212PEOPLE YEARBOOK DEDICATION MAC SANDLIN The University selects Dr. Mac Sandlin as the 2021-22 Petit Jean yearbook dedication recipient. THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION announced the 2021-22 Petit Jean yearbook’s dedication to associate professor of Bible and ministry Mac Sandlin. “The true deep down secret of his success with students is that he deeply, deeply, deeply cares for them,” Dr. Heath Carpenter, associate professor of English and director of integrated studies degree program, said. “That is the secret. He loves his students, and he can’t say no to them.” The education Sandlin received as a Harding student motivated him to further his education and eventually become a professor. Sandlin attributed the start of his theology career to Dr. Monte Cox, dean of the College of Bible and Ministry. Cox left a note on an assignment that told Sandlin to get a master’s degree and then return to Harding to teach in the Bible department. Sandlin graduated from Harding School of Theology in 2009 and was hired as Bible faculty full-time in 2010. “I have known Mac since he was a student,” Cox said. “It was apparent in class that he was very curious. The questions he asked, the interests he showed, made me think - he needs to be in ministry. He needs to come back and teach here. So I told him that when he was a senior.” At the core of his teaching was the exploration of new ideas. Sandlin created a discussion-based classroom environment that provided opportunities for students to share and further develop their beliefs. “To me, teaching at a college is wonderful because I come in, and I get to talk about ideas,” Sandlin said. “I get to introduce students to them, and I get to explore these things with them. That is so fun to me, and it is so important to me.” Sandlin’s classrooms pushed students to voice ideas and promoted engagement. He prompted his students to expand their perspectives and to explore new ideas. “He very much pushes you to the limits and expects a lot from you,” senior Grace Long said. “I think that teachers should expect a lot from you, so it is very appreciated when someone gives you the opportunity to exceed expectations.” Sandlin planned to continue connecting with students in any way he could. Relationships with students were important to Sandlin in his role as a teacher. “If I am successful at connecting to students, it is not because I have some strategy or some plan,” Sandlin said. “I just really like them. If you love people and can help them or have something to offer them, that is a big deal. I will keep connecting with students by loving God and loving them. That really is the whole ball game.” WRITTEN BY HANNAH KELLUM IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE TRUE EDUCATION, take a class with Mac. His class is communal. The students share and receive. He shares, receives and gives space for the Spirit’s movement and inspiration. This is what it is to learn. On top of it all, he is oriented toward owning and stepping into all of the identity set out before us as heirs of Christ. Thanks, Mac. WRITTEN BY GRANT COUNTESS
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