As the spring semester begins, Greek life is in full swing and many fraternities and sororities are in the recruitment process for spring rush. The Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Kappa (ASK), a sorority at Iowa State for women in technical studies, welcomed potential new members to a Spoons Tournament event Monday.
This event created a chance for new members and active members to get to know each other in a fun, laid-back way and create a bonding experience.
Spoons is a fast-paced card game where the player’s goal is to collect four-of-a-kind and grab a spoon from the center of the table, with one less spoon up for grabs than the number of players. The last player left with a spoon wins.
“Tonight’s event was part of our informal recruitment process,” Kelsey Smyk, vice president of recruitment and junior in civil engineering, said. “We host several events throughout a two or three week period, and it’s basically a way for potential new members to kind of get a look into our sorority, hang out with us and get to know us and we get to hang out with them.”
Following the tournament, potential new members were invited to stay for Open Chapter, ASK’s weekly meetings, where the group relayed any updates or announcements, planning and volunteer opportunities to the members to get a feel for what a typical chapter meeting is like.
This sorority specifically caters to women and gender minorities in the technical studies fields to provide stress relief and support for those students and uplift them as they navigate their education. Emilie Butler, president of Alpha Sigma Kappa and senior in data science, said the sorority helped her find community at Iowa State.
“I just immediately felt at home… everyone was so welcoming,” Butler said. “When hearing of technical studies, think… of STEM, which can be pretty male-dominated, so we just want to make a home and make community for those in tough majors.”
“These girls are just so nice and fun and they’re kind and welcoming,” Sydney Schultz, a junior studying aerospace engineering and ASK’s Vice President of Communications and New Member Educator, said.
“When I was first introduced to ASK, I was really afraid that I’m a little quirky,” Schultz said. “This is a group of fun girls who are free to be themselves and be accepting. Also, it’s fun that I have people in my class now that I know because, you know, being a STEM major is hard.”
ASK hopes to create not only a safe space for women in science, technology, engineering and math to foster their potential but also a chance for them to form a supportive and friendly community and sisterhood.
“I’m looking forward to another great semester to get close to everyone and make new connections with either people who are already in the chapter or some new members,” Butler said.
