Greek Life celebrates long-standing tradition of Tap Night

Despite the cold, ice and snow earlier in the week, the tradition and legacy of Tap Night was a warm welcome for all of Greek Life.

All ten Greek clubs tapped in new members on Jan. 18, marking a beginning to life long community. The echoes of Tap Night are heard all across campus as new members are tapped into a new sister or brotherhood. To celebrate altogether, each Greek club unites in the Deacon Jones Dining Hall to celebrate one another and continue tapping auxiliary members.

For many, Tap Night is a time of expectancy and excitement for current members, new members and alumni.

Members of Sigma Nu Sigma with a member of Theta Delta Kappa. Photo by Maggie Possinger

Members of Delta Zeta Tau. Photo by Maggie Possinger.

Members of Omega Alpha Phi. Photo by Maggie Possinger.

“My favorite part is probably just getting to get the whole club together, you know … I know it's a lot of people's favorite night of the year, that all of us in Greek life get to just share this special bond, but all in all my favorite part is probably the caf … getting to see all of our friends who got tapped into other clubs and all the people that we get to tap - the joy, the excitement, all of the things,” said Blake Hughes, President of Tau Kappa Omega.

“I would say my favorite part is probably walking around and seeing all the other clubs come together and tap … their people too and then coming into the caf and seeing everybody. That's a super exciting moment for everybody,” said Hannah Wise of Omega Alpha Phi.

Members of Upsilon Xi celebrating a new tap. Photo by Maggie Possinger

Members of Pi Kappa Pi celebrate a new tap. Photo by Maggie Possinger.

Omega Alpha Phi. Photo by Maggie Possinger.

“I'm probably the most excited just to have new members and like to have the blend of the new members of the current members … we're very excited for the spiritual aspect of our club,” said Sammy Fennema of Epsilon Lambda Phi.

“My favorite part right now on the other side is to see all the new girl’s faces,” said Emily Lowery of Sigma Nu Sigma, “I love like the energy. I love the excitement of everybody on both sides.”

Tap Night is particularity special to those who are current members of Greek clubs, as it serves as a flashback to when they were first tapped. The night also serves as a reminder to why members rushed in the first place.

Members of Phi Chi Gamma. Photo by Morgan Kiehl

Reflecting on being tapped last semester, Anna Cuison of Phi Chi Gamma commented that Tap Night is still hectic for different reasons, as lots of planning is involved, but as a whole, loves being a part of the sisterhood. “Yes, a thousand percent,” said Cuison, “I love Phi Chi Gamma.”

Caleb Alley of Pi Kappa Pi reflected on his decision to rush the club after seeing positive qualities in its members. “The men are down to earth and some of the best guys I’ve ever met. I’d die for them.”

Alpha Gamma Chi perfect ten, Allie Rock, shares a similar experience: “I decided to do Chi because I found my best friends in the club. The more I hung around them, the more I just grew attached to them and realized that like just how great of people they are. I mean my boyfriend was in the club … but once you start growing connections, you kind of realize how much they really are just gentleman.”

Tap Night is especially meaningful for Alpha Gamma Chi alumni, Randy Sheeks, who was in Chi from 1984 to 1987. “My favorite part about Tap Night? Just inviting new guys into the wonderful legacy of Alpha Gamma Chi.” Today, Sheeks serves as the Associate Dean for the School of Music and is a professor of music and worship.

As a whole, each Greek club agrees that Tap Night is special because it means an extension of lasting tradition and a cultivation of Christ-like community.

Nic Hobbs of Theta Delta Kappa enjoys that Tap Night constructs a sense of togetherness. “Getting to welcome all these new guys in our club … and be together as a club and see everyone else get tapped into their aux clubs.”

“It’s just exciting to see everyone [and] all the faces of everyone in Greek life and just new life in your club,” said Zachary Rentzel of Upsilon Xi.

“I think Tap Night is super special because we get to host our alumni and … get to like unite with the people that have built the club up to what it is now,” said Chloe Williams of Delta Zeta Tau. “We also get to welcome in new members and just all celebrate together and we all just look forward to showing our new girls what DZT is all about and that's really why it's special to us.”

The celebration of Tap Night continues the long tradition of Greek Life at Lee University, since its beginning in 1962. For Greek clubs, Tap Night is accompanied with joy and hope as new members marks new beginnings and a new community.