In the 1930's, Dr. George Benson, president emeritus, began a program on Harding's campus which emphasized "three C's" - consti - tutional government , capitalism and Christian values. That program was the basis for today's American Studies Institute (ASI). ASI focused on increasing awareness of American tradition and Political encouraged leadership. This was accomplished by bringing in speakSpeakers Benefit Students ers from the areas of business, government and education , such as Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense, and Dan Quayle , former Vice President of the United States. Numerous individual and corporate sponsors from the Searcy area contributed money and resources needed for such speakers to appear. The vice president for membership , Christy Coonts, a senior from Harrison, Ark. , said, "It has given me a stronger sense of politics and an interest in history. It has made me realize Christians need to be politically active and stand up for the rights we believe in. " ASI also sponsors dinners and receptions for speakers , and they offer the Symposium, a special presentation by five or six faculty members who each present one aspect of the assigned topic and then interact with the audience and other panel members in a forum. President Laura Rice , a senior from Searcy, said, "The Symposium gave us a chance to work with the faculty and to hear from several different disciplines ." Leadership , exploration of issues, knowledgeable speakers, informative tours - all of these contributed to the impact made by the ASL - Andrea Stark Axel Liimatta takes a moment to speak with Dick Cheney, the final speaker in thefa!! for the Amen·can Studies Institute. Other well-known individuals included author Michael Medved and.former Vice President Dan Quayle. Photo byJeffMontgome1y . Anlerican Studies Program: 1st row: Derek Hampton, Dan Rosson , .Christy ]. Coonts , Darla Miller, Caroline D. Clements, Christy Ca te, Tracy Falwell, Diana Ung, Dr. Bob Reely. 2nd row: Brian Jones , Clint Strong , Pam Shearer, Laura Ri ce, Phillip Shero, Christy Austin , Traci McMennamy. 3rd row: Mitchell Coston, Apryl Greer, Gigi Graham, Jessica Clark, Nuria Portabella , Maria V. Bendana , Dena Harre ll. 4th row: Jill Cushman , Molly Lute n, Brian Mitche ll , Matt Tiller, Ryan Burr, Ruzica Dakovic , Michelle VanRheenen. 5th row: Darin Martin, Scott Ruthe rford, Ryan King, Bob Higbee , Luis Gomez , Troy Merckle, Jeff Hammo nd , Tammy Cla rk , Brett Triplett. 6th row: Nathan Howa rd , Jason Jewell , J essica Pell , Danny Mathews , Annette Prior, Lisa Made ley, Juli e Clapp , Ca rrie Brown. 7th row: Joseph Walker, Zach Rade r, Roge r Clayton, Natha n Rando lph , Charles Lincks , Marshall Brown , ]. Allyn Walker, Cody Campbe ll , Amy Cothran, Giovanni Salamanca. American Studies 178~----- 0rganizations
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