-----------------~de~h~ BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAMES FIFTH PRESIDENT D r. Bruce Mcl arty, vice president of spiritual life, was named as president Dr. David Burks' successor Nov. 1 before the scheduled release date in January 2013. Dr. John Simmons, chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the Presidential Succession Process Committee, announced the decision to the school via email and to the public at a press conference. Though the Board planned to announce the decision in January 2013, Simmons said the Board reached a decision during Homecoming weekend. The Board chose to not delay the announcement. According to Simmons, Mclarty's name "continued to rise to the top" during the yearlong presidential search process, which included extensive interviews and psychological and values profiles for several candidates, whose names the Board did not reveal. The Presidential Succession Process Committee was a council composed of six members of the Board ofTrustees: Simmons of Columbia, Tenn.; J.R. Burcham Jr. of Kennett, Mo.; Roy Reaves of Russellville, Ark.; Harry B. Risinger Jr. of Millington, Tenn.; 194 1 Leadership Rebecca Tubb of Sparta, Tenn.; and Robert C. Walker of Decatur, Ala. "The search committee will work initially to refine its processes while listening, focusing and doing its due diligence," Simmons said when the committee first formed. "We understand the importance of this position and the truly global and eternal impact the president of Harding University has." Mclarty affirmed his dedication to the standards of the university when he said in a Nov. 15 Christian Chronicle article that he would maintain the standards set forth in the 2008 expansion of the Harding University mission by the Board of Trustees. The mission stated, "Though we live in a time of significant confusion over our brotherhood's identity, w.e are determined that Harding University will become captive to neither a rigid legalism on the right nor a formless liberalism on the left." Burks spoke confidently about the Committee's decision during the press conference when Mclarty was introduced as the next president. Burks said he could smile with the assurance that Harding would be in good hands. "I've known [Mclarty] for more than 25 years, and I know him to be a man of deep commitment and deep faith," Burks said. "[He is] a man whose integrity is without reproach, and I know that he is going to do a very good job at leading Harding into the years ahead." Early in the lengthy selection process, Simmons dedicated the decision to God. He acknowleged the importance of both the choice and trusting God's providence and plan for the university. "We believe Harding University is a testimony to the providence of God," Simmons said. "We believe God has been preparing someone to fill this unique role. It will be the privilege of the committee to allow God to lead us to the person who will continue to build on the legacy of Harding's four previous presidents - all of whom have been the right person for the right time. We will be in prayer and ask for the prayers of others for the committee and Harding as we proceed with our work." The Bison/The Link Board of Trustees Row 1: Bruce Binkley, Broken Arrow, Okla.; John Reese, Maumelle, Ark.; Bob Brackett, Vero Beach, Fla.; Harold Redd , Memphis, Tenn.; David Waldron , Lavergne, Tenn. ; Charles Ganus, Searcy, Ark. Row 2: Bob Diles (Treasurer), Searcy, Ark.; Becky Tubb, Sparta, Tenn.; Harrell Freeman (Vice Chairman), Metairie, La.; Harry Risinger, (Past Chairman), Millington, Texas; Suzanne Waller, Arlington, Texas; Jim Holsombake, Panama City, Fla. Row 3: Jimmy Cone, Little Rock, Ark.; Lundy Neely, Dayton, Ohio; John Simmons (Chairman), Columbia, Tenn.; Roosevelt Harris, Jacksonville, Fla.; Russ Burcham, Kennett, Mo. Row4: Jerry Morgan (Secretary), Amarillo, Texas; Joe Wild, Vero Beach, Fla.; Mark Wallis, Greenwood Village, Colo.; Mel Gardner, Ft. Worth, Texas; Bob Walker, Decatur, Ala. Row 5: Don Shores, Cave Springs, Ark.; Bill Chism, Springfield, Mo.; Danny Hawk, Richardson, Texas. Row 6: Pat Bell, Little Rock, Ark.; Richard Gibson, Longview, Texas; Roy Reaves, Russellville, Ark. ; Dr. David Burks (Ex-Officio), Searcy, Ark.
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