As I move forward into the next chapter of my life, I think it only appropriate to take a quick look back at what brought me to where I am today. And what I will be starting tomorrow.. Oh Recruitment…
So 4 years ago… completely clueless about Greek Life, I went through Recruitment. Wide-eyed and naive, I made my way through the process and made one of the best decisions I have yet to make in my life. Without the women I met in this chapter, I couldn’t begin to imagine what my college experience would have been like.
From the first day on this lawn, to the last photo shoot with other graduating seniors, I made some of the best friends, and best memories, that I will have for a lifetime. I also found myself in a plethora of leadership roles from day one, but never would have guessed the freshman with no Greek experience or Greek family members would be the President of Panhellenic at UF, assisting in running the Recruitment machine, as I like to refer to it.
I maybe could have guessed that I would have been on Chi O’s executive board, but only because I knew I wouldn’t be happy just accepting choices. I have to be a part of the decision making process, I need to know details, I love the inside scoop.
Panhellenic President kind of just fell into my lap, as a lot of opportunities have in my life, and I am so glad that it did. My senior year would not have been the same, for the good and the bad. I learned a lot and will take with me many things. Along with the tangible skills I learned, I also learned what I have left to learn, mostly lessons about people. It all comes with time though, and I have realized, I learn things at certain times, for certain reasons, so I am just along for the ride.
I do remember that during Recruitment 2005, as a PNM, looked at my Pi Chi’s and thought, “I wanna do that” – until I saw a blue hat, and then my goals changed to “I could do that”. During downtime, when most PNM’s were obsessing over how to be a Pi Chi, I asked my Pi Chi how to become a blue hat. She told me first I needed to be an orange hat. Little did she know…(and little did I know) I would do exactly what I wanted just 3 years later. Not only would I not have to be an Orange Hat, I would be in charge of them. But I can say that I loved my group. They were pretty fabulous!
But the last thing I would have ever seen coming was what is happening this year. Similar to the position I was in last year as President, with our advisor leaving for a better job opportunity, Panhellenic was advisor-less once again. They have the benefit of the Associate Director, Jack, much more familiar with UF’s process this year than last year, but they still need a little help. And that’s where my role is. Leave most of the advisor stuff to Jack, help the ladies with anything they need. What a job title huh?
Little did I know last Bid Day, (which is obvious by my excitement in this photo), that I would be back for another Recruitment. I thought I was done. And after a rainy, sweaty, long, exhausting Recruitment, I couldn’t have been happier to be done. But here I am again, oddly enough, just as excited as I was last year. Ready to bring in new faces, new leadership and new women into Panhellenic.
I wonder which PNM in PC 2009 will have a story similar to mine? Hmmm…