MANDY'S BLOG at TRINITY UNIVERSITY

I love to make fun of your stereotypical sorority girl. I’ve got a really great “ohmygosh, you kissed who? Where did you get your new dress?�? routine. When someone even mentions the words “Mandy�? and “sorority�? in the same word, it usually has “would never be in a�? in between. I’m not blonde, I’m not excessively perky, I don’t wear enough make-up to pave a road, and I’m rather proud of my academic achievements. No way I was joining a sorority when I went to college. I vividly recall going through each sorority page on the Trinity website, barely giving a second glance to the more substantial information posted by each group. There was one group in particular- everything was covered in purple and sunflowers, with this ridiculous doll on the page. There was no way I would even talk to that one.

Now, I seem to be coming off as a pretty negative person. Not so! I love meeting new people, getting involved in organizations and having fun. I was just raised in a very anti-Southern ideal family (meaning anything having to surround football culture- sorry, my parents are from California- they don’t get it!). To move things along, after a month a Trinity, I got an invitation to go to dinner with Alpha Chi Lambda (that very purple sorority I laughed at). After much debate, my roommate basically pushed me out of the room and into their cars. I had the greatest dinner with a group of strangers I could possibly imagine. They were smart, funny, witty, silly, and best of all, completely over-whelmed by the crazy amounts of class hours they were taking and all of the clubs they were officers for. Could it be that these girls are….like me? I learned the Trinity Greek system is very unique; all sororities and fraternities are local, meaning that they are the only chapters in the nation. That means lower dues, smaller groups, no group houses and closer connections. I liked that. I continued to go the events the girls invited me to- coffee, ice cream, dancing, movie nights and their formal parties. I had a blast at each. Every single girl I met was smart and capable. And very few were actually blonde. To make a long story short, I joined Alpha Chi Lambda when formal rush started in January. Looking back now as Junior, and after serving as Orientation Chair and Unity Chair, I know I made one of the best decisions I possibly could have for my college career. I have found a group of friends that encourage my personal growth, my interests and best of all, like me for exactly me and demand that I never change who I am for anyone.

Friday is what we Greeks lovingly call "Greek Christmas", also known as Bid Day. After the informal and formal periods of rush, sororities and fraternities extend a formal invitation, or bid, to new members, and this is the day they learn about it. It's utter, wonderful madness. Every member of every social Greek club is at the Fountain, eagerly awaiting their new members. Club colors, feather boas, massive flowers, Greek letters, balloons, glitter, screaming, cameras and wigs are abound- it's like a circus, but without the clowns. Members of the campus community observe the proceedings from a safe distance in Northrup Hall- and for good reason- because the moment the first new member of a club comes running up the steps to the fountain, the entire Greek community erupts in an enormous roar of welcome, and the screaming and madness does not stop until every new girl or guy has joined their club, smothered with hugs and new t-shirts and flowers, and dragged off to a welcome party in their honor. To me, the day I received my bid into Alpha Chi was one of the greatest days of my life. That sounds ridiculous, I suppose, to some, but the outpouring of love and kindness and friendship made me cry with happiness. So, to any Greek reading this, or anyone considering the Greek system- give it a shot. If I can do it, you can do it, and there is a place for you.

My pledge class on Bid Day 2007, welcoming new members