College fraternities are often associated with lifelong friendships, leadership development, and professional success, but for some members, the lessons learned in brotherhood helped shape a deeper calling. Among the alumni of Alpha Sigma are several men whose paths ultimately led them into Christian ministry, where they have served as pastors, bishops, church planters, theologians, and denominational leaders. Their journeys to the pulpit took different routes from theater, business, and the arts to seminary and congregational leadership, but each reflects a commitment to faith, service, and leadership beyond campus.
Franklin Golden ’98 has built a career that combines ministry, church planting, and the arts. Before entering ordained ministry, he worked as a musical-theater producer in New York and Charlotte and then earned a Master of Divinity from the Duke Divinity School in 2007. He served as pastor of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Durham and later became a founding pastor and copastor of Durham Church, a congregation formed in 2012 through the merger and renewal of two declining Presbyterian churches. In addition to his pastoral leadership, Golden has written and spoken about congregational diversity, worship, and church renewal, contributing to faith-based publications and discussions. Outside the church, he has also worked as a photographer and instrument builder, reflecting a career that bridges creative arts and Christian ministry.
Franklin Clemmer Golden Jr. was a history major. He lived in Stacy Residence Hall freshman year and was a member of Order of the Bell Tower, Order of the Grail, Pauper Players, Presbyterian Campus Ministry, and Senior Class Marshals.
Matthew Heyd ’92 is an Episcopal priest and church leader who became the 17th bishop of New York in 2024 after serving as bishop coadjutor beginning in 2023. Before his election as bishop, he spent a decade as rector of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, where he focused on expanding inclusion and community engagement. Earlier in his career, he served as director of faith in action at Trinity Church Wall Street, helping to expand volunteer service programs and overseeing grant-making initiatives with local and international impact. He also helped launch Episcopal Charities, served as chief operating officer of a national youth-service nonprofit, and worked with the family of Martin Luther King Jr. to promote service-learning programs for students. Matt also earned degrees from Yale University and The General Theological Seminary and has held numerous leadership roles in Episcopal and educational organizations.
Matthew Foster Heyd, a Morehead-Cain Scholar, was a history and political science major. He lived in Graham and Stacy Residence Halls and was a member of the Apples program, Dialectic Society, and Golden Fleece. He also served as student body president 1991–1992.
Michael Rhyne ’97 is a Lutheran pastor who began serving as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in October 2021. Before coming to Maine, he served as bishop of the Allegheny Synod in central Pennsylvania, providing leadership and oversight to congregations throughout the synod. Earlier in his ministry, he served congregations in Geeseytown and Newry, Pennsylvania, as well as in Hartsville, South Carolina. Rhyne entered ordained ministry as a second career, having previously spent about a decade working in professional theater and teaching at several colleges. His career reflects a combination of artistic, educational, congregational, and episcopal leadership experience within the Lutheran church.
Michael Lonny Rhyne was a communication studies and dramatic art major. He was a member of Residence Hall Alumni, Campus Y, Carolina Union Alumni, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and Pauper Players. He also played club sport frisbee and club sport ultimate.
William Robinson ’91 is a Presbyterian minister, preacher, teacher, and author who currently serves as senior pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Before coming to Hilton Head, he served for nearly 11 years as senior pastor and head of staff at Salem Presbyterian Church in Salem, Virginia, following earlier ministry as an associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. He earned degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Union Presbyterian Seminary, where he completed a PhD in biblical studies. His scholarly work includes the book Metaphor, Morality, and the Spirit in Romans 8:1–17, which was adapted from his doctoral dissertation and examines the Apostle Paul’s use of metaphor in Romans. Throughout his career, Will has combined pastoral leadership with teaching, writing, community engagement, and discipleship-focused ministry aimed at helping people deepen their Christian faith.
William Edmond Whiddon Robinson was a political science and English major. He was a member of the Campus Y, Honors Program, and Senior Class Marshals.
Frank Spencer ’82 is a Presbyterian minister and leader who served as president and CEO of the board of pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from 2014 until his retirement in 2026. Under his leadership, the board of pensions redesigned its benefits plan to provide greater flexibility and affordability, reversing long-term membership declines and significantly expanding participation among churches and affiliated organizations. He championed the agency’s 2015 “Theology of Benefits” framework, which emphasized holistic well-being through spiritual, vocational, health, and financial support programs. Frank also oversaw modernization of the agency’s technology infrastructure, guided stewardship of more than $14 billion in assets, and helped the organization navigate rising healthcare costs and the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the denomination, he served in leadership roles with the Church Benefits Association and Church Alliance, advancing benefits and advocacy efforts for faith-based organizations nationwide. He earned degrees from Union Presbyterian Seminary and Harvard Business School.
Frank Clark Spencer Sr., a Morehead-Cain Scholar, was a German major. He is the father of F. Clark Spencer Jr., S ’10.
The University of North Carolina and Carolina Alumni track student participation in extracurricular activities. See a list of Alpha Sigma’s members who affiliated during college with religious groups and organizations here.