Magazine Article - "NIC" (Spring 2010): In April 2009, within view of the Pentagon, the Joint Services Color Guard of the Military District of Washington opened the centennial meeting of the North-American Interfraternity Conference House of Delegates. To acknowledge the growth of the fraternal movement, and to recognize that the 73 NIC member fraternities represent both national and international organizations, the executive directors and guests present sang both the Canadian and American national anthems. With the House of Delegates session launched, so was a year-long centennial celebration that highlights interfraternalism, brotherhood and collaboration.

The National Interfraternity Conference was founded at the University Club of NYC on November 17, 1909 by delegates of 26 fraternities. At the NIC’s 75th anniversary, one dinner speaker noted that in 1909, “the climate was such that the country, the fraternities and the people were ready for change.”  And in the 100 years since fraternities agreed there was value in collaboration; the fraternal movement has indeed changed – the country, the fraternity system, and the
people involved with both.

Today there are 127 inter/national fraternities and sororities, and 73 fraternities hold membership in the NIC. In the 100 years since the NIC’s founding, two additional important trade organizations have developed, reflecting how the fraternity world and the country have developed. The National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc. represents nine fraternities and sororities with predominantly African-American membership; and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations has a membership base of 23 fraternities and sororities.

The industry continues to evolve with the development and growth of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellenic Association (NAPA) and the National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC). Combined, the 12,000 fraternity and sorority chapters on more than 800 campuses in the U.S. and Canada have membership of more than nine million, with 750,000 of those being today’s undergraduate members and the world’s future leaders.

The roots of the NIC go back to 1883, to a meeting of fraternity editors in Philadelphia. Beta’s Willis O. Robb, Ohio Wesleyan 1879, was at the center of galvanizing such interest. Ten years later, the “College Fraternities Congress” washeld at the Chicago’s World Fair; and in 1895, more than 300 fraternity men met in Atlanta to form The American Panhellenic Society. The idea for a permanent society was formalized November 17, 1909 with the help of Beta’s Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883, the NIC’s founding secretary. In the 100 years since the association has grown nearly threefold. Today, through advocacy, collaboration, and education the NIC works to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environment conducive to their success. That is the NIC mission.

The NIC provides extensive programming for IFCs and campus leaders to learn through the IFC Academy and the INTERCHANGE Resource Network. It also provides extensive programming for IFCs and campus leaders to develop their leadership through undergraduate programming that includes the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI), the IMPACT Institute, the Alumni Academy, and the Jon Williamson Futures Quest. In 2010, the NIC will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of UIFI, a program launched under the leadership of long-time executive vice president (17 years) and Beta, Jonathan J. Brant, Miami ’75, from which over 10,000 fraternity and sorority leaders have graduated since 1990.

To kick off the 100th year, leaders of all major interfraternal associations joined the crowd in Washington at the Centennial Banquet to recognize the successes of the fraternity world and to discuss what that work will look like over the next 100 years. The banquet room was filled with a memorabilia exhibit recounting 100 years of the NIC; and reminiscent of a Harry Potter movie, the flag of every member fraternity was hung from the ceiling.

The celebration will continue throughout this year. A Centennial Charter was created and displayed at the annual meeting in Washington, and all 73 members will receive a framed edition. To return to the roots of the NIC, the winter 2010 meeting of the board was held in New York City to coincide with a reception in the University Club where the group replaced the 75th anniversary plaque with one commemorating the centennial.