Dr. Neale Pryor sends forth graduates, encourag Ing students as they entered new phases of their lives Members of the class of 2002 listen attentively during the graduation address given by Dr. Neale Pryor, distinguished professor of Bible. The class of 2002 was the largest graduating class in Harding's history. (Photo by Jeff Montgomery) Graduate Louisa Duke proudly dis– plays her Alpha Chi certificate during the commencement ceremony. Students graduating with a 4.0 GPA were recog– nized in the ceremony. (Photo by Jeff Montgomery) • o o or e nto the On May 11, 2002, in front of the larges t g r a'duat in g class in Harding's h istory, President David Burks announced that the new women's dorm would be named after Dr. Neale Pryor, distinguished professor of Bible, and his wife, Treva. Pryor, who also gave the gradu– ation address, was surprised . " I had no idea in the world. It was just out of the blue. We were delighted of course," Pryo r sa id. "I thought maybe after I was dead and gone they would maybe name something after me, but never be– fore." Pryor had been a professor of Bible since 1962 and had received the Distinguished Teacher Award three times. Burks also took the opportunity to present Pryor with an honorary doctoral degree of laws. Pryor, who had never before spoKen at a Harding graduation, worked on his speech for a month before graduation. In his address, Pryor as ked the graduates three questions: "What are you leaving behind," "What are you taking with you " and "What are you going to do with what you are taking?" He reminded grad uates that there will be few places like Hard– ing where, "doing right is the rule and wrong is the exception. " Pryor also challenged the gradu– ates to use wha t they had learned at Hard ing to better the world. He encouraged graduates to be a blessing by being strong leaders in their churches and communities. "I was proud to be graduating be– cause not many people graduate where 1am from," graduate Michad Holliday said. " I felt very blessed to receive my diploma, and ready to face the world." Graduate Maren Boudra brought the ceremony to a close with a rendi– tion of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain ." After the ceremony, graduates shared their thoughts aboutthis mile– stone event. "I will miss the fellowshi p of the Harding campus and being able to -see my friends," graduate Heather Gray said. "Now we are all moving to di fferent places and growing up to be successful in the real world ." -Heidi Waldw graduation 41 mll~ .
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