• • In mem r. am JOSEPH E. PRYOR The H ardi ng fam il y lost one of its most influential men when Dr. Joseph E. Pryor passed away Oct. 26 at the age of 88. Pryor began at Harding in 1933 as a 15-year-old freshman and graduated in 1937 as valedictOrian. Pryor began his teaching career in 1944 after receiving his master's and doctorate in physical science and math from Louisiana State University. He served in many different positions during his time at the uni versity. He taught physical science from 1944 to 1989, chaired the science department &om 1944 to 1963, served as academic dean from 1960 to 1983 and as vice president for academ ic affairs from 1972 to 1983. For four decades he sponsored TNT social club and the Petit Jean, which won the All-American Award 29 years under his leadership. He was Harding's facu lty representative to the Arkansas Intercol– legiate Conference for 3 1 years and sponsored Alpha Chi. H e was recognized as the University Distinguished Alumnus in 1974, received the Deans on Deans award from the Christian College Deans in 1982, and was elected to the Hardi ng Arhle[ics Hall of Fame and [he NAlA Hall of Fame in 1990 for lettering in basketball and track while at Harding. He was described as beinggende, brilliant, hard working, humble and a servant. and is remembered fondly byall who knew him. Presidem David Burks knew Pryor since he was a freshman in 1961. He worked with him on the Peti t Jean fat four years as photographer and said Pryor was a mentor to him when he was a student. "He was the main reason that I stayed at Hard– ing," Burks said. "I came intending to stay only one year, and because of my association with him, I made the decision co Stay and finish and graduate. It was because of his heavy involvement and his encouragement and his letter writing ... a very in-depth, personal letter, a very encouraging letter. I have maybe 25 ieners that he's wri tten to me as a student just encouragi ng me in my work." Dr. Jack Shock, professor of communication who worked with Pryor on the Petit Jean as adviser, said he would always remember Pryor for the way he could put a person at ease and his example as a professor. "That is how I will always remember him," Shock said. "Not just buildings named afrer him or a picture on the wall, but as a living. breathing man who had such a big heart. I've always considered him a role model on how to relate to students; he was always open to student ideas." Kay Gowen, associate professor ofcommunica– tion who worked on the Petit Jean with Pryor, said one thing {hat touched her the most about Pryor was seeing him worship at the ColJege Church of Christ where he served as deacon and elder. "He didn't talk or speak very much [later in life], but during those songs. he never missed a single word," Gowen said. "He was enjoyi ng every moment of his wo rship time. 1 think that was really the heart of the man." Chancellor C liff Ganus worked with Pryor since the 1940s and remembers his heart and passion for God. "He loved Christian education, and he loved the Lord," Ganus said. "He was a very faithful Christian, very solid in his understanding of the word ofGod. He was one man with whom I would trust my soul. He was of that quality." It was nor just the qualities ofPryor that people would remember, but they would also remember him playing ragtag football and other athletics against the students, his mispronunciation of the word "nachos" during a chapel announcement, his tradition of how to properly open a yearbook when the Petit Jean was presented in chapel, driv– ing his car quickly while looki ng at the backseat and talking on Petit Jean trips to Oklahoma C ity, mowing his lawn late at night in his suit and, of course, his infamous bow ties. Pryor will bemissed by all those who knew him for he truly touched all those that he met. "[I will remember] his commitment to Christ; his commitment to do ing that which is right," Burks said. "That was evident in every single thing that he did, and that is why we turned to him as a leader and a mentor. He believed in excellence, and he wan ted people to do their very best, whatever that might be for an individual student. In many ways he was a real renaissance type person. He was one ofthose bigger-than-life type persons that you JUSt don't run into that often." -Cynthia Noah, editor in chief Sitting in his office in the Administration building in 1974, Dr. Joe Pryor works at his desk. " He was just an outstanding person in every way, spiritually, mentally, physically," Chancellor Cliff Ganus said. -File Photo index 3m••
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