Andrea Holzwarth: Alpha Phi

Hi everyone! I am Andrea Holzwarth, Vice President of Marketing for Alpha Phi Sorority! I am so happy that you have come to this blog to find out what being Greek really means to some members!

Two years ago when I came to Wichita State, formal recruitment was the last thing on my mind. I was so busy worrying about where my classes were, how I was going to adjust to living in the dorms with a roommate, making new friends along with many other worries.

One night some girls on my floor were talking about a recruitment informational they were going to. Eventually, they talked me into going with them. As we trekked across the campus, the only thing I kept thinking was this is going to be a waste of my time. I knew I didn’t want to go Greek. Going Greek to me meant that I would eventually be a dumb blonde who didn’t care about anything except the way I looked.

As I l walked into the informational, the first thing I realized was the stereotypical girls were no where in sight.  When the Recruitment Coordinator started talking, I decided I might as well give her a chance and listen. After all, I was stuck in the room for the next hour anyway.

What I heard in the next hour really changed my perception of Greek life at WSU. The Recruitment Coordinator talked about the NO HAZING policy and how Greeks have a higher average gpa then non Greeks at WSU. She also talked about how much love she had for her sisters and her chapter.

She sold me! As I left the room, I knew I was going through recruitment. As soon I got back to the dorms, I applied online for formal recruitment!

I could hardly wait the two weeks until recruitment started. I wanted to join right then!

As formal recruitment rapidly approached, I was so excited to see all the chapters and to meet all the women!

After the first night of house tours, I knew I had made the right decision by going through recruitment. As we went to each Chapter House, I was surprised by how kind and caring the women were!

The second and third nights flew so quickly; they are still somewhat of a blur to me.  On Preference Night, I was torn between two chapters. They were both outstanding chapters; they had amazing women and they each had a great sisterhood!

As I walked to the Rhatigan Student Center on Sunday night to write down my choice, I didn’t know which chapter I was going to choose. I decided I needed help. I went to my Rho Gamma; she was amazing. She sat with me for at least 30 minutes talking my decision over. As I went into the computer area, I knew I had made my decision.

That night I was a bundle of nerves; I could barely sleep! I was so excited for Bid Day!

When we met in Hubbard Hall on Bid Day, I could feel the nervous energy in the room. One hundred girls sat around me all anxiously awaiting their envelopes seeing which Chapter they would call their sisters.

When I opened my envelope and saw Alpha Phi, I was ecstatic! I ran outside to grab my poster along with my new sisters!

Two years after my Bid Day, I still feel that excitement every time I am able to say I am Greek. Being Greek has changed me into a more compassionate and caring person. Without going through formal recruitment my freshman year, I have absolutely no idea where I would be today.

I highly encourage you to learn more about formal recruitment and sign up! Be yourself and have fun!  I hope to see you on the first night of recruitment! 

Bria Cherney: Gamma Phi Beta

     Hello there! My name is Bria Cherney, a senior member and Chapter Relations Chairwoman of Gamma Phi Beta. Whether you are already 100% committed to becoming a Greek or if you are still checking it out and trying to determine if it's for you, I would like to congratulate you for taking your first step towards joining a community devoted to devoloping its members. If you are hesitant, that's okay! I would just like to tell you a little bit about my first year of college and why I have never regretted going Greek.

     I remember the first call I received from the recruitment coordinator the summer before my freshman year. She was trying to sell me on how great Greek life is and how many friends I would make and how much fun I would have. All the while, I was thinking, "But what about the drama? What about the stereotypes?" I thought that in order to be in a sorority, you had to be a stick-thin, fake girl with big blonde hair. (I was none of those things.) So, I didn't go through recruitment. I figured I would make enough friends through living in the residence halls and going to class. Well guess what? I didn't. I found out that I am not very good at introducing myself to people and striking up friendships. I was close with my roommate and suitemates, but that was about it. I didn't have much of a social life..at least not the kind I would have liked.

