SPRING 2020 What’s Inside SPRING 2020 | VOLUME 28 | NUMBER 2

Features 14 BACK TO PAKISTAN Seizing the opportunity more than 50 years later to revisit the places where they spent their youth in the mission field, Beth Hogan James, Dave Hogan 14 14 and Julie Hogan Garner take a nine-day trip in early February 2020 to Lahore, Departments Pakistan, with their father, Gordon.

18 12 HARDING AT A DISTANCE No one could imagine the last half of 2 VIEWPOINT 12 SPORTS the spring semester would be without a Two words describe the interrupted All spring sports came to an bustling campus, but the Harding spirit semester — thankfulness and longing. unexpected ending March 12. is prevailing even from afar. Hannah 3 HU VIEW Owens provides an overview and Apart, but not alone timeline of the crisis, and several students, faculty, staff, alumni and 4 ONE MOMENT ON THE COVER parents share their perspectives on a The usually filled Benson sits empty. 30 CONNECTIONS The Harding family could not return to semester apart, but not alone. | 31 PROFILE campus after spring Sarah Felps Schecter, 1984 break due to the 32 | PROFILE COVID-19 crisis, but Mat Faulkner, 2002 even from a distance, we 6 AROUND CAMPUS are #BisonsTogether. ILLUSTRATION BY TIM COX NASA Day on campus and other happenings around the University

36 END NOTE Dr. Dan Williams shares the

LEFT PHOTO BY DAVE HOGAN, RIGHT AND OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOS BY NICOLE SWANN NICOLE BY PHOTOS PAGE OPPOSITE AND RIGHT HOGAN, DAVE BY PHOTO LEFT power of a nudge. 18 Viewpoint HU View

Thankfulness and longing HARDING Apart, but not alone SELECTIONS FROM A SILENT SPRING SPRING 2020 | VOLUME 28 | NUMBER 2 By BRUCE D. McLARTY, president

N MARCH 6, we were still shaking EDITOR/DESIGNER Tom Buterbaugh, ’78 hands. Students were finishing their last day of classes before COPY EDITOR/WRITER Jantzen Haley, ’17 heading out on their much- anticipated spring break. Many were heading WRITERS O Katie Clement, ’16 home and others were going to help with Hannah Owens, ’11 tornado relief in Tennessee. On March 6, Megan Stroud, ’19 we had no idea how much our world would SPORTS WRITER change before the end of the month. Scott Goode, ’97 The following Thursday, because of con- PHOTOGRAPHER cerns relating to COVID-19, we instructed Jeff Montgomery, ’91 students not to return to campus after break. CONTRIBUTORS Their semester would continue online. Then, Brianna Allman; Andrea Chunn, ’95; Andy Chunn, ’94; Abigail on March 19, we made the heartbreaking Cooper, ’18; Grant Countess; announcement that we would not resume Joanna Crisco, ’97; Wendy on-campus classes for the remainder of Davenport, ’00; Lisa Engel, ’88; the spring semester. Spring Sing 2020 was Terry Engel; Briley Feringa; Hannah Jones; Michael Krupka; pushed back for a full year, and May com- Melanie Meeker, ’95; Zach Neal, ’01; mencement was postponed until August. It is Emily Nicks; Jake Riggs; still difficult to absorb how much our semes- ful we can continue this semester online. Briley Saunders; Kwame Yeboah; ter — how much our entire world — changed Because of the technology we have access to, Dan Williams after March 6. we are able to continue the classes that were PRESIDENT When I spoke to the Harding family on half finished. There is, indeed, so much for Bruce D. McLarty, ’78 video via Instagram and email, I shared with which to be thankful. VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND ENROLLMENT everyone what, to me, was the most helpful Longing. However, the technology that Jana Rucker analogy at that confusing moment. Ann and I allows us to see our granddaughter each have a granddaughter who lives in Montana. night leaves us with a sense of longing. We Harding is published three times a year by the Office of University Maggie is now 20 months old, and since her ache to hold her in our arms, kiss her little Communications and Marketing birth we have had a special family ritual at cheeks and nuzzle her hair. That also is how for alumni, faculty, staff, parents Maggie’s bedtime each night. We facetime it is with this at-a-distance semester. We can and friends of the University. Editorial offices are located on the her, and Ann, who has a beautiful alto voice, connect in so many ways, but we are still left second floor of the David B. Burks sings a lullaby to Maggie. When I reflect on longing to speak face-to-face. American Heritage Building at those tender moments, I am always remind- On March 6, we were still shaking hands. 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy, Arkansas; 501-279-4316. ed of two words that seem to pull my heart in Now we are scattered all over the world. We opposite directions. Those two words are the are so thankful for the connections we still POSTMASTER Send address changes to same ones I find battling in my heart these have, but we long for the time when we can Harding University days when I think of this semester at Har­ hug and laugh and sing and cry together, 915 E. Market Ave. ding — thankfulness and longing. remembering the thankfulness and longing Box 12234 Searcy, AR 72149-5615. PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY Thankfulness. Ann and I are so thankful that marked the spring semester of 2020. EMAIL that we live in a time when we can see our [email protected] granddaughter’s face and hear her voice WEBSITE before she goes to sleep each night. Not too harding.edu/mag many years ago, such a connection was un- © 2020 Harding University imaginable. In a similar way, I am so thank- TOP ROW: @meetashel, @SAHardingU, @billymorganhu MIDDLE ROW: @sydneymbryant, @HUCPE, @matheusfb_ribeiro BOTTOM ROW: @beccaakared, @megs_72310, @_andrewsbaker

