Sorry...I had to run to an alumnae group meeting tonight...where we wrote recs for local girls going throuh recruitment!
I will wrap this up now. I did not mean for it to be strung along for over a week!
So, I went back to the dorm to wait for Roomie. It seemed like about an hour before she came back. When she came into the room, she looked absolutely spent. I looked at her and said "I suicided Magnolia, and I am so happy." She looked relieved. And then she told me that she could not bring herself to sign a bid card and turned it in empty.
Roomie said that she enjoyed the Magnolia party and then went to Crepe Myrtle. She said that she spent the entire party telling the girls who came to speak to her that she thought that what they did to me was so terrible that she was torn about even joining a sorority. I can't imagine how an 18 year old girl summoned up the courage to do that, because we had only been friends for a short time. I was very touched.
We talked into the night. I knew her heart was with Crepe Myrtle, and told her that even though I appreciated her loyalty, that she needed to do what was right for
her, and not to worry about me. I was very happy with my choice and felt that in the end, I had found the right home for me. She needed to do the same.
The next morning we were told to stay in our rooms at a certain time. Sure enough, an envelope with my name was slid under our door. Of course, it contained my bid to Magnolia! Roomie wished me well and off I ran to Bid Day. After I returned, Roomie told me that Crepe Myrtle had called her to tell her that they wanted to offer her a COB bid. I was so happy for her!
Crepe Myrtle was the only group that made quota that year, but could still give out 2 COB. One went to In-House Legacy (who had dropped out of rush) and the other went to Roomie. Both Magnolia and Dogwood got busy and pledged great girls through COB. Our dorm room was evenly matched with Magnolia and Crepe Myrtle memrobelia.
After fall semester, Roomie moved into the dorm where Crepe Myrtle's chapter room and most of its members lived. My dorm room adjoined the dorm next to Magnolia's chapter room. One of my COB sisters, Rose (because she would become KA Rose the following year) moved in with me. I was a biology major and pretty outgoing. She was an English major who was very cute but quiet...and I think other Magnolias were worried that we were a mismatch. But Rose and I roomed together for the rest of my college days and got along fabulously.
Two years later, I was Magnolia's rush chairman and promptly got rid of the 50's skit. Roomie was Crepe Myrtle's vice-president. Three years later, Roomie was Crepe Myrtle's president and Rose was the Magnolia president. I was starting medical school. I ended up graduating in 3 years because I had gotten into medical school as an early decision candidate (much to my surprise).
After medical school and residency, I moved to College Town where I still live. It has a Magnolia chapter, so over the past 20+ years I have enjoyed being a chapter adviser and active alumnae member. I have also served in several national and area officer positions. My SPU college years were wonderful, but my best Magnolia friends and memories are as an alumna!
And finally the big reveal. When I opened up that bid card 35 years ago it invited me to be a member of...
...............
.....................
PHI MU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dogwood was Kappa Delta. At one of our Phi Mu conventions the KD national president was a featured speaker and she was awesome!
Crepe Myrtle was Delta Delta Delta. Some of my good friends are Tri Deltas..but to this day I will not plant pansies in my yard.
Looking back, I would have been happy and productive in any of the 3 sororities at SPU. I now realize that each sorority has similar values and offers opportunities for leadership and growth.
Thanks for reading!
Hybrid Mode
