BACK TO THE ' LIFE RAFT' Marcus Thomas returned to the place that changed his life as the assistant dean of students. The year's newest addition to the Office of Student Life came as no stranger to Harding University and brought with him a deep-rooted passion for students. Marcus Thomas took the place of Brandon Tittle as assistant dean of students on July 1, 2018. Returning to Harding meant returning to the place that changed his life. "I'm so excited to be back at Harding," Thomas said. "There's just something about being here, being around the students. They are so hopeful, and they want to change the world." Thomas was one of five sons raised in Kansas City, Missouri. In his early teen years, Thomas and his brothers signed a record deal with Arista Records. When Thomas was 15, his father, a minister in che Kansas City area, committed murder. A prison-bound father left the family and a hopeful 15-year-old in upheaval. "It was very challenging for me to see my family struggle because of the choices he made," Thomas said. "There for a while, we thought we were going to be homeless. Thankfully, a family from church took us in." A few years after the abrupt change of course, Harding became a life raft for Thomas. "I came here questioning so much of my faith and God because of where I was in my life," Thomas said. "Had I not been at Harding, I know I would not have been successful. Thank God for this place, the people I met here and the kind of environment that had structure and rules --- everything I hated as a student." Completing his undergraduate degree in fall 2002, he earned his master's degree in 2006 and took a job in admissions until 2014 when he left to be a family life minister in Paducah, Kentucky. When the opportunity to return arose, he said he ·didn't want to miss it. His goal as the newest assistant dean: "simply help somebody --- just one person." "In this position, help looks a lot of different ways, but it's all help," Thomas said. "I just want to be right --- righteous --- in God's eyes, do the right thing and help somebody along the way. Everything else is secondary in my mind in honoring God." Thomas was quick to extinguish the idea chat the deans were out to get students but maintained chat students were ultimately the ones responsible for their decisions. "The last thing on my mind is being out to get somebody," Thomas said. "The first thing on my mind is wanting to help people succeed. It's my hope that this position looks like one of grace and mercy, even if it may not look like that on the front end. I want everybody to be successful and stay here. That's my job." Thomas had high hopes for making the place he loved a stronger, more perceptive institution while remaining faithful to core beliefs and identity. "In the long run, as perception people char God called us to be --- people that are lights of the world --- we have to be flexible to certain things so char we can always point people to Christ," Thomas said. "As culture and society change, the Word never changes, but our method should be flexible." Thomas said he was thankful for the opportunity his daughters --- a freshman and fourth grader at Searcy schools --- had to attend Harding. Being with family topped his list of out-of-the-office hobbies, followed by watching Harding spores, fishing and bowling. Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Zach Neal said Thomas' experience in admissions and as a family life minister made him the perfect fit for the role. "[Thomas'] background is coupled with an incredible personality and willingness to serve ochers," Neal said. "He will provide exceptional support to the students and be a great team player in collaborating with other offices on campus. We are thankful to bring his skill sec back to Harding." Student Association President senior Hallie Hite worked with Thomas throughout fall 2018 and thought his kindness and support were qualities that were beneficial for his job of working with students. "Dean Thomas is one of the most kind and patient listeners on campus," Hice said. "I think that by being a listening ear, he has shown how much he cares about students." story by Kaleb Turner Assistant Dean ofStudents Marcus Thomas works to make Harding a safe community in the Office ofStudent Life on Dec. 4, 2018. Thomasfound his passion for building up the Harding community in hisfirst year as a dean. I photo by Sterling McMichael 199 I ASST. VICE PRESIDENTS, ADMINISTRATION, DIRECTORS & ACADEMIC DEANS
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