224Leadership For thirty-four years, alumni Robert “Robbie” and Ramona “Mona” Shackelford worked together at the study abroad program, Harding University in Florence, Italy (HUF). Robbie Shackelford announced the spring semester would be his last as the director of HUF. Over the years, the Shackelfords acted as mentors, guides, and facilitators, making a lasting impression on the academic and personal paths of the students they hosted in the Florence study abroad program. Robbie Shackelford said he began his career at Dallas Christian School as an art and physical education teacher in addition to his job as the football coach after receiving his degree in 1980 from Harding University. In 1987, after a brief tenure at Harding Academy, the Shackelfords returned to Florence along with their two sons. In the beginning, Robbie Shackelford said he did not think he could apply to the director position because of his father’s involvement with the program. His father, Don Shackelford, collaborated with Dr. Clifton Ganus, who was the University president at the time, to turn the Florence Bible School into an opportunity for students to study in Italy for three months. The Shackelfords planned to relocate to Italy anyway to be closer to Robbie’s hometown and look for other jobs in the area, including other university study abroad programs. It was not until Dr. David Burks reached out that he took the director position at HUF. Robbie Shackelford encouraged students each semester on their initial arrival at the villa to keep three things in mind as they set out on their study abroad adventure – wake up with a song on your heart, communicate with the creative creator, and aggressively seek beauty every day. These three elements have resonated with past students, who have conveyed that they define Robbie Shackelford’s leadership. Robbie Shackelford played a large role in introducing students to Italian culture and viewpoints. “The memories that flash into my head are those moments sharing with students places and seeing their reaction,” Robbie Shackelford said. “The ah-ha moments, the cultural exchange, music related or sports related — those moments — going skiing in Abetone or taking students to the Castle or to Sicily to see the sea.” The Shackelfords organized a variety of encounters, classes and outings to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of the world, improved cultural sensitivity and a deeper appreciation for diversity. Classes were conducted in the HUF villa as well as at significant sites and museums across Italy. Alumna Beth Ann Fox, who attended HUF in spring 1994, commended Robbie Shackelford’s directing and teaching techniques. “He had a great way of putting traditions in the program that were culturally valuable for all of us, but you got a flavor of home,” Fox said. “For someone like that to teach you about the renaissance, he was the perfect fit for the HUF director. He embodied the renaissance man.” In addition to organizing social gatherings and outings for the students, the Shackelfords fostered a sense of belonging and community inside the villa that the students called home for three months. Students formed a supportive network away from home as the Shackelfords committed to cultivating a sense of community among each group. Alumna Sarah Gwinn, who attended HUF in fall 2007, recalled memories of her favorite parts of her HUF experience. “One of my favorite things about the villa was that we celebrated everybody’s birthdays with a giant cake and a loud chorus of ‘Buon Compleanno’ with Robbie singing the loudest,” Gwinn said. “It really made our group and the villa feel like family and home when we were so far away.” Each semester abroad, the community grows beyond the term through enduring friendships and connections. From birthday parties to early morning devotions and late-night activities, Robbie Shackelford said he was dedicated to creating connections among the students residing in the villa. After his final semester at HUF, Robbie Shackelford said he planned to return to Searcy to care for his father, travel to see friends and paint. He said being able to drive through the Tuscan hills, live in a 15th century villa, spend time with the staff and be with the “great students” were all things he counted as a blessing. “So often I ask God, ‘Why? Why so many blessings?’” Robbie Shackelford said. “I’ve been very blessed over the years. The blessing of relationships — of being able to share with students over the years — has been incredible, and the relationships with the people in the community of Scandicci and Florence and then the places where I’ve taken students — I know I’m not kidding myself, I’m going to miss it, but I think it’s time.” As a mentor and advisor, Robbie Shackelford assisted students in overcoming the difficulties of adjusting to a new setting, encouraging self-improvement, independence, and resilience. He guided students to seek out beauty and their creative creator, leaving them with memories they will share and cherish forever. “When I think of Robbie Shackelford and HUF, that is what he was created to do. There could not be a more perfect fit,” Fox said. “If we could all find and do our jobs the way that he embodied Director of HUF all those years, the world would be a different place.” Written by Lisanne Cheatham Robbie and Mona Shackelford retire after 34 years at Harding University Florence. Harding students studying abroad called this villa home during their time in Florence. Don Shackelford found the 1492 villa on accident. The owner gladly sold the home after learning it would be used for the education of college students. Photo courtesy of Brackett Library Archives
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