The Board of Trustees Uphold Spi\'i-hAI Princip les Richard Gibson, Board of Trustees member from Longview, Texas, displayed a heart of service and a love for Harding through his 43 years of leadership. Gibson graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1959. He was introduced to the Harding community after meeting Senior Vice President Floyd Daniel, and Chancellor Cliff Ganus,Jr., asked him to join the board in May of 1966. The position gave him insight into changes at the university. As of 20 ll , Gibson was the longest-standing memoer of the board. "I believe in Harding's purpose," Gibson said. "I believe it does a great job. In life, I think it's important to give back and to serve. You don't want to be a taker; you want to be of service, whether it is teaching Sunday school, serving on the board here or serving at church in a capacity. You need to do something in your life for more than yourself That's what makes me continue, and they haven't gotten rid of me yet." Throughout his time here, Gibson observed that, amidst all of the expansions and new developments, one core principle remained the same. "The one thing I don't think has changed is the spirituality," Gibson said. "Some would say it's not as spiritual as it was 40 years ago. Others would say it's more spiritual than it was then. I think it was spiritual then, and I think the students are spiritual now. I think that has been the constant." Identifying what made the school spiritually outstanding was difficult for Gibson. He realized it was not solely the attendance in chapel or Bible classes that made the difference but the participation in voluntary spiritual activities as well, things students did of their own free wills. "I think the students and what they give of their lives are incredible," Gibson said. Gibson's life was influenced in many ways by his board membership. Two of his children attended Harding, and he always looked forward to the rejuvenation that came every time he returned to campus to reunite with old friends. He believed it was impossible to surround himself with too many great people. " [Harding] has blessed me l00 times more than what I have done for it," Gibson said. "If I start listing people, I am going to leave out some, but I can think of all of the great people that I have met over the years that have mentored me and counseled with me. There's just a bond with them." As things continued to transition on campus, the Board of Trustees remained devoted to maintaining key standards that formed the backbone of the school. Gibson planned to continue in this position as long as he had the ability to do so. He believed in preserving the unique place of spirituality Harding offered to the students who had the privilege to attend. Mackenzie Lee 2011-2012 Board of Trustees: Row 1: Gerald G. Morgan,Jr. (Secretary), Amarillo, Texas; David B. Burks (ExOfficio), Searcy, Ark.; Melvin Gardne1; Ft. Worth, Texas; Harold R. Redd, Memphis, Tenn.; Harold Risinger,Jr. (Past Chairman), Millington, Texas. Row 2: Robert Brackett, Vero Beach, Fla.; Bill Diles (Treasurer), Searcy; Ark.; Harrell Freeman (Vice Chairman), Metairie, La.; Bob Walker, Decatur, Ala.;J.R. Burcham,Jr., Kennett, Mo.;Jim Holsombake, Panama City, Fla. Row 3: Bruce Binkley, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Becky Tubb, Sparta, Tenn.; David Waldron, Lavergne, Tenn.; Mark Wallis, Greenwood Village, Colo. Row 4:James Cone,Jr., Little Rock, Ark.; Bill Chism, Springfield, Mo.; Pat Bell, Little Rock, Ark. Row 4: Lundy Neely, Dayton, Ohio; Danny Hawk, Richardson, Texas; Don Shores, Cave Springs, Ark. Row 5:Joe Wild, Vero Beach, Fla; Richard Gibson, Longview, Texas;John Simmons (Chairman), Columbia, Tenn. Row 6: Roy Reaves, Russellville, Ark.; Roosevelt Harris,Jacksonville, Fla. Not Pictured: Charles Ganus, Searcy, Ark.; Suzanne Waller, Arlington, Texas. Leadership f'IT _,.
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