A new men’s social club, referred to by several members as a “band of brothers,” is starting to find its place at Harding.
Lambda Chi Theta was founded at the beginning of this semester by seniors Armin Jahandarfard, Seth Tackett and Blake Gannon, as well as 22 other charter members.
Jahandarfard, president of the club, said he has been in two clubs before, but saw a need that inspired the establishment of a new organization.
“I want to see guys step up as leaders across campus,” Jahandarfard said. “There are guys in this club that I can see being future leaders here at Harding, and I want to help with that. I’m a senior, so this isn’t about me as much as it is about (the future members).”
Jahandarfard said there is a constant battle in the world for men to be the best they can be in the eyes of God, and Lambda Chi Theta is here to help men win that battle. Lambda Chi Theta’s colors are crimson and gray.
Matt Underwood, assistant football coach, is the club’s sponsor. Underwood said that Jahandarfard and the other charter members are working hard to give back to Harding by establishing something that they believe in.
“This is a friendly, humble group of kids,” Underwood said. “I think it will become a really great club for guys who say ‘I want to be with a group of men who have the same values as I do,’ because these guys are the kind of guys who do things the right way.”
Underwood said he believes the club will go the distance and become a lasting establishment at Harding.
“There will be bumps in the road, but these guys are invested,” Underwood said. “They’re not going to give up on this.”
Kara Abston, assistant dean of students, said the current members come from many different backgrounds with varying interests and will benefit Harding by providing a unique option for new students who wish to join a club.
“They are diverse, but have already bonded as brothers,” Abston said.
The club’s basketball team has taken club sports by storm with an undefeated record so far this season, but Jahandarfard said that even though half the club’s charter members are athletes, Lambda Chi Theta does not want to typecast itself.
“We’re just a group of guys that you wouldn’t think would mesh together, but we’re coming together in amazing ways,” Jahandarfard said.
