The Road Less LED After another graduation, the sidewalk to class awaits the return ofstudents. The learning which occurs behind this gate points students down another path and through another gate - that ofeternal life. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. + 1996 Petit Jean editor-in-chief Jimmy Brooks • adviser Kay Gowen . Volume 72 © Harding University Searcy, Arkansas head photographer Aaron Gillihan ___ ._____........._,.,.._,.............. ~w--------- ~- .,....__ ·• - ., ...._.._ . .,,...-~ ~ ..,. .... .. ~ > *"' oni.- . .. •
The Road Less Traveled <§!6.rding University. To some, it is a diploma. To others, it is friendship. Still others view it as a collage ofexperiences. Regardless ofhow one sees Harding, one observation is true: it changes lives. Whether a student spends just a semester or five or six years at Harding, he or she cannot avoid being confronted with Christianity. Each student must decide how to deal with the presence of Christianity. And that decision plants the seed ofchangewithin each student. For some, it is continued growth in a life being lived. For others, it is a new philosophy of life. And for others, it is one more stone placed in the wall of a hardened heart of rejection. Throughout history, home has been a training ground for life. God designed it that way. Children learn to discern between right and wrong, experiment with appropriate behavior based on a situation, and develop a structure for lifelong learning. While Harding cannot, and should not, replace the family unit, it is a place where one can gain direction in life. At Harding, the administration patterns its policies and actions after biblical standards for Christian living. Students are asked to live by these standards, too. While most universities educate for life, Harding's goal is to provide an education which is reputable in the world, but which ultimately leads toward a destination beyond this life. Dr. CliffGanus III rehearses with the orchestra in preparation for theHomecoming musical. Students from all academic disciplines participated in musical and drama groups. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. Lloyd Coakley crosses the line for a touchdoum during the Bisons ' Homecoming victory overMidwestern State. Harding students continued to support the athletic teams in the midst ofconference changes. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
Dr. David Burks join.s in the fun with students by tossing gum into the air during the ARAMARK carnival. Burks was active in many aspects of student life. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dr. Jack Ryan presides during the special convocation assembly. Harding 's enrollment once again reached a record high. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Chris Bearden, Robert Henderson andJessica Ford reminisce during the social club reunion held at Homecoming. The socialclub inductionprocess wasmodifiedonce again in an effort to create amorepositive induction experience. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
Dr. LambertMurray explains the use offactorials in determining the number ofpossible combinations for agiven set ofitems. Murray was instrumental in givingmostsciencemajors their foundation in physics. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. Kent Wiley, Jason Dolliver and Mandy Armstrong choose volleyball as their means of daily exercise. Many students took advantage ofSearcy's usually clear weather to stay physically fit. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. . Students singpraises to Godduring the College church springmeeting. Local churches encouragedstudents to find an area ofservice where they had a direct influence on other people. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
The Road Less naveled ~this environment, nothing could be more important than how a student reacts to his or her surroundings. Harding's goal is to help direct students as they, through their God-given free will, answer questions which ultimately determine the paths that their lives will follow. Unfortunately, many do not realize that their answers to the "little" questions create a persona and a pattern by which they live. Throughout the 1995-1996 academic year, Harding challenged students with many unique questions. Will you help a family whose house burned down? Will you spare a few dollars to help heat someone's home? Will you buy an extra Christmas gift for the child of a prisoner? These questions, in their own way, confronted students with the only really important question of life: what will you do with Jesus? Will you walk the path that He walked, or will you stay on the wider road, ambling aimlessly toward ultimate destruction? For those who did not choose to open their hearts to the prodding Harding offered, this year was only a stepping stone into the American ideals of materialism and self-fulfillment. But for those who chose to give of their resources, to minister to a righteous soul in need, and to step in the footprints of their Creator, this year focused them on the purpose for life and carried them a few more steps down The Road Less Traveled. -Jimmy Brooks AmyBurns andJon Montague use the student center as a place for mid-afternoon studying. Housing a food service, mail room, bookstore and bowling alley, the student center was a popular leisure site for students. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Members ofthe Thundering Herd marching band energize a packed Rhodes Memorial Fieldhouse during a pep rally for the Homecoming football game. Harding bands boosted excitement at both football and basketball games. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Opening ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- 5
