Alumni Spotlight:

Felicia E. Gaskins, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was the first of the nine NPHC fraternal organizations chartered on the WSU campus. The chapter, Kappa Sigma was chartered in 1976 and has been in continuous operation until the academic year, 2007-08. Felicia has been the advisor for this chapter throughout its history with the exception of three years. She became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority(AKA) after completing her undergraduate education. Felicia is an alum of WSU and during her undergraduate years there was not an AKA chapter. She always knew that if she became a member of a sorority it would be Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; her mother has been a member of the sorority more than 60 years. An important aspect of the Greek experience for members of the historically Black fraternities and sororities, is the concept of lifelong membership. All of the organizations were begun with the idea of prolonging college friendships and creating opportunities for members to continue community service, begun in college, throughout one’s life time.

At WSU, AKAs have always been leaders and doers. There are annual programs like AKApella a talent competition for WSU students. For seven years, Kappa Sigma has planned and sponsored a banquet honoring the achievements of WSU’s African American male students, staff, and faculty. Each fall semester, Kappa Sigma puts on Skee Week. This week includes workshops on breast cancer prevention, managing college finances, and getting into graduate school. Kappa Sigma joins with other student organizations to participate in the annual MLK celebration, Kwanzaa, and children’s reading night at the library. Kappa Sigma members tutor in the Pullman schools and participate in community fundraisers, i.e. Habitat for Humanity and Buckle Up.

Kappa Sigma members will join with thousands of other Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members to celebrate the sorority’s centennial this July. Kappa Sigma hopes to begin a new phase of its history a WSU during fall 2008 by bringing in a new members class.