They marched in with a chant. The lights dimmed and spotlights illuminated their faces, masked by handkerchiefs. The newest brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity were receiving their introduction.

Iota Phi Theta’s probate Sunday night in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Union welcomed six new members, five from Midland University and one from UNL’s own Epsilon Rho chapter.

Laden with rich tradition, the show welcomed the other greek houses in the Divine Nine, nine historically black greek-letter organizations, and the houses in the Multicultural Greek Council.

“It’s nine organizations that are seen to be the largest black greek fraternities in the country,” said Lawrence Chatters, an educational psychology Ph.D. student and president of Iota Phi Theta’s alumni chapter.

The new brothers greeted their deans, or big brothers who led them through the process. They acknowledged Iota Phi Theta history, founders, traditions and even its policy on hazing.

The probate also welcomed the six newest members to the Iota Sweethearts, an auxiliary to the organization.

“We support the group,” said Tiffany Mosby, a senior family sciences major and president of Iota Sweethearts. “We do a lot of the background work.”

Women may be selected to join Iota Sweethearts or may show interest by approaching the group, she said.

Elizabeth Gamero, a new Iota Sweetheart honored at the probate and a junior forensic science major, said the level of involvement in Sweethearts varies by personal preference.

“Some do more than others,” she said. “I make my own time.”

The new brothers unmasked and introduced themselves at the end of the show, to wild applause.

Five weeks ago, Iota Phi Theta’s new brothers began preparing for the traditional show.

Chris Phipps, a junior psychology major at UNL and the Epsilon Rho chapter’s newest member, said he decided to join Iota Phi Theta because its values corresponded well with his own.

Preparing for the probate required time management, dedication and loyalty, he said.

“It took a lot of your time,” Phipps said.

Chatters was the emcee for the event.

Probates are common among historically black and multicultural greek organizations, he said.

“It’s our way of coming out,” Chatters said.

The probate is free to the public and geared toward the other greek organizations firstly, but is also open to the public and an opportunity for anyone interested to see what the organization is all about and what the process of pledging is like.

“Other organizations do similar things, and we go to their probates,” he said.

Chatters said, at its essence, the show is really about respect.

“It’s very much a process of respecting other organizations,” Chatters said.

Following the conclusion of the formal show, many Iota Phi Theta members and audience members alike began “strolling,” a form of dancing.

Each organization has its own dance and tweaks it to make it individual, Gamero said.

This year, the Iota Phi Theta Epsilon Chapter won Chapter of the Year for its region and Emanuel Chatters, president of the undergraduate chapter, won collegiate undergraduate of the year.

Emanuel Chatters, a senior communications major and Lawrence Chatters’ younger brother, said Iota Phi Theta’s national chapter sends a template of information to be included in the probate and the brothers modify it to make it their own.

“Every probate is unique,” he said.

Looks of surprise, shock and awe were displayed throughout the crowd as the Spring 2009 fraternity and sorority initiates revealed their identities. The stands of Corbett Sports Center were filled in support of the Non Pan-Hellenic and National Pan-Hellenic Council organization’s probates on April 1st and 2nd.

On Wednesday, the non Pan-Hellenic organizations, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Pi Iota chapter), Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc. (Kappa Psi chapter), Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. (Sigma Chi Beta chapter), Pershing Rifles, Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, Inc. (Theta Zeta chapter) and Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Iota Zeta chapter) revealed their new members.

The night began with the Pi Iota chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. bringing in 10 of their 14 new members. Kyle Dortch, president of Lambda Chi Alpha, proposed to his girlfriend, Kristyl Enoch after his line had been revealed paving the way for more excitement to come. The service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc. entered next revealing five new inductees including 2009-2010 Miss A&T candidate, Michale Wall.

Thirteen new members were brought into the Sigma chapter of the nursing sorority, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. as they danced to Keri Hilson’s “Turning Me On.” The Pershing Rifles brought in one new member who showed his talent as twirled the replica rifle. The Theta Zeta chapter of Tau Beta Sigma showed their knowledge of history as they recited over a half hour of information to prove what they had learned. The Kappa Psi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity, Inc. completed the night with eight new inductions.

Thursday, the NPHC organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Mu chapter), Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta chapter), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Gamma chapter), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Beta Epsilon chapter), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Eta chapter), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Phi chapter) probated.

Everyone from the Dean of Students, Dr. Judy Rashid, to the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. were in attendance as long as they were willing to wait in the long lines outside.

The Deltas began the night marching in 62 deep with a sea of crimson and cream as their tight curls bounced while they walked. Next was the Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. with five new members and Mohawk haircuts. Following the previous initiations and revealing, the Mu Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. made a tribute to late brother, Dennis Hayle as they stepped to their signature song, “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton.

Four new members were inducted into the Gamma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. as the lovely ladies came in wearing royal blue and gold. Each organization made up their own rendition of songs from the radio just for their DPs and ADPs in their honor. As the Rho’s left the floor, one could hear the drums of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine as they headed inside of Corbett.

Preceding their entrance, the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. made their way onto the floor jumping around like apes as they made it known who they were. Current SGA President, Marcus Bass, as well as 2009-2010 SGA President candidate, Julian Love, were both revealed on the Alpha’s line; they brought in a total of 17 this year.

The men of the Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. entered next as their sisters Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. watched from the sidelines cheering them on.
A total of 12 initiates into the Eta chapter recited their history, made tributes to their sisters, past chapters and their DP before stepping and exiting the stage. The Zeta Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. did not have any new initiates.

Last, but certainly not least, another sea entered onto the floor. This time, it was a sea of salmon pink and apple green as the ladies of the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. made their way onto the stage to reveal their new members.

They initiated 51 new members this year. With curls tight, pearls on their neck, wrist and ears, the ladies showed their rough exterior as well as reminding the audience how proper they could be.

New inductees for the Alpha Phi chapter included 2009-2010 Miss A&T candidate Shakekia Colvin. Overall, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. had the two largest lines by far.

After exposing their true identities, once hidden underneath decorative masks and new hairstyles, the new members met with family and friends at their perspective plots.
The show lasted about seven and a half hours, but left all those who came anxious for next year’s show.