Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This collection contains materials related to Diane Hill Becton, who was one of seven trailblazers who helped found the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at NCSU in 1972. Delta Sigma Theta was the first Black sorority established at the university.
Diane Hill Becton (then Diane Hill) was one of seven members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Trailblazing Interest Group, which received a charter from NCSU in 1972. At this point, however, the group only had seven of the required ten interested initiates to form an official chapter. Becton played a key role in retaining interest in the group after one of its initial leaders, Annete Exum, graduated. Becton graduated from NCSU in 1973. In 1975 the Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was officially established, becoming NCSU’s first African American sorority.
Diane Becton was also one of the founding members of the NCSU Black Alumni Society in 1979, along with her husband, Elwood Becton, whom she met through the Black student community at NCSU. Elwood served as president of the group from 1979-1981, and Diane was president from 1991-1993.
The collection contains a 1991-1993 brochure from the Black Alumni Group, NCSU Alumni Association; a timeline titled "Honoring Black History at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina: Some Additional Facts"; a pamphlet on the history of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta (in physical and revised digital form); and a photocopy of a Technician article from November 1972 titled "Sorority seeks expansion."
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Diane Hill Becton Papers, MSS 00468, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Diane Hill Becton.
Finding aid written by Katie Bushman, 2024 December; processed by Katie Bushman, 2024 December; Collection guide updated by William H. Boyer, 2025 April.
Included is 1 Acrobat PDF 1.4 - PDF file.
After review, access to the digital copies may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
Included is 1 Acrobat PDF 1.6 - PDF file.
After review, access to the digital copies may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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Special Collections Research Center
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Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Diane Hill Becton Papers, MSS 00468, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.