Designing a New Event Space that Celebrates the Heritage, Tradition and Cultural Significance of Black Greek Organizations

Discover how the National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza at The Ohio State University was designed and developed, helping to foster a sense of belonging and pride among student members and the broader University community.

For close to 100 years, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) has endeavored to promote camaraderie, academic excellence, and service to the Black community. The member organizations of the NPHC, also referred to as The Divine Nine, are distinguished groups of sororities and fraternities formed at a time of racial upheaval with the mission of community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities. These organizations were created to provide support networks and a way for black students to connect with each other, as well as to educate and uplift the Black community. The first NPHC chapter (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity) at The Ohio State University was chartered on campus in 1911.

Throughout their history, the NPHC sororities and fraternities have sought appropriate locations on college campuses to hold events and celebrate and share in an environment that is uniquely theirs. These spaces are truly distinctive, providing various programmatic needs but also reflecting the deep heritage and cultural traditions of each member fraternity and sorority.

Working with stakeholders and NPHC student groups from the Ohio State University, the Design Team led the process of selecting an appropriate site for a new plaza space on OSU’s Main Campus. The efforts included identifying a site that met both programmatic needs and was symbolic to the rich history of the NPHC organizations. Hale Hall, home to the historic Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, provided a perfect location with a blend of natural character and cultural significance. The location’s proximity to a historic path of the Underground Railroad added additional meaning to the honorific space.

Along a Historic Route to Freedom- The historic Neil house on 15th Avenue was historically a stop on the underground railroad. The route from the Olentangy River to the Neil Farm House is commemorated by a series of plaques. The nearest is just steps from the site of the proposed plaza site, positioned next to a legacy Sycamore tree likely to have been on site at the time when the Underground Railroad Route was active.

Envisioned to host cultural events and performances, the space needed to showcase each fraternity and sorority individually, while also reflecting the spirit of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The Design Team worked with student representatives to develop concepts for the plaza centered around nine unique monuments, each dedicated to a NPHC member organization, and interconnected to represent the collective strength and unity of the National Council.

Initial Concept Design

To develop the individual monument design, MKSK again collaborated with the student members to create a contemporary, yet timeless form composed of quality materials. A sense of unity among the organizations was achieved through a cohesive design that features each group's names, crests, mottos, founding dates, and colors. The internally illuminated monuments glow at night, highlighting each group's distinctive colors.

Final Design

Illustrative Graphic for Donor Outreach

The transition from conceptual design to the finished project required thorough oversight from the Design Team. This included overseeing detailed construction documents, reviewing technical drawings, sourcing metal and stone fabricators, developing extensive mockups, and providing detailed artwork, with the purpose of creating the artistic monuments.

Through a collaborative process, the Design Team realized an inspirational space that represents and celebrates each of the NPHC organizations and recognizes their unique identities, traditions, and rich cultural histories to serve students and alumni for years to come.

Photo courtesy: The Ohio State University - Office of Student Life, Sorority and Fraternity Life