Anderson University social clubs came out of the woodwork during Rush Week this year. All around campus Rushees from Dativus, Agathos, Camarada, Novus Dux, Alacritas, and Avanti Boosters dressed to impress their Rush captains and the student body. In the evenings, activities were planned that helped bring each club together and form a bond between the initiates. Some club members were apprehensive about Rush this year after new initiation guidelines were imposed by the university. However, the groups adhered to the new standards and made the Rush experience exciting for all involved.

Although each club is different and unique, they all share an interest in building their members up socially and spiritually. Many of the clubs chose to emphasize the spiritual aspects of Rush as a response to the stricter regulations. Representatives from several of the social clubs share what Rush Week was like this year, how the changes affected the clubs, and what it means to be a part of their group:

Alacritas, Katy Blocher (2nd year)
“A new element introduced to our rush this year was Women of Faith. Each rush group was assigned a woman who has devoted her life to following Christ. Throughout the week, rushees were responsible for researching and learning about their Woman of Faith, then presenting what they learned; first to Alacritas officers and rush captains, and finally to each other. As a rush captain, I had the opportunity to learn from rushees throughout the week about Elisabeth Elliot, Fanny Crosby, Gladys Aylward, Lottie Moon, and Amy Carmichael. I was touched and inspired by accounts of lives dedicated to missions, service and worship. In the midst of balancing full school schedules with the demands of rush week, current members and rushees alike found joy and fascination in learning together about such godly women.”

Avanti Boosters, Dave Bennett (2nd year)
“Some of the most memorable events were on the camp out and the silent retreat, where every Booster took some time to reflect on Rush week and on God's movement in their life. This was done within a 10 hour period of strict silence. Another awesome part of Rush was the footwashing ceremony, where we imitated Christ in His humility. When everything was done and over, we felt that everyone had done a superb job and that everyone could rely on each other as a family, as brothers do.”

Agathos, Jael Tang (2nd year)
“Rush activities for our club this year was tamer than it used to be. There was a lot more emphasis on the spiritual aspects of the club, although most of our traditional Rush activities were kept the same. On one night, we led the initiates through the 14 stations of the Cross, pausing at each station to allow them to reflect on Jesus' journey to Calvary.”

Dativus, Tyler Nussbaum (Rushee)
“Dativus Rush this year was a challenging and humbling experience. At first I was worried that the changes made would weaken the Rush experience, ruining the challenge. I went into Rush honestly expecting that the hardest part would be supporting my Rush brothers; during the week I realized God would be doing far more in my life than I expected. Current members of Dativus made sure that our verse and preamble were not just things we memorized, but things that we focused on and let influence our lives and attitudes. I constantly saw the willingness of Rush brothers to sacrifice for each other, to the point of tears. Seeing the change that Rush made in my spiritual life and that of my Rush brothers, I will be a strong supporter of Rush for years to come.”