John Nelson Armstrong 1870·1944 With servI4:e in five other Christian schools, John Nelson AnnsIlOIIgwas an excellent choice for president when Harding was orpnlzed as a senior college in 1924. son of a Tennessee fanner, he was an alumnus of both f;:;:Z;-~:W;;';'; Tennessee Christian College (Freed·Hardeman) and ~_;~;';BlbIe School (David Upscomb). As a student at he studied Greek and Bible under James A. Harding askal to teach the Greek classes himself. His :-~~=~ Greek student and daughter of his former teacher, ::. Hanling. later became hil; wife. Mn. Armstrong served the college as Dean of Women, teIcher t1f speech and director of Campus Players. For many .,an. the Armstrongs had numerous "children" in their JIOrmitory bome. and !bey were always willing to sacr'fice :themSelves and their needs to help the growth of Harding College. ArmStrorlg was a man who really believed in Christian education lind gave SO years to that belief. He resigned as president in 1936, but continued to teach Greek and Bible until hisdeath in 1944 at the age of 74. Commenting on the aims of Harding College. Armstrong aald. "in our work our chief aim is to send every boy and girl home at night with a tenderer conscience, a greater respect for risht and duty. To teach a boy to live a hundred years and train bim to be an intellectual giant without this conscience culture is to curse the world and him." 4/ HISTORY George Stuart Benson 18%- Recalled from China in 1936 to ftIl the presidency, GeOl'Jl~ Benson found the college in dire financfal straits. Dr. Benson's vigorous fund·raising efforts paid off 1939 the mortgage was cleared, and Harding pushed unhindered. A member of the first graduating class of the senior Benson spent 11 years as a missionary to China. These set the stage for his later efforts in education, and he bec::aulit. national figure through his dedication to the educating the American people to the dangers of Com~RUlliAI Dr. Benson spent 20 years preparing the college for creditation by North Central Association of Colleges Secondary Schools. During his 29 year term he became the foremost fund raisers in the history of higher ed,ocatial Founder of the National Education Program, Dr. helped establish the teaching of American history in schools in order to alert the people to their heritage, and make them aware of the subtlety of the Communist r1u)Yellllellii His years in office saw many buildings constructed for the rapidly growing campus. He expressed his hope for the college and for America "The Master's teachings forever nourish the soul and spirit men. Though I near the twilight hours, for me the land bright. I see hope in the faces of young men and w~me1ll.j Harding, and the hope in their eye. is wortb the strop lifetime."
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