Graduates leave to impart their Misdom Every year a new class of Harding graduates ventures out into the "real world." For those who watch it happen time and time again, it really takes something special to make one class stand out from all the others. The class of 1996 proved to be an outstanding class. Jerry Atkinson, president of Alabama Christian Academy, challenged the August graduates to apply what they have learned both academically and spiritually at Harding to their future lives. "You have some wisdom that has been imparted to you; I hope you will go out and impart it to others," he said. Among May's largest class ever to graduate from Hardingwas Drew Rouhana, from Westerville, Ohio. Rouhana was left paralyzed from an accident during his senior year while on a spring break campaign to Jamaica. At the time of his accident, Rouhana was just about a month away from graduating, but the accident forced him to quit school and put all his efforts into recovering. His determination to recover and finish school was applauded by the record-breaking crowd of commencement guests. He led th e opening prayer, asking God to, "...be with us in our travels and allow us to be productive Christians and good stewards so we will be able to spread the word and bring people to Christ." Also among the graduates was 16-yearold Christian Coon, the youngest person to ever graduate from Harding. Previously, the record was held by Dr. Joseph E. Pryor, who graduated in 1937 at the age of 19. Coon who graduated with a near perfect 4.0 grade point average, speaks three languages and completed the requirements for his bachelor's degree in international business in just two years. Beth Spurlock, senior music education and special education major, remarked, "Our class was one ofmany talents, but our talents went far beyond the academic world. We were a class that was willing to do whatever it took to go beyond the expectation of our peers and faculty." Many graduates and parents ofgraduates sighed with relief as the graduates reached this monumental milestone in their lives. Speaking on behalfofthe Board ofTrustees, Chairman Pat Bell said to the May graduates, "You know there is much growth yet to take place, but I see potential in this great graduating class." - Hallie Bell Jesus Carias flashes an excited smile on his way into the "real world." Graduation was an exciting time for friends, family andgraduates. Photo by Kristi Burns. Graduation 13
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