Written by: Stephen T. Haynes President, 1982-1983

"During the spring semester of the 1962-1963 school year, several members of Lambda Sigma saw the need for a new club at Harding and joined together to create Chi Sigma Alpha. The Charter members were: Jimmy Arnold, president; Jim Wilson, secretary; Dwight Bawcom, treasurer; Phil Sturm, historian/reporter; Tom Kirk, Gail Kirk, Gail Russell, Stennis Johnson. Jerry Morgan, Harding Burton, and Anthony Gadberry. The first queen was Arnold's fiancee, Karen Parsons. Dr. Erie Moore was the club's first permanent sponsor. Chi Sigma Alpha's name was derived from the Confederate States of America (C.S.A.). Art Williams, a Harding art major, designed the club insignia from the Stars and Bars of the C.S.A.. Original members were from states south of the Mason-Dixon Line that had seceded from the Union in 1860-1861 except Sturm. Pro-South was emphasized by Bob Adams, who believed that the Civil War was still taking place.

A requirement for "pledge week" was to respond to a pledge master when he said, "Sound off" by correctly spelling the word "pledge" both forwards
and backwards with "sir" said in between each letter:

P-sir, L-sir, E-sir, D-sir, G-sir, E-sir, E-sir, G-sir, D-sir, E-sir, L-sir, P-sir?

Some of the pledges could respond in record time, often drawing out the last "P" and ending with a question mark inflection. They were often mistaken for a person asking permission to go to the bathroom. Rough night took the pledges off campus to some remote place outside of Searcy, where they played "Red Rover" blindfolded. The pledges then had to make their way back to campus by themselves. They had stopped to ask for directions back to campus when they were shot at by a man thinking they were trespassers. That night led to a lecture in chapel the next morning by President Benson on the topic of irresponsibility.

The men of Chi Sigma Alpha exuded pride and commitment to the Lord in various service projects that were often completed with their sister club Regina. The club grew quickly and prospered for many years. Differences began to develop within the club during the early nineteen eighties.

It was April 1983 and we were still enjoying the emotional high of a Spring Sing victory. In the distance a cloud hung over our celebration. Throughout the year I had noticed at meetings and events a distinct separation of club members into two groups. Late in the spring semester I got wind that some of the guys had filed a petition to form a new club. That rumor was confirmed by a call to the dean supervising club activities.

A brief time later I was visited by two of the club officers. What I recall of that conversation was their announcement of intent to form a new club and they felt the move was in the best interest of all concerned. They wanted "the door left open" for returning to Chi Sigma Alpha should their petition for a new club be denied.

After listening, I offered little comment--except to express my regret. I well remember my mixed emotions, "Why have they waited the whole year serving as officers to express their disloyalty?" I went immediately to the Chi Sig wing on Keller 3A where we had the first of several club meetings to decide how best to resolve the situation. The consensus was:

1. Chi Sigma Alpha would be smaller but stronger and
2. Regardless of the action on the petition for a new club, those who preferred leaving Chi Sigs should not be allowed to sing". . loyal forever..." again.

I did what I had pledged and sung that I would do, be loyal. Every "to the marrow" Chi Sig has done the same. Every one of us who persevered through the spring of 1983 is truly loyal forever. I salute them."

The Stephen Haynes award has been given annually since 1984 to a graduating senior who best exemplifies the high ideals and loyalty shown and lived by Stephen Haynes. The club grew very close that spring, and that helped them to rebuild quickly.

The club has continued to grow in recent years becoming one of the largest clubs on the Harding campus. Chi Sigma Alpha is a fraternity of gentlemen devoted to the Lord. Alan Mashburn, Secretary during 1987, said it best. "Chi Sigs is more that a bunch of guys who happen to wear the same jerseys. We are individuals bound together by our love for God and our concern for one another. We don't feel forced to be together just because we're in the same club; we're together because that's what we choose to do."

"To Chi Sigma Alpha, I become one who will unite with you in reaching the goal of one through brotherhood; and while serving others through this club, I give the glory and honor to God."