A new multicultural fraternity at the University of Nevada, Reno will hold recruitment events for the first time after being chartered Aug. 26 by their national organization.

The fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, currently has five members and was recognized by the university in March. At their ceremony in the Joe Crowley Student Union, the five members were formally inducted into the national fraternity and heard speeches from national members as well as university administration, including Provost Marc Johnson.

Anthony Dionisi, the president of the chapter, said he doesn’t want to consider getting a house for the fraternity until it has grown. Growth is important to the fledgling chapter, Dionisi said, as well as acceptance.

“I want us to grow here and I don’t want our fraternity to be a fraternity made up of just one kind of person,” he said.

UNR alumnus Mayo Thompson, who first joined the organization at the University of Arizona, started the Reno chapter. When Thompson moved to Reno for graduate school, he felt the fraternity could help the university with graduation rates, social community and the “overall feeling of the place.”

Reginald Chhen Stewart, the director of the Center for Student Cultural Diversity, said he connected with Thompson during the student’s frequent visits to the center, which became Thompson’s recruitment pool.

Stewart said new fraternities help provide more choices for students, which makes the Greek system friendlier to the campus.

“The importance of fraternities and sororities in general is having enough variety,” he said.

He also said the Greek system is beneficial to campus because it regulates grades and helps members graduate, which he said is one of its main differences from clubs.

Charles Ranson, Phi Beta Sigma’s Western regional director, said during the ceremony that grades were the most important thing for the new chapter to take care of.

“Education is first,” Ranson said. “My fraternity is number two.”

Though Thompson said the fraternity is historically a black fraternity, it is open to everyone.

“We seek to judge people based on their merits, not their color or how affluent they are,” he said.

Thompson hopes the fraternity’s efforts in community service will help it become a “big part of the (campus) community, as well as the Reno-Sparks community.” One such project Thompson hopes to see flourish in Reno is Phi Beta Sigma’s national youth auxiliary program, the Sigma Beta Club, which teaches boys ages 8-18 about money management, study skills, how to get into college and more.

Phi Beta Sigma’s motto is “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity.” The fraternity has had such notable members as George Washington Carver, Al Sharpton and Al Roker. The UNR chapter of the fraternity is the Gamma Alpha Lambda chapter.

When students show up to the King/Robinson magnet school on Wednesday, they’ll find 500 backpacks waiting for them, stocked with goodies inside.

The backpacks, donated by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, were assembled over the weekend at the Community Center at 230 Ashmun St.

Of course, it’s not just backpacks that the students are getting. It’s what’s in them which makes them special: glue sticks, pencils, pens, notebooks, rulers, crayons, erasers, scissors and folders.

Lined up on either side of the table like a true assembly line, volunteers handed down the bags, and called out what they were putting in them, and how many of the items, as each bag was going down the table.

In the past four years, Phi Beta Sigma’s New Haven Alumni Chapter has given over 1,500 backpacksin various K-8 public schools in the city. John Watts, the chapter’s director for social action, said the fraternity’s goal is to give out 500 backpacks this year, bringing their total to 2,000 bags.

Watts, chair of the School Supply Drive, said the fraternity plans year round to bring the materials together for the drive, but they pull the materials together during the two to three weeks before school starts.

“We try to bring in other organizations, Sigma Gamma Rho [Sorority], Zeta Phi Beta [Sorority], the New Haven Police Department, there’s a lot of community supporters, so….we try to get them to invest in our programs,” Watts said. “And we try to put ‘em on the bag, too, so that way, … the kids can see who supported the school supply drive.” He went on to explain why: “We need to invest in kids. And with the bad economic times, this program … the worse the economy gets, this program can be a big blessing on families with low-incomes.”

Watts said the fraternity works with the Board of Education each year to identify which schools need supplies. This year, King/Robinson was the lucky winner.

“We did Lincoln-Bassett one year, so we try to move around each year, so,” said Watts. “We want the public’s continued support. This is our fourth year, and we’re looking to do it each year and continue the blessing for New Haven students going back on the first day of school.”

Natalie Roach (president of Zeta Phi Beta’s Phi Lambda Zeta Chapter), agreed with Watts. At a time when parents have to deal with purchasing food and clothing, “this will make it easier and alleviate the trouble of going to buy school supplies for them, and just to show [the community] that were all here, working together and making sure they are taken care of.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they get the bags,” she said.

Miracle Temple Church and a local chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity are working together to offer school supplies to local students.

The two groups will give book bags to the first 125 students to take part Saturday in their third annual School Supply Block Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

Saturday’s event will include voter registration, free haircuts, food, community vendors and a step exhibition by the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Last year nearly 100 students received book bags when the event was held at the Thames River Apartments. Several students also won raffles for computers. Over the past three years Miracle Temple at 727 Bank St. has provided supplies to more than 300 children.

John Watts, a local resident and Phi Beta Sigma member, said: “I started the program in New Haven where the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity sponsored more than 1,500 students in the past three years. It is a very successful program that can meet the economic needs of low-income families.”

Watts said he would like to see the church and fraternity program grow and be able to sponsor 500 children per year.

