Howard Payne University has many Greek organizations on campus. With the start of the Spring 2021 semester, many of HPU’s students have decided to pledge with Greek life.
Organizations including local sororities which are Delta Chi Rho, the longest Greek organization on campus, as well as Chi Alpha Omega, and Pi Theta Chi. Fraternities include Delta Epsilon Omega, and Iota Chi Alpha.
The pledging process is normally a 6 week long process, but due to COVID-19 as well as all of HPU athletics having concurrent seasons, this semester’s pledge process is only 5 weeks long.
Parker Hughes, president of Delta Chi Rho is one of many who enjoys the process of pledging.
“Getting to see how the potential new members grow and become a part of the sisterhood is really exciting to see. We love adding to the sisterhood, it makes our family so much bigger and crazier,” said Hughes.
Throughout the 5 weeks of pledging, each organization has their own calendars packed full of fun events for the PNMs. It can seem like a lot of work and very overwhelming at the beginning, but as PNMs get into the groove of things, they begin to make lifelong friendships with the members and their fellow pledges.
Delta Epsilon Omega’s New Member Educator TJ Shands has enjoyed coming up with events for the pledges of DEO.
“My favorite part about being the PNM educator is getting to be creative with events as well as finding ways to help our PNM’s get closer with the members. Our pledges really come out of their shell during these pledge weeks,” said Shands.