2 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 3 ONE MOMENT

An empty Benson Auditorium March 25, 2020, sits ominously quiet awaiting the return of students and the bustle of campus activities this fall. PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY

4 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 5 Around Campus For the very latest campus news, visit harding.edu/news.

Dr. Douglas Terrier tells the audience gathered Kendall, Cone in Benson Auditorium Delta Gamma Rho social club Jan. 27 about Artemis Halls in transition phase 1: To the lunar surface by 2024. THE UNIVERSITY IS IMPLEMENTING some housing dedicates seat, honors Uebelein changes on campus to provide room for growth while improving facilities, student experience and WOMEN’S SOCIAL CLUB Delta Gamma Keith and Sherry; her three siblings, Luke, educational offerings. Rho dedicated a seat in the Rhodes-Reaves Caleb and Rachel; Luke’s wife Julianne; The first change, announced in February, is Field House to former member Mary Joy and Rachel’s fiance Blake Herring were in a new vision for Kendall Hall. Located just off Uebelein Feb. 20. attendance along with many friends and the front lawn, Kendall has been a women’s resi- Uebelein, a big fan of Harding basketball, DGR club members. The seat was marked dence hall since 1961. However, while evaluating died March 16, 2019, from injuries sustained with yellow balloons, a yellow rose and a women’s spaces in need of renovation, it was in a car accident March 8. DGR member and DGR jersey. determined there was enough room for students fellow St. Louis resident Emma Vaughn was “I really wanted people to just show up previously housed in Kendall to be placed in other the driving force behind the seat dedication, to the game even if you didn’t know her,” residence halls. Due to its central location on cam- wanting to find a way to honor Uebelein’s Vaughn said. “One, that’s supporting the pus, Kendall is being evaluated for ways it might memory before graduating. basketball team, and two, that’s supporting better meet current academic and student needs. “We wanted to cement her legacy here her family in a way that isn’t super intimate A remodeled configuration of Kendall currently on campus,” Vaughn said. “I wanted it to but something they will really appreciate.” being considered could include common areas for be a good seat that you could see very well. President Bruce McLarty reflected on meeting and studying on the first floor, while the I made sure it was behind the boys’ bench the evening in a tweet the following day: second and third floors could become home for because that was a good spot where she “Beautiful, tender and heartfelt ceremony departments such as history and political science could see the boys and the whole game. The in the Rhodes-Reaves Field House last night and foreign language. number 14 was her jersey number for DGR, as Delta Gamma Rho dedicated a seat in In addition to the remodeling of the wom- so we picked number 14 for it.” memory of Mary Joy Uebelein. So thankful en’s dorm, Cone Hall, a men’s apartment-style The dedication was held at halftime dur- Mary Joy’s family was able to be here for residence hall on campus, is being reclassified as ing the Bison basketball game. Her parents the event!” privileged housing for fall. Privileged housing is designed for qualifying second-semester junior or senior status students and has no residential curfew or required meal plan. Currently, privileged NASA collaboration continues men’s housing is exclusively in Village Apartments located at the southeast edge of campus. On a NASA CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST Douglas Terrier, day. A special exhibit titled “Harding and NASA: Dennis Province and Dr. Cindy White, was one consistent basis, men who are eligible for privi- the highest ranking NASA technology official Through the Years” also displayed various of only 25 teams chosen from across the coun- leged housing in Village do not utilize the apart- and first NASA chief technologist ever to visit grant-funded research projects beginning with try to represent the consortium. ments due to their distance from campus. While Arkansas, was the featured speaker Jan. 27 astronaut physical fitness to prepare for the first While in Washington D.C., the team pre- better meeting student needs, this change will when the departments of engineering and phys- moon launch to Harding’s membership in the sented their research results to lawmakers, nearly double the number of men who live in privi- ics and chemistry hosted NASA Day at Harding. Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and scientific senators and representatives, including six leged housing. Village Apartments will continue to In recognition of Dr. Terrier’s visit, Gov. Asa and technology research that continues today. Arkansas congressmen, on Capitol Hill Feb. 25- be available for lease to students who are eligible Hutchinson proclaimed Jan. 27 NASA Day in Ar- A 7 p.m. lecture by Terrier in Benson Au- 27. The team’s research focuses on enhancing for off-campus housing as has been the case for a kansas. Throughout the day, Terrier held meet- ditorium titled “Forward to the Moon: The the current system of wastewater treatment in portion of the units for some time. ings with and made a series of presentations to NASA Artemis Program” ended the day. Terrier space with a reactive oxygen species generator “As Harding nears its 100th year, we are more various groups, including more than 1,000 area discussed NASA’s planned return to the moon, that will break down complex molecules and committed than ever to keeping Harding strong elementary, middle, junior and high school stu- including landing the first American woman on kill microbes using a combination of UV light and vibrant while operating on sound business dents, as well as Harding students and faculty. the moon by 2024. and titanium dioxide. This process, known as principles,” said President Bruce McLarty. “Our Along with student meetings about NASA pro- Following NASA Day, a group of students photocatalysis, will help to clean and disinfect plans for the future will continue to reflect our PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY grams, jobs and opportunities, Terrier met with conducting NASA-funded research represented the air and water aboard the International reliance on God’s provision as we respond to the representatives from the Arkansas Space Grant the state of Arkansas in Washington D.C. for the Space Station so that it can be recycled. opportunities before us, and we are excited about Consortium, which includes 17 four-year univer- 30th anniversary of the Space Grant Consor- Since Harding’s involvement with NASA how these changes will improve the environment sities and colleges throughout Arkansas. tium. The Harding University Space Research first began in the 1960s, the University has for our campus community. We will not waver A plaque, a Delta Gamma Rho jersey and a yellow rose mark seat The day’s events included the dedication of Team, made up of students Abby Bankhead, continued to maintain strong ties to America’s from our commitment to providing every student #14 which was dedicated in Mary a plaque recognizing the NASA research con- Sidney Brandon, Hannah Smith, Parker Pruitt space program through scientific and technol- a Christ-centered education and look forward to a Joy Uebelein’s memory Feb. 20.