First State Community Action Agency, a statewide anti-poverty nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income individuals to a better way of life (achieve self-sufficiency) is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors. Dr. Gwendoline Angalet, Reverend Winton M. Hill III, and Dr. Marlene Anita Saunders will join 18 others—each representing the private, public, or consumer sector of the communities First State serves—to assist in policy making, strategic planning, executive management and governance of the organization.

Board President Peggy Strine states, “These individuals not only demonstrate strong leadership and expertise, they also embody a philanthropic spirit, values, and passion for helping people that is reflected in their commitment to public service.  I am confident they will help First State effectively and successfully achieve its purpose.”

Rev. Winton M. Hill III

Reverend Winton M. Hill brings with him a long history of community involvement, executive experience, and passion for helping the poor.  He is an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church with 39 years of service.

He has served as a military chaplain with the rank of Major USAR; a University Pastor (Wilberforce University 1978-1982), and has pastured congregations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Connecticut.  He has also served as a volunteer for United Way in five states, serving in the campaign and the allocations positions as well as President of the board.

A former board member, chairperson, and faith-based coordinator of a Connecticut CAP agency (CTE), Reverend Hill continues to demonstrate his commitment to helping community action agencies fulfill its promise of helping people and changing lives. “The plight of the economically disadvantaged population is a real passion for me,” he says. He notes that his interest in serving on the First State board is to continue this type of work.  He also hopes to help strengthen the existing network with churches of all denominations and explore opportunities for viable partnerships to better serve the overall community.

Reverend Hill is currently a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (since 1970) and a Master Mason (since 2004).  He currently serves as the Presiding Elder (supervisor) of 20 churches located in Kent and Sussex counties.

New Greek Life Adviser Zachary Shirley can boast of an accomplishment no one else can — he brought fraternities to Texas Women’s University (TWU).

“Two percent of the students at TWU are undergrad males, that is enough for a fraternity,” Shirley said.

Shirley said it wasn’t easy, but after he received sorority approval and attracted interest from two national fraternities, he was able to help charter Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Sigma at TWU.

Shirley is a Phi Beta Sigma brother himself, but he said it does not affect his ability to advise.

“If a guy came to me and needed to be persuaded to join Phi Beta Sigma, then that isn’t the fraternity for him,” Shirley said.

Shirley said he wants Greek Life at UTD to appeal to everyone, even those who never previously considered it.

Graduate student Nick Hinojosa and Chi Phi brother said he is excited about bringing new fraternities to UTD.

“When Fiji came to campus, (Chi Phi) got the best recruitment numbers ever,” Hinojosa said, “The competition really helped us out.”

Shirley said he completed his undergraduate degree at Paul Quinn University, continued to Texas A&M Commerce where he received his masters and currently he is finishing his doctorate in counseling at the University of North Texas.

Shirley said he expects to expand Greek Life at UTD while overcoming some negative stereotypes fraternities are associated with.

“I expect the fraternities to live their rituals and to be a shining example of what Greek Life is,” Shirley said.

Part of expansion is compromise, Shirley said. Recruitment is an important part of Greek life and sometimes advisers and fraternities do not see eye to eye with what is an appropriate recruitment event.

Shirley said should he run into disagreements with fraternities regarding recruitment events, he will not directly veto them, but try to find an alternative.

“I’m looking at it from the school’s perspective, and they are looking at it from the fraternity perspective, and I want to meet somewhere in the middle,” Shirley said.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) recruitment rules prohibit fraternities from throwing non-sanctioned parties, starting freshmen move-in day and until bid day on Sept. 4.

Hinojosa was initially against the rule when it was put in place under the previous Greek adviser, Trapper Pace, but said he now feels it has given fraternities a better quality recruitment.

“TWU has the same rule, it is in place to protect the integrity of the fraternities,” Shirley said.

Shirley will have his first experience IFC recruitment experience on Aug. 28, when the IFC fraternities host events until Sept. 4.

Willie Haynes, a standout high school student and basketball player who grew up in Lockport, died Monday in a New Rochelle hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 43.

Born in Lockport, Mr. Haynes was a 1985 graduate of Lockport High School, where he excelled athletically and academically. He received a four-year basketball scholarship to St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, N. J., where he was a dedicated student athlete.

He was a member of Ferocious Xi Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

After graduating from St. Peter’s in 1989, Mr. Haynes studied law at Seton Hall University. He worked at Schiff Hardin LLP in New York City.

Mr. Haynes was inducted into St. Peter’s College Hall of Fame in 1992 and will be inducted, posthumously, into Lockport High School’s Hall of Fame next month. He was a member of Living Rock Christian Center.

Survivors include his wife, the former Yokie Konah; three daughters, Amber Nicole, Asia Marie and Shanelle; two sisters, Cynthia and Angela; two brothers, David and Kevin; and his parents, Virgia B. Phillips and Willie Revere.

Services will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday in Friendship Baptist Church, 5652 Saunders Settlement Road, Lockport.

