• Five-day program aids new students in transition to college life and helps to begin their new spiritual Journeys Hypnotized to believe she is in a kin– dergarten class, seniorTaylor Davis sticks out her tongue at the hypnotist. Davis, co– director of Student impact, worked many hours throughout the summer to ensure the new students' transition to college would run smoothly. (Photo by April Clem) Freshman Chance Snider, covered with mud and soap suds, glides across the slip 'n' slide at the SillyOlympics Aug. 18. Incoming freshmen and transfer students enjoyed this opportunity to meet new people while getting messy and playing games. (Photo by Chrissy Ingram) • • 10 student life of ct Butch Gardner, director of minor– ity student services, asswned the added role of director of First Year Experience this fall. This was his first year to direct the new office, which was responsible for organizing all orientation programs, including Student Impact. "This was basically a learning ex– perience for me, to relearn what was going on w ith the program," said Gardner, who had worked with thepro– gram more than 10 years ago when he worked in theOffice ofStudentServioes. The overall goal of Student Impact was to help new students in their tran– sition from high school to college. It alsoaimed at helping transfer students adjust to the new phase of their lives. "It helped me to see some familiar faces when classes started," freshman Kari Kiser said. "I still see those people around a lot. One of them is my really good friend, so thafs coo!." Luke 9:23 provided the theme for Impact 2002, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." During the five-day introduction to Harding life, a record number of911 newstudents werechaUenged to deny themselves and follow Christ. Incoming students participated in a full schedule of activities, including Silly Olympics, a luau with inflatable games and an SO's theme dinner. A variety of entertainment acts ap– peared during the program, including acoustic comedians Bean and Bailey and hypnotist Bruce McDonald. Various service projects enabled students to serve the community. Par– ticipants collected canned goods for the Arkansas State Food Bank and visited widows, Single-parentfamilies and residents of area nursing homes. Returning students led energy groups and helped acquaint new stu– dentswith the campus and Searcyarea. "Our energy groups helped us get to know more people and gave us a base of friends to talk to about being new and stuff," freshman Leigh Ann Haynessaid. "They also helped us out getting to know places." Guest speakers presented devotion– alsduring the general assemblies and in the evenings, providing an avenue for spiritual growth. Impact closed with a candle1ightdevotionalledbyKevinKlein, associate professor ofHistory, and sing– ing on the Benson steps. " It was a really good way to get the year started and let students know what Harding is all about. which is finding and nurturing your own rela– tionship with the Lord away from home," senior Taylor Davis, Impact co-director, said. "The week was in– tended to provide an opportunity to begin thatspiritual journey and follow Him." - Christy Canady
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