ducted at the University from 1967 to present and Elizabeth Reed, and faculty advisors Dr. ogy research and its membership in the ASGC. MEYER MADISON BY PHOTO bright future for this community of mission.”

6 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 7 Around Campus Around Campus

HEARD in CHAPEL BY THE WHY HARDING “I was certain I wanted to do ministry, and Harding NUMBERS started sending summer interns to my congregation through Global Outreach. Along with stories from the alumni in my congregation, I re- JAN. 14, 2020 up and see him in his glory, so many of the things that SPRING alized that this was a good place, the kind of place I want to tell my sto- “I pray that during your time here you will come to confuse us disappear.” ries about. So I applied, got the Trustee Scholarship, and found myself Everyday STUDENT love and respect this chapel hall. I pray that you will McLarty STATS for the first time on campus three days before classes began in Fall 2017. feel the presence and love of God here in a more per- I had never seen the place before, and I fell instantly in love with it.” JUNIOR JOHN LIM FROM SINGAPORE, sonal way. I hope that you will never forget that cha- MARCH 27, 2020 pel is the most important thing that happens here.” AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES MAJOR STUDYING “We spend so much time borrowing trouble from an 100 INVOLVEMENT On campus, John is a beau for women’s social club John Smith, guest speaker uncertain future. We are anxious because we worry Percent of May candidates MINISTRY BY FOCUSING ON BIBLE, COMMUNICATION Delta Gamma Rho, intern for the Original Rock House, member of the about tomorrow. Jesus says stay in the moment and in the speech-language SA Chapel Committee, peer guide for Bible professors Gary Jackson AND ENGLISH, IS WELL-KNOWN FOR HIS LEADERSHIP FEB. 17, 2020 remember how God takes care of his creation. God pathology master’s program who passed licensure exam and Dr. Phil Thompson, and tutor for University College. IN CHAPEL AND AMIABLE PERSONALITY. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, will take care of you.” go together. At Harding, we run together.” McLarty on first attempt PASSION “My passions revolve around people, worship, ministry President Bruce McLarty and writing. I just love to be where people are. I believe that I have APRIL 1, 2020 something to learn from everyone I meet and the potential to share MARCH 3, 2020 “We walk on through the night. Jesus walks with us 14 something from my own life that will bless them. I keep a blog “Things are going to happen that are unexpected. You on this journey of faith.” Articles in first digital edition (thewildernessvoices.org) where I write personal reflections from my never know, really, what is going to happen. I chal- McLarty of student-run Bison experiences. I see my blog as a means to speak life and build up others lenge us to be people who look for opportunities to newspaper, published April 2 instead of criticizing and tearing down.” serve others and share God’s light. No matter where APRIL 10, 2020 you go this spring break, these are things you can do.” “The cross was not an accident. The cross was not a CHAPEL “When I’m on the Benson stage, I look out and take in the Grant Fitzhugh, failure of the plan of God or ministry of Jesus. The 21 thousands of faces staring back at me. I realize that every one of those junior Bible and divinity major cross was by God’s intent and design. Jesus was al- Students, faculty and staff faces has a story, a joy, a burden, or some combination of them. Ide- ways moving toward the cross.” who spent spring break ally, I want to lead a worship where everyone leaves talking about On March 18, classes resumed after spring break, but McLarty helping with Middle how God rejuvenated or comforted them, or what they heard him say. there were no students on campus. Throughout the Tennessee tornado disaster Ideally, they won’t remember the worship leader because