Greek life is a controversial topic across the nation. Many wonder if all Greek life is the way it is portrayed in movies,with wild parties and excessive drinking? Do sororities and fraternities mean something more than what is portrayed? Such questions are what more than 50 new sorority recruits at Shorter University learned during the 2014 recruitment process.
Freshman nursing major Macy Seagraves had no idea what to expect when recruitment began this semester, but what she found during the recruitment process led her to joining Greek life at Shorter. “Sorority life here is different than it is at any other schools,” Seagraves said, “and I think the people here are super genuine.”
Seagraves is from Athens, Georgia, and is glad to have found a sorority experience that is set apart from what has always surrounded her.
Seagraves rushed Phi Mu during this year’s recruitment and is pleased that her values and passions matched perfectly with those of the sisterhood “Phi Mu…had a philanthropy that I loved and…related to the medical field, and since I am a nursing major the medical field is important to me,” Macy said.
Although the recruitment process was not new to sophomore marketing major Maggie Sheffield, she experienced a different and meaningful side of the event this year.
“It was definitely an experience knowing how recruitment works on the inside,” Sheffiield said. “Recruitment can be a stressful time getting everything organized, but . . . it is awesome getting to know all of the girls going through it and meeting your potential sisters.”
Sheffield was able to meet many of the girls that went through the 2014 recruitment process and learned what the girls could contribute to Shorter Greek life over the next four years.
“The girls this year have so many qualities that go above and beyond sorority standards; very high GPAs, volunteer service already under their belts, dedication to studies, leadership skills and love for Christ are some of the outstanding elements the girls have brought to the table,” Sheffield said.
A new addition to the recruitment process this year was a chapter of the national sorority Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi). Shorter has quickly been growing and improving in the academic and athletic fields and now the arena of Greek life is becoming more competituve as well with ADPi at Shorter, as it offers numerous opportunities for community building and leadership among students.
ADPi member and senior nursing major Kelsey Mathis was able to experience all the new excitements of becoming a member of a national sorority this year. “Our [Epsilon Sigma] chapter will never forget its history on The Hill, but we are also excited for our future. Alpha Delta Pi has offered great opportunities for our sisters,” Kelsey said.
Although she was a Gamma Chi during this recruitment process and was therefore unable to participate in all the events held, Mathis was still able to get to know the girls who rushed and enjoy the recruitment process. “I can say that Shorter is already beginning a great future just because [the new recruits] are here,” Kelsey said.
Moreover, whether it was through performing a skit, setting up the room for that night’s recruitment activities or sitting and talking with a girl going through the 2014 recruitment process, each sorority member contributed to the fun and excitement that each new recruit experienced. Greek life is an important part of Shorter’s atmosphere and each sorority’s members are thrilled to see how the new recruits engage in Greek life and help Shorter achieve its mission to “transform lives through Christ.”
