Words used to describe her are those similar to that of the virtuous woman mentioned in Proverbs 31:10-31. "She takes care of everything....she is efficient....she never complains....she is a tremendous joy to work with....she is unique.... she is one of the greatest Christian servants on camp1:l.s. " These are the words Dr. Don Shackelford, dean ofinternational Studies, used to describe his secretary, Mary Lou Daughety. Daughety and Shackelford's friendship began more than 23 years ago when Shackelford served as the dorm manager for Armstrong Hall and Daughety's husband, Larry, served as the supervisor of Graduate Dorm. "I used to walk Mary Lou 's daughter, Deborah, to kindergarten every morningwhi le Mary Lou was working on her master's degree in education," Shackelford said. Eight years later, after Shackelford assumed the position of dean and the International Studies secretarial position was vacant, he asked if Daughety might be interested in filling it. "My great love for Harding and its students was one of the reasons I took the job," Daughety said. "I also have a great boss who is a wonderful Christian." While serving at Harding, Daughety has seen the school and the International Studies Program grow tremendously. "When I first started, the only program offered was Harding University in Florence (HUF) ," Daughety said. "Now we have programs in Athens, Greece (HUG), London, England (HUE), and Brisbane, Australi a (HUA) as well. " Daughety kept very busy. In fact, one might refer to her as a surrogate mother for students choosing to study abroad. Her responsibilities included preparing and organizing materials for more than 160 students' folders. These folders comprised the itineraries for each student's trip abroad. She sent notices to students that told what information they lacked and she helped students with their flight plans. "I assist Dr. Shackelford and we try our best to help students know what to expect before they go abroad, " Daughety said. "She performs her job duties flawlessly and I have never once heard her complain in the more than 15 years she has been here," Shackelford said. "I am constantly amazed at how efficient she is. She does all of the reminding and has everything organized. That is why Friday (her day off) is so traumatic for me," he said. Many might wonder ifDaughety got tired of the paperwork. "I have told Dr. Shackelford that, if he ever wants a new secretary, he will have to fire me first. That's how much I love my job," Daughety said. The feelings are mutual. "I told Mary Lou the other day that, if she ever decides to quit, she must let me know a day in advance so that I can quit first, " Shackelford said. "She is one of those unsung heroes whose work very often seems to go unnoticed. " While her work may have gone unnoticed by some, others felt that she went beyond her Retta Atmiller, Heritage Innkeeper Carolyn Anderson, Administrative AssistanVEducation Patty Barrett, DirectorlHousing Barbara Bell, Secretary/Advancement Sandra Boaz, Administ rative AssistanVStudent Support Services Meredith Boutell , Secretary/Family &: Consumer Sciences • 178 Robert Boutell, Custodian/Student Center . Claudette Bratcher, Secretary/Pres ident Pam Bridges, Transcript Clerk Michelle Browne, SecretarylEducation Virginia Campbell, ReceptionisllStudent Health Services Jane Cavitt, ClerkIRegistrar Margie Clark, Student Health Nurse Robin Coker, Secretary/Advancement Linda Cox, Dorm SupelVsior Cindy Curtis, Post Office Clerk Brenda David, Business Office CashierlHUCSR Carter Davis, Admissions Advisor A CADEMICS call of duty. "Mrs. Daughety went out of her way to make getting ready for the HUF experienceas easy as possible," senior Beth Thornton said. Senior Matt Fincher, who attended HUE in 1997, said the little things that Daughety did were what he appreciated most. "Mrs. Daughety always knows students on a firstname basis," Fincher said. "She was very patient whenever Iwould miss deadlines and she always had a smile on her face. " "roon't know if I could have gotten it all done without her help," said Rebekah Scott, a senior who also attended HUF in 1997. "You just have so much to do and with your school work it is hard to keep it all straight, but Mrs . Daughety was the best." Daughety recalled another student who appreciated her help. "Several students have come in and showed me pictures after they have returned from their trips, " she said. "After one student returned, he came into the office and thanked me for being patient even though he was late with everything - and he handed me a single red rose. That meant so much to me, but just a simple 'thank you' is enough." Daughety's servant spirit was constantly demonstrated through her many acts of kindness and was recognized by Harding when she and Larry received the Distinguished Service Award. "She is one of the finest Christian women I have ever known. She and her husband are two of the greatest servants on our campus," Shackelford said. - Ashley Miller
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