BURKS in the HOUSE Legacy Park began as the vision of Chancellor David Burks and led to the building ofhis own house in the community. 196 chancellor &president's cabinet HHarding'svision for a campus neighborhood began in 2009 with student apartments and expanded to houses in 2019. The houses were in close proximity to all campus amenities. That vision evolved into what became known as Legacy Park. Dr. David Burks, chancellor of the University, worked to transform that vision into a reality. Burks' ideas were featured in the project, and he also built a home for himself and his family in Legacy Park. "As we built more and more houses, I got more and more interested in perhaps building one myself," Burks said. ''I'm excited to move back on campus; I lived on campus for 25 years in the president's home, and so, I'm anxious to get back on campus and back to the vibrancy of college life, which I've always enjoyed." Dr. David Collins, executive vice president of the University, also built a home in Legacy Park and took part in Burks' vision. "Dr. Burks had this vision from the beginning and imagined a community," Collins said. "A front porch community where people were interacting daily with one another but also on the edge of campus where students would also be a part of it." Steve Lake, assistant vice president of advancement, was similarly involved in the development. "[Community] is really Harding's biggest asset; we're all a faith-filled community," Lake said. "It's a community culture creator, provides some additional housing and obviously it's a beautification project." The residents of L_egacy Park also gained access to many of the perks students had. They received an ID card that allowed them to visit the Ganus Activities Complex, watch home sporting events and hold declining balance, among other benefits. Many residents also attended chapel alongside students every morning. "The concept of Legacy Park is one where the houses are close together," Burks said. "The idea is to create a close knit community where people talk to one another." story by Abigail Rezentez & Bowman Johnson
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