Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters are now celebrating their new pledge classes after completing the main fall recruitment season. 

Commonly known as rush, the recruitment process typically takes place in September. It involves a series of structured events where potential new members can visit fraternity houses and meet current members. 

This year, many fraternities found success by emphasizing their core principles, focusing on everything from game nights to the bonds of brotherhood to attract new members.

Alpha Sigma Phi

For Alpha Sigma Phi, recruitment is focused on building lasting personal and professional connections. The chapter welcomed 16 new members, bringing their total to 44, after events like a game night designed for one-on-one conversations.

“I feel like not only just to have connections with all of these brothers, but to also have a future job and future success because of these guys,” said Jason Brown, the chapter’s recruitment chair.

The chapter is hosting its annual “Alpha Sigma Fries” philanthropy event this Thursday from 9 p.m to 1 a.m.

Delta Chi

For Delta Chi, recruitment success was rooted in authenticity. The chapter, which grew to more than 70 members after getting 27 signed bids, hosted events like spike ball, football and bonfires to help new members form genuine connections.

“Don’t try and put on a fake facade. Just be real from the beginning,” said Tadhg Wilhite, Delta Chi secretary and a sophomore in kinesiology.

Josh Henderson, the recruitment chair and a sophomore accounting major, was happy with the turnout.

“They were pretty successful,” he said. “Once you’re able to get used to a lot of the new guys, you just form a new connection with them, and you want to keep coming around to have a good time.”

The chapter is planning their “Pie a DChi” event, which will be hosted at their chapter house later this semester.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Alpha Epsilon welcomed 20 new brothers this fall, bringing their total to 57 members. During rush, they focused on showing their personality by hanging out with potential new members in newly renovated house spaces, including a new front patio and living room.

“Things like that allowed us to be ourselves,” said senior Elijah Arthurs, the chapter president and psychology major. “The kids that wanted to be a part of that ended up sticking around.” 

The chapter works to bond the new class through events like trips and movie nights at the house.

This fall, the chapter is also highlighting men’s mental health awareness through their participation in Movember, which is where men grow their mustaches in support of men’s health issues. Students can support their philanthropy at the upcoming “Grilled Cheese with SAE” fundraiser in November, benefitting the Children’s Miracle Network.

Sigma Phi Epsilon

For Sigma Phi Epsilon, recruitment was built on finding like-minded individuals who share a vision for growth. They received eight new brothers, bringing their count up to 18 total. During rush, they took a down-to-earth approach and invited potential members to come to the house and meet the brothers rather than hosting more organized events.

“It really is a brotherhood…you’re not just a number with us,” said Jonathan Hernandez, a junior biochemistry major and vice president. “We all have similar visions, and we all just want to push each other for the betterment of ourselves and our fraternity.”

The chapter is currently planning future philanthropies for the spring, and plans to support Tugs next semester to solidify that they’re back on campus.

Tau Kappa Epsilon

For Tau Kappa Epsilon, they considered their rush to be successful, getting nine new pledges. They hosted events such as a pool day at the University Plaza and a “Pie a TKE” event, which raised money for St. Jude’s.

“Being a history major, I love that we’re the oldest fraternity on campus. Just learning how rich our history is, I think that’s my favorite part,” said Francisco Roa, a senior history major and former TKE secretary.

The chapter is now focused on integrating new members through mentorship programs like “Big Bro Day.”

Phi Kappa Psi

Phi Kappa Psi focused on making recruitment more personal this fall, successfully welcoming 19 new members.

The chapter prioritized events like NFL watch parties, which allowed brothers and potential new members to simply talk and get to know everyone.

The fraternity prides itself on being academically driven and involved on campus.

“We want to be academic, because you’re at college for a reason,” said Landon Whelchel, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and recruitment chair for the chapter.

The chapter is now running its year-long “Hunter’s Fund” philanthropy for distracted driving.

Phi Kappa Sigma

For Phi Kappa Sigma (Skulls), recruitment was focused on building genuine friendships. 

The chapter, which grew to nearly 40 members after welcoming 13 new members this fall, prioritized making sure potential new members felt valued.

“Skulls was really the only one that didn’t make me feel like I was a number,” said Jaxson Kamp, a sophomore communications major and the current new member educator. “I’m really proud of everyone for making sure that when people come into this house, they feel welcome… They feel appreciated. They feel seen.”

To integrate the new class, the chapter holds history lessons and bonding activities, like a “Super Smash Bros.” tournament they held recently. 

The chapter is now planning several philanthropy events, including their annual taco night and a bake sale for Christmas.

Phi Kappa Theta

A focus on growth and rebuilding defined this semester’s rush for Phi Kappa Theta, which welcomed 15 new members.

The fraternity focused its rush events on athletics, hosting football watch parties and games on their quad to find like-minded members.

“When I came here, all I was told about was our glory days in the previous years, and I feel like we’re finally starting to get back to those,” said Roman Friedrichs, a junior TVI major and the chapter’s vice president internal.

New members are integrated quickly by helping run philanthropies, like their recent “Phlapjacks with Kaps” event.

Phi Sigma Kappa

Phi Sigma Kappa emphasized community engagement and a focus on the future during fall rush. The chapter balanced fun events like a casino night with community service, such as participating in NIU Stem Fest, and ultimately gained 22 new members.

“We like to put forth to our guys that fraternity life and college aren’t just about having fun, but it’s about the future,” said Vice President Maximilian Jarmula.

The chapter, which has been continuously active for over 60 years, maintains one of the highest GPAs among large organizations, according to Jarmula.

Sigma Nu

Sigma Nu was unable to be reached for an interview.

For those interested in joining fraternity life, follow @niufsl on Instagram for more information about rush events and the schedules for spring rush.