An NIU fraternity will sponsor an awards ceremony Friday to recognize outstanding contributions from NIU minorities.

The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity announced Tuesday they will host the Golden Image Awards event for the fourth year.

The awards are given to honor any students or organizations which “serve the NIU minority committee,” said Irving Nicholson, president-elect of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Awards will “recognize minority students and organizations who promote a positive image on campus,” Nicholson said.

“This will hopefully encourage others to strive for excellence,” he added.

Nominees for the Image awards will represent 19 different categories, said Robert Grimes, chairman of the ceremony.

Some of the categories include best upcoming student leader, best adviser to a student organization, most artistically talented student (male and female), and most outstanding athlete (male and female).

Other awards include the Dolby award for the organization or individual who promotes the most positive racial climate. The award is named after interim NIU Ombudsman Stacy Dolby.

The Distinctive Pharaoh Award for a black male who promotes leadership and scholarship and the Golden Sphinx Award, “one of the highest awards for a strong role model,” Grimes said.

The ceremony, which also includes entertainment, will be held at 7:45 p.m. Friday in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

Tickets can be purchased for $4 per person and $7 per couple in DuSable Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.