30th Annual A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon Community Recognition Awards Program
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic
2024 NPHC OF THE GREATER RALEIGH AREA EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dr. Dayna Harper President (ΔΣΘ)
Darlene McDoe Vice President (ΣΓΡ)
Dr. Kemah Washington Corresponding Secretary (KAΨ)
Beronica Cathey Recording Secretary (ΔΣΘ)
Allan Younger Financial Secretary (AΦA)
Charles Wright Treasurer (ΩΨΦ)
Simon Akhamie Parliamentarian (ΦBΣ)
Dr. Jimmy Atkins Chaplain (KAΨ)
Thomas Graves Sergeant at Arms (IΦΘ)
Quando Gerst President’s Council (ΩΨΦ)
NPHC HISTORY
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC), also referred to as the Divine Nine, is the umbrella organization housing nine black Greek-letter organizations.
The NPHC was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on May 10, 1930, and incorporated under laws in Illinois in 1937. Altogether, the council’s membership exceeds 1.5 million individuals around the world. The goal of the National Pan-Hellenic Council is to promote unity among its member organizations and address problems of mutual interest to those organizations. While the NPHC recognizes separate priorities of the organizations within the Council, it also encourages all member organizations to support the leading national programs of the other Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
The NPHC also strongly supports cooperation between graduate and undergraduate chapters within each organization as a means of building community. The NPHC encourages continued participation to build a larger, stronger network to accomplish the social, educational, and political goals of the council and of each member fraternity and sorority.
In Memoriam and Celebration of the life and Legacy of A.M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON, PH.D. 1930-1994
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon was born in Palmetto, SC. After graduating from Claflin University in 1951 he entered the United States Army with the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, he went on to become a high school science teacher and coach and would later earn two Master of Science degrees -- one from Southern Illinois University and the other from NC State. In 1971, he earned his doctorate in Botany, becoming the second African-American to earn a doctorate degree from NC State. Dr. Witherspoon would become
the first African-American Professor in the school’s history, joining the university faculty in 1970 as a Botany instructor. He served as Assistant Dean, Acting Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural Life Sciences Graduate School. He also held the university administration positions of Associate Provost and Coordinator of AfricanAmerican Affairs.
In 1948, Dr. Withersppon was initiated into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. while at Claflin College. He was a Life Member (#2079) of the Fraternity. During his forty-six years as a member,
he served in a number of positions. At the national level he served as Chiefof-Staff and facilitated the corporate restructuring of the fraternity, as well as helping to purchase a new building; moving the National Headquarters from Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD. In 1992, the Fraternity awarded him its highest honor - the “Alpha Award of Merit.”
Dr. Witherspoon was also an advisor to NC State’s Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He served as a mentor to many students while at the university. Students affectionately referred to him as “Pops,” “Doc” and “Spoon.” He and his wife Cookie graciously opened their home to students on many occasions. The NC State Black Alumni Society established the A.M. Witherspoon Graduate Scholarship in his honor in July 1990.
In 1992 the NC State Board of Trustees honored Dr. Witherspoon with a citation of appreciation for his
services to the university as an outstanding teacher, researcher and community leader. He is often credited as one of the ‘Founding Fathers” of the African American Cultural Center, the University-Community Brotherhood Dinner (now known as the Lawrence M. Clark University Community Dinner), the Peer Mentor Program, the African American Symposium and other significant initiatives that are still recognized by the university today.
Dr. Witherspoon was instrumental in helping to improve the campus and academic life of AfricanAmericans at NC State before his death. Because of his hard work and commitment to students and the university, the Student Center Annex was renamed the Augustus McIver Witherspoon Student Center in his honor on November 18, 1994, becoming the first campus building named in honor of an AfricanAmerican.
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council
A.M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON AWARDS
The late Reverend A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon was a remarkable man who excelled in the areas of education, religion, civil rights, and community relations. His service to the National Pan-Hellenic Council includes: reactivating the Raleigh/Wake Chapter and serving as the first president after the reorganization, serving as State Director of the NPHC, as well as, holding other national and regional offices.
