NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) -- Illinois State University students, alumni and friends are eager to see the completion of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza, spotlighting the historically Black fraternities and sororities.

"I'm ready to walk through the plaza, I'm ready to strut my stuff and I'm ready to celebrate," said Shelley Reed-Brooks, a 1987 initiate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated - Gamma Rho Chapter.

Reed-Brooks is a NPHC Plaza committee member. She said constructing a plaza has been years in the making.

"A member of Sigma Gamma Rho was the president of ISU NPHC. And she brought an idea to her advisor that we should have a plaza because she saw all over the United States NPHC plazas were popping up everywhere," said Reed-Brooks. "It came to fruition years after she left. And to see that the seed is grown is remarkable."

The Black-Greek Lettered Organizations have been on ISU's campus for more than 50 years. Denise Nelson was initiated into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated - Lambda Epsilon Chapter in 1977. She says having a plaza is monumental.

"It's representing the social presence of the African American students on ISU's campus," said Nelson.

The want was there but a significant amount of money needed to be raised.

"Three years ago, it was determined we would aim to raise $300,000 in private support from alumni and friends," said Elizabeth Klatt, director of advancement and constituent relations for ISU. "And the University decided at that time, if we could raise $300,000 they would financially support the rest of the project."

With that in mind, each organization was tasked with raising $20,000 to go towards the $300,000 goal. In July, the University Board of Trustees approved the design and construction services for the project. The total amount is not to exceed $1 million. The plaza will be located between Hovey Hall and the Old Union Building.

"I'm especially grateful to the alumni chapters and members of the NPHC organizations whose fundraising efforts helped ensure that each organization will be represented in the plaza," President Aondover Tarhule said during the meeting.

With just under $100,000 left to fundraise, in June Dr. Levester Johnson, Vice-President of Student Affairs, decided to pledge thousands of his own money to finish the job.

"He decided in order to sort of get us to the finish line of fundraising and to reach and/or surpass the $300,000 mark, that he would personally challenge everyone and give a gift of $25,000," said Klatt. "Matching every dollar that anyone donated between now and the end of August."

To celebrate three years of campaigning, a ceremony is planned for Oct. 23 during Homecoming Week. The expectation is to have the plaza ready for the next homecoming.

"I'm just looking forward to seeing this plaza and taking some pictures myself," said Nelson.

The deadline to donate a minimum of $1,000 to have your legacy etched into the plaza with an engraving is Aug. 31. Overall donations are continuously being accepted. To donate and for more information about having your legacy engraved, click here.

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