36 International Timeless Travels Harding University hosts Centennial Tours for alumni and friends. Beginning in September 2023, Harding University offered Centennial Tours. These tours were designed to allow alumni and friends to visit various study abroad programs, with trips to Florence, Greece, Egypt, Peru and Iceland, granting them the chance to reunite all across the world. Participants ranged from their 20s to 80s, and the alumni expressed a desire for more trips. “I think the Egypt tour was really special because it was the only tour we offered in conjunction with a student group,” Executive Director of International Programs Audra Pleasant said. “I thought it was really special for some of the alumni to get to meet some of the current students at Harding.” Communications and Recruiting Coordinator for International Programs Steven Chandler encouraged alumni to participate. “You definitely won’t regret it,” Chandler said. “You get to see amazing things, whichever one you do.” These experiences allowed those who had studied abroad to revisit their campus and those who did not to explore a new one. The tours covered many of the same sites as the semester-long programs and received positive feedback from participants. Noah Darnell, the main facilitator for alumni tours in Greece and Egypt, discussed his role and experiences. He highlighted the differences between leading student and alumni tours. He also focused on ensuring comfort, safety and a seamless experience for alumni and believed the tours helped them feel connected to the mission statement of the university. “People get isolated after they leave, where they’re living with people all the time in dorms and all of this other stuff,” Darnell said. “They tend to kind of get isolated and move out there. When they have that reconnection . . . I think that’s a valuable service that we can provide, and to be a part of that, I’m glad.” Darnell shared his favorite moments, including reconnecting with a guide in Egypt and watching the experience of alumni enjoying the HUG experience. Tours in Egypt in 2027 and Greece in 2025 were planned. Overall, the Centennial Tours were a success and connected alumni and friends all over the world. HOLA HULA After hiking Machu Pichu, the Peru Centennial Tour poses for a picture. HULA students enjoyed the chance of adventure every year. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Daggett WHEN IN ROME In front of the Colosseum, the Florence Centennial Tour poses for a picture. The HUF group routinely visited this landmark. Photo courtesy of Karen Stills
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