The fraternity walk, one of Longwood's most popular Greek traditions, took place last Friday on Iler Field at 5 p.m. The tradition welcomes young men into the social fraternities here at Longwood wherein they will begin the process of becoming full-fledged brothers of their chosen fraternities
Hoards of young men stood with their brothers, clad in Greek letters, while the new bids stood anxiously around the corner of Dorril Dining Hall (D-Hall). The ceremony started with the presentation of the Balance Man Scholarship by fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. This award is presented to a freshman that demonstrates exemplary leadership and character and does not necessarily have to become part of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
This year the presenter of the award was Scott Hull, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The recipients of the award this year were Chris Huber, Alex Brown, and finally, Riley Cole. Cole brought an inspiring piece to the ceremony. Growing up with autism and facing social challenges much unlike the average run of the mill college student, Riley stood in front of the full crowd that wrapped around the back of D-Hall and shared his experiences.
The main idea Cole left his audience with that evening was those who are different also have the potential to be great. Referring to examples such as Van Gough, Stephen Hawking, and Einstein, Cole proclaimed, "The disabled are capable of achieving great things, and I want to follow in their footsteps."
Following the introduction was the announcement of the new bids. The crowd anticipated the arrival of the new bids at the stairwell leading onto Iler. Out in the grass, fraternity brothers impatiently boasted their flags and boys in green full-body suits jumped and jeered.
The bids arrived and the anxiety and excitement fell upon their faces.
One new fraternity brother, Andrew Bradshaw of Phi Mu Delta, said of his experience,"I thought it was going to be alphabetic, so I was terrified. I thought I was going to be first in line, but I wasn't. It was backward, so it was awesome." The first bid was called to Theta Chi. Cheers erupted and the Theta Chi brothers prepared to lift their new prospective brother up into the air. However, cheers quickly turned into sympathy groans as the young man slipped and rolled to the feet of the Theta Chi.
What made the ceremony particularly special was the collaboration of all of the social fraternities in order to welcome the new brotherhood, Phi Mu Delta. At the calling of the first new Phi Mu Delta brother, members of the other fraternities gathered at the empty hole that was left in the field for Phi Mu Delta and assisted in lifting each new brother up as they were called until enough had been called to support themselves. This was not only a display of kindness and character from Longwood Greeks; it was a display of Longwood spirit.
Once the final name echoed across the field, the fraternities bolted to their chapter rooms, and the festivities of Rock the Block were left to commence at Mid Town Square.
New Theta Chi brother Jason Shaver explained what he hoped to gain from joining a fraternity. He responded, "I think I will mature and strengthen the friendships with the guys I meet in my fraternity."
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