Alpha Chapter History

Executive Board

The Alpha Chapter of Lambda Sigma Phi was chartered on April 23rd, 2017 in the house of our Mu Chapter at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. However, the origin of the Alpha Chapter dates further back.

In the fall of 2015, five men at the University of North Alabama gathered to explore the idea of founding a chapter of a distinctively, Christian fraternity. Among them were three of the future founders of the Alpha Chapter: Samuel Mashburn, Jordan Cooper, and John Michael Russell. Before discovering Lambda Sig, the group decided to move forward with forming a colony of another national, Christian fraternity known by Russell. By the spring of 2016, all appeared well for the group, which had grown to 14 men who were loosely associated and interested in forming a chapter. However, tensions underneath the surface would ultimately crumble the group's initial foundation.

Contradicting values became evident when one group member tried to persuade the others to allow a man, openly living in a sinful lifestyle, to join the group. Having not agreed on central values, nor a common vision, the loose association broke apart. This was a lesson the remaining group members, who would later become brothers, would never forget. In order to succeed, central values and a common vision, founded on the word, must be shared because:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” - Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Although the endeavor seemed lost for the group, Mashburn, a graduating senior in high school at the time, and Russell, a junior at UNA, pressed on. Dedicated to establishing a Christ-centered brotherhood at UNA, the two continued to gather potential new members to form a chapter. Mashburn was able to recruit several men over the summer that would join the potential chapter in fall 2016 including: Chase Holcombe, Jacob Bradley, Nicholas Watts, Seth Callahan and Michael Thompson. All of which would later become founders of the Alpha Chapter. By the end of the fall, the group had completed the first three phases of starting a colony. However, the leadership of the national, Christian fraternity the group pursued lost interest in the colony and abandoned the effort. Yet, the men did not lose hope because they believed God had called them to establish a Christ-centered brotherhood on their campus. Also, that the Lord would provide a way for the mission they prayed and labored for. As it is written in the Gospel of John:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” - John 14:12-13 (ESV)

So, the group continued. Over the Christmas break, the men deliberated on whether to form an original fraternity or to establish a chapter of another national, Christian fraternity. In January 2017, Mashburn discovered Lambda Sigma Phi through an article about the fraternity published in USA Today years prior. He then reached out to the Mu Chapter at the University of Alabama and their Advisor, Ken Hill, to see if Lambda Sigma Phi would like to expand to UNA. The men met after returning to campus for the start of the spring semester and decided collectively to pursue the first expansion chapter of Lambda Sigma Phi, later to be known as the Alpha Chapter at UNA. They then elected an Executive Board from among their group that mirrored that of the Mu Chapter. This board consisted of the following brothers: President Samuel Mashburn, Vice President of External Affairs Chase Holcombe, Vice President of Internal Affairs Seth Callahan, Vice President of Judicial Affairs Michael Thompson, Secretary Sean Gillman, Treasurer Christopher Drensek, and Chaplain Jacob Bradley.

The Alpha Chapter has continued the mission set in motion by its founders and actively seeks to honor Christ through the actions of its membership, which has grown to almost 30 brothers. The chapter's members are heavily involved and can be seen serving in offices, organizations and groups across campus. Many are student leaders and serve as student orientation counselors, resident advisors, student government association representatives and executive members of student-formed groups.

Andrew Mashburn​
​President

Daniel Green
Vice President of ​External Affairs

Riley Edmondson
Vice President of ​Internal Affairs

Elijah Mashburn
​Vice President of Judicial Affairs

Jake Statom
​Chaplain

Josh Corbin
​Treasurer

Brooks Thompson
​Secretary