09/26/2024
Clarksville Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Spotlight: Ron Edmondson
Since its inception in 1935, fewer than 2500 brothers out of over 350,000 initiated into Sigma Chi, have been recognized as Significant Sigs. That is less than 1%. Ron Edmondson, is one of two Austin Peay Sigma Chi brothers that have been awarded with that honor. The definition of “Significant”? Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention and noteworthy”.
The Jordan Standard. Can you remember all of it?
A Man of Good Character
A Student of Fair Ability
With Ambitious Purposes
A Congenial Disposition
Possessed of Good Morals
Having a High Sense of Honor and…
A Deep Sense of Personal Responsibility.
We were all given bids to pledge Sigma Chi because it was believed by a Sigma Chi chapter, that we possessed those traits. We were initiated into Sigma Chi, because we had shown evidence of those traits. As actives and alumni, we are all charged with the obligation that it is a life-long commitment to live up to the Jordan Standard. Maybe that is easy for some, but myself included, many of us have struggled in life at times to live up to certain aspects of the Jordan Standard. Yet, those struggles are only known by the Man in the Glass for a vast majority of us. Do you remember that exercise? That was a humbling occasion and one of the most pivotal moments in my young adulthood, to step outside of myself and evaluate myself objectively. We were taught as actives to not only hold each other accountable, but to also be completely introspective and honestly evaluate ourselves.
What if, you not only had to answer to the Man in the Glass, but you also had to put nearly all aspects of your life for public consumption, by living completely transparent due to living in the Glass House of public life for all to see and hear? Most of us have jobs where we have a small group of co-workers, maybe a supervisor, maybe a few people that we supervise, our circle of friends, and our family. That is our circle of trust and accountability. A smaller group of brothers may own or run businesses, there are some brothers that are leaders of different organizations in their community or profession. Since their circle of influence and accountability are larger, then those brothers definitely open themselves open to more scrutiny. So, think of the people you have to be transparent to and are accountable to. Now, take yourself out of that role and imagine yourself being a nationally known figure in teaching others how to become more effective leaders? Can you imagine being a mentor, leader, speaker, and minister to thousands of people, in which those followers expect you to be there for them 24/7? Their spiritual, physical, and social needs and stresses, anxiety, and worries of all of these people are given to you for requested prayer and advice. Every written and spoken word by you is closely listened to and open to questions and criticism. Can you imagine the strain and stress of living under a microscope for every word, every action, every decision because you are not just a leader in your profession or in your interest club, but because you are a spiritual leader and everything you do pertains to all aspects of life? Some of us live in a small glass house of transparency, some of us have a large glass house of transparency. However, when you are a minister of a large congregation that has written numerous books, do active speaking engagements, consults, mentors, coaches, writes blogs, do podcasts, then you have chosen to accept everything that comes with living in a Glass House of Transparency the size of the Rose Bowl. I don’t know about you, but I can feel my throat tightening and my heart beating faster as I try to imagine myself in this position. People always say, don’t bring up politics and religion in a conversation because you are always going to step on toes. Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree that the standards for being a religious leader are far higher than being a politician.
Who would want to live in that transparent glass house? Who would want that position in which you know that every day there will probably be a phone call with a person in desperate need or a phone call or email with a person that has problem with what you have said, written, or done? Who would want an occupation with standards that are far higher than all others? I think we can all agree that if someone choses that path, it is not an occupation, but it is a calling in life, and that calling must be a sacrificial one, or no other person would accept the responsibility to go along with it. As an author of numerous books detailing leadership, devotion, developing character, relationship, and other spiritual guidance, Ron Edmondson has put forth his views on Godly leadership. Many people write books, yet remain in the shadows. Ron however has put his words into action by being the CEO of the Leadership Network, he has planted two churches, he has served as a mentor to other ministers, successfully revitalizing three churches, and is currently the Lead Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. When asked about his calling to go into the ministry, Ron said that he never saw it coming. Everything he does is under the microscope and every word written is scrutinized, every word spoke is evaluated, and every action is judged. All fall short of the glory of God, but can you imagine the strain of living most of your life as an open book to be a testimony of Jesus Christ to others?
