Ninety-five young men participated in the Interfraternity Council rush week at the beginning of this month, according to Maggie Warren, Greek Life director.
Rush began with IFC preview week, a series of events designed to help interested students learn more about Delta Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternities. Preview week included several “Meet the Greeks” events in the quad and open houses for each of the four fraternities.
Justin Lester, IFC President, said that preview week is not only about gaining new members, but it’s also a chance for each fraternity to show the campus what they are really about.
“Today’s fraternity is so much different from the ‘Animal House’ image of many years ago,” Lester said. “Academics, community and campus involvement, and continuing member education are top priorities for today’s Greek man.”
While the fraternities do not have to meet any set number of new members, most had goals they were hoping to reach. Pi Kappa Alpha exceeded their goal of 25 and by recruiting 26 new members. Kappa Alpha Order welcomed 23 new guys, Kappa Sigma recruited 17, and Delta Sigma Phi reached 16 new members. A total of 82 young men pledged to one of the four IFC fraternities during formal rush
Kappa Sigma President Tyler Ainsworth said, “We are very pleased, and are looking at also having a mid-term recruitment for guys we did not get the opportunity to meet during Preview Week.”
Jameson Johns, president of Delta Sigma Phi, said that in addition to the events in the quad and the open houses, his fraternity provided catering from Chef Eric Johnson each night.
While all four fraternities presented something different for prospective members, Chandler Woodard, a freshman business major who participated in rush, said he chose to pledge Kappa Alpha Order.
“I loved going through rush,” Woodard said. “When I met all of the KA’s, I felt extremely comfortable around them, almost like they were my long lost brothers.”
For those who are undecided or have chosen to postpone their decision, open rush will continue until Oct. 1.
