By Lydia Melby, Arts Editor
Spring rushing has once again come and gone, and after this preview for next fall rush’s season, many social club members are looking forward to the upcoming pledging process.
Spring rushes, which are not required for pledging like fall rushes, are a series of events organized by the various social clubs to advertise their clubs to potential pledges. The events began with the All Club Rush on April 6 and wrapped up Thursday night with the last three spring rushes from GATA, Galaxy and Trojans.
“Spring rushing is really important in that it isn’t mandatory, so that makes it really fun because the people that come are people that are just interested to find out more about the different clubs,” said Christina Perkins, president of Alpha Kai Omega and junior psychology major from Conroe. “It’s really important to go out there and meet as many people as you can, that way you get a taste of the different clubs and what they’re about, so you can think about it over the summer and make your decision.”
Levi Mawhirter, president of Pi Kappa and junior youth and family ministry major from Waco, also said spring rushing was a fun but important way for clubs to advertise their organizations.
“We’re a pretty new club, so we aren’t that well known to the student body, and spring rushing gets our name out there with some of the bigger clubs,” Mawhirter said. “Everybody loves to get free food, so spring rushing is a great time to just give out free food, be friendly and laid-back and just have a good time with people.”
Pi Kappa is one of the lesser-known social clubs on campus, and Mawhirter called it “the social club for the non-social club guy, who doesn’t really care about social clubs or maybe think they even serve a purpose.” He said besides the smaller size of Pi Kappa, what sets it apart is its focus on two things: accountability and service in the community.
“Pi kappa is just another option,” Mawhirter said. “It’s not really a traditional club, and I guess different than some of the bigger clubs. [service] is a good way to get outside the ACU bubble and meet the people around our campus and around Abilene.”
Kason Hart, president of Galaxy and junior electronic media major from Houston, said Galaxy’s spring rushing went well and the turnout to the events had him looking forward to the fall rushing and pledging season.
“Spring rushing is.a good opportunity for our guys in club to meet and get to know the people that might pledge,” Hart said. “We’re excited about pledging for next year, and I’ve already met a bunch of really great freshman guys and I look forward to seeing who comes out and decides to pledge.”
Frater Sodalis’ president Sean Smith said spring rushing is a vital part of the pledging process because it is important for students to know in advance what clubs they are interested in, and which they think would be a good fit.
“You go into the fall semester not knowing a lot about the different clubs, and after just a few rushes, you have to decide,” said Smith, junior accounting major from Spring. “Spring rushing is just another chance to get to know the different clubs you’re looking into.”
Students who missed spring rushing and would like to know more about the social clubs on campus can find the social clubs’ link on the ACU Web site under the “Student Life” tab, or can search for the social clubs by name on Facebook.
“The potential pledges and the club members seemed to have a ton of fun with the rushes,” Perkins said. “With all the excitement that’s been going on with spring rushing, I feel like it’s going to be even better next year.”
All students must be registered by 5 p.m. on Sep. 4, 2009, to pledge in the fall.
