Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a week of events at Ball State University. Alpha Phi Alpha was the first collegiate Greek letter fraternity established for blacks.
Theta Xi, the Ball State chapter of the fraternity, is known for its leadership and service. The three aims of the fraternity are manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind.
Tonight, students can attend a forum discussing the importance of pursing an education beyond a bachelor's degree. The forum will be held by five graduate students in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Multi-purpose room from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students attending will learn how to apply to graduate school and listen to real-life testimony from the graduate students present.
"People need to know what to do after college," Alpha Phi Alpha member Delorean Barksdale said. "It's like a stepping stone because there are other things to do after college besides working or looking for a job."
Gold Rush Week began Monday with a probate show held in the Museum of Art to introduce the newest members of the fraternity to Ball State's campus. More than 100 people turned out for the show, which was a huge success, Terrance Campbell, president of Theta Xi, said.
"It was excellent." he said. "It was a great experience for the new guys. It was a great accomplishment and we had a great turnout."
Thursday night, the students can choose a movie to watch during Snow'd In, a movie night, at 7 p.m. in the Tally in the Student Center. Afterwards, they can meet at to Bracken Library to study for finals, complete assignments and eat free snacks from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Students can attend the fraternity's version of "It's Showtime" at the Apollo Theatre in the Student Center Ballroom from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday night. They will compete for a secret monetary prize by singing, dancing, rapping, reading poetry and playing music, Scott said. Sign-ups end Thursday.
Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom will be the Ice Cold Comedy Show, featuring Black Entertainment Television's Tony Roberts. The comedy show is the week's highlight, Campbell said, and gives students a chance to relax before finals. Ball State students with an ID can attend for free, while other attendees must pay $5.
The Gold Rush Week party with a live DJ will be held at Center Stage in downtown Muncie after the show, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Students attending must present a valid ID and a $5 cover charge will be issued to help the fraternity re-coupe some of the costs of the week's events.
"They are fun events and there aren't a lot of things to do right now so people can come out and have fun and be uplifted." Barksdale said.
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