April 26, 2021
Campus leaders and students gathered on Saturday for a dedication ceremony for the Divine Nine Garden Plaza project on East Campus Mall. The campus project will create a garden space and install historical markers recognizing the contributions of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the nine historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities in the nation, also known as the Divine Nine. The site, currently a grassy area with park benches, is across East Campus Mall from the Walgreens on West Johnson Street. 1 Chancellor Rebecca Blank, undergraduates Israel Oby and Nyla Mathis and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor (left to right), listen during the dedication ceremony.
By Adam Duxter
Apr 24, 2021 8:23 PM
MADISON, Wis. – In one of the first campus events since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, UW-Madison took a step towards creating visible spaces for Black involvement on campus.
Chancellor Becky Blank joined student leaders from within the National Panhellenic Council in breaking ground on what will become a plaza to honor the Divine Nine, or the nine black fraternities and sororities within the organization.
The plaza, located between East Campus Mall and Vilas Hall, is expected to be complete by the fall of 2021.
“This space is going to anchor one of the busiest corridors as you can see on campus,” Chancellor Blank said in front of an invite-only crowd Saturday afternoon. “Thousands of people who pass through here are going to learn about the history and impact of NPHC chapters.”
âDivine Nineâ project to honor history, achievements of Black fraternities and sororities
UW students Kayla Cotton (left), Nyla Mathis (center) and Israel Oby are pictured at the future site of the Divine Nine Garden Plaza on East Campus Mall. Photo: Bryce Richter
Nyla Mathis remembers her heart fluttering, like a first crush.
She was a freshman back then, attending her first event sponsored by one of the historically Black sororities on the UWÂâMadison campus.
âI was a little nervous, because all of these women were so distinguished and so high-achieving,â says Mathis, now a senior. âBut they were also so down-to-earth and relatable. It immediately felt like home.â