they were duration of the second half of the semester, Dr. McLarty APRIL 13, 2020 relief, some of whom joined so enraptured by the God whom they beheld.” continued to bring the community together through a “It changes everything. The worst day in the history as a result of an international virtual chapel — a daily devotional on social media and of the world on Friday becomes the greatest day in GRACE & PEACE “Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus mission trip cancellation at harding.edu/dailydevo. the history of the world on Sunday. Today, as we begin Christ” is John’s often-heard greeting to those in chapel. “While prepar- a new week, we begin this week living in the light of ing to share a devotional message when I was studying abroad, I real- MARCH 26, 2020 the resurrection.” ized that the apostle Paul was always using this phrase in his letters to “When we remember who Jesus is, when we lift him McLarty 200 greet his audience. First, I just love the idea of using a biblical greeting Number of face shields, to greet the people of God. Second, grace and peace are things that our along with 10 masks, for college community could use a lot more of. The third reason stems from EVENTS Unity Health designed and the history of the phrase. Grace was the word of greeting in the Greek 3D printed by a team led by language, and peace was the Hebrew greeting. That the apostle Paul Rich Wells, assistant professor combined these into a single greeting meant that he acknowledged the AUG. 15 AUG. 24 OCT. 2-3 of engineering Jew-Gentile diversity of the church and that both groups were wel- Commencement First day of school Family Weekend comed into one united body. We need to be reminded that we live in this While those who completed Classes begin for what hopes to be an Experience life with your college student Christian narrative where we affirm our unity and embrace the diver- graduation requirements in May had uneventful fall semester with campus — attend chapel and classes and see 20 their degrees conferred at that time, full of life after a quiet spring. firsthand what makes Harding so special. sity that gives that unity so much color and vibrancy. That’s what I pray Members of the information something as simple as a greeting can encourage people to think about.” the late summer physical ceremony harding.edu/familyweekend allows graduates, faculty, family and SEPT. 27-30 systems and technology friends to celebrate together. OCT. 29-31 team, comprised of IT MINISTRY After graduating, John plans to return to his home congrega- Lectureship harding.edu/graduation services, e-learning and tion in Singapore to take on a full-time role as youth, worship and me- Homecoming PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY multimedia services and dia minister while pursuing a Master of Divinity. He knows he wants AUG. 20-22 Enjoy reuniting with old friends and classmates for reunions, tailgating, the Brackett Library, who played to follow God wherever he calls, living his life by the words found in Welcome Week: Stampede Homecoming musical and more. pivotal roles in helping Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Campus welcomes new students to the Join us for the 97th Lectureship, Invin- harding.edu/homecoming faculty and students Christ who lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in University with informative sessions, cible!, as talented ministers and speakers Events currently scheduled at publishing transition to the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Megan Stroud activities and fun in this event help us delve into the book of Daniel and time may change subject to federal online instruction formerly known as Impact. study courageous faith in troubled times. and local guidance on reopening. harding.edu/stampede harding.edu/lectureship harding.edu/calendar PHOTO BY EVGENY 555 EVGENY BY PHOTO

8 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 9 Around Campus Around Campus

