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NEWS
| April 24
Losing the Mask
Nine mystery men unveil themselves
during a show by the newest members of Alpha Phi Alpha.
By Candace
Sweat
Contributor to The Shorthorn
The mood was a mixture of anticipation
and excitement as people stood on chairs and tables trying to get
the best view of nine masked mystery men.
During a probate show in the University Center on Wednesday, the
newest members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity were introduced to
the public.
The excited throng crowded closely around the line of men as it
stomped, chanted and recited facts about the fraternity.
The pledge process, which ended last week, lasts for two weekends
and is called a “cluster.” During this time, pledges fill
out applications and are evaluated by a national board, the Pharaoh’s
Council. Pledges are literally unmasked to the public during probate.
Mechanical engineering junior Jeremy Ikeogu said he knew he wanted
to pledge Alpha since his freshman year at the university when he
lived with a member of the fraternity.
“He introduced me to people in the fraternity, and I liked
that they were involved in various community services and things
on campus,” he said. “They gave me support long before
I became a member of the organization.”
Ikeogu said it took him a while to pledge because his grades did
not meet the fraternity’s requirements.
It took him a year to get them back up, but as soon he heard about
the organization recruiting new members, he knew what he wanted
to do. Ikeogu compared being unveiled in front of so many people
to his high school days as a band drum captain.
“I always got this thrill when I performed for the crowd,”
he said. “I got that same exact thrill today.”
Undeclared freshman Feven Tekie said the men put on a good show
and “kept the crowd hyped the whole time.”
“I was glad to see that one of my friends had crossed over,”
she said.
Chapter president Darrius Gray said his job is to recruit members,
organize interest meetings and make sure applicants are eligible
for the fraternity.
The engineering senior said the brothers get to know the pledges
before handing them an application but that the application does
not guarantee them membership in the organization.
“We look at their GPA and campus involvement, but after that,
it is up to the National Board,” he said.
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