('.) z en 0 _j u CX) 0 M Photo courte.ry ef Jeff Montgomery JOHN H. RYAN Dr. John H. Ryan, the first director of Spring Sing and namesake of the sweepstakes award, passed away on March 12, 2018. Ryan led the inception of Spring Sing in 1973 and helped transform the once-small production into the campus-wide, beloved and iconic Harding tradition that it is today. Alongside his 34-year reign as Spring Sing director, Ryan left a lasting impact as a professor and chair of the department of communication; he served as a friend, mentor and colleague to all those who were blessed to know him during his 44 years of faithful service to Harding University. His memory, kind soul and showman spirit forever lived on in the rich traditions and memories of Harding, and the lights on the Benson stage will forever shine brighter in his memory because of the legacy he left. "Jack Ryan hired me, mentored me as a professor and as a director, taught me the importance of diplomacy and conviction, and never once suggested that I change my style to conform to convention. I will be eternally grateful for this kind, funny, and intelligent man being a part of my life. Rest in peace, 0 captain, my captain." - Dr. Steven Frye, theatre department chair and director of Spring Sing
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