Defining the Path CffJ.ne of the hallmarks of a Harding education is having teachers who are not just masters in their respective fields, but whose lives mentor Christian living to their students. This facet of teaching adds a dimension to quality education that is not readily found at other "quality" institutions. In a societywhere an immoral pop culture provides the role models, Harding students are a step ahead of others their age. One of these role models was chosen by the seniors as the recipient of the 1996 Petit Jean dedication. After graduating from Harding in 1979, he spent a year and a half in Ireland as a missionary. He returned to Harding in 1986 as an instructor in the College of Bible and Religion. Now serving as an assistant professor, his Life of Christ and Gospel of John classes are among the most popular on campus. He serves as the on-campus contact for Campaigns Northwest and preaches one of the Sunday evening services of the Downtown Church of Christ. On campus, students take advantage of his office hours for both counseling appointments and friendly visits. Many view him as a spiritual leader - a recognition attained by a life of service. A dedicated husband and supportive father, he is often seen on campus with his wife, Nita, and his children, Chris, Allen and Hannah. Because of a life which embraces only those things which matter, and because of his endless encouragement to us, the student body, the 1996 Petit Jean is proudly and thankfully dedicated to Dr. Ross Cochran. - Jimmy Brooks Dr. Ross Cochran visits with Lowell Myers before worship at the Downtown Church ofChrist. Cochran seroed as one of the pulpit ministers for the congregation. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dr. Ross Cochran spends timegetting to knowDanielJohnston andLeanneBurchfieldbefore an early class. Students found it easy to develop a friendship with Cochran. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dedication
Dr. Ross Cochran andPhillip Shero share amoment oflaughter on the way to class. Cochran showedan interest in the lives ofhis students. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dr. Ross Cochran lovingly watches his daughter, Hannah, examine her bonnet. Cochran 's love for his family was also felt by his students. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dr. Ross Cochran shares a moment ofexcitement with his son, Chris, during the Bisons ' Homecoming football game. Cochran was frequently seen at Harding functions with his family. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
A parade of students heads toward chapel on a crisp fall moming. Daily worship services were an integral part of Harding 's student life. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
A step toward College is a time for decisions to be made. Students find themselves standing at crossroads in their lives which require deep self-examination. Friendship, career and spiritual paths are chosen, and this is where Harding's students are different from most college students. Making choices was aided by a variety of activities unique to Harding. Spring Sing forced students to choose between studying or practicing, and it fostered stronger friendships among club members. Fall Fest brought back old friends, drawing the campus together through Homecoming events and giving a burst of spiritual renewal during Lectureship. Also, the social club induction week asked students to decide whether or not their lives would be enriched by a social club. Choosing a place of worship also challenged many students. Some took the conventional route of worshipping in a local congregation, while others veered from the mainstream and identified with small country congregations or inner-city works. Regardless of one's club or major, all Harding students chose to face their decisions with a Christian perspective, as they continued down "the road less traveled." Holly Latimer Student Life Division Page ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-S~t-ud~e-n~tL~i~fu-.~' 9
Recreational activities provide students ... A Time Out Harding students have an abundance of energy which is exhibited by the activity on the front lawn during sunny days, around the track after sunset, and outside the perimeters of the Harding campus. What Harding students do for recreational fun is endless, whether on or off campus. For Harding students, athletics are a major source of their recreational time, especially club sports. Competition can be either serious, for the winning title, or relaxed. Joanna Smith, a senior business education major and co-athletic director for the Ka Re Ta social club, loves sports and finds herself to be more competitive in sports she likes, such as softball and volleyball. Smith believes that club sports offer a chance for everyone to get involved. "Even if you don't want to play or don't feel you are good enough, you can come support your club in the stands," she said. "Club sports help pull the club more closely together." Outside of the club scene, in-line skating has become a very popular sport at Harding. In-line skaters appear throughout the campus on any given day, and the sport has become part of some students' daily college lives. Students can be seen skating and doing tricks on the stairs or just rolling around on the sidewalks, hoping to avoid injury. Another favored activity is walking. Students dressed in their walking attire, shorts and a t-shirt, can be spotted at the trendiest walking sites - the track, Harding Drive, and just about anywhere on campus. Students' recreational activity is not limited to Harding's campus. A popular place for students to gather is Greers Ferry Lake at Heber Springs, which offers swimming and sunbathing. In addition, there is cliff-jumping and hiking for the more adventurous and daring students, and lesser degrees of adventure exist for those who do not want to take such a big risk. Sophomore David Dyche likes to jump from the higher cliffs. "I like the rush that I get before hitting the water." Dyche has also done some snorkeling and scubadiving in the lake. "The water was surprisingly clear," he said. Although he did not find any valuable treasures that would cover his tuition costs, he did find a penny, a fishing hook and lure, and a clam. Ryan Butterfield, a junior advertising major, likes to go waterskiing on the lake with his brother-in-law's boat. "That is a lot more fun than cliff jumping," Butterfield said. "In the boat there is a lot more to do than just jumping off the cliff and then climbing up the rocks. In the boat you can use a knee board or skis to do tricks, or just ride around the lake." While it is true that Harding students are here to receive an education, all work and no play can be very dull. Memories are created both on and off campus through the many moments students share together doing the activities Harding students love to do. - Christie Rogers EliPerkins, Brooke Lovelace, Krista Cantrell and Mark Farrar gather around to listen to the sweet melody ofthe guitar playedby Logan Cates. The sounds ofmusic were recreational for students stressedby a busy week. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Daily Life 10._..'-----,~~,--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-I Student Life "Even if you don't want to play or don't feel you are good enough, you can come support your club in the stands. Club sports help pull the club more closely together. " - Joanna Smith
