton; Tyvonia Eaton and Ivanna Plymouth, both of North Lenoir High School; Shon-tae Lawson of South Lenoir High School; and Sandra Washington of Kinston High School.  more >>

A positive identification has been made, but investigators still are looking for what caused the death last week of a University of Arkansas student.

The Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s office in Little Rock confirmed the deceased as April Renetta Love, a 20-year-old political science student, by comparing dental Xrays.   more >>

QUICK TAKE What: Delta Sigma Theta sorority’s fifth biennial Mahogany Gala. When: Saturday, Sept. 17. Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 320 W. Jefferson St. Who was there: More than 160 people.

Footnotes: The theme was “A Tribute to Sports Legends,” and the gala honored basketball celebrities Wade Houston, Clem Haskins and daughter Clemette Haskins. Proceeds went to the sorority’s philanthropy and scholarship program.

Delta Sigma Theta alumnae stopped for a group portrait before the party. (Photos by David Harpe, Special to The C-J)  more >>

At last, both current members and new inductees of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.’s UTM Upsilon Gamma Zeta Chapter, are proudly announcing their official chartering.

The chartering ceremony and dinner for ZPhiB’s UTM alumni chapter is to be held at 2 p.m. this Saturday.

ZPhiB will be kicking off the weekend by collecting donations to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at the UTM football game against Tennessee State.   more >>

Turmoil, heartache and death.

These are just a few words that come to mind when people think of what is known today as one of the worst national disasters to ever touch U.S. soil.

As a result of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of citizens of New Orleans, Alabama, and lower Mississippi where left homeless, without clothes, and in some cases without family members.   more >>

For the first time at the University, a historically and predominately black fraternity has a house on fraternity row.

Theatre arts senior Anthony Brown, the campus relations chair for Kappa Alpha Psi, said the fraternity just returned to campus last fall after taking a five-year leave of absence due to low enrollment. Having a house is expected to increase membership, he said.

The fraternity currently has 15 members living in a house on the 1000 block of University Avenue.  more >>

Local veterinarian and animal lover Dr. Vernard Hodges will be leaving this morning for the Gulf Coast.

He won't know what he'll see when he gets there, but he knows he can't just sit by and do nothing.

"My area of expertise is pets," said Hodges. "I couldn't just sit here and keep watching them. I feel the need to go."   more >>

On September 7, 2005, Africare welcomed five senior members of the Third District of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The Third District includes 40 chapters in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Members presented Africare President Julius E. Coles with a generous donation to the Tsunami Relief Effort in East Africa.

Chairman of the Chapter Subcommittee, Brother Charles D. Chambliss, Jr., said, “the effort is a response to the appearance that more attention and resources were needed to address the impact of the tsunami on East Africa and the drain of funding to African based programs generally.”   more >>