ell-known for his comical Bison articles, endless supply of ties and incredible passion for teaching literature, Associate Professor of English Michael Claxton had been impacting students' lives since his arrival at Harding in 2003. An alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Claxton said his position at Harding had been a great fit, both for him and for the University, ever since. "One of my favorite classes was a specialty course I taught in 2005, called Faith and Doubt in 19th Century England," Claxton said. "It had some of Harding's best English majors at the time, and the quality of their discussions and work was incredible. I also liked teaching Shakespeare in the spring of 2011. It was a treat to teach some of the very best literature in the world." When asked about his personal goals, Claxton said he strove to give his students an appreciation for literature, even when the task seemed difficult. "I love teaching World Literature," Claxton said. "I try to make it interesting for students who might not necessarily find it so, and I get lots of different perspectives. I also love teaching the same student as a freshman and again as a senior. Seeing their academic growth is one of my favorite experiences." Claxton's personal mission, he said, was helping students through their own struggles of faith by learning from writers of the past. "I am fortunate as a literature teacher to teach texts that wrestle with questions of faith and ethics," Claxton said. "I like the freedom to talk openly about faith and watch very intelligent writers wrestle with it, like John Milton, who wrote 'Paradise Lost,' expressing his faith in a way that still speaks to us." Senior Kevin Newton, who had taken several courses taught by Claxton over the duration of four years, sang Claxton's praises for his well-rounded teaching style and influence in many aspects of life. "Dr. Claxton is the perfect blend of teacher, passionate about his subject, and mentor, relating excellently to his students," Newton said. In addition to teaching, Claxton was also actively involved as a member of the chapel committee and as co-sponsor of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and Souvenirs poetry club. He assisted as an announcer for the White County Spelling Bee, enjoyed slight-of-hand with the Searcy Magic Club and had campus-wide fame for his notorious "Cliff and Clax" comedy duo, alongside Music Professor Cliff Ganus. He had accumulated many awards over the years, including the 2008-2009 Teacher Achievement Award, the Alpha Chi Faculty Scholar Award in 2011 and the American Studies Institute Teacher of the Year Award in 2007. One of his favorite awards, he said, came from the Bisons basketball teams. "I attend almost every game and have a seat behind the team next to the water cooler," Claxton said. "They gave me a special picture of one of their games for being a Rhodes Rowdies fan ...talk about distinguished." His greatest reward, however, always came in bringing a student newfound appreciation for literature, changing his or her outlook on life. "In 'Blue Like Jazz,' Donald Miller says that he never cared for jazz until he watched a street performer playing saxophone with his entire heart and soul," Claxton said. "He says, 'Sometimes you have to watch someone love something before you can love it yourself' That is my personal goal. My job is to love a poem and hope it catches on." Sarah Eason
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