After a trip to the hospital earlier this semester, where she spent three days in a medically induced coma, Meghan Hancock is pledging Ko Jo Kai from her home.
Hancock, sophomore physical therapy major from Fairview, was hospitalized Sept. 4 after collapsing during her Lifetime Wellness class. She was rushed to Hendrick Medical Center where she was put in a medically induced coma.
Hancock is safely recovering at home and said she is feeling great. She is excited about the opportunity that has been given to her to pledge while off campus.
Hancock said the clubs officers came to her hospital room and offered her a bid.
“I was told that I wasn’t going to get to, and when they showed up that was a very big surprise,” Hancock said.
Leigh Foith, Ko Jo Kai historian, said the officer team and sponsors for Ko Jo Kai went to Mark Jackson, associate director of Student Organizations and Programs, to approve their idea of offering Meghan a bid for Kojies. A unanimous vote of club members ensured the bid, and the officer team, Jackson and Ko Jo Kai’s sponsors went to Hendrick Hospital to share the good news with Meghan.
“We prayed with Meghan, gave her a binder and a pledge pin, and let her know of our continued support for her in her recovery,” said Foith, senior Ad/PR major from Plano. “She was so surprised and so thrilled.”
Hancock said she has wanted to pledge since freshman year and was happy she has been given the opportunity to do it, despite her circumstances at home.
Hancock has been able to participate in certain activities, but cannot complete each pledging activity, as she is not on campus. She said she has video-chatted with members during meetings and will be doing some “stuff for pledging” when she returns to campus in the spring.
Though she has not been able to do every activity, Hancock said she was able to participate in Homecoming events and the members of Ko Jo Kai and the NuNu’s were extremely welcoming.
“When I got there on Friday to help with the float, the girls just took me in like I wasn’t even gone, they just acted like I was there the whole time,” Hancock said. “They are very supportive of everything.
Foith said it was great to see Meghan involved with her pledge class during Homecoming.
“Meghan fit right in with the rest of the pledge class, and definitely brought a positive and refreshing light to a stressful weekend,” Foith said.
Foith said Meghan’s pledging has provided a chance for social clubs to bring people together in community.
“Giving Meghan the opportunity to pledge is truly what social clubs on ACU’s campus are about,” Foith said. “We’ve been teaching our pledge class to lean on each other and carry each other’s burdens in the way that Christ carries ours. Meghan’s story is a testament to the community and support involved in being a member of not only this Christ-like group of women but being a Christian as well.”
