The History of Chi Sigma Alpha By Phil Sturm

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
there 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 cub 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 Alfred 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 firs 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. The following day I
conveyed the decisions to the departing officers. Certainly, we were sad; a 
part of us had been taken away. We had been loyal to them, but they chose 
not to return the loyalty. Their commitment faded away to nothing though 
they continued to receive many benefits of the brotherhood. I did nothing 
special. I said "let's get tight, pull together." We suddenly had a lighter ship 
better able to weather any storm.

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.
Stephen T. Haynes President, 1982-1983

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 club. 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."
 

The Chi Sigma Alpha Pledge