RK&K’s Site Development team recently completed and celebrated the grand opening of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Tribute Walkway at Towson University (TU) in Towson, Maryland.
The team provided design services including overall project management, coordination with the university, quality control, and construction documents for the second phase of the walkway, which features a series of pillars on the school’s Chapman Quad. Each pillar represents one of the school’s nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.
“I truly enjoy doing projects that hit home for me. When this came in, I was so excited because I’m a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority member and I know somebody in each one of these sororities and fraternities. I’m proud to do my part highlighting Black excellence at Towson,” said Project Manager Danielle Brock, PE.
Brock added that because the walkway is in such prominent location for students walking through campus, it provides an opportunity for them to stop and read the plaques and think about the history, importance, and contributions of these organizations.
“It gives me a lot of joy because it is both a history lesson and a symbol of pride on the campus for all to see.”
The project was officially opened to the public at Towson’s Homecoming and was fully funded through alumni donations.
“The history of the NPHC organizations on TU’s campus and this tribute is reflective of our commitment to ensure that we preserve that sense of belonging for our students and our commitment to community and service for all mankind,” said Towson University’s Vice President of Inclusion and Institutional Equity Patricia Bradley at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Marketing Manager Audrey Johnson, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, echoed Bradley sentiments.
“The NPHC Tribute Walkway located in a prominent area on campus, showcases the importance of the Divine 9 and underlines their profound impact at TU,” said Johnson. “One of the 5 tenets of AKA is ‘service to all mankind.’ This walkable monument presents an opportunity to share the mission and purpose of AKA with others who may support those ideals and embrace diversity and inclusion on campus.”
The NPHC tribute is fully funded through donations, and is the first step in the university’s plans to recognize the presence and history of its student organizations.
