19 Presidents “I hope Harding will continue to be a great influence in the Lord’s kingdom, and I think it has been. When I was a student here, we were much smaller with a student body of less than a thousand, but I think we were still a significant influence to the Lord’s kingdom. I think we are today, and I hope we will continue to be. I hope that we will not get caught up in what’s happened with so many institutions. Academics have become the forefront of everything that we measure success by; consequently, spiritual values have diminished. I hope that we’ll continue the balance between spiritual values with high expectations on academic values and how students live. This brings me back to our mission statement of faith and learning and living. These are the words we chose to use to describe it, and that will continue to be what the Harding experience is.” “First of all, I have always seen myself in you. The world was very different when I arrived on campus as a freshman in the fall of 1975, but so much about being a Harding student has not changed. On that Sunday afternoon after my parents dropped me off on campus, I remember walking by Graduate Hall and being almost overwhelmed by a sense of a new beginning. Few people on campus knew if I had been good or bad, kind or cruel, sincere or hypocritical, intelligent or not-so-smart. I sensed that, more than ever before, I was in charge of the person I would become. I think the memory of that moment is the lens through which my heart has viewed Harding students all these years. Every one of us comes here in the process of becoming. In the hands of God, this is called “sanctification,” and we can all be changed for the better during our time here. That is why I see in you a reflection of my 1970s self. It makes me nostalgic and helps me to pass along to you some of the grace that I so much needed and so freely received in my own days as a student. And it reminds me of how important it is to choose life, to seek first the kingdom of God, to find the straight gate and the narrow way and to respond with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength when Jesus calls to us, “Follow me.” Incredible life-altering choices continue to be made every day on the Harding University campus. This is why my experience over 40 years ago has much more in common with your experience today than you might at first imagine.” “The men and women of 1924 who founded this institution were visionaries with inspired purpose. It awakened their imaginations and aspirations to envision a Christ-centered institution. It anchored their faith in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It propelled perseverance and tenacity as they overcame significant challenges and barriers. It fostered their courage in the midst of uncertainty. It gave birth to generosity that led the founders to mortgage their livelihoods to see this school established and flourish. This inauguration represents a signature moment in the life of this institution. It is a momentous occasion where we reflect on the vision, heroic sacrifice and unwavering resolve of the founders of Harding University.” Dr. David B. Burks Dr. Bruce D. McLarty Dr. Michael D. Williams 1997 – 2013 2020 – 2022 2013 – 2020 2022 – Pres.
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