The Lipscomb rush experience

Bid night — a time when all potential and current sorority and fraternity members come together to welcome pledges — was a time for excitement for all those that participated this year. Lipscomb University is consistently involved in the Social Club experience, and this year, the eight social clubs were extremely excited to welcome their newest members.

In order to reach bid night, potential new members (PNMs) had to attend rush around, open rush, and closed rush. Each of these events allowed the PNMs to build a deeper understanding of the potential social clubs they would be joining on bid night. 

Open house, also known as “Rush Around,” is students’ first chance to meet each social club. During this event, PNMs get a chance to briefly speak to each club that they are interested in joining. They learn about each club’s values, meet their executives, and hear about the philanthropy each club supports.

After rush around, PNMs attend open rushes for each club. These events usually last three hours, lets active members and prospectives get to know each other on a deeper level.

Open rush events are followed by closed rushes–a similar event, but with less members. This is the last chance for PNM’s to decide which club they want to join, before they make their final selection and clubs make their final vote.

The final rush event, Bid Night, is considered to be the most emotional of the entire process. The night begins when PNMs gather in the Student Center to receive an envelope with a card inside, telling them which social club they were accepted into. 

A member of Pi Delta, Anil Makhdoomi, described Bid Night as “One of the first chances to finally connect with your new sorority members. Before bid night, new members are just trying to find their own place”. 

As PNMs tore into their envelopes, screams of joy and excitement could be heard in the Stu. Later, they gather in Collins Auditorium with their full club to perform a cheer and kick off New Member Orientation (NMO) Week.

“It’s a time when members who barely know each other have a chance to become extremely close,” said Makhdoomi. “It’s truly a great night for connection.”

The connection will continue through NMO week, which will be happening this week as PNMs participate in club traditions around campus.

Feature image courtesy of @LipscombStudentLife