Seven o’clock a.m. Saturday morning may seem early, but for social club members and pledges it is one of the few times they can acknowledge their distinguished alumni and sponsors. This Saturday, alumni will have the opportunity to meet new pledges and catch up with old friends during the Homecoming club breakfasts.
For weeks, club members have prepared menus, presentations and social events for the returning alumni. The clubs take this time to present merchandise and favors, recognize sponsors and provide entertainment for their honorary guests. Shelby Holt, senior advertising/public relations major from Fort Worth and Sigma Theta Chi secretary, is counting down to Saturday morning.
“Different things and other traditions change, but some have stayed since the very beginning,” Holt said. “It’s so fun to see how things have change and stayed the same since [the alumni] were in club and how much they still love being a part of club even though they’ve graduated.”
Holt is passionate about the tradition and history of her club, and she has had the opportunity to see how her club’s traditions have impacted numerous generations.
“The great thing about Sigma Theta Chi is that it has been around since the sixties, so a lot of people have pledges who are pledging,” Holt said.
The clubs will incorporate cherished traditions by listening to alumni tell their stories and club memories, giving members and pledges a sense of pride in their club. Justin Prince, senior biblical studies major from San Antonio and president of Trojans, looks forward to gaining a deeper perspective on the club’s history by talking with alumni from the club’s 70 plus-year tradition.
“A lot of them didn’t even have cell phones or Internet when they pledged,” Prince said. “I think it’s amazing how we are able to relate to them through the pledging experience.”
Prince said the Trojans also hope to mend broken memories and offer a new vision for the club at the breakfast, where they will have the opportunity to gain feedback from those supporting them.
For more information about ACU social clubs, visit http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/studentorgs/socialclubs/.
