Dr. Evertt Huffard spends time with a student following tbe daily chapel service at Harding University Graduate Scbool of Religion in Memphis. Hu//ard is a proJessor oj missions and director of the Doctorate in Ministry program. Photo by je// Montgomery. , cf(oss juggles work,Jamily and classes to pursue his goal John Ross knows long hours and busy days are part of his life for a reason; they are the road bywhich he is trave ling towa rd hi s goal of becoming a teache r. Years ago, Ross realized his desire to teach the Bible to others and, since that time, his family has joined his journey. "I knew a long time ago that I wanted to study the Bible and teach it to others," Ross said . After his schooling iscomplete, hisdream is to teach at a Christian academy. "When John came in to talk to me about the graduate program, he was sure teaching was what he wanted to do, no ma tte r how long it took ," Dr. Dee Carson, director of graduate studies, said . "When I asked him how his wife felt about it , he said she was behind him 100 percent. I was very impressed." Ross is working toward a master's in education with certification in social SC ie nces, to be completed by December, 1999. "I decided to work toward a master's degree because it creates more opportunities for teaching and a better pay sca le," Ross said. He received his undergraduate t1ilI 80 Academics degree from Harding's School of Biblical Studies and was sold on going to Harding for his master's. In addition to his master's, Ross also worked on an under-graduate degree in social science to broaden his teaching options. "Sometimes when you go to a school, you need to be able to teach more than one subject, and that is why I decided to add the social science degree," Ross said. He also decided to go into social science because of his love of history, an imerest Ross admits he has not always had. "In high school I hated history, but that was 15 yea rs ago," he said. Ross did not start his undergraduate degree until he was 29. "It's not easy going through school with a fam ily," he said . His wife, Dianne said it was interesting to see her children and her husband sit down to do the ir homework. "For the most part, it helps my husband stay focused, knowing that he has to set a good example." Ross's move to Searcy to complete hiseducation wasalso influenced by his search for a good place to raise his family. Ross and hiswife, Dianne, have been married 13 yea rs and have three children - Sondra, Hea ther and Eric, ages 12 , 9 and 7. In addi tion to his school load, Ross works full-t ime for Harding Security and preaches at the Church of Christ in Clarendon, Ark. Dianne runs a day care in their home. She said that sometimes it is"hard making everyone happy," but she "wouldn 't have it any other way. " "It's something that the Lord meant to be, with both of us be ing so busy. I'm rea lly proud of Ross and what he has chosen to do and that I can be a partof it," she sa id. Ross has found , not w ithout struggle , a balance o f family, school and persona l growth. "You rea lly have to try and take advantage of all the benefits on campus. College is a time of growth," he sa id. 'John puts his who le heart into things," Carson said. "I don 't know how he finds the time to take a full course load, work, and spend time wi th his wife and chi ldren. He is a remarkable young man. He would be a good role model for anyone. " - Scott Loftis I
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