On Nov. 5, the Xi Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. celebrated their 30-year chapter anniversary on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

March 6, 1986, was the official date Phi Beta Sigma was brought Southeast, and members used Southeast’s homecoming as a weekend to reunite members of different classes and celebrate their brotherhood. Xi Iota held a tailgating event alongside the Tau Omicron chapter of Zeta Phi Beta at the homecoming football game and participated in the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show during intermission, which took place in Academic Hall. Xi Iota was featured in a slideshow during the program that displayed members from the beginnings of their chapter to present day. Immediately following the slideshow, members of Xi Iota gave a step presentation with alumni of various different graduation years, and alongside current students in the concluding step.

Senior Corrier Talton said he was proud to be part of this occasion and continue the Phi Beta Sigma Legacy. Talton became a member of the chapter in the spring semester of 2013.

“As one of the youngest members of my chapter, I felt honored to be part of a legacy that has been here since 1986,” Talton said. “I have never felt so connected to the brotherhood that we as men uphold for one another in this chapter.”

Anthony Crawford, an alumni of Southeast, said getting to join all his brothers to perform made a great statement of the beliefs and values his fraternity was founded upon.

“It was a fulfilling moment,” Crawford said. “One of our main principles is brotherhood, and being on stage with brothers from the year 1986 to present day exuded every sense of the word ‘brotherhood.’ And I felt oneness with everyone who was stepping with me.”

Members of Xi Iota planned and organized the celebration by donating their own funds and coordinating among each other to ensure as much attendance as possible. Phi Beta Sigma members from surrounding areas, including St. Louis; Carbondale, Illinois; and Evansville, Illinois, also were in attendance to show their support for the event.