Changing Things About Upon the retirement of Dr. Joseph E. Pryor from administrative duties on August 12, 1983, Dr. Dean B. Priest became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He continued to serve as chairman of the department of mathematics which position he had held since 1969. This was the 22nd year that Dr. Priest had taught at Harding. To help orient him to his new administrative responsibilities, Dr. Priest, accompanied by his wife. Carolyn , and Dr. and Mrs . Neale T. Pryor, attended the annual meeting of academic deans at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, July 24-27. Dean Priest undertook studies during 1983-84 to provide effective career counseling for students who desire to major in one of the disciplines in the arts and sciences, to improve student retention at the university , and to see what changes could be made in the curriculum and in the scheduling of classes to make programs better cost effective without "cu tting programs. " He served on the steering committee for the self-study for the ten -year North Central reaccredi tati on examination scheduled for 1984-85 . 90 Deans Commenting on his new assignment, Dean Priest stated, " It has been a challenge but a great thrill and reward to enter into a new phase of service and work at Harding University. It was a great honor to be asked along with Dr. Neale T .Pryor to step in and carry come of the load shouldered by Dr. Joseph E. Pryor so faithfully for so many years. Under the academic leadership of Dean Pryor, Harding University attained new heights of academic excellence. Harding's academic program today is respected locally , regionall y, and nationally. It is my prayer that we will be able to continue in this same fine tradition." In the summer of 1983, Eddie Campbell , Dean of Men, became the director of the summer early orientation program for incoming freshmen upon the retirement of Dr. Jimmy Carr from full-time responsibility as Assistant to the President. Based upon this experience , Dean Campbell projected several changes in the early orientation program for the summer of 1984. - StAff Photo In the fall, he worked very closely with the InterClub Council and the officers of the men's social clubs in an effort to implement effectively the significant changes in the procedure of inducting new members into the clubs. He commented, 'The changes have resulted in a longer, yet less intense, stressful, and timeconsuming period of initiation. " Commenting on his long association with Harding, Dean Campbell stated, "Harding is a very special kind of place. Our studen ts come from a ll over the .world and arrive at various stages in their lives. Making the adjustment for some is fraught with multitudes of obstacles. Some arrive on the campus with their minds made up that they 'don't like it here - and won' t like it here .' Few stay through the first semester and begin the second semester with this attitude. "Making the adjustment of being away from home, mom, dad, and the kids back home and being on a campus with around 2,400 in residence halls is quite an adjustment. This is an area where I hope to be helpful. " - Lesli~ Downs 1. Cathleen M. Shultz, dean of tile School of Nursing. 2. Dr. Bobby L Coker, dea" of the School of Education. 3. L C. Sears, Joseph E. Pryor a"d Neale Pryor are the only tllree Chief Academic officers that Hardillg has ever had. 4. Eddie R. Campbell, deall of men. 5. Dr. Dean B. Priest, deem of the College of Arts and Sciences. 6. Maribeth Downing, dean of women. 7. Dr. David Burks, dean of the School of Business. Making preparations for implementing a Master of Science in Accounting degree in the fall of 1984 was a major undertaking of Dr. David B. Burks, Dean of the School of Business. This new program was sanctioned by the North Central Association office and was approved by the Harding Board of Trustees at its fall 1983 meeting. As director of the American studies program, Dean Burks implemented a schedule of outstanding speakers on the campus and also arranged for a week-long study tour of the Washington, DC, area, in the spring of 1984. During 1982-83, American Studies trips were made to Houston, TX, in the fall and to New Orleans, LA, in the spring. Dean Burks recommended to the Board of Trustees that a Business Advisory Council be developed to provide a strong base of support for qu~lity academic programs in the School of Business. He also organized the Business Associates , a group of men and women who represent excell ence and professionalism in the business world, to help the facu lty in the planning of curriculum in the School of Business, to provide periodiC career counseling for students, and to assist graduates in finding meaningful job opportunities. - Lesli~ Downs - John Radcliffe
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==