Our History
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER
The Philadelphia Chapter of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Alumni Association was reorganized on July 1, 1954. At that time, NCCU was known as North Carolina College at Durham. The late Maurice Unthank was the Chapter’s first president. For 50 continuous years, the Chapter has remained committed to the University’s motto of Truth and Service.” The Philadelphia Chapter was first organized during the program year of 1947-48. Due to a variety of reasons, including competing priorities, the Chapter did not remain active. With the reorganization in 1954, the Chapter soared like a mighty “Eagle”.
The Chapter’s early years were characterized by a wealth of enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication to the mission of supporting our alma mater. Past presidents of the Chapter stated that the motivation for the Chapter’s growth and development was a combination of unity of purpose, commitment, friendships, and family togetherness. Members then and now feel very proud of the wonderful education received at NCCU. There was and still is an extraordinary feeling of gratitude to the University and a strong desire to support it. Chapter members recognized the need for an alumni association with active and loyal members to support the University and its programs and students.
The Philadelphia Chapter also recognized that there is strength in collective efforts with other like- minded individuals. It has cooperated fully with the National Alumni Association and with other alumni in Region I (formerly known as the Northeast Region). Ms. Lily Holloway, class of 1954 and a Philadelphia Chapter member is one of the founders of Region I.
Chapter meetings were held monthly in the homes of alumni members. In 1968, meetings were held at the Strawberry Mansion Furniture and Appliance center located at 33 rd and York Streets. Alumnus James Wright was the proprietor of the business and also the Chapter’s president at that time. The Chapter began holding its meetings at the Marshall Shepard Community Building at Mount Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church, 4th and Wallace Streets in Philadelphia. The late pastors of this Church, Reverend Marshall Shepard, Jr. and Reverend M. Lorenzo Shepard, were cousins to our founder. Dr. James E. Shepard. Another cousin Reverend Samuel Shepard was active with the Philadelphia Chapter.
Dues were not set until September 20, 1955. From July 1954 until December 1954, dues were collected in the form of monthly donations. We now have an established annual amount for local and national dues and strongly encourage the payment of both. The Chapter also has a considerable number of life members of the National Alumni Association.
The Chapter has sponsored many activities and programs through the years to raise funds for scholarships and other initiatives sponsored by the University. These events have often been profitable and entertaining. Early on in the Chapter sponsored bus trips to NCCU’s Homecoming for many years. The first bus trip to Homecoming was in 1956. In the early years, the Philadelphia Chapter also competed in the Mr. and Mrs. Alumni Contest. Ms. Lena Patterson Davis became Philadelphia Alumni Chapter’s first winner of the Contest in 1958. The total amount of funds raised by the Philadelphia Chapter was $102.55. Several other fundraising and/or just plain fun events included card parties, a “Cotton Dress Ball”, cabarets, spring flings, a western disco, bowling parties, alumni picnic, Carolina dinner sales, candy sales, jazz brunches, casino trips, shopping trips, Christmas projects for local families, theatre trips, holiday parties, and the annual sponsoring of the NCCU Touring Concert. The Chapter has also sponsored student recruitment events and participated in numerous college fairs. In addition to sending funds to the University for scholarships, the Chapter has provided scholarships to local students enrolled at NCCU.
Over the years the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter has won several awards from the National Alumni Association.
In the 1990s, the Chapter or members of the Chapter were recognized as:
Chapter of the Year, First Runner-Up 1992-93
Chapter of the Year, First Runner-Up 1993-94
Chapter of the Year, Second Runner-Up 1994-95
Alumnus of the Year, First Runner-Up 1994-95
Chapter of the Year, First Runner-Up 1995-96
Chapter of the Year, First Runner-Up 1997
Alumnus of the Year, Second Runner-Up 1997
In the 2000s, the Chapter or members of the Chapter were recognized as:
Chapter of the Year, 2002
In the 2010s, the Chapter or members of the Chapter were recognized as:
President’s Award Recipient, 2012
Committed alumni have remained connected over the years. We know the Eagle is no Ordinary
Barnyard fowl!
From the Bull City to the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter continues to soar!
Eagle Pride!! Amplified!!
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