A Sneak Peek Future Harding students visit campus for a two-week academic program Each summer, Harding hosted rising high school seniors for multiple two-week sessions of Honors Symposium, an academic program where students earned college credit. Symposium provided a glimpse of life at Harding: its culture, professors, classes and activities on- and off-campus. The schedule was filled with classes and bonding activities to immerse the students in an enriching experience. Students were challenged to step outside their comfort zone and engage in both social and academic university life. Sophomore Asa Fowler attended Honors Symposium in 2022 and spent his summer as a counselor in 2024. “It’s really packed with so much learning in and out of the classroom,” Fowler said. “It prepares students for the kinds of questions they’ll face in college classes and the types of people they’ll be surrounded by at Harding.” The classes covered a range of numerous topics, including ethics and history, and were not only made up of lectures. The diverse topics allowed students to participate in meaningful conversations that stretched their perspectives and ways of thinking. Small group discussions encouraged students to navigate challenges together. The time with experienced professors opened opportunities for connection and impacted the students during their time on campus. Freshman Ellie Scott attended Honors Symposium in 2023, which led her to enroll at Harding. She appreciated the opportunity to learn in focused settings with distinguished professors. “We got to sit and learn from professors who were so knowledgeable and had so much great wisdom to share with us,” Scott said. “There are lessons from Symposium that I still think about to this day.” Current Harding students served as counselors to help guide students throughout the week. The four counselors of each session provided perspectives on campus, academic and spiritual life with the goal of creating lasting bonds with the students. They also acted as mentors and friends, which created an inclusive environment and community among the group. The counselors helped the students feel valued and supported. Senior Cerra Cathryn Anderson was a symposium counselor in 2023 and served as head counselor in 2024. “So much of being an Honors Symposium counselor is about connecting students,” Anderson said. “Honors Symposium has a way of connecting people who thought they were alone in some way or of broadening the perspective of those who haven’t encountered a specific lifestyle or kind of individual before.” For many incoming freshmen, the start of the year seemed intimidating as they faced new challenges. Symposium served as a bridge that helped them navigate their transition into university life. The program brought insight and guidance into campus culture. “Making the switch to college life was hard enough,” Fowler said. “Symposium helped me manage my expectations and create so many connections to make things as smooth as they could’ve gone.” Honors Symposium was a transformative opportunity that helped students prepare and get excited for life at Harding. The sessions provided an educational, relational and spiritual immersive experience that created a strong sense of community before the attendees’ time at Harding began. Through meaningful interactions, students discovered a supportive environment that aligned with their values and aspirations. Written by Cailynn Clayton 251 Honors Symposium IN THE WILD On July 4, 2023, students pose for a photo at the site of their activity. This was during a summer 2023 session of Honors Symposium. Photo courtesy of Hilton Duncan
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