Chancellor "Dr. Ganus seems like a really down-to-earth guy. He's the kind of person you want to get to know better." - Angela Bockmon "Dr. Ganus is a living tradition. When you think of Harding, you think of Dr. Ganus." - Greg Fraley "I really respect Dr. Ganus. He seems to really care about us as students." - Bert Hollis "Dr. Ganus is a very good representative for Harding with his genuine concern for people and interest in community affairs. His friendliness is contagious." - Sharon Jackson Jt1 ay 10, 1987, marked a new beginning in the life of Dr. Clifton L. Ganus, Jr., as he gave up the position of president of Harding to Dr. David B. Burks. His retirement, however, was not a typical one, because upon leaving that position he took on the responsibilities as the first chancellor of Harding University. The Board of Trustees, along with presidents of several other Christian schools had approached Dr. Ganus earlier about taking the position , as well as Dr. Burks. Ganus took the position, with the understanding that he would not work full-time, and that he would be able to travel. But , as he had discovered soon after the appointment , "It's turning out to be fulltime work. That's okay, though - if I have to sit still , I go nuts." In his first year as Chancellor, Ganus certainly didn't have to worry about s1ttmg still for long. He became director of church relations, continued recruiting students for the Walton Scholarship Program, worked with development , fund-raising , public relations, and anything else that came up that he could help with. In his first year, travels included Grenada , Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the Bahamas, Honduras, Poland , Alaska , and seven Central American countries. Ganus continued to speak at lectureships, seminars, and various ceremonies, as well as to preach for churches around in the South. What was the difference, then , between serving as president and as chancellor? ''As chancellor, I don't have to make the decisions. While I am still responsible for certain areas, I don't have authority over many aspects of campus life. When I leave the country, I don't even have to call home. There is less pressure. When 16 0 Chancellor 0 Dr. Clifton L. Ganus, Jr. I was president, I tried to tell myseU there wasn't any pressure. But whether you acknowledge it or not , it's there." Ganus came to Harding in 1939 as a student. Shortly after graduation, he joined the faculty in 1946. He commented on the way his view of Harding had changed over the years, "My college years were four of the most enjoyable years of my life. They changed the course of my life in so many ways. I loved Harding, but even then I couldn't appreciate her the way I do now. Students don't understand all the things that go on behind the scenes. They complain about so many things, and when I was a student , I was the same way. Students are, in a sense, blissfully ignorant of all that goes on behind the scenes in their behalf." Ganus went on to say that after his years of working behind the scenes, he has seen the work and sacrifice that are necessary to make Pounds of paperwork. Dr. Clifton Ganus proves that even if he is not the president, he still can keep busy. Dr. Ganus became the first chancellor of Harding this year. - photo by Bill Tripp. Taking a chance-llor. A couple of students asked Dr. Ganus for a minor date during Pledge Week. Pledge Week oos a time to become acquainted with administration and faculty as well as students. - photo by Danny Meeks. Harding what she is. And he certainly played a large part in that work and sacrifice, even after retirement as president. September 18 saw the inauguration of President Burks. When asked about his feelings on that day, Chancellor Ganus replied, "That day wasn't actually much of a change to me. The real change came on May 10 at graduation, when I handed the gavel over to the chairman of the board, James Cone. And there wasn't a lot of time to sit around thinking about it. .. the next day I flew to Central America to spend 18 days recruiting!" Although Dr. Ganus had stepped out of the limelight and made a conscious effort to stay behind the scenes, he made it clear that he was still available and willing to help. "I love Harding University in every way, and I want to help in any way I can, in any way I am needed."
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