TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. has established a national scholarship honoring University of Alabama student Brandy Nicole “Nikki” Murphy.

The scholarship will be awarded for the first time in June during the organization’s national convention in Baltimore, Md.

Murphy died in an automobile accident last year. She was pursuing a degree in athletic training at UA at the time of her death and she was a member of the Delta Xi Phi Sorority. Murphy was from Florence.

The scholarship will be awarded to an active member of Delta Xi Phi who goes above and beyond to further the advancement of the sisterhood. Each year, the recipient will be announced annually at Delta Xi Phi’s national convention. The amount of the scholarship will be contingent upon the amount of donations received.

Donations are accepted on a continuous basis, and any amount is appreciated. If you wish to make a donation, please include your name and contact information so that Delta Xi Phi can acknowledge all donors.

There are two ways to donate to the scholarship fund:

Send a check or money order written out to Delta Xi Phi to
Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Brandy Nicole "Nikki" Murphy Scholarship,
P.O. Box 5218, Chicago, IL 60680-5218

For electronic donations, go to http://www.paypal.com and send the donation to deltaxiphi@yahoo.com. Include a comment or note regarding the scholarship.

Delta Xi Phi was founded in 1994 at The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign by 15 women who created a sisterhood that embodied five pillars: the advancement of women through higher education, increasing multicultural awareness, community service, sisterhood and friendship. Since then, the sorority has grown to 15 chapters and two colonies in 13 states.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.