Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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Adjusting the levels on an audio board before a Sigma Tau Gamma gathering, Kurt Osmundson gets ready for a Rush func- tion. The Taus, like other fraternities on campus, held special activities for those interested in learning more about their group. Photo by Jack Vaught. Rho Chi Francie Miller talks to her Delta Zeta sisters Susie Swiss and Kathy Higdon during Bid Day activities. Bid Day was not only emotional for rushees but also for Rho Chis who hadn ' t spoken to their sisters throughout Rush. Photo by Tony Miceli. 18 Rush

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, Pride, enthusiasm bring parents to share radition Even Bobby Bearcat takes time out to be with his mother, Mary Jane Hendrickson. Bobby was a big part of Family Day activities as he trav- eled about campus to entertain fami- lies. Photo by Scott Jenson. As THE SUN BEGAN TO SHINE on the sleepy Northwest cam- pus, they arrived in a steady stream of cars. The cool, fall morning was the perfect set- ting for the moment they all anticipated. Mothers and fathers stepped out of their cars, stretched their legs and smoothed the wrinkles travel had left in their clothing. From back seats emerged boxes and bags filled with gifts and treats for their children. They made the trek to where they would meet their offspring and a Northwest tradition car- ried on. Family Day 1992 had begun. We traveled 290 miles to see our son, but it didn ' t really seem that far, Karen Lancaster said. We were really looking forward to seeing him, and the trip was well worth it. The day held much in store for parents and students to enjoy, including welcom- ing ceremonies, residence hall and de- partmental open houses, a picnic lunch and a football game against the Univer- sity of Missouri-Rolla. Christy Christiansen thought Family Day was an ideal time for parents to see their children in a new atmosphere. We went to the picnic and the game and it was a lot of fun, Christiansen said. It gave parents a chance not only to meet teachers, but also to meet my new friends and to talk to other parents. Family Day began with a convocation in the Mary Linn Performing Arts Cen- ter, where the University Chorale and the Northwest Cheerleaders provided enter- tainment, and President Dean Hubbard welcomed families. This was our third Family Day and we were excited because our daughter sang at the opening ceremony with the cho- rale, Dee Ashley said. It was fun. Following the convocation, parents toured the academic buildings. Some parents expressed pride in the choice their child had made to attend Northwest. I had a lot of pride in my daughter ' s college selection because I am an alum- nus, Bob Sweeney said. It was good to see her carry on after me. It was also nice to come and see some old faces, meet some new and see the changes. Students and their families enjoyed a picnic lunch by the Bell Tower while listening to music provided by KDLX. After lunch, families joined at Rickenbrode Stadium for the football game and cheered Northwest on to vic- tory. Through touring Northwest and get- ting a taste of the college experience, parents seemed pleased with what the University had to offer. When my son first went away to col- lege, I didn ' t want him to leave, Mary McCauley said. But he has made a lot of good friends and has gotten a good edu- cation. Northwest was definitely the right choice for ' — — him. As families pre- pared for the trip home and began to say goodbye to students, they seemed happy with the Family Day ac- tivities. We had a nice time touring the campus, Sweeney said. But my fa- vorite part of the day was being with ' my daughter. Family Day 1 992 was again a success, and seemed to be a positive experience for everyone involved. Jemfer Gathercole We had a nice time touring the campus • i Bob Sweeney said. But my favor- ite part of the day was being with my daugh- ter. ' ' Family Day 17

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Cecilia Lee receives a word of congratu- lations from her Rho Chi Wendi Ides after accepting a bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha. All four sororities took their quota of 40 new members. Photo by Scott Jensen. Greek organizations gain new members wshin g In One of the most exciting Greek events in the fall se- mester was Rush. The 1992 fraternity and sorority rushes were successful events for participating chapters. With approximately 260 woinen paiticipating in Rush, pledge selections were difficult. One-hundred sixty pledges were initiated, and all so- rorities met their quota of 40 pledges. I thought Rush went well, Panhellenic President Sherry Driver said. All of the girls were wonderful. One tactic used from past years was utilizing Rho Chis. A Rho Chi w as some- one each rushee could talk to about func- tions and different sororities. Rho Chis did not re ' eal which sorority they were a member of, and helped the women by answering any questions they might have. The whole idea of Rho Chis made me feel more comfortable, Phi Mu pledge Jolene Trapp said. It was nice to have someone to talk to who could answer my questions. Each sorority could only accept 40 pledges. Due to the high number of women who rushed, making decisions on who to give bids to was difficult. I definitely thought a fifth national sorority was needed on campus, Lisa Stageman, president of Sigma Sigma Sigma, said. A demand was obviously here. If the pledge class numbers were higher, it would make Rush too imper- sonal, Delta Zeta president Aimee Chadwick said. In contrast to the sororities ' need for a new chapter, a lower number of students participated in fraternity Rush. Approximately 200 men participated in Rush. Many creative events were planned by fraternities to attract pledges. Eight ot the nine campus fraternities participated in fall Rush. Alpha Phi Al- pha elected to participate only in spring Rush so they could learn more about the rushees and give freshmen time to get to know Northwest. One change from previous years was that function cards had to be stamped by five fraternities in order for rushees to receive bids. It was a good idea for the Inter-Frater- nity Council to be the only ones to stamp, Brian Weaver, Delta Chi Rush chairman, said. It did get complicated towards the end of Rush because some guys had trouble getting their final stamps. The system was more effective than the old one, Rob Jako of Alpha Kappa Lambda said. They couldn ' t just catch up with a member on campus and get signed without attending a function. This new policy helped ensure that the men wDuld look closer before deciding. The quantity of rushees was down, but the quality was better than past years, IPC President Gary Pilgrim said. Extended function times and card regulations allowed for more Rush activities, in- cluding comedians, nights at the track and ball games. Many fraternity members stated that numbers were down and more recruiting would need to be done in the summer to increase numbers for next year. Each year changes were made to make Rush even more successful and enjoy- — ■ able for everyone involved. Both the fra- ternity and sorority rushes seemed to run smoothly and active members hoped that it would get even better. — KXTIE H RRIKO All of the changes were an improve- ment in Rush, Rob Jako said. Rush 19