On Sunday, Aug. 7, Fredonia Avenue filled with new pledges to each of Bradley’s fifteen fraternities. Anadexis, the formal ceremony culminating a weeklong recruitment process, took place that afternoon, and was followed by a block party for the entire greek community.
“For outsiders of greek life, I’d have to say there’s a big misconception about what rushing is,” freshman political science major Gerry Regep said. “It was a great way for me to get to know not only fellow freshmen, but upperclassmen as well. I chose Phi Kappa Tau because I felt at home with them.”
As each new member was announced, there was a welcoming roar from their respective fraternities.
During the prior weekend, all un-affiliated male students had the opportunity to tour houses and meet members of each chapter.
The fraternities hosted barbecues, basketball tournaments and other informal social events throughout the week, giving recruits a chance to get to know the members and culture of each chapter.
At the end of the week, each fraternity extended bids to its potential members at the Anadexis ceremony.
“Anadexis as we know it has only been running for about a decade,” junior vice president of the Interfraternity Council Mitch Kuldell said. “However, it has always been an important day in new members’ lives and symbolizes the start of their path to becoming fraternity men.”
New to the tradition of fall recruitment was Bradley’s chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, which was founded last spring.
“We were presented with an opportunity to join a fraternity that we could mold and shape into what we thought a fraternity should be,” junior mechanical engineering major and Founding Father of Delta Sigma Phi Michael Atkins said. “With no stereotypes or stigma to hold us back we are able to create our version of the perfect fraternity.”
Due to the small freshman class, Delta Sigma Phi received only two new pledges.
“This year was basically a trial run, [so] next year will be better because we are planning on changing a lot of things that could have gone better,” sophomore and social chair Brian Ivancich said.
IFC estimates recruitment numbers are down by 50 freshmen compared to previous years.
Although Anadexis is over, informal recruitment for many houses continues throughout the year. This is especially important for Delta Sigma Phi, who hopes to see more men join in the coming months, according to Atkins.
“I have learned so much in just a few weeks and I will look to improve upon the progress we have made thus far,” founding father and junior Nicholas Matysik said. “Success is not built on success. It is built on mistakes and failures and it is our responsibility to learn from them.”
