CHAPTER NEWS
team manager, and Brother Singleton was the team’s trainer. One of Zeta Delta’s earliest and most last- ing contributions to campus life came through the vision of James O. Cuthbertson, Jr. (Alpha Epsilon 1970) who in 1970, spearheaded the creation of the Miss UNCC 49er Pageant—the first schol- arship pageant on campus that would later serve as a qualifying competition for the Miss North Carolina and Miss USA programs. Having previously judged pageants across North Carolina, Brother Cuth- bertson recognized the power of pageantry to build community, celebrate achievement, and raise funds for student initia- tives. He presented the idea to the chapter as a fundrais- ing opportunity that could also elevate campus unity and visibility for African American students. Under his leadership, the 49er Pageant became one of UNCCs most anticipated annual events. Sororities were invited to enter contestants, fraternities sponsored participants, and student organizations, including the newly formed Black Student Union, submitted
Zeta Delta’s zeal for achievement spans the generations.
“THE CHAPTER’S MOTTO, ‘WITNESS THE ZEAL,’ IS A TESTAMENT TO THE ENDURING SPIRIT THAT DRIVES EACH BROTHER TO SERVE AND ACHIEVE. ”
representatives to compete for the crown. Through this collaboration, the pageant highlighted scholarship, talent, and service, embody- ing the fraternity’s ideal of achievement in every field of human endeavor. The 49er Pageant laid the foundation for what is now Kappa Kourt, the chapter’s annual coronation honoring
women who exemplify elegance, scholarship, and excellence.
Reeves, who had been part of the original interest group before serving in the military, returned to campus and was initiated in Fall 1973. By 1977, he became the chapter’s lead advisor, a role he faithfully held for nearly four decades until his passing in 2015. In honor of his remark- able mentorship, the R.
COMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP
Following his graduation in 1972, Brother Swann joined the Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter and became Zeta Delta’s third advisor. Brother Robert Bernard
26 THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2025-2026
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