Chartwells chosen MY VIEW KWAME YEBOAH NEWSMAKERS culinary provider Harding Network offers alumni ADMISSIONS S PART OF ONGOING EFFORTS new communication channel Getting back to normal Emily Conner joined the Office of Admissions in December 2019. She to increase food quality and serves as an admissions counselor recruiting prospective undergraduate In March, many Americans started spending more time at home than any- improve student satisfaction, UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CAN NOW CONNECT and gives a more efficient and cohesive network students from Northwest Arkansas and Missouri. where else. While separated from friends, family and regular day-to-day activi- A University leadership decided with each other in a new digital space through to help new graduates and alumni to navigate ties, the thing at the top of everyone’s to-do list was social distancing. On April ATHLETICS to evaluate dining services Harding Network, built through a University their interests and connections,” Howell said. 16, the White House unrolled a three-phase strategy for opening the country. Zach Beasley was appointed assistant baseball coach in December 2019. providers. In November 2019, a Request for partnership with the digital company Gradu- While the platform was created with alum- We talked with Dr. Kwame Yeboah, associate professor in the College of Phar- Before filling this role, Beasley served as assistant football coach and head Proposals was issued to seven vendors. In- way. The Office of Alumni Relations launched ni in mind, University employees and students baseball coach at Hazen High School. macy, about his view on a successful reopening, particularly in Arkansas. cumbent vendor Aramark and six others par- Harding Network in May at network.harding. also may use the platform to network and find CENTER FOR CHARITABLE ESTATE PLANNING ticipated in the bidding process, a standard edu as a tool for alumni to communicate with professional mentors or mentees. SO FAR ARKANSAS has been gating practices. Furthermore, Ar- each other and stay up to date on what’s hap- “Students will be introduced to Harding Ken Bissell was named director for charitable estate planning Feb. 1. Bis- practice for colleges and universities. partly shielded from some of the kansas’ population is skewed toward sell has served since 2011 as the senior advancement officer supporting pening at Harding. Network as they are planning their courses of A selection committee made up of faculty, damaging effects of the COVID-19 the elderly with underlying health Harding alumni and friends in Texas and the southeastern United States. staff and student representatives evaluated “Alumni involvement and engagement are study,” Howell said. “We will have mentors and pandemic. In an outbreak spread by conditions that predisposes to COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH each provider based on their food presenta- vital components in every university,” Vice internships in place to streamline the process direct contact, being a state with in- severe COVID-19 cases. So far, SARS- Mary Madill was appointed program director of the physician assistant tion, student dining menus, nutrition and President for Alumni and Parent Relations Liz of enhancing their college experience and close habitants spread out between large Cov-2 has shown to be a ferocious Howell said. “In July 2019, the board of trust- the gap between graduation and job placement.” program effective April 1. She is taking the position previously held by Dr. dietary needs, catering menus, sustainability farm lands and removed from major master pathogen that can be spread Michael Murphy who is retiring in July. Madill previously served as aca- ees alumni relations The site is inte- measures, local food procurement, marketing, ports of entry into the country has even by people without symptoms. demic director for the program, which is being filled by Amanda Diles. campus/community partnership, business committee met to grated with other been an advantage. This inherent In only a few months it has triggered COLLEGE OF SCIENCES model, and experience. The selection com- explore ways we could digital platforms so geographical distancing backed lockdowns of the world and claimed Dr. James Huff was named as a Journal of Engineering Education Star mittee also received feedback from off-cam- create more opportu- users can create and by the social measures put in place thousands of lives. In Arkansas, Reviewer for 2019 in April 2020. pus students, international students, athletes nities to ensure our customize an account have mitigated the spread of the the epicenters of infection are the and students with dietary restrictions. graduates find jobs.” with their existing infection so far. crowded places like prisons, thus fol- DINING SERVICES After a thorough review, the committee an- After a recommendation from a colleague Facebook, Google or LinkedIn profile, which However, as creatures of habit, lowing the characteristic spread of Lewis Curtis was appointed head executive chef of the dining program. nounced in March that Chartwells, a division at another university, Howell explored what makes signing up and importing personal the adjustments to life and constant- the disease. This means uncontrolled Curtis has more than 14 years culinary experience with businesses and leaders from around the world. of Compass, is the University’s new dining the Graduway platform could offer. Campus information easy. The platform combines ly evolving nature of this situation opening up of the state can have services vendor beginning May 26. Chartwells stakeholders from various areas of campus personal profiles with professional network- have been stressful and hard. This dire consequences. