User:Educatedblkman1914/sandbox/History of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Hazing Culture
Although through the years, members of Phi Beta Sigma have been involved in allegations of and incidents related to hazing. In 1990, The fraternity, along with other members of the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC, issued a joint statement denouncing hazing and eliminating the act of underground pledging activities as a form of admittance. Since then, the organization has been working to eliminate the hazing culture from not just the black Greek Lettered Organizaitons, but also the broader community at large. In 2012, Phi Beta Sigma, along with the National Action Network, launched a coalition to combat hazing and pledging their support of federal anti-hazing legislation. As part of the campaign, the fraternity developed anti-hazing training materials, held a town hall meetings, facilitated manditory workshops and encouraged local chapters to participate in the annual National Anti-Hazing Awareness Day.

In 1992, a pledge at Southern University went blind after being intentionally hit on the head with a frying pan by a member of the fraternity.

In 2006, seven Sigmas were arrested for beating pledges at the University of South Carolina. One known pledge was hospitalized due to the severe beatings and torment.

In 2009, Donnie Wade Jr., a student at Prairie View A&M University, died of extreme exhaustion due to illegal hazing activity while he was pledging the fraternity. His family filed a $97 million lawsuit against the fraternity and the chapter was temporarily expelled from campus for several years.

In 2014, a former Francis Marion University student won a $1.6 million lawsuit against the fraternity after suffering acute renal failure due to being severely beaten throughout his pledge process. Nine fraternity members were arrested.

Since its inception, Phi Beta Sigma has been involved in numerous lawsuits, hazing accusations, and media stories regarding mistreatment and physical harm of potential members. The fraternity took an official stance against hazing in 1990.

Centennial celebration: 2014
Phi Beta Sigma celebrated their centenary with a year-long commemoration in 2014. The fraternity's 100 Year celebration consisted of nationwide activities and events on the local, regional and international levels. Phi Beta Sigma International President, Johnathan Mason and other sigma brothers made media appearances on the Today Show, PoliticsNation, and Steve Harvey.

Internationally, some fraternity members began marking the festivities by making a pilgrimage to Howard University, while other members participated in local community service activities.

The organization continued it's celebrations with 7 simultaneous Centennial Galas, holding one in each of the 7 regions that the fraternity is divided into. Cities included: Washington, D.C.; Greensboro, NC; Memphis, TN; Tinley Park, IL; Forth Worth, TX; Orlando, FL and Los Angeles, CA.

On July 16 to July 20, 2014, more than XXXX Phi Beta Sigma members gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in the fraternity's centennial celebration. The 5 day celebration kicked off with an opening ceremony entitled "The Best is Yet to Come" An Evening Celebrating 100 Years of Service. The event was hosted by actor/comedian and Sigma Brother Flex Alexander and featured Grammy award winning gospel artist Shirley Caesar.

Other events during the week included: the unveiling of a centennial monument on Howard University's campus; workshops; parties; concerts featuring Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Jazz artist and Sigma Brother Kevin Toney and rapper Walé; a step show and the traditional Grand Orchid Ball, a black tie ball in which gentlemen are adorned with leys made of orchid flowers, hosted by Actor and Sigma Brother Malik Yoba.

During the week of celebration, Phi Beta Sigma also presented a $500,000 Scholarship endowment to Howard University president, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick ; signed memorandums of understanding with both the American Cancer Society and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and announced the creation of the 10-point "I Am My Brother's Keeper" initiative, aimed at increasing the potential of African-american males through mentoring, scholarship opportunities, and other programming.

and unveiled a monument