The efforts of hundreds of people went into the functionality of social clubs, and sponsors were the clubs' biggest cheerleaders. Without them, not only would clubs be unable to exist, but students would also lose a special bond with the people who had the most wisdom and club experience to share. In most cases, sponsors were former members. Tim Cox, for example, had been a sponsor for Knights for nine years after being a member of the club during his college career. "Having been in Knights, all of us are bound to it," Cox said. "We think of ourselves as eternal Knights and are helping guide the club over the years. We're trying to help guide and keep the same direction that the original guys created Knights to b " e. Other sponsors simply felt a calling to be involved with the shaping of young adults. Lipscomb graduate Tish Elrod had sponsored KoJo Kai since 1987 and loved influencing the girls over the years. "Sponsoring Kojies is my mission, just a way to serve," Elrod said. According to sponsors, interactions with their club members reminded them daily how special a mentor-student relationship could be. "I think it keeps me young," Elrod said. "It's just the kind of thing that I enjoy. I enjoy ballgames and getting to know different people and the relationships." The same was said of many other clubs across the board. "My wife and I both have this idea that this is the ministry that God wanted us to move back to Searcy for," Cox said. "Being a mentor, being there when people need to cry or celebrate. Going to the sports and stuff is fun, but getting to know the students is really the best part." Through home Bible studies, dinners and other similar activities, sponsors and their families received inside looks into the lives of club members, and the members gained a family away from home in turn. "When our son was younger, through watching college students, he realized that he was able to be cool and have fun, do silly things and still be a Christian example," Elrod said. "Plus, it gave us a lot of babysitters." Whether sponsors were chaperoning functions or supporting club members behind the scenes, members felt strongly that club experiences, college careers and spiritual lives would not be the same without role models such as these. Lindsey Sullivan b+ Sponsors Knights sponsor Tim Cox chats with senior Knights member Nathan Baskett during their interview mixer on Oct. 5. Cox was a member of Knights from 19921994 and had served as a sponsor for nine years. Kristi Soto Sponsors Sally Paine and Kim Baker-Abrams sit at the Cinco de Mayo table at Chi Omega Pi's third round "Holidays" mixer on Oct. 3. Paine had been a sponsor for 22 years, and Baker-Abrams had been for 13 years. Grant Schol During Delta Nu's fun and games mixer on the front lawn, sponsor Kara Chalenburg gives instructions for an upcoming activity. Chalenburg was known among her club members as a sweet, caring role model who opened up her home to meet many of her girls' needs. Kristi Soto
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