Pryor Scrapbook Clippings, 1983-1997

WOM8n's Athletic PrDgramExp&nd8d·to Four Sports· Women's volleyball and bptetball will be added to the intercollegiate athletic prop-am at Harding University, according to Athletic Director Harry Olree. Competition in the two sports will be added to the existing women's cross country and fast pitch softball programs for the upcoming school year 1983-84. The expansion of the women's in– tercollegiate program was approved by the Univenity Board of Trustees at the semiannual meeting of the group May 12, President Oifton Ganus said. Athletic competition for women at Harding was initiated with slow pitch softball in the spring of 1981 and cross country participating in the fall of the same year. This spring the change was made to fast pitch softball, which is the sport sanc– tioned by the National Association of In– tercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 0 We're delighted to expand our women's program," Olree saud. "It will be difficult to do but we've got to start and build. We're extremely optimistic and see this as a great opportunity for young women who are wanting to compete at the collegiate level." Olree said the program was to be started on a non-scholarship basis. He indicated steps were underway to construct schedules tor the upcoming year and that only a partial schedule might be played. 0 lt will take some time to arrange our achedules and to attract athletes,'' be said. "But we think the transition to a full program should be a smooth one." The University is an institutional member of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) and the NAIA. Beginning this fall, the AIC has approved a seven sport w-0men's program. AIC member schools are now being polled as to their planned par– ticipation for the 1983-84 academic year. AIC Commissioner Harry Hall expressed pleasure that Harding would be fielding volleyball and basketball teams (in addition to cross country and softball) and pledged complete support of the conference· during the transi~on period. Dr. Joseph Pryor, the Univenity's faculty representative for athletics, expressed support for the tr:ustees' action. _ ··- Dr. Joseph E. Pryor, vice president for academic affain at Harding University, has been appointed the first executive director of Alpha Chi, the national honor society that he has senecl as secretary-treasurer since 1970. Dr. Peyor's last term as secretary– treasurer expired at the national convention April 7-9 in San Antonio, at which time the society also approved a constitutional amendment creating the executive director's position. The new National Council chose Dr. Pryor for the job at its meeting April 8. The executive director will be responsible for many of the duties formerly held by the secretary-treuurer, especially the registetmi of new memben, handlina of rmmue and supervising the expansion program of the society. It will be the society's tint funded central office. The amendment also chanaed the secretary-treasurer's position to that of secretary, an elective office on the National Council respons11,le for the keeping of minutes and supemsina the scholanhip program. Dr. Pryor will sene on the 25-member National Council and the ExecutiYe Committee, but as a non-wting member. Dr. Dennis Organ, chairman of the English department, holds a similar position on the council as editor of the society's .publications. On his retirement u secretary-treasurer, the convention honored Dr. Pryor with an engraved desk set commemorating his years of wlunteer service to. Alpha Chi. During his tenure the society grew from 99 chapters and about 40,000 members to 242 chapters and 120,000 members. la a tesalutlo'I of appredation, CDallCil member Dr. Bailey B. McBride of Oklahoma Christian College said, .. All of u in Alpha Chi feel that Joe Pryor Is oar personal mend. He has a special style of leadership that focuses OD people, yet be knows that the vitality of an orpnizat1o11 depends OD the proper and efficient filllc- tioning of its parts." - He continued, .. Joe Pryor ushered Alpha Chi int~ a new era. He wu part of a team that made Alpha Chi a truly national organization." Dr. James Divelbiss of Westmar Collep in Iowa, whose term as president of the •National Council also expired at the San Antonio meetina, praised Dr. Pryor IS the "copheel of the society'' and said Alplla · Chi's current healthy si.tus wu clue primarily to his wort.