From the JAYwalk

A Divine 9 Celebration

For more than three decades, Aaron Granger '93 kept a challenge coin awarded to him as a senior by the Omicron Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Aaron received the coin for collaborating to recruit three new members, an undertaking that kept the light of the fraternity—one of the "Divine 9" historically Black Greek letter organizations—shining at Ohio Wesleyan.

On April 28, Aaron passed the challenge coin to another fraternity brother, Jason Harris '26. Like Aaron, Jason helped to recruit three new members as a graduating senior, ensuring that Alpha Phi Alpha would continue to exist and thrive on campus. But that's not all.

Aaron, working with his line brother, Dimitrius Andre Oliver '93 (now deceased), helped to initiate, or "cross," three brothers during the 1992-1993 academic year—Leon Smith '95, Earnest Winston '96, and Jay Williams '96. "They saved the chapter," Aaron said of the three initiates.

"Jason, in his senior year as the only remaining brother at OWU, inducted three brothers to keep the light of Alpha shining at OWU, one of whom is the son of Jay Williams, whom I pledged," Aaron said. "So, I would like to present Jason with the challenge coin I've held for 33 years."

The Bishops crossed by Jason are Jackson Williams '28 (Jay's son), Matthew deGraft-Johnson '28, and Xander Kingery '29.

In accepting the coin, Jason told those attending an OWU Divine 9 celebration: "I'm very proud to be an Alpha man. I'll cherish this for the rest of my life."

In addition to Alpha Phi Alpha, another Divine 9 organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is also active at Ohio Wesleyan. Two OWU students, Dez Dorelien '28, and Kaylen Brandt '26, crossed the sorority's citywide Nu Phi Chapter this year, along with Otterbein University's Daniela De Mata Hiciano '28. All of the new members were recognized during the campus celebration.

Together, the Divine 9 organizations comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council. They seek to facilitate brotherhood and sisterhood within the Black community while emphasizing community service and impact, educational empowerment, leadership skills, and social advocacy.

Jason Timpson, OWU's director of Multicultural Student Affairs, served as master of ceremonies for the event, sharing with the newest Divine 9 members: "Don't let these letters become dormant. Show up, do the work, and serve with excellence.

"You are not just members; you are builders," said Jason, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. "You are the spark. … Remember, one spark, many flames."