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION will continue to operate Chick-fil-A, Panda weighed in on how the platform could be ing to create a space where users can access a has led to preparations to open up I feel any program for opening Sarah Pearce, Nicole Swann and Hannah Wise successfully presented Express, Starbucks and Einsteins in the stu- used by alumni and campus representatives to directory of other users, find upcoming events the state, and to normal activities of up needs a delicate balance be- their research virtually to the International Organization of Social Science dent center. Java City will be replaced by a share information and events. of interest, and interact with alumni. life that may possibly affect the miti- tween social response and a clinical and Behavioral Research on March 26. Their research papers were titled “Effects of Digital Ad Platform on Consumer Perceptions of Brand Ethical- new coffee provider, and a student choice op- “Harding Network brings everything togeth- To create an account through Harding response. It should be based er on one page with information, events and jobs Network, visit network.harding.edu. ity,” “Sorry, Not Sorry: An Analysis of Celebrity Apologies on Social Media tion will take the place of Taco Bell, beginning on a triage not only of pa- from 2013-2019,” and “Communication Management Theory: Effects on with a Chartwells branded concept — Tu Taco. tients but seemingly healthy Mental Health and Willingness to Attend Professional Counseling,” respec- Tu Taco brings street tacos indoors, focusing people. Arkansas state and tively. Pearce and Wise received best paper awards for their presentations. on quality ingredients and made from scratch local governments should Hannah Faulkner was awarded third place in the Jeanie Dolan Carter sauces. Each year, students will vote on one Coming together as one offer robust support for Memorial Collegiate Poetry Contest in April. Her poem was titled “Haunt- of eight restaurant concepts for the following IN FEBRUARY, President Bruce McLarty announced the University will be returning to one cha- telecommuting and remote ed House.” year. “We are grateful to Aramark for being an pel beginning this fall. One chapel assembly is familiar to many alumni as it was the norm from learning. Statewide face Alexa Blankenship, Melanie Cummings, Logan Hoffner, Connor O’Keefe, excellent dining partner for so many years,” 1979 through 2005. However, in 2005 student numbers required Harding to begin offering two mask wearing and social dis- Nick Stevenson, Patrick Kelly and Zane Harris contributed to the produc- tion of “Sell Searcy,” a promotional film by Jake Reeves of OakenElk media said Tammy Hall, vice president for finance chapels during the fall semester, and eventually, in 2013, both fall and spring semesters. tancing should be enforced and CFO. “Strong professional and friendship during the reopening. More made for the Small Business Revolution Hulu series. The film received Due to the size of recent freshman classes, the entire Harding community can now gath- a gold medal at the ADDY Awards given by the American Advertising bonds have been forged with so many on this importantly, there should be er together at 9 each morning. Agency in February. team, and we appreciate their willingness to designated testing centers “There will be adjustments that we will all have to make,” said McLarty. “For instance, Chick- Student Publications editors Emma Aly, Emily Nicks and Hannah Wise work with us for a smooth transition.” to intensify screening the fil-A will have to have enough chicken biscuits for the entire student body ready at 9:35. How- attended the annual College Media Association conference in New York As the move to a new provider takes place, ever, this fall, one chapel will become our new normal. For many, it should make scheduling public particularly in places City in March. The Bison was awarded third place for best newspaper and additional changes to the University’s campus classes easier, and I look forward to the special experience of all being together for chapel.” of large gathering with rig- Shockwave Radio received third place for best podcast. dining will continue in an effort to improve The transition to one chapel will give students, faculty and staff an additional hour in orous contact tracing efforts Student Publications received more than 70 awards from the Arkansas food quality and choice. These changes in- their daily schedules for coursework and other activities. to help interrupt the trans- College Media Association including second place overall in general excel- clude the incorporation of clearly marked “We live in a place, time and situation where there is always more than we can get done. mission. This should last lence for The Bison and Petit Jean. allergen friendly food lines, open to close ac- long enough to aid in abat- But we leave the stresses and the assignments, the demands of life, outside the Benson Au- HONORS COLLEGE cess to the dining hall, four-week menu cycles ing community transmission ditorium, and we have 35 minutes of protected time with God each day. Here we remember Ashlyn Wilson was selected by the Great Plains Honors Council as the and technology solutions to manage food who God is, who we are, and what life is all about.” in the country. winner of the Boe Award for the second consecutive year. Wilson’s paper lines and peak periods. was titled “Gender, Images and Evaluation of Abuse Survivors.” PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY JEFF BY PHOTO 10 HARDING | SPRING 2020 1 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 11 Sports For the latest sports information, visit hardingsports.com.

