On August 16 following a week of formal recruitment, a record-breaking 2,153 new members ran home to one of Auburn University Panhellenic Council's 18 sorority chapters. Out of the 2,352 women who registered for recruitment, 92% of the potential new members (PNMs) received a bid.
At the end of formal recruitment, PNMs open their bids in Neville Arena to discover which sorority they will run home to. Even with the record-breaking number of PNMs, this year was no exception. By 1:30 p.m., a long line of PNMs, buzzing with nerves and excitement, formed down Thach Concourse. Shortly after, the PNMs flocked into the Neville Arena to find their Pi Chi groups and receive their bids.
Pi Chi’s serve as recruitment counselors for Auburn Panhellenic and disaffiliate from their sorority for recruitment week until preference round, so they can neutrally guide PNMs during fall primary recruitment.
“Being able to help a girl find their spot within this community is truly like something only a Pi Chi can experience, and it has been one of my favorite, favorite things at Auburn,” said Annanelle Williams, senior in elementary education and second-year Pi Chi.
“Just soak it all in. I mean, you only get to be a new member once, and you will find so many friends who are in your pledge class, in your chapter and then also in the 17 other amazing chapters,” Williams said when asked what advice she’d give to a new member. “It really is such a special connection that you will have throughout the rest of your life.”
Emmy Kay Snyder, Auburn Panhellenic president, and Maggie Lynch, Auburn Panhellenic vice president for recruitment, welcomed the PNMs to Bid Day 2025 inside of the Nevilla Arena and led the ten second countdown to opening their bids.
Once bids were opened, screams roared across the arena as PNMs and Pi Chis jumped up, hugging and cheering with each other. Each sorority chapter took turns running home through Village South, with their new sorority sisters, friends and families waiting to greet them.
Courtney Savoie, freshman in business, ran home to Alpha Chi Omega. Like many other new members, she is overjoyed to have received a bid. For her first year in Alpha Chi Omega, Savoie is most excited to build friendships and become a family with her new sorority sisters.
“I am over the moon. I can't even explain. I saw my bid, and I started bawling. I was so excited,” Savoie said. “Honestly, I just wanted the right opportunity to make friends and, like, build friendships with like-minded, like-hearted people, and Greek life, kind of, opened that door for me.”
Sisterhood, the heart of Panhellenic, stood strong on Bid Day, as both new and returning members emphasized the life-long connections they have established through their time involved in one of Auburn's 18 chapters.
A new member of Delta Delta Delta embraces a fellow member and expresses emotion during Bid Day, Aug. 16, 2025.
Elloway Wyatt, member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and senior in English literature, arrived in Auburn as a freshman without knowing anyone, but her sorority chapter provided her with many friendships and invaluable lessons like fortitude.
“I've made so many friends, future bridesmaids. I feel like it was a great way to meet like-minded women. Kappa always strives for excellence and strives for [us] just to be the best versions of ourselves, and I feel like I've been gently held accountable throughout college, but I have also had the best support system,” Wyatt said. “I think Kappa has really taught me to see things through, especially when things get hard, and I think that is because everyone has supported me so much.”
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Jennifer Santiago, junior majoring in political science and minoring in history, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2024. Santiago previously served as a news writer, and she is currently serving as the Lifestyle Editor.
