By Bethany Ellis
It is almost time for women’s rush! This time of year is an exciting time where potential new members (PNMs) go through a process to see which social club fits them best! Active members of each social club have spent months preparing for this exciting week. Each club has different events planned to get to know the PNMs, and the three clubs that all PNMs get to look at are Pi Sigma Phi, Theta Sigma Chi, and Kappa Phi Beta.
Rush at OBU differs from the rush process at other universities. These organizations are not national sororities. They are fun clubs that have exciting events and great people who love to be involved around campus. These events include, but are not limited to, prayer retreat, mom’s day, dad’s day, initiation, and Big-Little. So, current members of the clubs are thrilled to meet their newest members and keep the club going. “I am looking forward to meeting the new rush class and making memories with my favorite people,” said Shadi Ottwell, a Sophomore Psychology; Pre-Counseling major. After the rush process wraps up on Wednesday, no matter which club a PNM ends up in, they get to go through bid day, which occurs on Friday where each club gives them a bid, and the PNMs go to their new club. There is a fun theme to celebrate the arrival of the newest members. Then, it becomes official on their initiation day, which is different for each club, and the whole club comes together to celebrate.
Rush is something to look forward to, both from the perspective of a PNM and a current member. No matter where everyone ends up, that club is the right fit for them, and there is no need to be nervous about the whole thing! “Be open to every club, each club has amazing people in it, and you can’t go wrong with any of them! Pray about where God will lead you and place you, and if you really don’t know which club to choose, call your mom because if you don’t know, she for sure will,” said Megan Williams, a Senior Student and Family Ministry major. For any PNMs reading this, don’t get stressed out about rush week, your new sisters will love you! “Come to rush! Have fun! Relax! It’s okay, we all just want to get to know you! Don’t forget to keep an open heart and an open mind,” said Katie DeBock, a Junior Psychology; Pre-Counseling major.
Come as you are to rush, whether that is how you dress or who you are as a person. You do not need to put on a filter to get into the club you want. At OBU, the clubs are accepting, and the Lord will lead you to wherever he wants you to be during your time here at OBU. “Just be yourself and go with the club that fits your personality and share similar spiritual goals,” Ottwell said. The current members were once PNMs, and they know what it’s like to have stress from rush. “I rushed Covid year, so everything was already weird with the masks and the social distancing. Once I was there and I talked to the girls in the clubs, I felt so much more relaxed,” said Williams.