Kicking the ball around the lawn, several students enjoy a pickup game of soccer. Soccer and other activities allowed students to spend time with friends . Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Alexander lvannikov watches as Randy Thomas pumps iron. Liftingweights was a way to buildmuscles and friendships. Photo byAaron Gillihan. Hardingstudentsenjoya friendly frisbee battle on the front lawn. Games aided in fitness and let out frustration. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
Everywhere one goes in Searcy, there are ... Students At Work While valuable learning can be found within the walls of Harding, education often does not stop there. For many students, "real world" experiences provide equally powerful lessons. Finding out about the surrounding community and what it has to offer is a unique aspect of the college experience. This is certainly true of Harding's home, Searcy. The opportunity for students to be a part of Searcy is a chief concern of Denise Miller, director of the university's cooperative education program. From fast food to babysitting and fromWal-Mart to washing windows, many opportunities for employment can be found there. "There's a lot of different things; we have anything you can think of," Miller said. Students like Heri Hernandez, a junior elementary education major from Eagle Pass, Texas, and a customer service manager at Hastings, agree with Miller. "I come in touch with more people. You learn to interact with different kinds of people, and you learn to handle different situations," he said. Searcy' s businesses - whether grocery stores, retailers or industries - depend greatly on Harding students. Many students choose to work on hectic East Race Avenue, with its long parade of fast food restaurants like Mazzio's Pizza and McDonald's. While those businesses are plentiful, their influence is eclipsed by another fixture on that major artery - WalMart. It operates distribution centers for its WalMart and Sam's Club stores, as well as two retail outlets, Bud's Warehouse Outlet and the Wal-Mart Supercenter, which also account for a large piece of the employment pie. The Supercenter alone employs from 60 to 75 students from Harding and Arkansas State University's Beebe campus, according to personnel manager Rita Turpin. 'We have students working all over the store. More of them work as cashiers because of the flexible hours they can get. If we can help out, we're glad to do it." With mostly freshmen and sophomores working there, Wal-Mart offers the chance for newcomers to get acquainted quickly with the community, as many customers come through the doors every hour of every day. Among the customers are many of the workers' friends who come to visit them and buy something in the process. "An additional benefit that students bring to Wal-Mart," Turpin said, "is that they generally have a better attitude and smile more because they are glad to be working here." Of her workers, Turpin commented, "We've got a pretty good group around here." A chance for new lessons to be learned lies in Searcy and the surrounding area, and although the tests of the community classroom can be tricky ones, they often turn out to be some of the most rewarding. - Eric Rodgers Ki Sun Lee prepares to scan a CD into the register at Ha.stings. Students provided a bright, cheery disposition for their customers. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. "/come in touch with more people. Youleam to interact with different kinds of people, and you learn to handle different situations." - Heri Hernandez
Shasta Taylor sanitizes a local Burger King table. Providing cleanliness in the workplace was a job which some students took to heart. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Velma Duncan checks the spice rack for the right ingredients. Hardingstudents usedChristian attitudes to spice up theirjobs. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Jerry Higgs answers the call for more Papa John 's Pizza. Students who worked offcampus benefited the Searcy community with their work ethic. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Community Life * S Student Life ' l
Bonnie Gant andDarrell Simek pick up trash at the White County Fairgrounds. Campus leaders set examples by doing things that needed to be done. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. • Campus Leaders 16 ' Student Life Ann Bartak, an R.A., and S.A. Vice President Laura Bartlett enjoy a game of cards. Although often busy, leaders found time for recreation. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. Lee Langdon visits with Ashley Brady while enroute to clas: Being a good friend was an important part ofbeing a campu leader. Photo by Candice Fenske.
''It [being an RA.] is hard, but rewarding. /enjoy getting to know the girls and helping them through problems andjust being constantly therefor them while they are away from home." - Carmen Heath Campus leaders give others ... A Guiding Hand An R.A., a chairman of the committee for the all-school retreat, an S.A. secretary, a former devotional director and a song leader -what do these people have in common? All are Harding University campus leaders. Across the Harding campus, one can find people in leadership positions, helping lead others in a fun activity or in growing closer to God. Zach Steed, one of these leaders, was in charge of the committee for the all-school retreat during the fall of 1995. "The reason I worked with [the retreat] was that it helped me last year. I wanted others to be able to experience what I did, " he said. Steed had to do a lot of work in the spring and summer in order to make the retreat happen this fall, but he said, "God pulled it off. [God] was glorified at the retreat." Lee Langdon has also been a leader on campus. Asenior music major, he has used his talents to "help everyone remain focused on the words and the messages of the songs" during worship. Langdon often led singing during the Sunday morning Bible class in the HeritageAuditorium and occasionally in chapel as well. A related responsibility was finding other song leaders for the