Delta Sigma Theta Awards North Carolina Central University $200,000 For Medical Research

[Photo Cred: Sharon Farmer]

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has given a grant of $200,000 to North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as part of this year’s Delta Sigma Theta Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Award. Every two years, Delta gives this grant to a historically black college or university (HBCU) in order to support a professor to be in residence to teach or conduct research.

This year’s award was given to Dr. Darlene K. Taylor, NCCU associate chemistry professor, to partner with the Campion Fund of the Phyllis and Mark Leppert Foundation for Fertility Research. The group plans to use the money to conduct uterine fibroid research as well as hold a public conference titled “Uterine Fibroids: What Every Woman Needs to Know.”

MayoClinic.org states that “Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years,” and that “as many as 3 out of 4 women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives, but most are unaware of them because they often cause no symptoms.”

This is a great achievement for NCCU and shows the dedication the Delta Sigma Theta has to supporting medical research. According to NCCU’s website, “The Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Award was established in 1977 at the sorority’s 34th National Convention as a perpetual trust fund to continue the group’s longstanding commitment to educational excellence through quality instruction at HBCUs.  The award was established to support and sustain these historical institutions, provide assistance to expand educational opportunities, and to give long overdue recognition to distinguished black instructors and professors.”

This year’s award was presented at Delta Sigma Theta’s 52nd National Convention in Houston, Texas, on July 25, 2015. Dr. Harriet F. Davis, vice chancellor for institutional advancement, accepted the award on NCCU’s behalf during the sorority’s public meeting.