Many young men on Southeastern’s campus joined together Friday, Aug. 30 for another Interfraternity Council Bid Day in the Student Union Ballroom.  Each fraternity stood together waiting for the new pledges to enter the door of brotherhood.
“Being on IFC, I got to see other chapters and realized we can be more inter fraternal and have more connections,” said Chris Simoneaux, First Vice President of recruitment for IFC. “And that’s what I think Greek life is all about, making connections and having fun.  Also, making life-long friendships that will last a lifetime and will benefit you for years to come.”
The potential Greek pledges went through recruitment leading up to Bid Day.  After visiting fraternity houses and seeing what Greek life is all about, the potentials then got bids from the fraternities and accepted membership to fraternities of interest.
“Once they sign today they’ll go to their chapters, and hopefully they’re happy and they’ve made the best decision because it’s for life,” said Simoneaux.  
It was a happy day for most as they began to picture what the next semester would be like alongside one of the fraternities.
 “Greek just offers such a wide range of different involvement in the college atmosphere, and I just wanted a way to get involved and have that brotherhood that a lot of my family has talked so much about,” said Brenden Twomey, a freshman business major who accepted Theta Xi’s bid.
Twomey enjoyed recruitment and found it well organized, but many felt the anxiety that comes along with the week.
“There was a lot of stress. I’m just glad I have my group now,” said Jacob Smith, freshman integrated biology major who accepted a bid from Pi Kappa Alpha.  “I feel like I can relax now; it’s good.”
Despite the pressures of choosing a fraternity, Smith found the chance to interact and meet with the other men easy and helpful in his decision.  
“The process of recruitment was actually just a lot of meeting new people and talking to them,” said Smith.  “I found it easy because everyone here was so cool and helpful, and I really didn’t feel like I was left out.  So I really appreciated it.  It feels like I’m going to be really starting something and the next four years and the rest of my life will be a big deal.”
The young men represented from each fraternity will share a bond and experience things together especially through the college years.  Friendships will be shaped and memories made.
“I just connected with them the best and that’s what it’s really about,” said Twomey about Theta Xi.  “It’s not about what fraternity has the highest GPA. It’s about who you connect with on a personal level, and the Theta Xi guys just did a really good job of making me feel welcome.  I think it’s going to be a great brotherhood experience.”