When I arrived on campus, I looked at Greek houses and saw one thing: a group of degenerates who find fulfillment in drinking and debauchery. What brought me to my first rush event is a mystery. Perhaps I was dissatisfied with the clubs and extracurriculars I found myself in, or tired of the monotony of dorm life throughout the first semester. Either way, my expectations were low.
Then I changed my mind about Greek life.
Being on campus for a semester had already given me some ideas on what the different houses were like, but this still wasn’t enough to get me on board. I was skeptical of the friendly faces and engaging conversation, but soon found myself with a bid— and I took it. Dissatisfaction and monotony had caught up with me and this, I thought, could be my way out.
Entering such a foreign group for the first time was daunting. For some reason, getting to know the active members was difficult despite my outgoing nature. What shocked me during this process was, even after joining, the faces stayed friendly and the conversation genuine. Greek life here isn’t meant as a joke, or a mere excuse for degeneracy, rather a place to elevate other students to their greatest potential.
About three weeks into my pledge process, more than a month into my second semester at Hillsdale, I went to confession for the first time in two years. I began taking my faith more seriously and became incredibly curious about what I believe, and why I should believe it. This is something no class up the hill could teach me, no one lecture about “the good,” or paintballing with Chief at a “Man-Up” event could supply.
No, this growth came from my peers, from my friends, from my brothers. The candid faith I could observe in them inspired me, and in turn, made me excited to learn in my classes and grow as a man.
Through others, I found the qualities I wanted to see in myself. I was able to model myself after those who came before me and see what was possible of them while they were my age. To me, this seems rare.
This story isn’t even unique to me. I have friends throughout the Greek system at Hillsdale who don’t fit the mold or stereotype of someone who should rush. One who comes to mind is a friend whose father, while in college, created an anti-Greek club to dissuade others from joining fraternities and sororities. And yet, my friend has found the same fulfillment and joy that I have.
The stereotype of drinking and degeneracy still exists in my mind, as I’m sure it does with many others on campus. This conflicts with my own experience in Greek life, and while I’m no philosophy major, I think I can figure out why.
Hillsdale tends to attract a unique type of person. There is a yearning for deeper community on campus. The intimate relationship attempted by the deans which I earlier downplayed is exemplary of this. Other dorms or groups aspire to this but at the end of the day, seem to mimic the Greek style of fraternity to accomplish greater relationships.
If I were to advise a new student on campus, the first thing I would tell them is to find their home. This is different for everybody, and whether it is based on your interests, talents, strengths, or something entirely out of the ordinary, find a home. I speak from experience when I say the Greek houses here are out of the ordinary, and this is exactly what makes them worthwhile.
At the risk of sounding like a sorority sister right after rush has ended, I found my home.
