On Jan. 29, the Auburn Panhellenic announced 143 new Pi Chis for 2025 fall primary recruitment at the Cater Hall steps. The crowd was packed on the Upper Quad lawn with fellow sorority sisters supporting their friends as they awaited the results.
Pi Chi’s serve as recruitment counselors for the Auburn Panhellenic, guiding potential new members during the rush process.
Throughout the spring semester, the chosen Pi Chis disaffiliate from their sorority, so they do not influence recruits toward a particular organization.
Maggie Lynch, junior in rehabilitation and disability studies, serves as Auburn Panhellenic's vice president for recruitment. Through her time as a Pi Chi in 2024, Lynch said she made many connections that encompass all of the sororities at Auburn, emphasizing the importance for Pi Chis to distance themselves from their chapter.
“I was able to meet so many great candidates and really truly recognize how special all 18 chapters are that are part of our Panhellenic community,” Lynch said. “All 18 chapters have their very own uniqueness, and it is just really important for our Pi Chis to remain unbiased, because everyone truly can find their home within the Panhellenic community.”
The crowd fell to a whisper as the Panhellenic executive board and head Pi Chis walked out onto the steps. The silence quickly turned into cheers and excitement as the names of the 143 new recruiters were called out.
The celebrations and smiles continued as each new recruiter made their way up the Cater Hall steps in anticipation of a post-callout meeting for new Pi Chis and photoshoots with their friends and flowers.
Sophia Henry, junior in early education, is a returning Pi Chi for the 2025 season. As an out-of-state student, Henry remembers the nerves that come with recruitment and sought a higher level of involvement in the Panhellenic to lead potential new members throughout the process.
Pi Chis have a unique opportunity to be freshmen’s first connections on campus because, as Henry noted, rush is one of the first experiences for a freshman after Camp War Eagle.
“I absolutely love recruitment,” Henry said. “I absolutely just loved getting to feel all the nerves that the freshmen are coming into, but also being able to ease them and letting them know that Auburn is just an amazing campus.”
Paige Campbell, junior in nursing, was selected for her first year as a 2025 Pi Chi. When asked what the opportunity means to her, Campbell reflected on the lengthy and extensive two weeks of recruiting.
“It's just exciting to get to lead and love on the younger girls going through recruitment,” Campbell said. “We've all been there. And so it's just exciting to get to the person that they get to come to for comfort and safety and just like, hype them up all week.”
Elizabeth Rohdy, sophomore in education, was also selected to be a 2025 Phi Chi. During her rush experience, her Pi Chis were the loudest voices supporting her and providing reassurance.
When asked what she is looking forward to over the next few months, Rohdy said, “I would honestly say, doing the exact same thing that someone did for me, like being their biggest cheerleader, and just hyping them up every single day.”
Continuing to uphold the Auburn Panhellenic’s mission of sisterhood, leadership and development, the 2025 Pi Chi will set out to foster connections across all sororities for the 2025 rush season.
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Jennifer Santiago is a freshman in exploratory studies from Enterprise, AL. Santiago has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2024.