When someone mentions fraternity, there are definitely stereotype images that come to mind. However, look at our founders. Runkle was a Major General, Professor, and later an Episcopal Priest. Bell was a Lieutenant, Superintendent of Schools, and a President of several colleges. Lockwood was a soldier, a lawyer, and a businessman known for his integrity. Jordan was a public servant as a U.S. Congressman. Cooper was a Presbyterian minister. Scobey had his law degree, was a journalist and farmer, and known for his warm congeniality. Caldwell was a solider, lawyer, and an editor who was known for his fidelity in the way he lived. None of these men would have made the casting call for Animal House. When looking at Clarksville Sigma Chi Alumni, we have several brothers who are Lead Ministers or Music Ministers, and we have far more alumni who serve in their houses of worship as deacons, elders, teachers, and board members of their houses of faith. When we look at the events that inspired the foundation of our fraternity and the history of our founders, why should we be surprised when Sigma Chi Fraternity alumni hold themselves to a higher calling and serve in areas of their faith?
Ron grew up in Clarksville and graduated from Northeast High. After graduating high school, Ron enrolled in MTSU. While at MTSU, Terry Bedwell was Ron’s roommate and Terry decided to chase a girl back to Clarksville and Ron decided to go back home with him and that is how he ended up at Austin Peay.
While at Austin Peay from 1983 to 1986, Ron majored in Political Science.
While at Austin Peay, Ron decided to go through Rush and he said the Pikes rushed him really hard. However, the Sigs treated him just like a regular guy and he preferred the Sig approach to recruiting him. When going through Rush, Ron said that he chose Sigma Chi because it seemed more professional than the other fraternities and Sigma Chi had lots of strong leaders to look up to. There were so many brothers Ron felt close to while an active, and he listed that he was close with his roommates Bob Heriges, Phil Daniel, and Paul Ilg. He was also close to his Pledge Brothers, Canadian and Shannon Keen. Looking back fondly, Ron feels that there were so many great brothers back then. Nowadays, Ron is not able to keep in contact with as many as he would like to, but he does see fellow Eta Xi Alumnus, Brandt Lyon often, who is on staff with Ron at Immanuel Baptist as the Campus and Teaching Pastor. For the brothers that influenced him the most, Ron listed his Big Brother: Keith Norris, George Leavell, Tom Cunningham, Johnny Miller, and Frank Myers. Ron’s favorite memory as an active was the time he took a week of vacation and spent the entire week at the Sig House, mostly in his boxers. Some things for the Clarksville Alumni Chapter to consider for areas to better engage alums, Ron stated that it is very hard for him to do things on the weekend, because that is his work time and when it is the busiest for him. He would loved something planned ahead for something during the week.
Ron, and his wife Cheryl, have two adult sons, 4 granddaughters, and a grandson on the way. Giving some reflection, Ron stated that he is very proud to be a Significant Sig and it truly one of his highest honors. He has had the privilege of writing a few books, speaking around the world, and he and Cheryl being able to spend the night together in all 50 states, and currently 32 countries. Their goal is to get to 50 countries as well. Ron and Cheryl try to fully embrace the community where they live, so they are pulling for the University of Kentucky. In his free time, he enjoys walking, cooking, reading, and working. Some advice Ron would give his younger self, would be to never waste a connection. Ron also advised us all to stay in touch with friends that we have now, because you will miss them someday. In regards to lessons learned from Sigma Chi, was that while he was active in high school in leadership positions, once at Austin Peay and joining Sigma Chi, he was exposed to a lot of great leaders. Ron wrote that some of his Sigma Chi brothers during his era have been very successful. Thinking back on that experience, Ron said “Iron sharpens Iron”.
In closing Brothers, “think no thought, utter no word, do no deed…………………”
In hoc,