Sunday morning class. Langdon was also devotional director for his social club last spring and has participated in various campaigns. The role of resident assistant is not always considered a leadership position, but every student under an R.A. looks up to him or her, although this feeling is not always stated. Carmen Heath has been an R.A. for two years in Sears dorm. "It is hard, but rewarding. I enjoy getting to know the girls and helping them through problems and just being constantly there for themwhile they are away from home," she said. Heath has also participated in campaigns to Russia and served on the Student Impact steering committee for two years. This year, she was secretary of the Student Association. Of all her positions of leadership at Harding, Heath enjoys being an R.A. the most because of the positive influence she can have on the girls on her wing and in the entire dorm. Another R.A., Ken McMahan, enjoyed this and other leadership roles at Harding. "I try to be involved in all I can," he said. He participated in an acting group on campus, Theatron, and was an honorary beau for Ju Go Ju, for which he occasionally led prayers, songs and devotionals. Last spring, he was devotional director for his social club. He said that the Harding campus is "filled with blessings and opportunities," and he tried to use those opportunities to lead by example. Many opportunities for leadership emerge each year at Harding. These four students represent many others on campus who desired to help others see God through their leadership. - Michelle Goff Carmen Heath listens attentively as Jamie Banks shares his problems. Being a good listener was an important part ofbeing in a leadership role. Photo by Candice Fenske. Campus Leaders + 17 Student Life '
Everywhere one looks, there are ... Soaring Spirits Above all else, Harding emphasizes spiritual welfare. Everywhere on campus, there are signs pointing toward a closer walk with Jesus and His people. It may be two friends embracing in encouragement or sympathy or a pat on the shoulder to let someone know that he or she is thought about and loved. This atmosphere moves Harding closer to its main purpose of "educating for eternity." Awareness of the emphasized spiritual activities was apparent everywhere - chapel five times a week, Bible classes and organized devotionals. But take another look, because there was much more. The spiritual life committee actively pursued encouraging the student body to be more spiritually focused. One method they usedwas helping the couples on campus become comfortable enough with each other to study the Bible and worship together. Jay Collins, codirector of the spiritual life committee, said, "Some couples don't know how to bring up the subject of studying the Bible. We wanted to change that." A general study format with a list of basic topics was given to each person through his or her campus box. The spiritual life committee hoped this would prompt couples and others to open the Bible and learn together. This study programwas named "The Three Strands," based on Ecclesiastes 4:12. In addition to the study guide, students had the opportunity to send encouragement cards to each other. Based on Hebrews 3:13 and available in the post office, these cards were intended to encourage people to delve deeper with each other and God. "That's one of our During a dorm-room devotional, several girls link hands in prayer. Prayer and devotional time made dorm life much more fulfilling. Photo by Sherry Swiger. areas of focus. We want people to go deeper with their friends and spiritually," Collins said. The committee's second major focus was getting people more involved. "Many people were really active in their youth groups, and they want to do that here, but they're not sure what to do or how to do it," Collins said. "Bringing souls to Jesus by abiding in the Word, loving one another and bearing fruit" was the spiritual life committee's theme for this year. "One of the biggest spiritual problems on campus is that people aren't reproducing themselves in other people. They're not a part of those three things," Collins said. Similar to but separate from these activities were prayer meetings in dorm rooms. Senior Bart Blasengame, from Fort Smith, Ark. , participated every Wednesday night in one of these prayer meetings. Started by his club, Titans, they were held in each men's dorm by the club members. "It started out as just a club thing. But now anyone can come," Blasengame said. "Ours is one of the few that has stuck it out. It's an effort sometimes but it's worth it. Prayer groups are an awesome thing. It's easy to feel put out by big meetings, but worshiping with a group of guys who are sharing their feelings is a humbling experience." A common practice among close friends and a key element of spiritual life at Harding was one-to-one prayer requests with confidence that such requests would be honored. It was with these small actions that the heart of Christianity beat and that students developed closer bonds of faith with each other and God. -Beth Smith Jamey Brumley baptizes Jill Yotty at a Thursday night devotional. Evangelism and conversion were highlights ofcampus spiritual life. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
"Some couples don't know how to bring up the subject of studying the Bible. We wanted to change that." - Jay Collins Duringaprivatemoment, Heather Wiese takes time out to study the Bible. Making time to study the Bible was sometimes difficult but worth the wait. Photo by Ginger Strathmann. Jeff Baker addresses the crowd during a Thursday night Time Out devotional. Time Out devotionals were a very popular form of bonding and study. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Spiritual Life J--~~~~~~~~~~-d~~~C--iAo' 19 Stu ent Li1e
Cameron Hunter talks to Nathan Pruitt during the spring break campaign to Houston. Campaigns opened the eyes of students to others ' needs. Photo by Heidi Burkham. Ken McMahan and Kent Lashley, along with two Jamaican children, perform a skit during a Bible school lesson. 1995was the secondspring break campaign to Jamaica. Photo by Kelly Averitt. Spring Break Campaigns 2o ~, li*-~S-tu~d~en-t~L~if~e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Members ofthe campaign group to little Rock talk to some inner-city youths while eating supper. Staying close to campus allowed some students the chance to go on a campaign. Photo by Sandi Wright.
