The pledging process has been described by many to be the "most fun you never want to have again." Some fraternities refer to their pledges simply as what they are -- pledges. Others have adopted new titles that don't connote the negative hazing associations by referring to them as new members, recruits or associates. It is a time where they learn about the fraternity and themselves, life skills and about all the brothers. But above all, it is an opportunity to make some of the closest friends one will ever have the pleasure of knowing. Whether you went through a contemporary new member initiation process or a 22 week grossly intense pledgeship (what nationals don't know, won't hurt them), nearly everyone has gone through a similar "freshman fill up the water bottles" experience that they come to hate and love simultaneously.

So, today, we salute you -- the blazer-wearing, aimless herd of freshmen that want to drink in their house's letters (straighten up your tie, you slob). Without your undying driving commitment, sorority girls everywhere wouldn't get that drunk run to Taco Bell after a party. Those drunk brothers might find themselves stuck at that crazy girl's house at 4 a.m. A brave soul, you enter hostile territory not knowing how much whiskey he's consumed, or the level of stage-clinger she might be. Ultimately, he's still going to destroy you on chapter memorization. But while others rest, you cannot, for you never know when you're going to have to answer the call of duty. For that, we thank you.

We also applaud you, the dip pledge. Without you, we would actually have to drive to the Village Pantry ourselves. Armed with your fanny pack full of goodies, when a brother is in a pinch and needs a big pinch, we thank you for getting to Wells in less than 20 minutes.

To the weather pledge: you are still screwed for not getting your blackbook interviews done, but your tireless efforts keep us warm and dry through the flaky Indiana weather. Like clockwork, you have the weather posted in the kitchen every morning, carefully choosing a joke that, hopefully, no one has heard before (that last joke was on par with a Conan O'Brien one-liner, so you better work on those). We still appreciate your efforts, nonetheless.

This tribute would not be complete without the gratitude of the whole pledge class coming to clean the house after a destructive party. At Indiana University, this happens on a weekly basis and is no light task. Pledges dread nothing more than a walk to the house to find broken doors, shattered glass and a stench that wreaks of shame and regret with empty beer cans as far as the eye can see. But, armed with a toothbrush and latex gloves, you keep the house standing, not knowing when this dreadful routine will end. You are always met with a mountain of dirty dishes and ridiculous requests from the hollers, profanity, and vicious insults of brothers. Yet, you can only respond with a cordial, "Yes brother (insert name here), is there anything else?"

Even if you, the beer pledge, are under the impression that you can never get initiated until you construct a sculpture of a brother's divine dad body out of empty Natty cans, take refuge in knowing that it does not last forever. In fact, you are part of something much bigger. Whether you are part of a fraternity that values a constructive new member process, or one that unfortunately hazes too hard, you are part of a legacy that spans hundreds of years of fraternity history. No matter your motives for joining the fraternity, you are doing the dirty work that keeps it running. You may feel like a cog in the machine, at times, but seek meaning throughout your pledging process. Looking back on the times of restless nights, exhaustive memorization, all the dirty work (more literally than figuratively), many brothers realize that they made lasting memories with their pledge brothers along the way.

So, enjoy this tribute and get back to work, pledge.