Bison Year in Review 2B FEATURES Photo by Morgan Pickering Story and photo from The Bison Oct. 13, 2024; Vol. 99, No. 4. Story from The Bison Jan. 19, 2024; Vol. 99, No. 9. Paul and Sharon Pitt sit in front of their house with Paul’s homemade Native American flute Sep. 19. The couple retired from full-time positions in spring 2023 but accepted adjunct positions for fall 2023. Two Harding professors departed the Harding classrooms after over 50 years of teaching at multiple schools. Paul and Sharon Pitt announced their retirmenets in spring 2023 but came back as adjunct professors for the fall semester due to a shortage of faculty. The Pitts attended the University together before graduating in 1967,, and they got married in June 1967. After their marriage, the couple began their teaching careers at Harding Academy in Memphis. The couple taught at the Academy for three years before Paul Pitt left for graduate school. In fall 1971, the couple began teaching at Harding Universtiy, with Paul Pitt teaching in the Department of Art and Design and Sharon Pitt in the Deaprtment of Communication. Both professors have used different teaching techniques and styles to grow closer to students. Sharon Pitt said she likes to cook for her students every semester in their underground house, which her husband designed. “I’ve had as many as 60 that I’ve cooked for,” Sharon Pitt said.“the last few years we’ve also had a hypnosis session at the end because Paul is a certified hypnotist. And so that’s been the entertainment for the students.” Along with hypnotism, Pual Pitt has continued to grow his interest in his artwork throughout his teaching career. Part of his teaching involved taking his students around town and painting during class time. Paul Pitt said he and his wife have benefited from their teaching and ministry at the University. “It’s a combination of being able to benefit from teaching them but also being able to produce sometimes and preach to them some,” Paul Pitt said. “That’s important.” As their final days of teaching come to an end, students and faculty have continued to show their support for the couple. Senior Austin Simmons has known the Pitts since his freshman year, when he was in Sharon Pitt’s class, and she invited her stuents over for a cookout. He said it has been a joy getting to know them through their stories of faith and life experiences. “I feel very happy for them,”Simmons said.“The Pitts have put many years and hard work into their careers at Harding, and I feel they will use their retirement for the glory of God.” Following their retirement, the Pitts plan to spend time with their grandchildren and Sharon Pitt’s mother.The couple will continue to have guests over to their house, and Paul Pitt will continue to work on his art. Lucretia Huntsman arrives at the Student Center at around 6:15 a.m. every weekday to gather supplies and inventory. By 7:30 a.m., she has restocked and is posted at the Mabee Business Market for the rest of the day. Everything in the Mabee market is supplied and retrieved by Huntsman. She takes note of the buying trends and creates specified inventory sheets to accommodate. Huntsman has been working at the Mabee Business Market location since 2018. Before the move, she worked at Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Student Center. Her arrival has proven advantageous for those in the College of Business Administration. “She is an amazing part of the Mabee building,” senior Alex Hall said.“She is just a pleasant surprise. It’s really enjoyable to have her.” Hall said he saw her almost every day for a school year. “She always says ‘Hi,’to students and makes the entire market a really great atmosphere for people to come in and do homework,” Hall said. “A lot of times during the day, students will just eat their lunch there with her.” Hall mentioned that for the past few years he has heard of her giving out handmade Christmas cards to students. “She draws them and hands them out to students,” Hall said. “I do not have one yet, but my roommate has two.” Her generosity does not go without note, as a group of students came together to gift her a Walmart gift card, candy and flowers in December 2023, right before Christmas break. “I still have [the flowers] on my table in my kitchen, and they’re still pretty,” Huntsman said. “They literally made my break.” Senior Abby Long visits the market at least once a week. “It’s less about specific interactions with her,” Long said.“It’s more that every time you go in [the market], you’re going to interact with someone who’s treating you like a friend.” Huntsman is known for asking students what she is missing and what she can better stock. One day a few months ago, Huntsman described, she was having a bad day, and a student simply gave her a hug. “It was like how our world just needs to be,” Huntsman said. “We need to care from our hearts. It’s definitely not the job, it’s the students.” RANDI TUBBS features editor NIC FRARACCIO sports editor CIANNA JAY head copy editor Huntsman blesses Market at Mabee with care Paul and Sharon Pitt retire after over 50 years
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==