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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to break ground on new park this Friday

Contributed rendering by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | An overhead view of the completed Divine Nine Heritage Park is pictured. The university will break ground on the project on Oct. 29, 2021.
Contributed rendering by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | An overhead view of the completed Divine Nine Heritage Park is pictured. The university will break ground on the project on Oct. 29, 2021. Contributed rendering by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | An overhead view of the completed Divine Nine Heritage Park is pictured. The university will break ground on the project on Oct. 29, 2021.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will break ground on a new park Friday to honor nine historically Black sororities and fraternities at the school.

The “Divine Nine,” as they are known, are part of the National Panhellenic Council, and five of the organizations celebrated their 50th anniversaries on UTC’s campus this year, according to a March news release from UTC.

“It was a momentous occasion to get these five groups on campus in 1971. When you bring in the NPHC organizations, it allows students to see themselves and to be represented in ways that they can find their niche and an opportunity to connect,” Yancy Freeman, vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs, said in the release.

“This was the beginning of a campus legacy built around diversity and inclusion and what it would ultimately mean about creating a welcoming environment for students,” he said.

If you go

Where: In front of the UTC University Center, corner of Vine Street and Terrell Owens WayWhen: 5:15 p.m. Friday.