-- --- - -- --- In order for graduate student Garrett English to attend Harding and receive his pharmaceutical certification from the College of Pharmacy, he had to leave his life on the Pacific island of American Samoa as a missionary kid. Several factors contributed to English's choosing both his field of study and the university he attended. English had relatives in Arkansas and was familiar with the state and the schools surrounding it. English ultimately chose Harding and decided to pursue studies in both pharmacy and missions. "I came here and I thought, 'Well, they have a great pharmacy program,"' English said. "I've been wanting to do that because I can go back to my home country where there's one pharmacist on the island for 60,000 plus people." English had always been interested in a healthcare profession. "After shadowing a pharmacist in particular, I was able to see how much they were able to do in the mission field," English said. English also admired Harding for its students Graduate student Garrett English visits the Medical Center Pharmacy in Searcy. English's passion for helping others stemmed from his life as a missionary kid in American Samoa. Ashe[ Parsons English steps out of the water after baptizing a girl on a summer 20 II mission trip. The girl had attended young adult classes provided by the medical missions students. Courtesy of Randy English English and friends prepare packages of medicine for families. His family annually new from Samoa to many Pacific islands on missions, including missions to Kiribati. Courtesy of Randy English S.AMOA to searcy and faculty, and they in turn thought highly of him. "Garrett is truly a bright spot in the classroom," James Nesbit, assistant professor of the College of Pharmacy, said. "He is always attentive, and he participates with great passion, tenacity and joyfulness." English upheld his responsibilities both academic and social, staying in touch with friends and family, including long-time friend and Harding alumnus Adria Giles. "The way he studies and works hard has always encouraged me," Giles said. English planned to return to American Samoa and work with a hospital. According to English, living on the island and interacting with the islanders came very naturally for him, and his love for the people drove him to return after completing his degree. "Samoans are very accepting of many different types of people," English said. "I feel like I fit in with them there; then you come to Harding, and it's kind of the same way." Hannah Robison People-Graduate Feature ..... f4Si9iW '13
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