2 Petit Jean e neither stood nor walked in line with excellence; we climbed in line with excellence. 1986 saw us, the individuals who made up Harding University, surge onto the scale of excellence in every area. A sometimes gradual, always persistent push upward brought Harding into the national level of recognition academically, athletically, and individually. The standard of excellence reached by the academic departments received recognition by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In their report on Harding, they commended the institution on the high standards in the area of teacher/student relationships, financial strength, counseling and academic planning, campus upkeep, and alumni and placement programs . The athletic teams upheld this upward drive. Bisons brought home victory stacked on victory and ranked high in the national polls. Academics and athletics did not counter one another; at Harding, they climbed upward together. Not only did the individuals uplift the University, the University uplifted individuals. Spiritually we grew; from lilypool devotionals to the 62nd annual Harding University Lectureship we found vast opportunities offered to us to learn and grow in our relationships with God and one another. We used those opportunities to grow in friendship and love. We didn't, we couldn't climb alone. We took and, sometimes, carried each other. The "Texas Hug,' ' a mass circular hug traditionalized at the lilypool devos, only visually exaggerated the affection and love we felt for one another. We found that if we climbed together, hand in hand, the task became less steep. So we joined hands. Perhaps you can step into line with progress; we opted to climb in line with excellence. 4 -Karen Roseberry Ravaging Rome. Senior Gina Conner and juniors Keith Hedges and Tom Heffington admire the elaborate ceiling of St. John Luheran Church in Rome while at Harding University in Florence , Italy . - photo by Dennis Organ. ed~tor-in-chief Streams of color. Ev ie Green , the freshman representative for ]u Go ]u social club , p artri c ipates in the ceremonious wrapping of the May pole. Each spring the May Fete queen is crowned during Spring Sing weekend after the ceremony . - photo by ]ames McCreary.
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