Christian studies honorary refounded

Home News Christian studies honorary refounded

A new honorary, Alpha Omega, was recognized on Nov. 15 by Student Federation.

Alpha Omega is an honorary for Christian Studies majors and minors. It was originally founded at Hillsdale College in the early ’90s, professor of Christian Studies Michael Bauman said.

The refounding process began about three weeks ago, so the idea is very new, senior Christopher Waters said. Only four students are currently members and they are all officers.

“We want to recruit more people,” Waters said, “We haven’t really advertised beyond us because we don’t have something firm for people to get involved in yet.”

Waters said the future plans for the honorary includes bringing in speakers for the student body along with getting involved in community service.

Bauman gave credit to the officers for their work to revive the honorary.

“I’m glad to see it coming back, glad to see the student interest that makes it possible,” Bauman said.

When the Christian studies honorary was first started, Bauman said he and the late professor of Christianity and literature John Reist were the faculty advisers. Although the honorary thrived for a while, it faded after some time, Bauman said.

Fast forward 20 years and Bauman said he was teaching with his wife at University of Oxford where junior Joelle Lucas was inspired to bring the honorary back to the campus of Hillsdale College. Lucas is now Alpha Omega’s president.

Lucas said they were eating dinner when Bauman brought up the honorary and asked Lucas if she was interested. When they returned to the United States, he found the old constitution, bylaws, and cords.

“Joelle has been really instrumental in the process,” said senior Christopher Waters, who serves as vice president. “She emailed all the Christian studies majors.”

The officers are currently in the process of editing and amending the current constitution along with searching for a second faculty advisor, Waters

said. He explained that the vision Bauman cast for Alpha Omega is that of a true honorary.

“It is a group of ‘elite’ scholars talking about the Bible-Theology. It sounds like a sweet thing,” Waters said. “I hope it becomes something prestigious eventually.”

Waters said he hopes it would be considered an honor to be part of Alpha Omega.

Lucas wants to raise awareness and create a network within the major. She said some students have been dissuaded from joining Christian studies because of how small it is, but she said she wants students to stay tuned and see what they can do with a Christian studies major.

“It is all very providential,” she said.