The funds will directly support student programs and expand study abroad opportunities
A generous $50,000 gift from the Zeta Phi Alumni Foundation, a representative of the Zeta Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., will empower students in the University of Florida’s African American Studies program to expand their horizons through international study.
The endowment marks a significant milestone for the historically African American fraternity, which recently celebrated 50 years of service, leadership, and scholarship at UF. Presented during the African American Studies program’s fall convocation, the contribution reinforces Kappa Alpha Psi’s commitment as a continued force for positive change.
“The African American Studies Program would like fifty percent of its majors to participate in a study abroad program,” said Director of the African American Studies Program and Associate Professor of History David A. Canton. “The gift will provide the resources to help us reach our goal.”
Students will benefit from immersive study abroad experiences, enhancing their understanding of African diaspora cultures and histories around the world. The funds will annually support two $1,000 scholarships for students participating in study abroad excursions.
Currently, the program leads trips to Paris and Ghana, with plans to expand to additional locales. These excursions are pivotal to students’ learning, but financial constraints can be a barrier.
“We want all students to be able to achieve the full Florida experience,” said Cedric Washington (BSBA marketing ’87), the alumni foundation’s president. “Our gift helps bring all voices to the table.”
For over 50 years, UF’s Zeta Phi chapter has exemplified the fraternity’s core values of service, leadership, and academic excellence. Their hospitality and camaraderie with brothers across the Southern states have earned them a long-standing nickname as “The Pearl of the South.”
