Chapel Funnies. • • I · ·--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Student has memories ofchapel hilarity F or two years, I have seen a lot of things go on that characterize Harding: Spring Sing, swing dates, and even a wedding or two. There is one thing, however, that does characterize Harding that a lot of students take for granted. That, of course, is chapel. Many times, I take a rushed view of chapel. (Of course, sleeping until 8:45 and then running to the Benson doesn't help much.) However, I am perceptive enough to notice four different divisions of that special time between 9:00 and 9:35. They are the announcements, the devotional, the chapel program, and the dismissal. Announcements stick out most in my mind. It seems that some of the most memorable mistakes happen then. Who could forget Dr. Clifton Ganus mispronouncing Buckaroo Bonzai? Or nachos? Announcements could also be quite inventive and full of puns. When Pat Rice, director of nursing, gave her calming speech about the lice problem this year, she said, "The situation is just a nit-picking thing. We've got to hit it head-on:' This year, Dr. Joseph Pryor offered his knowledge on how to open a student directory while Dr. Jimmy Carr promptly showed us how to close it. I can also 30 Chapel Funnies remember how surprised Dr. Ganus was when he said, "Can you believe we only had those two announcements this morning? Now I have to stall for 15 minutes for them to check roll:' (But you wouldn't remember that if you left early for Thanksgiving break this year.) The devotional periods, for me, are what chapel is really all about. Although Christians always talk about the traditional two songs and a prayer, there were a few songleaders who were daring enough to lead three songs, or heaven forbid, have the students stand up during the songs. There were also a few songleaders who got a bit more enthusiastic with their songleading than others, but at least the songs were led from the heart and weren't sung at a snail's pace. Chapel programs were always varied. I slept through everything from senior speakers to slide shows. But there were a few that did keep my interest. One in particular was done this year by Dr. Jim Henderson.Heperlormed'~ Harding ChaperProgram'' by beginning with various comical announcements. Here are a few: "If you are a graduating senior, there are only 185 inore shopping days left:' "The Lilypool Devo will be held this Thursday night at the New Swi.mmit:ig Pool. Guys will meet from 8:00-9:00, girls, from 9:00-10:00:' "Ted Altman wants all members of the Smokey Club to meet down front after chapel. He wants to hold a short meeting to be sure you know how not to clap and whistle in the woods:' "Dr. Altman: The book you ordered, How To Be Funny, is in. You can read it as soon as Dr. McI<elvain is done with it:' "Harding is opening up a new campus. We are proud to announce Harding University at Heber - HUH. It will only be open during the spring and summer sessions:' Other chapel programs helped us get to know our athletic teams better. The basketball players shot free throws, the golf team drove balls into the balcony, and the tennis team, well, uh, got what they deserved. Dr. Ganus dismissed us in many ways. With a shake of an uplifted hand or a wink and a smile, he let us know that he wanted us to have a good day. On his more patriotic days, we were dismissed with the Pledge of Allegiance. To my dying day, I will never forget his version of the pledge: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which ·it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, wit 1 h libe~ andJ~s~~e for all. We re adJourne . ~ - David Dearin A rather familiar name. Steel letters adorn the auditorium on campus which was named after one of the current members of the Board of Trustees who was aJanner president of Harding. The Benson Auditorium was the largest seated auditorium in the state. - photo by Jerry Traughber.
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