2000 Impacters take the 1<bltA ,LtJJ 7rltvtttA In recent years, any mention of Impact would likely send studentsinto chorusesof"Great! Great!" But Impact 2000 proved Harding's orientation could survive the absence of Terry Davis, former assistant dean of students and Impact advisor. While upperclassmen may have missed Davis' cheers,.Khris Downey and Kendra Parker, the program' scCHlirectors, conceded that Impact 2000 was more student driven than ever. Preparations began in the fall of 1999 when Dr. Delores Carson, assistant vice president for student services, and Jim Miller, director of student activities, chose Downey and Parker as codirectors. The two leaders spent time in prayer, then chose a steering committee and energy group leaders in the spring. This year's theme was "The Road Less Traveled," a poem by Robert Frost and a reference to Matthew 7:13-14. Drs. Monte Cox and Jeff Hopper encouraged students to live lives in service to God. "As freshmen leave their homes and enter a vital new phase Moving in is only half the chore as junior Michael Pari<s helps freshman Ryan Lofgren move into Sears dorm. Thursday. several upperclassmen were stationed at the freshman dorms to assist new students and parents. Photo by Daniel Dubois. Sophomores Nick Mayle and John Hawkins talk with freShman Tara DeSelms in President David Burks' backyard. Each year the president and his wife host a luau for Student Impact participants. Photo by Daniel Dubois. Student Student Life oflife, theyapproachafork inthe road," Downey said. "Harding's aim is to provide guidance." As freshmen and transfers arrived, Impact workers were stationed at dorms to help new students move in. PresidentDavid Burkshostedaluauandcomedian Mike Williams got big laughs and proclaimed his joy in being a child of God on Friday night. Students served Searcy with projects like washing cars and visiting widows. Saturday brought a time travel dinner and hypnotist Chuck Mulligan, and the Silly Olympics Sunday afternoon gave participants time to play. Impact closed with the traditional candlelight ceremony. The spiritual fervor exhibited clinched the success of Impact 2000. "It was mine and Kendra's prayer that even ifthe events of Impact did not go well, new students would see Christ on this campus," Downey said. "If that was the case, then Impact was a success," - Hannah Rhodes
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