"They wouldwalk for miles everyday after school to come to church, andyou could tell that it meant so much to them." - Kimberly Kilian Spring break campaigns offer ... Rewarding Services Spring break campaigns allowed many students to make a difference in the lives of other people. For one week, students spent their time influencing people's lives all over the United States and in several other countries. The campaigners did various kinds ofwork, depending on the situations and needs of the places they visited. On the campaign to Jamaica, group members advertised for a gospel meeting that was being held at the local church. "We went around inviting everybody to the meeting and setting up one-on-one Bible studies with anyone who was interested," Rich Little, group leader in 1994 and 1995, said. In Houston, the students worked with the homeless people, the Hispanic community and inner city children. Heidi Burkham remembered a little boy she met during the campaign. "He was my special partner all week, and we got · really close," she said. "Now he's a friend for life." The Spanish ministry had an advantage in that the Latin American Harding students were able to help people in a way that other students could not have. Scott Thibodeaux led a group of campaigners to Duluth, Minn., where they made a point of serving others in the name of Christ. Their work consisted mainly of manual labor, such as building and cleaning houses and doing all kinds of odd jobs. "The church in Duluth advertised that we were coming to do work for anyone in the area who needed help," Thibodeaux said. An incident still vivid in his mind was when the group went to clean the house of a young woman who had multiple sclerosis. "We spent all day cleaning her house, and she ended up coming to church because she was so overwhelmed by our attitude," Thibodeaux said. Although there was only one week to work with people, much good could be done. "You don't have six weeks to get to know everyone, but you can really have an impact on people anyway and plant the first seed," Little said. Working closely with local churches provided excellent possibilities to follow up the work done during the campaigns. As Burkham said, "I can't really help those people a lot during that period of time, but God can." The students who went on campaigns felt that they received as much encouragement during that time as they gave to others. Kimberly Kilian found that her faith had increased because of the enthusiasm of the Jamaican children. "They would walk for miles every day after school to come to church, and you could tell that it meant so much to them," she said. Little said, "It opened my eyes to how much we take things for granted in the United States and it helped me appreciate what I have. " Burkham felt the campaign work had helped her grow spiritually. "I saw that it doesn't matter how hopeless life may seem; there is always hope, and it's only God who offers it." Wherever students went on campaigns over spring break, the experience brought them closer to God. "I needed this," Thibodeaux said about campaigns. "It has been really important for my life as a Christian." -Diana King Students work on a house while on campaign in Duluth, Minnesota. Campaigns not only providedspiritual help but physical help as well. Photo by Scott Thibodeaux. Spring Break Campaigns '*' 2 Student Life ' 1
Summer campaigns offer ... Religious Outreach Harding's influence far extended the bounds of her campus as hundreds of her own journeyed to corners of the world last summer. These students experienced all manner of culture and worship, from a typical service in pews in England to an African dance of joy under a tree. With a goal to share Christ, they blessed in spirit and number all who received them. They too were blessedwith a new awareness and understandingwhich has forced them to continue living with a mission. Many times the absence of the familiar made the campaigners clearly aware ofGod's universal purposes. Mental walls of tradition disintegrated when God's plan for His church was played out in people so very different from Harding's students. Chris Williams, who worked in Uganda, said, "I never knew how large and diverse the kingdom of heaven is." Seeing the universality of Christ's church amid cultural differences shocked many students. Jesse Tyree found that the church in Scotland struggled in many of the same ways as his church in the northern United States. This realization opened his eyes to what had previously seemed normal at home and burdened him to continue his mission when he returned. "My home church needs the same work we have done in Scotland," he said. The oneness of the church was felt all over the world. LauraWhite reflected, "Though we were in a different hemisphere on the other side of the world, our hosts never seemed like strangers. We felt like family." From the ones they went to help, the students grasped how individual members of the worldwide body of Christ work together to fulfill God's purpose. "Christianity and worship are not confined to our personal relationship with God. Love for Christ is shown by serving His people and His creation," Williams said. At the close of the summer, students had both shared and received this love. Being outside of affluent America, campaignerswere confrontedwith great need. One would think this would evoke pity from the campaigners, yet the result was a lesson on contentment. Those who had nothing made much of what they had. They gave freely and were happy with having nothing at all. "The church was their life, their social unit," White said. These people did not need anything else. God made evident through the poor of the world the richness of faith. Heather Troutwine summed it up for the campaigners and those to whom they went. "In the end, who cares about anything except our faith!" Many students who had never before considered foreign missions now dream of forming teams to teach abroad. All, however, returned from the experience convicted of the mission of God and the role they play in that mission. - Johnna Duke Kris Keim, Todd Denoyer, Sonua Bohannon and Laura Harvey (lying on floor) perform the skit, "Father, Father" in an Australian school. Teaching with drama was only one ofthe ways that the Harding group tried to reach the Australians. Photo by Robin Jubela. "Though we were zn a different hemisphere on the other side ofthe world, our hosts never seemed like strangers. We felt like family." - Laura White
Africa interns Jen Stark, Glen McSpadden and Lisa Livingston entertain children with songs while on Buhunga Mountain in western Uganda. The interns learned about cross-cultural church planting from a group ofHarding alumni working as missionaries in Uganda, West Africa. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. The Scotland campaign group sings songs during a religious assembly at a Scottish school. Singing in schoolswas an activity that allowed fun while teaching. Photo by Nick Wilson. The campaign group to Pyatigorsk, Russia, poses near Mt. Elbrus in southern Russia. Pictured are (front row) Carmen Heath, JenniferKramer, Lisa Kympton, (back row) Gian Monzon, Shawn Spradley, DrewHill, andDrew Johnson. Photo courtesy ofDrew Hill.
