OXFORD, Miss. – Through poise, precision and pride, the ninth and final chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council took its place on the University of Mississippi campus and welcomed new members.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity revealed its new members recently during the Divine Experience, “Nine on the Ninth,” at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, along with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
The addition of Iota Phi Theta makes Ole Miss the only predominantly white institution in Mississippi to have all nine Black Greek-letter organizations, affectionately called the “Divine Nine,” active on campus.
“This marks a historic moment as all nine Divine Nine organizations will be active at Ole Miss,” said Sedric Scott, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life.
The Divine Nine consists of: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a point of pride for our Greek community,” Scott said.
Since 2023, the university has seen the reemergence of the NPHC as Zeta Phi Beta rejoined campus, followed by Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi, in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
“The exponential growth of our NPHC here is a direct reflection of the pride we have in our organizations, campus administrative support and the work of key stakeholders in our community,” said MaryKatherine Archer, 2025 NPHC president and senior public policy leadership major from Vicksburg.
With all nine organizations on campus, more students have opportunities to find their community within the Ole Miss community.
New members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority share information about their chapter during the Divine Experience at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
“These historically Black fraternities and sororities provide students with spaces of belonging, leadership development and mentorship that are rooted in rich traditions of service and advocacy,” said Jess Turuc, director of fraternity and sorority life. “Their presence enhances campus life by fostering cultural awareness, enhancing scholastic efforts, promoting civic engagement and strengthening the sense of community among all students.”
Students want that sense of belonging and recognize the significance of all nine chapters’ presence on campus.
“It shows growth, inclusion and progress on campus, and it gives more students the opportunity to find a home where they belong and can carry on the traditions and service these organizations represent,” said Jamtavious Coffer, a sophomore psychology major and African American studies minor from Robinsonville.
“I wanted to join Iota Phi Theta because I connected deeply with the fraternity’s values of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity and brotherhood. It gave me a chance to stand out in a meaningful way while staying true to who I am and the principles I believe in.”
UM is the only predominantly white institution in the state to have all nine National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters active on campus. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
As the joining or intake process into Divine Nine chapters is discreet, it is quite the celebration when new members are revealed during the Divine Experience.
During the celebration, the newest chapter members disguise their identities and provide their organization’s history, including when and where it was founded and the founding members through chants and dance. Then, with great fanfare, the disguises are cast aside and the new members’ identities announced to cheers and applause.
“It was amazing to see so many students come together (at the Divine Experience) to celebrate the history, culture and impact of the Divine Nine,” said Jeremy Holmes, a sophomore criminal justice major from Grenada.
“Knowing that Ole Miss now has all nine chapters is really meaningful to me because it shows how our campus is embracing diversity, unity and opportunities for students to connect and grow through Greek life.”
Participating in the Divine Experience was surreal, said DeAndre Griffin, sophomore allied health major from Louisville.
“Being able to represent Iota Phi Theta on that stage felt powerful, especially with the entire Divine Nine present,” he said. “It reminded me that we are all part of a history that continues to grow and make space for future generations.”
Cloaked in masks, new members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity prepare to share their chapter’s history during the Divine Experience. With the return of Iota Phi Theta, the university is the only predominantly white institution in the state to have all nine National Pan-Hellenic chapters active. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Coffer agrees.
“I truly felt the history, unity and strength of Black Greek life on our campus (during the Divine Experience),” he said. “It was an unforgettable moment that reminded me how far we’ve come and the importance of continuing that legacy.”
The history of the chapters is noteworthy. Eight of the organizations were founded more than 100 years ago, making Iota Phi Theta the youngest, founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement.
“Iota Phi Theta’s presence on this campus carries a powerful national legacy,” said Kendrick Hunt, the organization’s state director, of Horn Lake. “It was founded three weeks after the Dr. Martin Luther King ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, four days after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham and exactly one year after the integration of Ole Miss with James Meredith.”
An Ole Miss and Iota Phi Theta alumnus, Hunt sees his chapter’s return to campus as a full-circle moment.
“Seeing all nine National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations active and represented at the university is both historic and deeply meaningful,” he said. “It reflects the continued progress of our campus community and reinforces the importance of cultural representation, leadership development and service, values that shaped me as a student and continue to guide my work today.”
The chapter’s newest members recognize the moment’s importance.
“It represents progress, unity and acknowledgment of the cultural significance of Black Greek life on this campus,” Griffin said. “For students like me, especially coming from a smaller town, it’s meaningful to see the full legacy of the Divine Nine here and to be part of that history.”
Top: The university’s chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity reveals it newest members to the Ole Miss community during the Divine Experience. Concealing who they are with masks, new members present the history of their chapters and greet other chapters before revealing their identities. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
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