     I had learned my lesson. I went through formal recruitment my sophomore year and dived in as a new member. I played intramurals, participated in campus traditions like Shocktoberfest and Hippodrome, and was elected into an office. Some of my sisters have become very close friends, but what's cool is that some of my closest friends are from other Chapters. I took advantage of the opportunities to attend national leadership conferences, and through my offices, have grown substantially as a leader. I learned that Greek life here at Wichita State is nothing like you see in the movies. If you still have doubts, I encourage you to at least go through formal recruitment. Find out what we're all about and make some friends along the way. It is a huge commitment (like a lifetime), but it is one I have never once questioned. I sincerely hope to see you in September!

Courtney Looney: Delta Delta Delta

Hi everyone! My name is Courtney Looney and I’m the current Vice President of Chapter Development for Delta Delta Delta here at Wichita State. I know that at this point in your life you may be searching for something to make your college experience one you can remember for a lifetime. But you also may be questioning whether or not Greek life is the true answer. My solution? It never hurts to take a leap of faith and try it. Throughout my time as a Tri Delta at WSU, I have served many roles, including the president of my chapter during my sophomore and junior years. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that sort of responsibility to be placed on my shoulders. The lessons I have learned through my leadership opportunities are hard to describe on paper, but if you’re willing to take the chance to experience Greek life, you will find that the Greek women at Wichita State value academic excellence, morals and values, sisterhood, community service and much more. The best part about this rewarding experience is that you get to share it with women who have the same passions as you do.

Tri Delta has given me the drive to always work harder and want to achieve more than I believe is possible. Without joining the Greek community at WSU, I’m not sure where I would be today. To be honest, WSU would probably not be in my life anymore had I not gone through Formal Recruitment during my freshman year. I have grown a substantial amount not only in leadership and academics, but socially, as well. To get me to talk to a stranger four years ago would’ve been impossible. Ask me to do that today, and I will happily jump right on it. The choice to go through Formal Recruitment may not seem like a huge deal right now in your life, but if you were in my shoes, you could see just how influential it has been to me. That being said, everyone is blessed to have their own experience as a Greek woman and that is what makes Wichita State Greek life unique and rewarding.

 It’s hard for me to imagine that in less than five months, my time as a collegiate member of Tri Delta will be ending. I’m graduating a semester early this December and am moving onto the big, scary “real world.”  At this point in my life, I can’t imagine not being part of the Greek community (sorry about the double negative, but I’m sure you get the point J). I have devoted my heart and soul to Tri Delta while being a Shocker. I gave up many things in order to be where I am today in terms of my leadership within my chapter, but in the end, I know it has all been worth it. Without Tri Delta and the WSU Greek system, I never would’ve found the true potential in myself that I am proud to say reflects in my daily life.

Formal Recruitment is an exciting time in your college life and I hope you can push your nerves aside and realize that if Greek life is calling you, it could potentially change your life in more ways than you can imagine. Take pride in your individuality and truly show who you are to the amazing Greek women at WSU during Formal Recruitment.  We wouldn’t want you any other way!

Ali Holloway: Delta Gamma

Hey everyone, my name is Ali Holloway and I am currently serving my second term as the Vice President of Membership for Delta Gamma. Being a leader in Delta Gamma as well as my experience with the Greek community as a whole has taken my college experience from ordinary to extraordinary. I have met amazing women, worked with influential advisors, and I have reached my full potential as a leader. I owe it all to becoming Greek. Above all the many benefits is that no matter what is going on in my life regarding school, family, and work… I have every single one of my sisters standing behind me willing to help me with whatever I need at the drop of a hat. Being Greek comes with a true sense of unity and knowing that you are not alone with what you are being faced with. It is an irreplaceable feeling, and I love it. 

             Deciding to go Greek is a big decision, but a very rewarding one. For women who seek service, sisterhood, and academic excellence you can look forward to endless fun activities, leadership opportunities, and sisters who will hold you accountable not only scholastically but morally as well.  Membership with a chapter is meant to last a lifetime, right along with the strong sense of sisterhood and bonds you will develop with all the Greek women who surround you. The decision is yours alone and an exciting one to be made!

            I became the Vice President of Membership because of a passion for recruitment I share with several other Greek women I know. We are so excited to meet you all; it is a wonderful experience we get to enjoy once a year. Take advantage of the unique opportunity, because recruitment will be here before you know it! Let your Rho Gamma know if you have any questions, they are great guides for you all. See you soon! :)