70 Harding men’s social club Omega Phi added new sponsor Chuck Hicks, assistant professor of music and director of Belles and Beaux and Good News Singers. In 2021, several of Omega Phi’s sponsors left the club to revive the men’s social club Galaxy. This left Omega Phi members with a unique opportunity to expand their diversity through new sponsors. The process of becoming a sponsor for Omega Phi was threefold. First, the officers of the club chose and voted for potential sponsors. Then, the names were given to the deans for approval. Once approved, the rest of the club members voted on the sponsors. Senior Omega Phi President Dawson Teague said that with the addition of Hicks, there was an age span of roughly 40 years among their sponsors. Teague said that this gave the club members an opportunity to develop relationships with men who had vastly different life experiences and wisdom. Senior Omega Phi member Zach Bishop was a member of Belles and Beaux and of Hicks’ weekly devotional. Bishop said that being a part of each group with Hicks taught him lessons and helped him better understand Hicks’ personality. “He loves people, and he loves pouring into young men especially,” Bishop said. “It’s been cool to see the different dimensions of his character.” Once Hicks was voted into the club, members welcomed him during their next meeting. Teague noted that often new sponsors were initiated with a good laugh, possibly at their own expense, but that the members of the club always developed relationships with sponsors new and old. “We understand that it can be overwhelming, so we want to give our new sponsors room to grow into their own and become comfortable with us,” Teague said. “Our sponsors are also great at reaching out to members to get coffee, lunch or dinner and investing time and energy into learning more about us.” Hicks was no stranger to the life of a club sponsor. Having served as a sponsor for men’s social clubs Chi Sigma Alpha for five years and Kingsmen for three years, he was aware of the duties and responsibilities that came with the role. Hicks’ New Home Omega Phi welcomes Chuck Hicks as a new club sponsor. CHICKS Chuck Hicks poses for a portrait at Midnight Oil. Hicks directed two music groups, the Good News Singers and the Belles and Beaux, along with sponsoring Omega Phi. Photo by: Lauren Simmons “Maybe I can be just a friend,” Hicks said. “I like meeting more guys, and I just think it’s important to know some of the guys and have a coffee with them and talk about life.” Omega Phi shared their excitement about their newest sponsor, as well as their appreciation for all of the sponsors that served them. Written by: Bailey Ridenour
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