Roughly 150 pledges gathered outside the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building Friday to participate in this year’s “Steps,” a tradition in which pledges accept membership into their chose fraternity.
Business freshman Nate McMullin was one of the many pledges who would be joining Pi Kappa Phi during Friday’s ceremony.
“I’m excited, but I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said McMullin.
The pledges left Agnes Arnold Hall for their ceremony after 5 p.m., and the group gathered at the entrance of E. Cullen. After a short introduction, the proceedings began.
Each fraternity, from smallest to largest, gave a roll call of their pledges. When their names were called, the pledges would walk down the steps, rub the cougar statue’s paw and join their respective fraternities. Once all new members were introduced, the fraternities did their chants.
“It’s the chapter’s way of showing all the hard work they put into the recruitment part of the year,” said Zach Irons, vice president of the Interfraternity Council. “Chapters with the largest pledge class get a reward later on in the semester.”
Compared to last semester, there was a 33 percent increase in incoming members.
“We’re really excited about it,” said Jason Bergeron, the director at the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
“Men and women are wanting to be more involved and wanting to join more student organizations. Fraternity and Sorority membership has grown because of that. When a group has more membership, it allows for them to contribute back more.”
