Black College President to Discuss Fraternalism in America

Walter Kimbrough of Philander Smith College
Speaks Jan. 30

January 28, 2008

By Debra Cano Ramos

Walter Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and author of “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities,” will will speak Jan. 30 on “Greek Life: A History of Fraternalism in America.” The free talk is sponsored by the university’s Multicultural Greek Council (MCGC) and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

Before becoming the 12th president of Philander Smith College, Kimbrough served in administrative capacities at Albany State, Old Dominion, George State and Emory universities. He earned his doctorate in higher education from Georgia State University.

During the 7 p.m. talk in Portola Pavilion in the Titan Student Union, Kimbrough will discuss the history of black and multicultural Greek Letter organizations, national trends, motivation and personal history on the subject

“Membership in Greek organizations offers students many opportunities to develop their leadership potential. Greek organizations not only provide training in the principles of leadership, they are laboratories in which these principles can be tested,” said Nick Katz, coordinator for Greek Life. “Each member is actively involved in decision-making processes, teaching and encouraging students to utilize their leadership talents in the chapters and on campus.”

Cal State Fullerton’s Greek community consists of four separate councils: The Multicultural Greek Council (MCGC), which has eight chapters with a membership of 150 students; National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) with seven chapters and 30 students; Interfraternity Council (IFC), which is made up of six men’s chapters and 250 students; and Panhellenic Council consisting of six women’s sororities and 525 students.

For more information, call 278-3211 or email greeklife@fullerton.edu.