----------------~ade~h~ ASSISTANT DEAN OF STUDENTS RANAN HESTER SEEKS PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT After seven years of service, Assistant Dean of Students Sheri Shearin retired in May, and the student body welcomed Ranan Hester in Shearin's stead. Hester, originally from Camden, Ark., graduated from Harding in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in education. She went on to receive her Master of Education from Southwest Baptist College. Prior to her return to Harding, Hester worked for 20 years in nearly every aspect of the public school system in Camden, Ark., and Dexter, Mo. She taught junior high, counseled students and taught parents how to reinforce their children's learning by working with them at home. Hester attributed her desire to return to Harding to its strong Christian morals and the opportunity to utilize her experience at the university level. Hester was excited to begin the school year and moved to Searcy in June to allow her family time to adjust to the move and herself time to adjust to the job. The existing administration welcomed her and enjoyed seeing the work she was able to accomplish during her first year. "Dean Hester has quickly developed a strong rapport with the student body," Assistant Dean of Students Zach Neal said. "She has made a very smooth transition into her role as assistant dean of students." Hester wanted to be kind and approachable and to dispel the idea that students only went to the dean's office when they were in trouble. Kara Abston, B.B.A., Asst. Dean Students Bryan Burks, D.B.A., Dean College of Business Administration Warren Casey, Ph.D., Dean Honors College/Arts and Humanities Monte Cox, Ph. D., Dean College of Bible and Ministry Tony Finley, Ed. D., Dean Education Ranan Hester, M.Ed., Asst. Dean of Students Julie Hixson-Wallace, Pharm.D., Dean College of Pharmacy/Asst. Provost for Center Health Sciences Jeffrey Hopper, Ph.D., Dean International Programs 200 I Leadership "I really enjoy meeting the students," Hester said. "I've been knocking on doors and meeting some of the kids, and I really like it. I don't want to be one of those faces you only see if you're in trouble. I want people to know who I am and to be someone they can go to." Students praised Hester for her kindness and her excitement about her involvement at Harding. Sophomore Randi Owens was impressed that Hester did not limit her compassion just to campus. "I ended up having to go to the E.R._, and I wasn't there for too long when [Hester] simply sent me an email to tell me that if I needed anything, to call her," Owens said. "She took care of everything with school and with helping my parents out. I have a lot of respect for Dean Hester and am happy to have her at Harding." Beyond getting to know the students, Hester wanted to be viewed as a fair disciplinarian who was consistent in her decisions. "I do always want to be considered as fair. I want to represent Harding as best I can," Hester said. "[Fairness] is a genuine quality, and that's it. I want that to be really important." As the new assistant dean of students, Hester was a positive addition to the administration. Her desire to form lasting relationships with students quickly established her as a person students could rely upon in times of need. Payton Hurst
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