first endowment established by alumni initiated into NCCU’s NPHC chapters. Since its inception, the fund has provided essential support to NCCU students. The Tau Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. dates back to 1932 on the NCCU campus. Ferebee, a former NCCU English professor, said the idea for the fund was developed during planning for the chapter’s 60th-year reunion. Fundraising efforts began with the goal of eventually establishing a scholarship endowment to assist deserving NCCU students. Donations are accepted from Tau Psi initiates, as well as friends of the chapter. As with many Greek letter organizations, reunions are very important to Tau Psi members. By the chapter’s 70th anniversary in 2002, the group had collected more than $12,000. By 2006, the endowment began producing scholarships for NCCU students. Also in 2006, NCCU Board of Trustees member and university alumnus Harold T. Epps joined with alumnus Benjamin Hill to co-chair the scholarship fundraising committee. Alumnus Robert Woods became the scholarship committee chair. Through their efforts and leadership, the group was able to increase the fund’s value to $100,000 by the chapter’s 80th reunion celebration in 2011. During the celebration, another goal was set to increase the scholarship fund to at least $200,000. To date, the group has raised over $130,000, with more than $20,000 awarded in scholarships to students. “This endowment reinforces that education is the primary way for advancement; it also emphasizes our commitment to scholarship,” Epps said. “We hope other organizations will begin to develop endowments, not only at NCCU but at other HBCUs, as well.” Ferebee agreed. “We are NCCU alumni, motivated by our love for NCCU and our desire to see it further its representation as one of the leading institutions of higher education in North Carolina and the nation,” he added.
“This endowment reinforces that education is the primary way for advancement; it also emphasizes our commitment to scholarship. We hope other organizations will begin to develop endowments, not only at NCCU but at other HBCUs, as well.”
— HAROLD T. EPPS, SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING CO-CHAIR
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A I Robert Woods, Scholarship Committee chairman (far right) recognizing (standing left to right) NCCU Board of Trustees members Harold T. Epps, John Barbee and Dr. Dwight D. Perry (all three initiated in the early 1970‘s) B I (Left to Right) Original Tau Psi Reunion Committee members Pete Holman and Dr. Floyd Ferebee C I (Left to Right) A. Leon Stanback, Clark Scales, Robert Woods (Scholarship Committee chairman and original Reunion Committee member), Donald Daniel (original Reunion Committee member), Benjamin Hill (Scholarship Fundraising Co-Chairman).
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