The weekend of Nov. 9, MU’s Zeta Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted the 2013 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Missouri District Conference.
MU’s chapter was recognized as the 2013 Missouri District Outstanding College Chapter of the Year. Thomas Stovall, the chapter’s intake coordinator and chaplain, won the district’s oratorical contest and Legion of Black Collegians President Marnae Chavers won first place in the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant.
The Missouri District Conference is designed to bring all active chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha in the state together to discuss fraternity business while individual chapters and members compete for awards and recognition, Stovall said.
Chapters were judged on academic standings, awards and achievements, personal service of chapter members, contribution to the universities and communities, degree of participation in Alpha National Programs and a national display and interview.
Zeta Alpha Parliamentarian Kevin Boyd said the award signifies the work the chapter has put in this year.
“I want us to be seen as consistent and known as those guys that want to help change this community,” Boyd said.
The 2013-2014 chapter vision is SHIFT, representing service, humility, ingenuity, fulfillment and transparency, Stovall said.
“Our chapter definitely strives to diminish the whole aspect of Greeks vs non-Greeks,” Stovall said. “When speaking about hard-hitting issues you don’t want to speak to someone who isn’t going to relate. If we’re not transparent with the campus we can’t expect (others) to be transparent to us.”
The Zeta Alpha chapter has hosted numerous community service events, campus activities, presentations and performances this semester congruent with its chapter mission. Many of their programs focus on improving the college retention rates of minority students.
Senior Je’Von Adams-Walker said the chapter nurtures academic determination.
“Never give up,” Adams-Walker said. “With these guys they instill in you to not give up and anything I’m going through I know I can talk to someone instead of trying to handle it on my own.”
Through promoting inclusivity, the chapter members hope to address the graduation rates of black students on campus, which Stovall said are not at a satisfactory level.
“Bringing everyone together whether you’re an African-American student, whether you’re a Caucasian student, the goal is for all of us to graduate and move forward with our lives in a peaceful and meaningful manner,” Stovall said.
Boyd said the member’s confident demeanor has played a huge role in their positive engagement with the campus and the community.
“Realistically, not everything will go your way, but it’s the confidence that you can make things better, along with the people in the community, who make it a better place,” Boyd said.
