After two weeks of recruitment, the potential new members of the 12 Panhellenic sororities at Syracuse University were finally awarded their bids on Sunday afternoon.

The excitement in the room was electric; sorority members lined the balcony of the auditorium, singing and dancing along to the music while girls rushed in clutching the white envelopes in which the name of their house was held.

All 12 houses were present during the ceremony, including: Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Phi Epsilon, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Sigma Sigma and Sigma Delta Tau.

Each house followed a specific theme for bid day. The sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma wore camouflage-themed hats and shirts with the phrase “Kappa Strong,” while members of Gamma Phi Beta wore shirts that read “Nothing shines brighter than a heart of gold” with gold accessories to match.

Once all potential new members were in their seats, the identities of this year’s Rho Gammas were revealed. Rho Gammas are representatives from every sorority that guide potential new members through the recruitment process. Their identities are kept a secret until bid day, when they are finally permitted to show off their house pride.

Following the reveal, potential new members were dismissed alphabetically to different classrooms around campus to receive the appropriate Bid Day shirt for their respective sorority. Once the shirts were distributed, potential new members ran from campus to the appropriate house, where sisters were eagerly waiting outside to welcome them.

“I’m really excited for the new pledge class because we’ve got to pass on the traditions and teach them how to be a Theta,” said Haley Murphy, a junior television, radio and film major and sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.

Murphy added that she is excited “to show more Theta love across campus.”

Once the potential new members arrived at their respective houses, hugs ensued, gifts were distributed and photos upon photos were taken in attempt to remember the moment as long as possible.

Dianna Devito, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences who received her bid for Alpha Epsilon Phi, said she is excited for the new connections the greek community will bring her.

“I’m so happy to have a bunch of new sisters to bond with and connect with,” Devito said.

Published on January 31, 2016 at 11:15 pm

Contact Brigid: brkenned@syr.edu