2024 COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Business
Community Service
Cultural Arts
Education
Media
Politics
Religion
Jermaine Kearney
Dr. Laura Bethea & Earline Middleton
Carly Jones
Ian Solomon
Rod Carter
Mayor Jessica Day
Dr. Tiffany Bennett Cornelous
UNDERGRADUATE AWARD RECIPIENT
Victoria Hyman
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
NC State University, Raleigh, NC
LIFETIME ACHIEVERS AWARD RECIPIENT
Quando Gerst
Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
Raleigh Alumni Chapter
PROGRAM
Darlene McDoe, SGR
Presiding
Welcome
Prayer
Occasion
Entertainment by Freddy Greene and Harvey Wilder
Darlene McDoe, SGR
Jimmy Atkins, KAY
Charles Dunn, AFA
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Jermaine Kearney ...........................Andrea Breazeale- King
Dr. Laura Bethea .............................................Sabrina Tucker
Earline Middleton ...............................................Vanya Allen
Carly Jones ....................................Judge David K. Baker, Sr
Ian Solomon ...............................................Clarence Clayton
Rod Carter .......................................................Terrence Evans
Mayor Jessica Day .......................................Deyna Hardison
Dr. Tiffany Bennett Cornelous …...................…..Vanya Allen
Undergraduate Award................................... Sabrina Tucker
Lifetime Achievers Award............................ Darlene McDoe
Closing Remarks
Dayna Harper, DSQ
NPHC OF THE GREATER RALEIGH AREA CHAPTERS IN ACTION!
PATRONS LIST
Al & Theresa Grandy – AFA / AKA
Andrea A. Breazeale-King – ZFB
Ashley Alston – AKA
Bessie Lewis – AKA
Bethesda Kearney – ZFB
Cynthia McKoy – AKA
Darlene McDoe – SGR
Della J. Owens – DSQ
Delores Revis – AKA
Donnie Alston – AKA
Dr. Jimmy Arthur Atkins – KAY
Dr. Kemah E. P. & Brandi Washington –KAY / AKA
Dr. Linda Gill – AKA
Dr. Sharmell Wilson – AKA
Dr. Sonja Brown – AKA
Earlene Briggs – AKA
Edrisa A. Horton – AKA
Edward T. Parker – AFA
Elwanda Hyman-Farrow – AKA
Evelyn Baird – AKA
Kimberly Coleman – AKA
Garlinda Taylor – AKA
Gayla Smith – AKA
Gladys Walker – AKA
Gracie Wells Chamblee – AKA
Hazel A. Sanders – AKA
Iris Green – AKA
Kimberly Coleman – AKA
Janay Moore – AKA
Joyce Bass – AKA
Karen Beatty – AKA
Ken & Trina Moore – KAY / AKA
Kimberly Coleman – AKA
Lovieree Warren – AKA
Marrion Dunn – AKA
Mary Sykes – AKA
Mikole Moore – AKA
Oney Graham – AKA
Ophelia Noble – AKA
Paulette Mack – AKA
Pamela Taylor Shaw – AKA
Regina Nickson – AKA
Rev. Sammy P. Robinson – ΩYF
Robert S. & Shenita Cunningham – ΩYF / DSQ
Ron & Carolyn – AFA / AKA
Ruby Green – AKA
Stephanie Coleman – AKA
Oney Graham – AKA
Victor & Yolanda Hyman – KAY / DSQ
BRANDilly Creative Group (www.bcgnc.com) KAY
P2 Pressure Washing & Cleaning (www.p2wash.com) KAY
True Worship Christian Fellowship (www.trworship.org) KAY
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2024 WINNERS!
On behalf of the 2024 Dr. A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon Awards Gala Planning Committee and the Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council, thank you for spending time with us as we honor and celebrate our local unsung heroes. Your presence means so much to us, as we continue to recognize those who have impacted the Greater Raleigh area, while building lives in a positive way, one person, one family, and one community at a time. Please keep in contact with us and we look forward to seeing you next year!
30th Annual A. M. “Gus” Witherspoon Community Recognition Awards Program Committee
2024 AFFILIATE CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONS
AKA
Alpha Theta Omega Chapter
AKA
Chi Rho Omega Chapter
AKA
Sigma Tau Omega Chapter
AKA
Omega Lambda Omega Chapter
AKA
Psi Sigma Omega Chapter
AFA
Phi Lambda Chapter
DSQ
Knightdale-Wake Forest Chapter
DSQ
Johnston County Alumnae Chapter
DSQ
Raleigh Alumnae Chapter
DSQ
Western Wake County Alumnae
ZFB
Omicron Zeta Chapter
ZFB
Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter
ZFB
Sigma Xi Zeta Chapter
ZFB
Chi Xi Zeta Chapter
IFQ
Alpha Epsilon Omega Chapter
KAY
Raleigh Alumni Chapter
KAY
Cary Alumni Chapter
SGR
Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter
SGR
Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter
FBS
Eta Sigma Chapter
ΩYF
Iota Iota Chapter
ΩYF
Xi Mu Mu Chapter
The focus of the National Pan Hellenic Council of the Greater Raleigh Area is to contribute to the political, spiritual, social, economic and cultural life of Raleigh and the surrounding area through the presentation of programs. The organization also gives aggressive support to the upward mobility of the youth of the community.