HULA directors Tom & Pam Hookserved their last semester as directors after 16 years and were replaced by missionaries Jeremy & Katie Daggett. W hen the Harding University in Latin America (HULA), program formed in 2002, Tom and Pam Hook decided to serve as directors. Spring 2018 was their last semester directing the HULA program, but the program was moved to Searcy. When he attended Harding, he returned to Italy through the Harding University in Florence (HUF) program. After graduating,he worked for Harding's international programs. left in the capable hands ofJeremy and Katie Daggett who took over as directors upon the Hooks' return to Searcy, Arkansas, in June 2018. Assistant Professor and Director of the Mitchell Center for Leadership and Ministry Dr. Andrew Baker taught a humanities course at HULA during spring 2018 in which he assigned the task of honoring the Hooks in their final few months as directors of HULA and residents of Chile. The class split into groups and created various gifts for the Hooks. One group made a photo album with pictures and quotes from past HULAstudents. Another group created a video after filming interviews and goodbyes from tour guides, friends and associates with whom the Hooks had formed relationships over the years. The Bakers and students pitched in some money and, with the help of the lnternational Programs office, were able topurchase a ticket for the Hooks' son, Kurt, to Av to Vina del Mar, Chile and surprise his parents during the end-of-semester festivities. "They just overwhelmed us with love," Pam Hook said. "It was such a surprise. I still cry." Jeremy and Katie Daggett took the postition of HULA directors as the Hooks stepped down. "Jeremy and Katie came down and spent about a week in Vina [del Mar' with us and went on our trip to Easter Island, so that gave them a chance to get to know some people at church and see kind of what we'redoing," Tom Hook said. "They're really well prepared for it; they'll make great replacements." The transition from the Hooks to the Daggettswas a natural once with Jeremy's international experience, Jeremy's family members were missionaries in Italy when he was growing up before they Katie Daggett had a different experience that brought her to mission work abroad: "Being a missionaryhad never really been on my radar growing up," Katie Daggett said."It wasn't until I went to Harding that I actuallymet real missionaries and then had the opportunity to travell, doing the [Harding University in Greece] program ... And then through Jeremy and his dream of wanting to be a missionary, as we started dating, then that became a joint dream." The Daggetts directed the Harding in Zambia (HIZ) program for one semester and taught as faculty at HUF for another semester. They served as missionaries for four yearsin Arequipa, Peru, before agreeing to serve as the newHULA directors. They worked with small house churches and partnered with nonprofits like the Christian Urban Development Association to help the community in Arequipa. Dean of International Programs JeffreyHopper said that the Daggetts emerged as a clear choice for the director positioi1. "They were the best qualified in just about every one of these categories: language skill, Harding mission, academic training, knowledge o( Harding's international programs, experience and a life consistant with Christian ideals," Hopper said. The HULA program split its time between Vina del Mar where the program was based in the past, and Arequipa where the Daggetts called home. "I think it'll be reallygood for students to learn what it's like to live in the city and what ir's like to fall in love with a city, to become a regular at a few places, to walk around a lot like you would if you lived in New York or somewhere in Europe." Jeremy Daggett said. .. "These are all things that are just part of our life now, and we're excited to share that." story by Maleah Brown 35 I HULA
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