Keeping a team mindset BY THE NUMBERS By SCOTT GOODE, assistant athletic director for sports information 44 Games senior Miles Humphreys 22 Number of doubles matches won by reached base, the last 23 of the 2019 baseball senior Rylie Cox Evans and junior Hana Folse HE MONTH OF MARCH IS AN ed to taking all their classes online. season and the first 21 of the 2020 season, together during the 2019-20 Lady Bison tennis extremely busy time for the “Pretty early after classes went online, I beating Harrison Hunter’s record of 35 games season, tying the school record set by Laura University’s athletic depart- reached out to all of our players to make sure in 2015. Golubic and Piper Huey in 2017. T ment. The winter sports of that they had what they needed to finish their basketball and indoor track and semester online,” baseball coach Dr. Patrick field reach a climax with basketball in its post- McGaha said. “I also talked to several profes- Points scored by junior men’s bas- Number of school records broken dur- season and track and field athletes pushing to sors to let them know how much I appreciated 565 3 ketball player Romio Harvey during the 2019- ing the 2020 indoor track season — freshman qualify for the national meet. At the same time, them during this transition. We had almost no 20 season, the most since Matt Hall scored 643 Dakarai Bush in the 200 meters, senior Mitchell the spring sports of baseball, softball, tennis, issues at all.” points in 2007-08. Kessler in the weight throw, and junior Matt golf and outdoor track and field are hitting the While the shutdown caused some changes, Hipshire in the heptathlon. most important parts of their regular seasons. other aspects of the athletic department The first two weeks of March 2020 were continued. Coaches still recruited potential Number of women’s basketball players in no different. The women’s basketball team student-athletes via virtual tours and conver- 2 Harding’s career top 10 in both rebounds and Time junior Kinga reached the Great American Conference Tour- sations. New information was reviewed as it 2:10.59 assists — senior Peyton Padgett and Harding Szarzynska ran the 800 meters at the fifth-an- nament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Junior Kinga came in and was communicated to members of Hall of Famer Bridget Benson. nual Indoor Gorilla Classic in Pittsburg, Kansas, Szarzynska, a native of Poland, qualified for the the athletic department. And the bond of the qualifying her for the NCAA Division II Indoor indoor national track and field meet in the 800 teams was kept a priority. Track and Field Championship with the ninth- meters and was among the favorites to earn All- “One of the most important aspects of cop- Career scoring average best time in Division II. The NCAA canceled America honors. ing during shutdown was getting information 73.64 of sophomore Ryan Camras, the lowest by the meet one day before she was to run in the Harding’s spring sports were in full swing. from the NCAA and GAC and passing those rul- any Har­ding golfer with 50 or more career preliminaries. On March 12, the baseball team was 18-6, had ings to our coaches and athletes to keep them rounds played. won 11 of its last 12 games, and was near the top informed,” Morgan said. “We also encouraged of the GAC standings. The squad was prepar- our coaches to be monitoring their athletes aca- Junior Matt Hipshire’s ing to host Oklahoma Baptist in a three-game demically, to stay in touch through Zoom meet- 6,259 Scoring average of the decathlon score at the Harding Spring Break series that would set them as the early favorite ings, and to keep that connection as a team.” 317.87 Lady Bison golf team through 15 rounds of Multi, placing him third on Harding track’s for the conference championship. Those connections are what the Harding the 2019-20 season, the best scoring average career performers list. The softball team was preparing for a trip to Tennis courts sit empty waiting for the return of players in this April drone shot. community is looking forward to when every- in program history and topping the 2012-13 meet Oklahoma Baptist for a four-game series one is able to return to the fields of play. But in team at 322.63. in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Then late in the day on Thursday, March 12, weekend, and classes moved online the follow- the meantime, head football coach Paul Sim- The men’s tennis team was 14-1 and had won it all stopped. No more baseball series, softball ing week. mons gave a challenge to his team. eight straight. The women’s tennis team was series, tennis matches, golf tournaments or The transition was especially tricky for “My message to my players every day is, ‘Do On-base percentage plus 14-5 and had won 11 straight. The men were track meets. The COVID-19 pandemic forced some of Harding’s teams with large interna- what you are supposed to do and be account- 1.093 slugging percentage compiled by freshman scheduled to play regional powerhouse Wash- the NCAA to cancel all events for the rest of tional student contingents. Many returned to able, but then figure out who around you needs softball player Nicole Shano through the sea- burn on Friday, and both teams were slated to the season. their home countries to continue their academ- you the most, who is hurting, and how can you son’s first 24 games. She was on pace to break meet Delta State Saturday in Mississippi. Harding’s coaches and student-athletes ic semesters. Harding tennis coach David Red- go be Jesus Christ to those around you that are the Lady Bison freshman record of 1.087 set by Hipshire Harding’s golf teams had only a couple of moved into transition mode. ding had 11 international students on his men’s hurting,’” Simmons said. Alexus Lawellin in 2016 when the season was tournaments remaining in the regular season “We shifted from getting ready for the next and women’s teams. “The truth is that people need us, and we cut short. and both were in contention to earn places in game or practice to trying to meet the individu- are built for this. There has never been a time the NCAA Division II regional tournaments. al needs of each player on our teams and work- “I KEEP UP WITH THEM ALMOST EVERY DAY,” in my lifetime where there has been more Outdoor track and field had just begun its ing through it,” athletic director Jeff Morgan Redding said. “The athletes from Spain and opportunity to lead and to serve and to be an Winning percentage of junior season. The squads had competed in a meet at said. “We are used to seasons ending and how France had to be quarantined immediately, and example of the way Jesus wants us to live.” .815 Morgan Salvan who was 13-1 in singles when and