The Conquerors performaskit to aidin understanding ofan upcoming program. Students looked forward to hearing a message through entertaining skits. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dressed in African attire, Brandon Smith addresses chapel concerning African missions. Talking about international campaigns made students aware of life in foreign countries. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Dr. Travis Thompson oftheMath Department presents thought~ in the non-traditional chapel. Alternative chapel gave olde1 students a more relaxed and shorter version of daily chapel. Photo by Candice Fenske.
''Harding used to be pure/ya residential school. As we have expanded and enrolled more commuting and part-time students who are outside the typical 18-to22yearold mold, we have attempted to adjust our chapel schedule to meet their needs." Non-traditional chapel offers students ... A Fresh Approach Chapel has been a part of life for all Harding students since the institution was chartered in 1924. For most of them, it is at 9:00 a.m. in the Benson Auditorium. A few, however, have chosen to be a part of what is known as the "non-traditional chapel." Offering a less formal setting and involving about 20 students, non-traditional chapel is targeted to meet the needs of non-traditional students - those who are beyond the traditional college age. "We started the non-traditional chapel three years ago, and it is working well ," Butch Gardner, assistant vice president for student services, said. 'We would like more students to participate; we had hoped for 100 to 200 students." In spite of its name, senior Michael Carter says the time there is anything but non-traditional. "It is actually more traditional than the regular chapel. The program is always about the same: announcements, singing, prayer and a speaker. We never have 'special programs' like they do in regular chapel." Stephen Beliech, coordinator for the nontraditional chapel , works with individual departments to determine the actual format for each week's devotionals. This practice incorporates many faculty and students from every academic area into the agenda. Among the benefits of such an alternative for many is the 11:45 time slot, which better meets the needs of commuter students. "Harding used to be purely a residential school," Beliech said. "As we have expanded and enrolled more commuting and part-time students who are outside the typical 18- to 22-year old mold, we have attempted to adjust our chapel schedule to meet their needs. For example, we have one mother who gets her children ready for school and then drives an hour to get to Searcy; for her, a 9:00 chapel does not work too well." "I have classes each morning, and they sometimes don't start until 10:00. It is convenient to not have to arrive early since I live in Cabot," James Martin said. Since chapel is a major channel of communication for the entire student body, the regular announcements are made in the non-traditional chapel as well. The rest of the 20-minute period is spent in devotional activities. "I enjoy the smaller group, the ability to get to know everyone and the opportunity to add prayer requests to those in the formal announcements," Carter said. He also noted the potential for increased interaction with the audience. "When a speaker asks a question, it is not just a rhetorical question; it is possible for the audience to answer, and often they do." - Marcus Porter JimmyAllen speaks during chapel to an attentive crowd. Allen andothers offeredspiritualguidance during an evangelistic outreach ofthe College Church ofChrist early in the year. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
HUF allows students to explore ... Another World Cathedral bells resounded through the narrow streets of Florence, just as they had for centuries. Their rich texture reached Piazzale Michelangelo, where the 1995 spring, summer and fall HUF groups caught their first glimpse of the "City of Flowers." Here, students recognized the Duomo, its massive structure dominating the panorama, as the hallmark of their temporary home as they embarked on an adventure that changed their lives. Typical HUF students arrived for the first time at Harding's sixteenth-century villa with onlywhat they could carry. They learned to live solely on the essentials. Heidi Burkham recalls, ''While at HUF, I learned to be more compassionate because I encountered people who literally had nothing. It gave the scripture, 'If just a cup ofwater... ,' anew relevance," Burkham said. For many, HUF prompted a spiritual renewal. Whether by singing in the catacombs of Rome where our ancient brothers and sisters in Christ once worshipped or by retracing the steps of the apostle Paul in Greece, all felt the presence of the Lord. This eternal bond provided the avenue for developing existing relationships within the group, as well as forming new ones through fellowship and international worship with the Italian Christians. As students traveled throughout Italy and the rest ofEurope, they seized opportunities to interact with the local citizens. An Italian schoolboy eagerly exchanged one of his favorite soccer banners for one of newfound friend Michael Morris's American dollar bills. "I learned then that you don't need to speak the same language to communicate with someone of another nationality," Morris said. The HUF experience elevated students' perspectives to a level even greater than climbing the bell tower of San Gimignano or standing on a peak of the Swiss Alps. They saw Michelangelo's David, Da Vinci's Last Supper and Paris's Notre Dame firsthand and in a new light. Art was no longer viewed simply as famous objects bearing some remote significance to the past, but as collections of ideas and emotions, which continue to be driving forces in every facet of society. The language and customs, sometimes extraordinarily different from American life, equipped students with the ability to observe, appreciate and respect the values of others. This ability, essential for all aspects of the Christian life, did not terminate when boarding the plane for home. The HUF experience affected each group and each person differently. For some, charting travel plans fostered independence. For others, spending each day in a different country became the norm. But for all, HUF expanded their view of the world and its people. "Encountering once-in-a-lifetime experiences was an everyday occurrence at HUF," Angela Sholl explained. "It wasn't until I returned home and reflected on those experiences that I realized just how much HUF influenced and changed my life." - Tiffany Dawson The epicenter of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy, seroes as the backdrop for HUF. Many aspects of Florentine life have remained the same for centuries. Photo by Jimmy Brooks. International Studies 26 .,.;.