Board of Trustees: Fi rst Row: Judy Morris, Little Rock, Ark.; Deanna Smi th , Memph is, Tenn. ; Bob Diles, Linle Rock, Ark.; Second Row: Robert Brackett, Vero Beach, Fla.; Harry Risinger, Mill ington, Tenn.; James H. Cone, Little Rock, Ark.; John BaJdwin, Holyoke, Colo.; Jim Bill Mclnteer, Nashville, Tenn. T hird Row: Don Sho res, Cave Springs, Ark.; Pat Bell , Littl e Rock, Ark.; Paul Can er, Bentonville, Ark.; Henry Farrar, Lebanon , Tenn.; Mel Gardner, Forr Worth, Texas. Fourth Row: Harold Redd, Memphis, Tenn.; Roy Sawyer, Sard is, Miss.; John Simmons, Columbi a, Tenn.; Jim Bob Humphrey, Russellville, Ark.; Bill Chism, Sp~ i ngfield, Mo. Fifth Row: Richard G ibson, Longview, Texas; Jerry Mo rgan, Amarillo, Texas; Russ Bu rcham, Kennett, Mo.; Dav id Burks, Searcy, Ark. President's Council Strives to Increase Membership Group Sets Goal to have 1,000 Couples by the End of Diamond Campaign Contrary to popular legend, the bell tower cannoc jinx your marriage potential, the schoo l does not paint the grass in the spring and money does not grow on trees. Neither does Harding thrive without dedicated, visionary people committing themselves and their finances [Q her perpetuation. The President's Council is one of the primary groups of financial supporters of Harding. The Council cons ists of 660 family units who are committed to helping the University in a variety ofways, according to Tim Bruner, assistant vice president for Advancement. "The members suppOrt the school financially, recruit students and encourage us," he sa id. "They are a large group of best friends to Harding. " Bruner said the diversity of the President's Council adds to its strength. Members are located throughout theUnited "We start off in a deficit state with scholarships already committed to srudems," Bruner said. "Each year we have to cover around $7 million in unfunded scholarships. The Presidem's Counci l is the first group we turn to for financial aid, especially scholarships." When the President's Council began, its membership was small. It took 35 years to increase to 350 fami ly units. However, in the past tWO yea rs, it has nea rly doubled in size. Bruner said the goal of the Advancement office is to build the Counci l's membership to 1,000 by June of2003, the end of Harding's diamond anniversary fund-raising campaign which was initiated in July of 1998. "The Council members believe in Christian education, young people and the Harding experience," he said. "They want to help one more person get to Harding. " Harding University hosts the group on campus States and in several fore ign countries. Many are alumni while others are parents and friends who hail from ocher colleges. This unique n:akeup gives the Council a wide range of tal ent and abili ty to serve Harding effectively in a variety of capacities. "The [president's 1 Council members beonce a semester. During these visits the members hear from students about how theefforts ofthe Council has enabled them to continue thei r educa tion. lieve in Christian "They send the ir money in suppOrt and in faith that Christian education is happen ing, that the values are the same and that students are still moldable spiritS," Bruner said. uWe want to keep them connected to Harding and thank them for lihing our hands. They are as much a part of the Harding fam ily as the faculty, staff and students," The members host activities in their hometowns and act as contacts for people who are imerested in Harding. In add ition, they provide a tremendous amoum of financial support to the school. education, young people and the Harding experience. They want to help According to Bruner, one special quali ty of the group is that many faculty and staffmembers are part of the President's Council. one more person get to Harding." The impact the contributions of the Pres ident's Counc il have on students is far reaching. Indeed, nearly every student is touched in some way by the never-ending support of the group and some students -Tim Bruner "Their presence helps the Council ," he said. "They are already here at some sacrifice and then they are willing to give more, to dig deeper." Because of the widespread membership, eight professionals who work under Bruner's direction are employed to travel and stay in comact with members. They spend a lot of time visiting the currem members and recruiting support for Harding. To be invited to join the Pres ident's Council, potemial members agree to a minimum yearly contribution of $1 ,000. However, mOSt contributions exceed the initial requirement. Primarily, money given by the members of the Council is used to fund student scholarsh ips. 46 Academics seek a way to reciprocare such generosity. This grarefulness was exempli fied when tWO recent graduates from Russia asked to become members of the Counci l. Aleksei Aziamov and Linda Makorova told Bruner they wanted to give others the same chance they had at Harding. Though they had just graduated, they commined to {he financ ial contributions requ ired of the Council. "Their sacrifice is in line with what God wants in a person," Bruner said. "He wants people who are grateful. " - Rachel Wilson
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