A NIGHT OF DISrfINGUISHED LEARNING ln September 201 G, 150 new scholars were welcomed into the American Studies Institute (ASl) at Harding. The American Swdies Institute hosted a number of speakers during the 2016-2017 school year including executive vice president and chieffinan cial officer, Brett Biggs, assistant managing editor and chief political correspondent for Time !\Iagazine, Michael Duffy, New York Times best-selling author, Eric Metaxes and civil rights icon, Ruby Bridges. To be selected as a distinguished scholar, a student had to be a freshman scholar, a junior or senior with a 3.8 GPA.Junior or senior srndents with a 3.5 GPA or higher could apply be a distinguished scholar, but were not guaranteed acceptance. Senior Will Humphrey began his involvement in ASI during his freshman year at Harding. He said as the vice president of induction, he \ms excited to welcome the new scholars. "This is a great opportunity for us all,'' Humphrey said. "It shows our care ofstudies, but more importantly it shows patriotism and love for the country's history." ASI had been on Harding"s campus for over 70 years and had hosted many profound speakers as part of their Distinguished Lecture Series. However, many people did not know about student inrnlvcment in ASL According to Kirn Kirkman, as ociate executive director of ASI, tlie main objective of the institute each semester was to have seYeral events that focused on the remembrance of American hiswry. '""\Ve give 1 he swdents the opportunity [to] meet face-to-face with these distinguished individuals," Kirkman said. "Though they may not experience the importance of it that night, but later clown the road it could possibly be very significant." On Sept. 8, executive vice president and chief" By Brooklyn Billner financial officer of\Val-:-Iart, Brett Biggs, began the Distinguished LeCLurc Series for fall 2016. ASI also set up flags outside the Administrative Auditorium to help remember the victims of 9/ 11. Michael Duffy spoke about his book, ·'The President's Club," on On. 3. After he spoke, he had a book-signing for anyone who attcnedrd the c\·enL. The author of the book, ·'Ama,:ing Crace," used for the Harding Read's program, Eric l\Icraxcs, spoke onJan. 12. The subject of Norman Rockwell's painting, "The Problem !Ve All Live With,·· Ruby Bridges, spoke on Feb. 2. Luke Dalton, a senior returning officer, said he appreciated the impacl of ASI. ·'I think Harding does a great job of bringing people together on campus who have made a significant impact whether in business, politics or whereYcr else," Dalton said. ASI began on Harding's campus many years ago, but excelled under former associate executive direcwr Dr. David B. Burks, who was a scholar during his time as a student, according Lo Kirkman. "Originally you could only be inYitcd to the institute ifyou had [a 3.8] CPA and you were business student," Kirkman said. "Most faculty and staff who were students al Harding weren't n-cn a part or [the institute], because it wasn't open to them.'' Senior Emily l\Iylhousen was an example of that ,-cry opportunity. Mylhousen sened as the ASI president for 20 16-2017 school year. "AS1 has provided me with a deeper understanding of what it means to be an American citizen and live as ra] well-rounded Christian, American citizen," Mylhousen said. American Studies Institute speaker and journalist Michael Duffy shares his experiences in writing his book, "The President's Club," in the George S. Benson Auditorium on Oct. 3. Duffy was one of many speakers AS! hosted during the 2016-2017 school year. I Photo by Macy Pate Brett Biggs speaks with Dr. Bruce McLarty during the AS/ event on Sept. 8. Biggs was the opening AS! speaker for the 20162017 schoolyear. I Photo by Macy Pate Ruby Bridges speaks in the George S. Benson Auditorium on Feb. 2. Bridges initiated desegregation in .New Orleans Public Schools as an elementary student in 1960. I Photo by Jeff Montgomery )l) ),- one \\IZ \TIO\~
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