Some might dismiss sorority recruitment as a parade of pastel dresses and pre-planned small talk. However, the women leading this year’s events at Grand Valley State University see the week as a chance for first-year and transfer students to discover a network of support that remains beyond Bid Day.
The week began Sept. 4 with a Potential New Member Orientation, followed by the Information, Values and Preference rounds Sept. 5–7. The concluding event, Bid Day, is set to take place Sept. 8. The theme of this year’s activities, “recruitment going coast to coast,” was infused by sorority leadership into every handshake and hallway chat. Recruitment aimed to offer more than just an introduction to sorority chapters. For those in Greek life, the events delivered a values-driven experience rooted in authenticity, connection and unique themes.
A catchy slogan is more than simply a tagline. It serves as a way to highlight variety within unity, showcasing how nine sorority chapters — Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Kappa and Sigma Sigma Sigma — create different paths toward the same goal of sisterhood. This year’s theme aimed to foster a welcoming environment that allowed potential new members (PNMs) to be engaged throughout multiple rounds of events.
Megan Splan, a Rho Gamma senior at GVSU, reflected on her interpretation of the theme.
“I love ‘coast to coast’ because it allows us to all connect and appreciate each chapter,” Splan said. “It allows us to come together despite our differences and help others go through the recruitment process. Being a Rho Gamma means more than just a recruitment counselor, it’s being a role model that others can look up to. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.”
Lilly Epley, the GVSU Panhellenic Association’s Vice President of Recruitment, said she wants PNMs to feel supported and excited as they find the chapter that feels like home.
“Come in with an open mind, let yourself be present (and) trust the process,” Epley said.
To some, Panhellenic life carries a reputation for its outdated traditions, however, students noted this year’s recruitment felt rooted in the present. Social media campaigns provided reassurance for nervous newcomers. Epley emphasized that traditional round formats and Bid Day remained largely unchanged from 2024. However, she said transitions are smoother and more personable, designed to lift away stress and deepen connections. At the same time, Panhellenic rules ensure the experience maintains capped budgets, no mandatory outfits and transparent values.
The Phi Mu Rho Eta chapter, founded nationally in 1852 and at GVSU in 2008, leaned into recruitment season through a savvy mix of tradition and Instagram-ready updates. Their recent posts highlighted outfit suggestions for each round and practical advice for PNMs packing their “Rush bag.” Above all, the sorority’s Instagram captions highlight the importance of flexibility and self-expression, mentioning, “Most importantly, wear what feels the most authentic to YOU.”
Phi Mu’s Instagram photos, from summer travels in Italy to snapshots of campus sisterhood, reinforce that sorority life isn’t confined to one weekend in September. It reflects mentorship, leadership and shared experiences that extend across semesters, careers and continents. Between nine chapters and hundreds of sisters, there are countless ways for students to find where they belong.
Although recruitment can be stressful for both sororities and PNMs, it is also a process that Epley, Splan and their organizations have tried to make less overwhelming and more meaningful, encouraging genuine dialogue between PNMs and established chapters.
“Don’t be afraid to show your true authentic self,” Epley encouraged. “It (makes) all the difference.”
