The Sigma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. looked back on four decades of community service on Saturday, but also took the time to look forward to the next 40 years.
The morning celebration was held at the Woodside Plantation Club before Aiken residents and leaders that included House Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken, City Council members Lessie Price and Gail Diggs and County Council member Willar Hightower.
The program's theme was "Forty Years of Serving the Community and Still Uplifting As We Climb," and Dr. Shawn Foster, the incoming deputy superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools and the program's keynote speaker, called on his fellow fraternity brothers to "be a part of somebody's wildest dreams" moving forward.
Foster is the director of Student and Administrative Services for the Spartanburg School District 7, and holds state certification in the areas of superintendent, secondary supervisor and guidance and counseling. Foster also holds a Master's degree in the arts and education and a doctorate in education, and has experience working as a director, principal and guidance counselor.
Foster will replace District Deputy Superintendent David Caver, who will retire in late June.
"You've done a lot in 40 years, accomplished a lot over the past 40 years," he said. "But it's not about what you did, but about who you did it for. No matter what we accomplish, no matter what I have done, I need to be reminded that it wasn't for me but for someone else to have those opportunities."
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded in November 1911 on the Howard University campus in Washington, D.C. The fraternity is comprised of more than 750 chapters nationally; each chapter is mandated to implement programs involving scholarships, social action, health initiatives, literacy, mentoring, education and music.
Nathaniel Dicks, the chapter's president, also spoke briefly Saturday. He, as well as Foster, recognized one of their late fraternity members who died just a couple of months ago.
From that, Foster told the audience to always remember to be "humble" while doing the impossible.
"You worked so hard for so long with so little that you're now capable of doing anything with nothing," he said. " ... Thank you for what you'll continue to do."
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.