A Delta Gamma sorority member hugs a new member at Bid Day at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
Sunday at The University of Mississippi is typically regarded as the day of rest after a long Saturday of tailgating and Rebel football. The exception to this unspoken rule is Panhellenic Bid Day.
First to arrive on the row were the affiliated sorority sisters.
Clad in colorful T-shirts and tank tops, face paint and neon trucker caps, they gathered on the lawns of their houses beneath rainbows of balloon arches, clapping, chanting, ready to welcome new members into their chapters.
At 12:45 p.m., the Gamma Chis — sorority members who disaffiliated from their chapters in the spring to advise and guide potential new members through the week-long recruitment process – took the stage in the Grove.
As the time for the annual run inched closer, the potential new members (PNMs) swarmed at the base of the stage and if it were even possible, began to grow even more anxious about the reveal that was minutes away.
Last week, 1,556 women began the recruitment process, narrowing potential sisterhoods down through a mutual selection process.
“So now, what you’ve all been waiting for – bid cards,” Claire Pride, vice president of recruitment counselors said.
The time had come. Screaming intensified once again as the Gamma Chis broke off into groups and handed out cards bearing the letters that represented the women’s future homes.
As the white envelopes opened and the bid cards were revealed, the army of ecstatic young women dashed down Rebel Drive and Sorority Row.
Squeals erupted and tears fell as PNMs shed their potential status. They had become new members.
Just as it began, Bid Day concluded with all three: affiliated sorority sisters, Gamma Chis and new members. Each celebrated the newest additions to their sororities.
All three stood in the exciting and chaotic atmosphere, but each had her own perspective on Bid Day.
Gamma Chi
recruitment leaders
Mentoring and guiding new members through recruitment week was a task voluntarily taken on by the Gamma Chis.
Last spring 115 women were chosen after an interview selection process to serve as recruitment counselors. Upon being chosen, they each disaffiliated with their own sororities to serve as unbiased mentors for potential new members.
“it’s been so much fun getting to know all the girls going through recruitment and getting know girls in other sororities as well,” junior Gamma Chi Leader Susan Smither said. “We’ve honestly become so close and developed another sisterhood, which is what this is all about. That’s what I love.”
Smither and her fellow leaders assisted new members by advising them when they were faced with tough, emotional decisions.
Shortly after the new members opened their envelopes, Smither bolted back to the Chi Omega house, ready to welcome the newest pledge class alongside her sisters.
“I’m so happy to be back home,” she said with a grin. “It’s so great to see everyone smiling, and it’s just – it’s been a great day.
“I’m so excited everyone found their home. It’s going to be a great year for everyone.”
Affiliated sorority sisters
Many of them were on the other side of the crowd last year.
The current members of the sororities, sporting multicolored tulle tutus, feathered boas and inflatable animals, gathered in masses at the intersection of Sorority Row and Grove Loop.
Sophomore Kappa Delta Elizabeth Corbus was among the sea of green that waited at the front of the row.
“I’m super excited to see the girls I’ve got coming here today,” Corbus said. “I’m definitely excited, and they’re from all over which is great. It’ll be really fun to see who comes and runs here today.”
They greeted the stampede of ecstatic new members with songs and clapping, as their new sisters sprinted through the tunnel and into the mass of cheers and glitter.
“We were all already really close with each other, and this week I feel like we’ve come even closer than I ever could expect,” Corbus said. “I never thought that I would love something so much, and now I’m here and all the hard work really pays off.”
After decorating signs, painting their faces and donning their knee-high socks, older members’ excitement was almost tangible. This was especially true for senior Pi Beta Phi recruitment chairman, Molly Harris.
“We’ve worked so, so hard,” Harris said. “These girls have been working since January. I couldn’t ask for anything better from our girls today.”
As she stood on the lawn of the house that she ran to three years ago, her emotions began to overtake her.
“It’s my last Bid Day,” she said with tears running down her cheeks. “I’m overwhelmed. We’ve done such a great job this year. I couldn’t even be happier for my girls.”
New members
They were the center of everyone’s attention Sunday. New members waited anxiously in front of the Grove stage, as the crowd of family, friends and fraternity men converged to watch them run.
After receiving and opening their bid cards, freshmen Drew Abercrombie and Carson Bell simultaneously screamed and embraced one another while jumping up and down.
“I’m pumped. I got Delta Gamma,” Abercrombie said with a smile.
“I got Kappa, which is my favorite,” Bell exclaimed.
Abercrombie and Bell said balancing class and recruitment week was at times very stressful, but in the end it was all worth it.
“Ready to sprint?” Abercrombie asked before the two grasped hands and began their run to their respective new homes.
