Through the years, key Petit Jean personnel have been selected from almost every field of study. As might be expected, these former staffers are now scattered - through the science department, the language department , the history department, the Business School, even the administrative offices at Harding University, Dr. David Burks, dean of the School of Business, might seem an unlikely candidate for head photographer of the yearbook, but that he was, for both the '63 and '64 volumes. " I had worked my way through high school helping a professional photographer, " Burks explained, "and taking pictures for the Petit Jean helped me to work my way through college." He earned a year of experience as assistant photographer before serving as head of the photography staff during his sophomore and junior years . His work on the book made him feel that he was contributing to his school. "Through my close work with the other staff members and with Dr. Joe, " he added, "my attitude toward Christian education was strengthened. It was part of a total experience at Harding which made me want to come back when the invitation was given." Mike James had much less experience when he tried out for the photographer' s position in 1970. " I'd only been taking pictures for a year," he said . " It was just a hobby when I was in the Army ." Dr. Joe announced the need for a photographer, so the freshman math major tried out and got the job. " I didn't know anything when I started, but I've learned a lot since then!" He served as head shutterbug from 1970-73, and later stepped very naturally into a position as photographer for the Harding publicity office. Unlike Burks, who seldom takes pictures now, James has his own studio. He is director of photography for the University, and two years ago he began teaching the photography courses in the journalism curriculum. Not only photographers, but also business managers have come from the Petit Jean office to their own Harding offices. "I don't know how I got the job ," said Dr. Jack Wood Sears, chairman of the biology department. With no more background than a few ad sales, he took the position of business manager of the 1940 book. The senior chemistry and biology major scientifically went about developing "a budget we could live with" and effected some of the best photo and printing contracts the Petit Jean has ever had. " At least it made me appreciate what others go through in that line of work," Sears said, not eager to attempt the task again. Another department chairman, Winfred Wright (modern foreign languages), did get some training before he served as business manager for the '56 book. He began working on the business staff as a sophomore and served as assistant business manager his junior year. "The job made me a liaison between the school and the city, when we were selling and collecting for ads," he said. The task was not a natural complement to his Bible and Biblical languages major, nor was it an asset when he taught social studies at Crowley's Ridge - not even when he was studying French and conducting mission work in Belgium. "But," he laughed, "I'm again serving as liaison between the school and the community, " referring to his work as director of the Cooperative Education Program. Only DavId Tucker felt qualified as business manager and returned to Harding in a related field. Having been sports editor of his high school yearbook, Tucker was interested in the Petit Jean, as well as in receiving practical business experience. Especially enjoyable, he said, was the contact with Searcy businessmen.• 'That experience looked good to prospective employers, too," he added. Tucker joined the faculty this year as an associate professor of economics. Virgil Lawyer, associate professor of history, served as assistant editor of the book during the time when yearbook activity was a senior privilege. "I didn't have any experience, " Lawyer said, " And 1 did very little." The editor of their 1946 volume was the knowledgeable one, he said. The editor of the 1943 book would not have dared to say he "did very little." Clifton L. Ganus Jr. , now president of the University, was involved in nearly every activity available, including all sports, band and choir. He served in class and club offices and edited sports for the Bison. "I guess I did about everything there was to do," Ganus admitted , humbly suggesting that he was trying to fill vacancies created by the war . "Those were rough times. We had to make do with what we had. In some instances ," he recalled, "we could allow only one picture Second Semester Students ..- ---[ per group ." "It was a good experience, though, frustrating as it was." Unchallenged, Dr. Joseph E. Pryor, known to his students as "Dr. Joe, " holds the longevity record for involvement with the. Petit Jean . Because his parents considered him too young to travel with the basketball team, Dr. Joe sought activity on campus. He found the Bison, which he edited for two years'; working alongside the Petit Jean staff in the student publications office. At times, he was able to sneak in on some of the seniors' yearbook work. In his own senior year, in 1937, he gave up the Bison to edit the Petit Jean . Eigth years later, Dr. Joe became yearbook sponsor. He has worked closely with the yearbook staff for 36 years and has supervised the production of 22 AllAmerican books, the last 21 being consecutive. In the past , other former yearbook workers have joined the faculty or staff at Harding. Perhaps the Petit Jean office encourages a special closeness to the workers' alma mater. Says Editor Melanie McMillen, "I'd love to work at Harding. I like the atmosphere, I like the people and r like their attitude about what they're doing." Because she has a degree is psychology and an interest in law, she doesn't anticipate an offer to return to Harding in the near future. But judging by her versatile predecessors, who knows? Professor McMillen may one day teach math at Harding. - Snippi Schramm Frank Turner - Marianna, AR Jo Lynne Varner - Fulton, AR Telise Vaughn - Birmingham, AL Marneda Wade - Albany, GA Timolhy Ware - Antioch, CA Nick Wheeler - El Dorado , AR Trenl Wheeler - Cape Coral, FL Barbara Williams - Fort Worth, TX Lesa Willy - Bridgeport , TX Linda Woods - Seminole, TX Ronald Yoakam - Columbus, OH Robert Yosl - Youngstown, OH Glenn Ziegler· Springfield, IL Lisa Zuck • Collinsville , TX 219 Miller-Zuck
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