------s-,---tu~d~en_t_L~it~e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---1 "While at HUF,/ learned to be more compassionate because I encountered people who literally had nothing. It gave the scripture, 'Ifjust a cup of water . .., ' anew relevance. " - Heidi Burkham
Canaan Becker, Ana Kulild, Stephen Pomerenk, Tom Gamer, Melissa Gardner, Brad Wallace and John Alexander battle the whitewater in Switzerland. The summer HUF group mixed vacation fun with their studies. Photo provided by Ana Kulild. Bob Corbin compares his likeness to the Bust ofBrutus at the Bargello Museum. HUFgave students the chance to view the art that they studied. Photo by Heidi Burkham. Dr. Terry Edwards recounts the history of Siena, Italy, to the spring HUF group while they overlook the city. HUFallowedhistory to "come alive" as students visited various historical sites. Photo by Debbie Ganus. International Studies ..!'4 Student Life ~ 27
Harding students walk through the ruins of the city of Pergamum, one ofthe seven churches ofAsia mentioned in Revelation. History came alive as students toured many biblical sites. Photo by Carl Mitchell. While trying to stay dry in a typical London drizzle, the HUl group listens to a guide during a tour of the Tower ofLondon living in London providedopportunities for learning not avail able in Searcy. Photo by Paul Haynie. DiannaLawson (back left, clockwise), Denae Webber, Rachel Gammon, Lisa Kilgore and Andrea Stark squeeze into a traditional red phone booth while visiting the Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. Cultural twists on everyday conveniences excited and educated HUE students. Photo by Blane Covert. International Studies 28 ~-~-St_u_d-en_t_L-if-e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Walking where Jesus walked made me realize in a deeper sense how real He is." - Lorie Baker HUG and HUE give students ... A Taste of Culture Athens, Greece. London, England. Two cities whose peoples have markedly influenced American life, yet whose cultures remain distinctly individual. Harding students lived and studied in each of these cities, but much of the real learning began on their return to America and the ensuing comparison of cultures. When students in the Harding University in Greece (HUG) group left, they knew they were headed to a different place. The surprise came when the Harding University in England (HUE) students settled at the New Atlantic Hotel, and then realized that they were also in a "different place. " Junior Blane Covert remarked with a laugh, "The New Atlantic Hotel was like a foreign embassy. We were the only Englishspeaking people there. The receptionist was German, the security guard was Arabian, and the maid was Burmese. Until I saw Big Ben, I wasn 't even sure I was in London! " In Athens, students cruised from one city of ruins to another, seeing many biblical sights. "This experience has literallly brought the Bible to life for me," Anastasia Yecke said. Lorie Baker agreed, adding, "Walking where Jesus walked made me realize in a deeper sense how real He is ." While the HUG group did see four wonders of the ancient world, travels were only part of the excitement. The friendships with Dr. and Mrs. Carl Mitchell and Dr. and Mrs. Ken Davis, faculty sponsors, and the International Church of Christ in Athens intensified the experience. By taking students through two continents, two cultures and 10,000 years of history, HUG allowed students to seewhat Jesus, the apostles, Paul and the first churches saw. It allowed them to be where they were, standing where they stood. "HUG has definitely been one of the best opportunities for spiritual growth that I've ever experienced," Sara Hardin said. As the HUG group experienced a time warp, HUE students peered into the more-recent past. Awhirlwind tour of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland forced acquaintances to become friends and educated them about youth hostels and foreign currency. Back in London, each day held a new adventure. From a journey on the "Tube" to looking right instead of left when crossing the street, students stockpiled memories to share with their roommates. Dr. and Mrs. Paul Haynie accompanied the students to England. His specialty is church history, and he complemented the weekly trips to the British Museum for a study of biblical backgrounds. Senior Tricia McCullum said, "Seeing something as important as the Rosetta Stone helped me realize just how fundamental that artifact is for our Christian background. " Who could live in London without experiencing its array of fine arts performances? Many evenings were occupied by attending a musical, a concert or a play. "The opportunity to spontaneously see any major production was incredible," senior Wendy Case said. In September, students left their homes, friends and lifestyles for two foreign countries. Bringing along many souvenirs, they returned with new perspectives on life, history and scripture. Regardless of each one 's motive for going, no one remained unchanged. - Andrea Stark & Chris Kelley HUG students drink from the spring ofHarod where Gideon chose his 300 men. The tour ofIsrael created an awareness ofevents ofboth the Old and the New Testaments. Photo by Carl Mitchell.
