_ .____________SENIORS__ column, "Looking Ahead," that has been carried by 2,700 newspapers in North America. In May of 1941 he came to the attention of the nation through a brief appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee urging our nation to adopt a sound fiscal policy. For a number of years, beginning in 1949, he conducted Freedom Forums on campus to which leaders in business, labor, government and education were invited. Later he organized the Youth Citizenship Seminars. In a state-wide poll of the citizens of Arkansas by the Arkansas Democrat, Dr. Benson was elected "Arkansan of the Year" in 1953. A dynamo of energy and optimism, a fluent and forceful speaker, he is still at 78 sought as a speaker by leading civic groups across the nation. An effective gospel preacher and a zealous promoter of world evangelism, Dr. Benson has probably done more than any other man of his generation to promote the spread of undenominationaI New Testament Christianity. During his tenure as president of Harding, Dr. Benson raised more than $30 million for the college with $12 million being invested in developing physical facilities, $13 million going into endowment, and more than $5 million going into operational expenses. Regional accreditation by the North Central Association was achieved on March 14, 1954, and accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education was achieved in 1963, retroactive to the class of 1961. The top administrators at Harding today - President Ganus, Vice President Cox, Vice President for Academic Affairs Pryor, and Vice President for Finance Tucker - were selected by him for their present leadership positions. Dr. Benson has not been parochial in promoting Christian education. He has assisted Oklahoma Christian College, Alabama Christian College, FreedHardeman College, Columbia Christian College, Pepperdine University, Northeastern Christian College, and Magic Valley Christian College in raising funds. In recent years, he has taken the lead in building Zambia Christian School at Namwianga, Zambia. Born in Oklahoma Territory, in what is now Dewey County, on September 28, 1898, Dr. Benson worked hard on his father's farm and attended oneroom schools that often operated only a few months each year, graduating from high school at Kingfisher in 1921. Since he desired a Christian education, he enrolled at Harper College in Kansas in the the fall of 1921 and came under the influence of J. N. Armstrong and L. C. Sears at Harper during 1921-23. After attending what is now Oklahoma State University in 1923-24, he enrolled at Harding College in Morrilton in the fall of 1924, the first year after the consolidation of Arkansas Christian College and Harper College, receiving the B.A. degree in June, 1925. Subsequently, he received the B.S. degree in 1925 from Oklahoma A. & M. and the M.A. degree in 1931 from the University of Chicago. His life epitomizes the poet's statement that "the lives of great men oft remind us that we can make our lives sublime and in passing leave behind us footprints in the sands of time." PICTURED in his office in the American Heritage building, George Benson now devotes his time to the National Education Program. HOLDER, STtVE E. Searcy, Al. Music Education. HOOD, UTHY. A lti , TX. Nursing. Beta Tau Gamma. HOOD, OEGG. , TX. Mathematics ord Bible. Frater Sodolis 1,2,3,4, V.P. 3; Deon's list 1; Debate Team 1,2; Men's Wing Counselor 3; Pi Kappa Delta 1,2,3; Resident Assistant 3; Spelunkers 2,3; Timothy Club 3; Tennis 1,2; lntroroorals 3. HOOTIN, ROGER. Da , TX. Accounting. TNT 1,2,3,4. HOWELL, MELINDA. Fort Wortt., TX. Special Education. Phi Delta 1,2,3, V.P. 3; Moy Fete Royalty 3; International Campaigns 3; JOY 1,2,3,4; EA 3,4. HUCUBH, DEBBIE. Bossier Oty, LA. Elementary Education. Theta Psi 1,2,3,4. HUDDLESTON, TIRW. Ortando, Fl. Elementary Education. Phi Delta 2,3; International Campaigns 1; Northwest Campaigns 3; Spring Break Compojgns 1; Chorale 1; JOY 1,2; SNEA 4; Big Sisters 2. HUEY, BETH. M rys , OH. Social Wort, Oege 1,2,3,4, Sec. 4; Lambda s·gma Queen 2,3; International Ca~igns 3; Chorale 1; JOY 4; Women's Dorm Council 3; Resident Assistant 3. SENIORS - 93
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