From barefoot Frisbee ningers to parading pledges, the front lawn hosted a variety of activities and an unu~u al collection of participants. While the Harding campus has expanded through the years, the front lawn was no! COIlsidered a possible site for construction. Approximately 140,000 square feet of grass, it was an over-sized mud puddle inviling one to frolic in the waters like a liltk kid. But from the late spring to early fall, it was an expanse of green grass which lured even the most dedicated class-goer (Q sk ip out for a game of Frisbee. On its borders were the majority of Harding's class buildings. As a resuiL, the fronl lawn became the short cut between the American Studies Building and the student center ... or the library and the H er itage cafeteria ... or Kendall Dormitory and the nursing building. The grounds' crew, who used a massive (and unpredictable) sprinkling system to keep the grass green, erected poles and chains to encourage the use of si dewalks - an effort which had only limited success. Even if it had nOt been a thoroughfare for traffic, the green carpet of the lawn would have been burdened by the organizational activities held there. During the warmer mOlllhs of school, the front lawn was used by the Sltldent Associa tion. Striving to entertain the st udent in an adult and mature manner, they invented "Hilarity." Annually the classes competed in such "games" as egg- .. , throwing contest s, lUg-o-wa r, rie.' - eating contests, and other out - rageous activities. For the first time, Open Hou 'lt.' ror girls' club was held on till' lawn. Booths were set up h j ',ldl club for the benefit of frc~llJlll'n and transfers who sought the organization most sui ted to their personalities. A few weeks later, many of the same people were back on the lawn, with a slight change in roles. It was "Rush" Night and previous club members were "drill sergeant s" for whom frantic pledges jogged, sang, and h buried smiles" to please. In the 1940's, single Harding st udent s took pan in Sadie Hawkins' Day festivities on the fronl lawn. The available young men would gather to the hunting ground in (hopefully) top physical condition. Each girl would sel her sights on one of the men, and when the gun was fired, the chase was on. The fir st Daisy Mae to catch her U'J Abner was given two crisp dollar bill\ to ray Mar~ ryin' Sam ror Ihe ille!!itimale ceremony. The second gal 10 ca lch her fellow served as maid of honor and her catch was Lest mall. That evening the men were.' c!'Il'orted 10 supper by the women , Although that custlllll did IH)I exist in 1981, the rrolll la\\11 l'ontinued to playa part in the roman - tic scene at Harding. SllIing on thl' front wall, one could nin wit h passer-by's. After the initial flinu · lions, a couple could go for !)O l11l' serious conversation in one of thl' lawn' s swings. And al<l ... , Ihl." rC!'Iull - Duvt NOgUl1
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