With every club week, function or activity there is a club sponsor providing guidance to the members.
Business Office employee Tish Elrod has been serving as a Ko Jo Kai sponsor for 27 years. Elrod graduated from Lipscomb University in 1982 and upon her move to Searcy in 1987 became a Ko Jo Kai sponsor.
“Just like being a club member, as a sponsor I have friends for life, including the beaux, members’ husbands and children, even parents who I got to meet,” Elrod said. “We have laughed together, cried together, ‘rumbled’ together, prayed and shared God together.”
Many sponsors understand the importance of the formative years students are facing and the impact having a group to belong to has on an individual.
“Clubs offer various ways to share talents and interests, as well develop new ones,” Elrod said. “It’s exciting to watch members take advantage of these opportunities. As members become officers, they learn to communicate and deal with adults as well as their own peer groups.”
Elrod also said the spiritual impact clubs have on students is important, and she hopes individuals come away with something meaningful.
“I hope above all they form spiritual relationships that will encourage them through ups and downs of college life and being away from home for the first time,” Elrod said. “These times will help them throughout their lives. There’s nothing like watching clubs cheer during club week, the excitement that comes with being with their fellow brothers or sisters and then watching clubs cross the club barrier and cheer, chant, pray and sing together during all club devo.”
Phil Dixon has been a sponsor for men’s club Chi Sigma Alpha for the last 16 years. Dixon was part of the club’s first class of members in 1963.
Dixon said he enjoys being a club sponsor because it allows him to connect with different generations of students.
“Personally, it gives me a way to connect with Harding students across generational lines,” Dixon said. “I have a grandson older than some of our new members. I find it is very encouraging to me to see the faith and character of these young men.”
Dixon said he is especially proud of the function clubs fill as a way for students to be part of something bigger than themselves.
“It gives a lot of them a place to connect, which is important for a lot of students, especially if they are new to Harding,” Dixon said. “The larger we get the more difficult it is for some to find a place to fit in both as an individual and in groups.”
