Some people of Morrilton put up a resistance to the move , and later , J.N. Armstrong, Harding's president , claimed that he would have been aggrieved if after serving the community at Morrilton for a decade they did not object to the removal of the college to another city . Searcy accorded Harding a warm reception . Several people from White County took their trucks over to Morrilton and helped the college move free of charge. Brooms, mops, and scrub-brushes cleaned away two years of accumulated debris . The Searcy Dally Citizen stated "The people of Searcy and all this part of Arkansas feel that the coming of this Christian institution into our midst Is nothing short of a Godsend ... It will bring to this community not less than 400 young men and women who have shown by having matriculated in a Christian college that they want the hallowing influences of Christianity as a great part of their education . May the number greatly increase from year to year is our humble hope and expectation ." That number did Increase almost immediately. In the fall of 1934, 461 students enrolled, and Harding College settled into its comfortable niche In the "foothills of the Ozarks ." But not everything was smooth salling - photo by We. Holland. that first year In Searcy. A newly hired professor objected to some of the strict social regulations, and several students fell in behind him to show their displeasure of the Harding rules , the boys sat on one side of the auditorium during the regular Monday Night meeting and the girls on the other. J .D. Bales came Into the auditorium after most had taken their stations, unaware of the trouble. Amid much persuasion he stoutly refused to sit with the boys and sat down on the girl's side . Brother Armstrong thought matters had gone too far and decided to lecture the students. He said: "Young people, when Harding was started, we were not trying to be popular or shape the regulations to please all you students. We are trying to build a school that will satisfy our consciences and be pleasing to the Lord . We are trying to build the kind of men and women the world needs . If we can accomplish that , we will do our best to sell the idea to you. If you don't care for It, we are deeply sorry . When we require daily bible study and daily chapel attendance and the observance of sensible social regulations , we do not force them on anybody. You are free not to attend Harding College If that would be your decision , but we cannot depart from the principles for which the school was founded. If you choose to leave , we should regret it deeply. We never see a student leave that our hearts do not grieve, for we realize how much he will be missing that he cannot see . But anyone is free to go whenever he decides he cannot live up to the standards of the school. " That speech settled the matter emphatically and lovingly . Harding could not replace Galloway Female College in the hearts of the Searcy people, but it could create a place of its own. As a goodwill gesture to the city, J .N. Armstrong donated many of the shrubs, which Dr. Williams had planted in Galloway's flower garden, to the Searcy Garden Club to transplant around the courthouse to fill in the unsightly gaps in the hedge . I doubt seriously that there is a better "town and gown" relationship anywhere in America . This wedding took place 50 years ago, and the union deepend with the passing of each year . Both Harding and Searcy have grown together . As Harding reaches to 48 states and 22 foreign countries and collects her people , the people of Searcy and White County reach into an illustrious past and set a place for all who come . & - Dr. Raymond Muncy Administration Building 1952 - 50th Anniversary 27
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