Student Impact allows freshmen and transfers lo ... Branch Out Once again, as summer came to an end, students arrived on the Harding campus to participate in Student Impact. Designed specifically to familiarize entering freshman and transfers with the Harding environment, Impact gave new students the opportunity to develop friendships which will last throughout their college careers and beyond. Melody Roussos, a freshman fromAthens,Greece, said, "Student Impact was a good experience. I met many people with whom I will be good friends. There was not a boring moment during Impact. I was always doing something." Impact 95 activities were planned by codirectorsWendy Northcutt and B. J. Robertson, the steering committee, the summer Impact team and upperclassmen volunteers. Planned activities for the Impact students included assemblies to inform students of Harding's rules and regulations, social clubs and other general information. Focus on these issues was also given in the more informal setting of energy groups. These groups could be found on campus and around Searcy at places such as Dairy Queen and Frozen Delight. The energy groups gave the students a chance to get to know upperclassmen on a more intimate level. Freshman Steven Garner said, "The energy groups were great because they gave us an opportunity to meet people on a one-to-one basis." During Impact, students met in the Benson Auditorium for devotional thoughts and songs of praise, led by Terry Davis. "I liked the setup of Impact - the leaders, the skits and the devotionals, and Terry Davis," Roussos said. The Impact students were not the only ones enriched by the events; energy group leaders were also benefited by the activities. "It was worth coming back early. I met many freshmen. It was not at all like a classroom; it was a very laid-back atmosphere. This was something I wanted to do - I didn't have to be there. I learned that the leaders make a great impact. The leaders personify the upperclassmen. I would do it again." Danna Stokes said. Reflecting on Student Impact, Northcutt said, "Over all, things went as planned. It gave me a good feeling about the 1995 freshman class, and it was a good chance for everyone to bond. It was the best thing I have ever done." -Amy-Heather Brown Dr. David Burks and Terry Davis talk to students during a cookout at the Burks s home during Student Impact. The activity allowed students to meet friends and faculty. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. ''It was worth coming back early. I met many freshmen. !twas not at all like a classroom; it was a very laid-back atmosphere. !learned that the leaders makea great impact. The leaders personify the upperclassmen. I would do it again." - Danna Stokes
Dr. Ross Cochran speaks to the Impact participants in the Mclnteer lobby. This activity helped keep Impact activities in perspective. Photo by Terry Davis. Ken McMahan tries to get the elusive chocolate dipped donut. The donut contest helped freshmen see the silly side ofupperclassmen. Photo by Terry Davis. Tina Cushing and Zac Williams exchange a Lifesaver in a game to get to know others. Games helped new students feel welcomed into theHarding family. Photo by TerryDavis. Student Impact * Student Life ' 31
Don Mclaughlin speaks to a crowd during a night lecture. lectures in the Benson were held at night while classes were taught during the day around campus. Photo by Candice Fenske. Fall Fest Kay Gowen leads a women's chorus during a women 's lecture. Women's lectures were held to give women a perspective ofLuke in today's world. Photo by Candice Fenske. Martha McKee and Barbara Neller record the reactions of their group to specific situations. The group met in response to Dr. Dee Carson s session about personality types. Photo by Candice Fenske.
''/wish my classes hadn't conflicted with the lectures because there were so many morel would have gone to." -Diane Coon The Fall Fest Lectures are ... "Touched By The Master" "Touched by the Master: Luke presents Jesus" was the theme of the 72nd annual Bible Lectureship, offering a timely message for Christians in the 1990s. The week was packed with lectures, classes and other events, filling the campus with excitement and the people with encouragement. Visitors from at least 34 states and two foreign countries came to enjoy the experience, according to Alison Baird, secretary for Dr. Allan Isom, coordinator of the lectureship. "There were 620 registered visitors," Baird said, "but many of the guests, especially the ones from Searcy, forgot to register, so the actual number was much higher." For the second consecutive year, the lectureship took place during the week of Homecoming. This provided many people with the opportunity to attend both events. Overall, 78 speakers put many hours of their time and effort into speeches. Isom's efforts to select these speakers was a great task in itself. "It was obvious that he put a lot of thought into it," Baird said. The visitors attended lectures in large numbers, finding new motivation to live Christian lives from the fellowship and the speakers' messages. Especially well-received were the keynote speakers, Jimmy Allen, Nokomis Yeldell, Don McLaughlin and Paul Faulkner, who challenged audiences to re-examine their thinking about their mission in life. Harding alumnus Jim Springer, a missionary in Germany, attended every single period of lectures and classes. "This is a way for us to catch up on the trends and ideas occurring in the United States, " he said of his strong interest. His wife, Elsa, appreciated the extraordinary, loving openness of the people at Harding. "What I liked most about this week was being with Christians from morning till evening," she said. Students saw both positive and negative aspects of the lectureship week. Although their busy schedules did not allow time for other activities, some of them were eager to attend as many lectures as possible. Diane Coon, who went to hear many of the women's lectures, said, "I wish my classes hadn 't conflicted with the lectures because there were so many more I would have gone to." Many students had similar thoughts, and some were able to convince their teachers to excuse them from class in order to attend lectures. Another aspect which directly affected students was the number of people the lectureship brought to the campus. Coon saw this as something positive, saying, "It's fun to have so many people around." Others, however, became frustrated because it was very hard to find a place to park and the cafeteria was so full. "It was really hard to get meals no matter when you went to eat,"Matthew Rees, a student from Hong Kong, said. Many students decided to attend student lectures, which were added to the lectureship week in 1994. This year, there were even two Harding Academy students, Steve Cloer and Lindsey Howard, on the slate of speakers. -Diana King Colby Hill explains a parable from the book ofLuke to his audience. lectureship gave some students a chance to practice their speaking skills. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==