Alpha Zeta founded, idea inspired by faith

For junior Ashley Arledge, Alpha Zeta is more than just a social club. Arledge, the club’s president, hopes the club will be something different for girls on campus. “We want to be a different club,” said Arledge. “We’ve decided to call our Pledge Week ‘Declaration Week.’ We want our girls to feel empowered by saying they are declaring to the campus that they are a part of Alpha Zeta.” The new social club was founded just today, and the idea stemmed from Arledge’s first experience with Greek Life at Lipscomb. She knew she wanted to be a part of a social club when she began college, but finding a place that she fit in was harder than expected. “I was looking for more out of college than an education, but to be able to experience that collegiate experience with wonderful Christian people.” After going to the rush fair, open rushes and a few closed rushes, Arledge didn’t feel a connection to any of the social clubs. “I knew I wanted to integrate myself into Lipscomb Campus Life, but I didn’t feel there was a place that I fit. And I think there are other girls on campus that feel the same way.” Since that very moment, Alpha Zeta has been in the works. Arledge first brought up the idea to Laurie Sain, Fanning’s head resident, then began working with Dean of Student Life Sam Smith and Sewell head resident Sam Parnell during the drafting of the constitution. The founding members presented the club’s overview to the head of Greek Life and it was approved for charter. Although forming the...