uil --- of Nine traits are chosen to encourage character development among the student body • Although· there had never been a curriculum at Harding designed to teach positive cha racter traits, Peggy Huckeba, assistant dean of students, wanted a way to teach character de– velopment to the student body. In Jul y, through the city of Searcy, Huckeba learned of Char– acter First, a program developed by the Oklahoma City organiza– tion, Cities of Character. " I have been interested in char– acter d evelopment for the past year and a half," Huckeba said . "And when I heard about Character First, I brought it to the other deans as a progra m that we could incorporate into the new year . At the time, no theme had yet been chosen for the new school yea r and the Character First program seemed like the per– fect theme for this year. " The student services' office acRoddy Mote, assistant dean of stu– dents, explains part of the registration process to a student Aug. 19. The deans played a vital role in campus life, making sure everything ran smoothly. (Photo by April Clem) Patty Barrett, director of Residence Ufe, works with a student on his housing assignment. Barrett handled countless details, such as roommate and dorm preferences, to insure that each student's living conditions would be as pleasant as possible. (Photo by April Clem) 5 r cepted the id ea of taking on the Character First cu rriculum as the theme for the upcoming academic yeat. The nine characteristics included in the curriculum were forgiveness, truthfulness, sincerity, generosity, orderliness, gratefu lness, obedi– ence, attentiveness a nd virtue. Dr. Delores Carson, assistant vice president for stud ent services, thought the program was a great idea. "I love this program because it teaches th e Christian val ues in an– other venue," Carson sa id. "This curriculum personally helps me in making my decisions regarding stu– dents and reminds me o f the values of my Christianity." RoddyMote, assistant dean ofstu– dents,said Harding had already been incorporating the traits expressed in the Character First program. "1 think it's someth ing we al– read y do," he said. "This program is a tool in order to recognize indi– viduals and create awareness. " Mote coined the phrase, "Cam– pus of Character" during a meet– ing with the deans. They discussed the nine tra its that would be cho– sen as the foc us. Students first h eard about the program when resident life coord i– nators and resident assistants wen t th rough character training, a long wi th their regular resident h a ll train ing in August. Senior Rachael Rinehart liked the id ea of Character First. " [ was glad to hear about the program because 1think it gives us, as Ch ristians, something that we can strive to do," Rinehart said. -Jaime Falls student services 37 lillll .
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