By: Faith Yoho

West Virginia Wesleyan College Greek Life has added several new members this semester throughout the fall recruitment period. 

Beginning at the start of the fall semester, each sorority and fraternity on campus rushes to recruit potential new members for their chapter. They do this through fun events held on campus in hopes of driving up their student interaction. Some examples of the events held by sororities included a cotton candy table (Alpha Delta Pi), a s’mores night (Zeta Tau Alpha), cookie decorating (Alpha Xi Delta), and cornhole (Alpha Gamma Delta). The fraternities on campus, Theta Chi, Theta Xi, Chi Phi, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Kappa Alpha Order, will typically host open houses where those interested can eat a meal and bond with the brothers. 

Though the fall recruitment classes are typically smaller than the spring, each Greek chapter had a relatively successful season! Alpha Delta Pi recruited four new members: Isabel McCloy, Chloe Saltis, MaKenzie Edwards, and Molly Knackstedt. Alpha Xi Delta welcomed three new members: Gracey Arnold, Abi Borello, and Emily Ross. Zeta Tau Alpha succeeded in recruiting seven new members: Alexa Davis, Ashlyn Smith, Madison Grose, Jesslynn Hogston, Melody Calkins, Anna Swearinger, and Meredith Cottrell. Alpha Gamma Delta also welcomed three new members: Katie Morgan, Zoe Jarvis, and Kaylie Toler. Congratulations to each sorority!

Meredith Cottrell, a sophomore Philosophy and Public Service major, recently joined Zeta Tau Alpha this September. 

“I joined a sorority because I wanted to experience sisterhood and gain a sense of belonging, which is one of the main attributes of sorority life. Each of us should feel welcomed with open arms when joining a sorority and that is what ZTA did for me. I also wanted to be a part of something bigger, and better myself by being around those who have experienced some of the same things I did and learn from them,” Cottrell said. 

When asked if she would encourage others to join Greek Life at WVWC, Cottrell was very encouraging. 

“I would say go for it. Shoot for a chance to be part of an experience that is unique and you can only experience in college. These are friendships that last a lifetime from future bridesmaids to future pen pals for when we are gray and old. Each Greek Life organization is unique and has importance on this campus. They provide many events and opportunities to get involved on campus to students,” Cottrell stated. 

The fraternities were also able to add several new members to their brotherhoods. Theta Chi recruited two new members, Theta Xi recruited three new members, Chi Phi recruited two new members, and Alpha Sigma Phi recruited one new member. Although Kappa Alpha Order did not add any new members this semester, their brothers are hopeful and looking forward to Spring Recruitment! Congratulations to each fraternity!

Kanaan Abbas, a sophomore Exercise Science major, is a new member of Theta Chi and is loving the decision he made to join. 

“Last year (freshman year) I didn’t really put myself out there and I wanted to make some life long friends. I was on the soccer team and one of the players I was closer with was in a fraternity and invited me out to the house. Ever since that day I never looked back and it has been one of the best decisions I have made,” Abbas said.

Like Cottrell, Abbas also heavily encourages those interested in Greek Life to give it a chance. 

“A fraternity isn’t just a group of people, it is a chapter in your life that will always have a safe place in your heart. The memories you will make will be in the back of your head like it happened yesterday, along with always having safe arms and mind to help you when you are at your lowest. The brotherhood and all the past memories and future plans always keeps me excited,” Abbas shared. 

The new members were celebrated on each sorority and fraternity’s respective Bid Days! Some of the sorority bid day themes included Wizard of Oz (Alpha Xi Delta), My, My, Miss American Pi (Alpha Delta Pi), Honey, I’m Home (Zeta Tau Alpha), and Coquette (Alpha Gamma Delta). The new members are also celebrated and introduced to the rest of Greek life at Jump, a traditional event that was held on September 21st. 

Welcome home to all new members and good luck on spring recruitment!

Photo of WVWC fraternities and sororities on Jump. Photo from WVWC Greek Life.