In dedication to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement and the Zeta Omicron Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Murray State, a monument was erected in the spring of 2012. On Wednesday, the fraternity held a rededication ceremony outside Elizabeth Hall.
In 1969, when the fraternity joined Murray State, they were the very first black Greek-lettered organization on campus. During the late sixties, the fraternity was present and active in the Civil Rights Movement and was fortunate to call Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. their fraternity brother.
Since the fraternity was incepted they have worked to exemplify their creed of “Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love for All Mankind.”
James Stocks, founding member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., spoke at the rededication on Wednesday.
He said, “When we started the process, back in the late sixties, of organizing a fraternity and after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we never thought things would develop as well as they have.”
Alpha Phi Alpha has worked to continue King’s legacy. The rededication ceremony, held at the monument outside Elizabeth Hall, represents the fraternity’s hard work and they hope it will bring awareness to King’s teachings, and also respect and honor to the Civil Rights Movement.
President Randy Dunn also spoke at the rededication ceremony on Wednesday on behalf of the University.
“When we think about what the Zeta Omicron Chapter has done, what they represent to this campus is beyond just rededicating the memorial today, it is a chance to really honor the work that has gone on,” he said.
The monument serves as a reflection of the caliber of the faculty, students and staff that make up the Murray State community.
Shawnta, junior from Glasgow, Ky., enjoyed the rededication ceremony and expressed her feelings for the monument.
“It means a lot to me, especially because I am an African American with the right to vote and go to school. I absolutely believe this monument represents the rights I have today,” she said.
Story by Alex Berg, Staff writer.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other."
—Mother Teresa