Join Harris Chapel Family and the South Florida community as they celebrate Rev. Dr. Jimmie L. Brown ‘Chief’ Jimmie Brown’s Fifth at Harris Chapel and 36 years in the ministry on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., hosted by Rodney Baltimore of HOT 105.

He has been a United Methodist pastor for 36 years and is currently the senior pastor of Harris Chapel United Methodist Church in Oakland Park, Fla.

Dr. Brown and his wife Michelle have five sons and ten grandchildren.

Dr. Brown is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force (1962-1969). He received the Bronze Star as well as the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service during the Vietnam War.

He is a retired Division Chief of Miami-Dade Police Department 30 years. During his tenure,. Rev. Brown rose through the ranks of Police Officer to that of Division Chief. Upon his retirement in 1999, he was Chief of the Special Investigation Division.

He has hosted the highly rated talk show “HOT TALK” on WHQT-FM for over 20 years and is also an adjunct professor at Barry University, and is the president/CEO of JLB Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Brown is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, The Society for Human Resource Management (SRHM), The American Legion, The American Civil Liberties Union, The American Association of Christian Counselors, Kiwanis Club of Oakland Park, and a life member of the NAACP. Dr. Brown is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Vietnam Security Police Association. He has received over 300 awards from civic, professional and fraternal organization. Dr. Brown was inducted into the Miami-Dade College Hall of Fame (2006).

RSVP at (954) 486-5963 or (954) 649-7609 to reserve your table(s) or ticket(s). The event is being catered by S&J Catering of Miramar, Fla.

All events begin with services:

Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. – Rev. Dr. Wayne Finn, Kelly’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Miami, Fla.

Aug. 19, Rev. G. Bernard Pope, First Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Dania Fla.

Aug. 21, 6 p.m. – Harris Chapel Pastor’s Appreciation Banquet Life Enrichment Center,

Individual $30.00 & Table $450.00 Deadline to purchase banquet tickets is Aug. 16.

Aug. 22, 4 p.m. – Rev. Dr. Manuel Sykes, Bethel Com-munity Baptist, St. Petersburg, Fla. Saturday night August 21, culminating Banquet.

All events will be held at Harris Chapel at 2351 N.W. 26 St., Oakland Park, Fla.

The Gary Inter-Greek Council believes in events that foster closeness among the nine historically black Greek-letter groups under its umbrella.

One of the most popular ways to promote unity is the annual All-Greek Picnic; the latest one was Saturday at Lake Etta County Park in Gary.

“The picnic has been going on for six years at this same location,” said Dharathula “Dolly” Harris, a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority member. “It was started by what is called the ‘Divine 9,’ which comprises nine organizations.”

Those are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho sororities and Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta fraternities. At least two members of each served on the planning committee.

“This (picnic) is the result of the sororities and fraternities coming together for a common goal — fun, fellowship and togetherness — and to enjoy the great food,” Keisha White of Gary said.

Harris was chairwoman of this year’s picnic committee.

“This event was started as a way of thanking our members and their families and friends for their support of our programs in the surrounding areas — and just a way of having fun,” she said.

“I come to the picnic for many reasons, and one of the biggest is for the food,” Mary Walter of Gary said as she filled her plate with barbecue ribs, chicken and watermelon. “This is a great way to begin the afternoon — good food with good friends and a lot of activity afterward. I’m looking to dance; I’m ready.”

During the step and stroll competition, contestants used a five-minute time frame to entertain with steps, chants and song — sometimes in unison.

Before and after the games, disc jockey Shawn Nevins of Gary played dance tunes as well as easy listening music.

“It’s great to see everyone get up and dance, the older ones as well as the younger ones,” he said.

There was a clown and games for the children, as well as a playground area.

“This is wonderful for the whole family,” Ida Gillis of Highland said. “We have 25 to 30 of our members here today.”

Gillis is a Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member. Her chapter, one of two AKAs in Gary, is an offshoot of the first black sorority, incorporated in 1908.

Fellow member Chelsie Fayson of Hobart served on this year’s planning committee.

“This is a great celebration — a chance to network, socialize, meet new friends and discuss some of our projects,” she said.

Those projects include fundraisers for scholarships and other community programs, Fayson said.

The All-Greek Picnic attendance grows each year, organizers said.

More than 350 people attended last year and at mid-day Saturday it looked as if that number would be matched, if not exceeded.

Harris added that the collaborative efforts of all the organizations benefit many people in the area.

“This shows we can all work together and achieve great things as a unified body,” she said. “All nine sororities and fraternities are service organizations that believe in scholarships as well as other projects, with the focus on service to our communities.”

NFL veteran offensive lineman Harry Galbreath has died. He was 45.

His death was announced by the Tennessee athletic department and confirmed by CSX Transportation in Mobile, Ala., where he was working at the time of his death.

Galbreath was selected by Miami in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL draft after playing for Tennessee from 1984-87. He was named to the NFL’s rookie team that season.

He and spent five seasons with the Dolphins, three with the Green Bay Packers and one with the New York Jets before retiring.

The Clarksville, Tenn., native started for the Vols for three seasons and was named to the 1987 All-Southeastern Conference team.

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