Cheers, tears, and hugs swept through Coker Arboretum on Thursday as 498 female students discovered their new sisters.
Bid Day, the annual ceremony that welcomes 10 new pledge classes to UNC’s Panhellenic sororities, provided an eventful ending to participants in the weeklong rush period. But with about six weeks of pledging on the horizon, it was also just the beginning.
“It’s the last day, everyone is just really happy,” said Jill Zartman, Panhellenic Council vice president of recruitment.
Kayte Fry, coordinator for fraternity and sorority life, said more than 680 girls signed up to rush — 30 more than last fall.
Fry said girls typically drop out during the rush process for financial or academic reasons.
Each of the 10 sororities sported unique Bid Day themes ranging from Delta Delta Delta’s ’80s theme to Zeta Tau Alpha’s rodeo theme.
As the potential new members filed into the center of the circle, each sorority yelled cheers in unison to help show their excitement.
On one edge of the circle, a line of recruitment counselors — Greek members who lead each recruitment group throughout the week — stood watching the action.
As each group cheered, the counselors revealed their specific sorority shirt hidden beneath their “Go Greek” cover.