Hendrix College, and the multi-event athletes to deal with those, but we were dealing with the hope was that everyone stays strong and PHOTO BY MIKE JAMES “My hope is when all this calms down, that 4,606 4,481 the season ended early and 53-12 in his career. Scores of senior Emily Shell-Collins and junior just finished the Harding Spring Break Multi in teams whose seasons ended in a way we have healthy. It is just really disappointing that the there is going to be a great benefit from it,” Sim- The .815 winning percentage is the highest Darcy Sanford in the heptathlon at the Harding Searcy. Szarzynska was on her way to Birming- never seen before.” season ended the way it did because we were mons said. “Jesus says in John 16 that in this ever for a Bison tennis player who has 50 or Spring Break Multi, the two best heptathlon ham, Alabama, with her coaches to compete at Sports ended but school continued with all having such a great year.” world you are going to have trouble — and this more wins. scores in Lady Bison track history. indoor nationals. Her meet was canceled the classes moving online, and the transition had Another key aspect of the transition for feels like trouble — but take heart, because I day before she was scheduled to run. to quickly take place. Spring break ended that coaches was making sure that students adjust- have overcome the world.” PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY JEFF BY PHOTO

12 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 13 The ministry started by the Hogans continues today at Lahore Church of Christ. BACK Where all did you live growing up? visiting royalty to me. I want to soak up what TO JULIE: I was three years old when my they have to say, what they were trying to do. parents, Gordon and Jane Hogan, made the Our Pakistan/Singapore lives have perma- decision to go to India in 1960. They tell me nently colored everything I have ever done we flew from New York to Germany, where and will do in my life. we (and two other families) purchased BETH: I definitely grew up with a foot in three Volkswagen camper vans and drove all two worlds. Being 11 when arriving in an- through the Holy Land following Paul’s mis- other culture and transitioning to an 18-year- sionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts. old missionary kid was definitely impactful. BETH: When we arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, I don’t think I realized it so much when and found the visas we applied for to go to growing up there — that our life was differ- P India had been denied, Dad flew to Karachi, akistan ent than anyone else. But virtually growing Pakistan, and secured paperwork for us to up overseas in the ’60s, you were very cut off stay in Lahore. We had driven overland from from those in the U.S. It took two weeks to Germany for about four months. That in and get an airgram (a letter on a prepaid folded of itself was a journey of a lifetime! sheet) and longer for anything else. Packages came a few times; we had no telephone; What is one story or distinctive memory and of course computers were not around! from your childhood? Telegrams were sent if we needed to know BETH: Most of my memories are of our fam- something immediately. We came to view ily discovering new things together in new How did your time in Pakistan shape who those as sad or bad news. I attended an all- places. We flew to London, flew to Germany, you are today? girls school and was the only foreign student. and then drove to Pakistan. That journey of JULIE: Our international childhood gave It was taught in English. My last year I four months was rich with new places, sights us a global perspective that I don’t think we transferred to the Lahore American School and smells. Some were hardships — we were would have acquired growing up in Pinel- to get credits needed for college entrance. Gordon Hogan and his children, Julie mired in thick mud, stuck in the middle of las Park, Florida. There is just something It was coed American students, diplomat Garner, Beth James and Dave, smile for a photo at Lahore American School, a stream, had tea with the king’s brother in instantly connecting between folks who have kids, oil workers, etc. with very small classes one of many locations they toured in Iran, turned over in a ditch in Turkey, mama traveled and/or lived overseas. I have main- (there were seven seniors). All of these fac- a February trip to revisit the city and was sick in a hospital, but the kindness of tained friendships from all these various tors made me see we had a different life than places where the Hogan family served as missionaries in the 1960s. strangers made it a trip of a lifetime ending seasons of my life because they are golden. I most of my college friends. We were exposed with living in Lahore. Watching my parents just recently found out that a woman, a few to many different cultures in Lahore, which navigate the unknown with our family years my senior, who has lived and raised broadens your worldview and increases your helped me learn to navigate life for the better. her family here in little old Dexter (Mis- knowledge of those around you. JULIE: I was the one Hogan child who was souri), was raised in Peshawar, Pakistan. We Interview by JANTZEN HALEY, photography by DAVE HOGAN the pickiest eater on the planet. My mother, made a date for tea and have become fast Which places did you visit in your recent having survived the Great Depression in her friends. We share something that no one else trip, and what was it like to see those places childhood, was not a fan of her youngest not understands. When someone crosses my and people today? eating everything on her plate. One night at radar with any kind of international back- BETH: It took a few days to get our bearings supper she decided she was going to wait me ground, I make a beeline to go talk to them because Lahore has grown so much since we out. Bless her heart. I was whining about how and share any common experiences. When left. It was a city of 1 million when we lived If to revisitthe the placesopportunity where you spent your youth inarises the mission I hated green peas, which were stone cold at others travel to remote areas, I follow their there, now it is about 12 million. The cultural field more than 50 years later, you take it. Gordon Hogan, now that point, to which my mother countered, Facebook or Instagram feed with dedication, aspects have not changed much, but the in- “Millions of starving children in India would hoping for perhaps a glimpse of a city or frastructure has. Many large roads, large mall 92 years old, and his three children, Beth James (’73), Dave love to have those green peas on your plate.” As experience of my youth. complexes and tall buildings exist now. When Hogan (’78) and Julie Garner (’79), made a nine-day trip in early young as I was, even I saw the hilarity in her But beyond the international experience, we lived there most buildings were from the statement, and I suggested that the neighbor the influence of what this life my parents had era of British rule in India, since it was all one February 2020 to Lahore, Pakistan, visiting many of the places kids just outside our compound would want chosen and we got to participate in, of mak- country until 1947. We toured some of the and people that marked their time as a missionary family in the them just as much as the kids right across the ing disciples half a world away, meant. How historic sites such as the Badshahi Mosque, 1960s. Dave, a talented photographer, shares the visit via images border in India (14 miles away from our house can that NOT shape who we are today? Any Lahore Fort and some of the gardens in the in Lahore). I ate the green peas ... probably the visiting missionary invited to speak where area. We searched for old addresses of places while Julie and Beth share their reflections in words. last green peas ever to pass my lips! we worship here in Dexter/Bernie are like we had lived and found two of them.

14 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 15

BACK TO

WereP thereakistan any signs or restrictions regarding coronavirus as you were traveling? us. Travelers of many nationalities used to BETH: The Muslim culture is still very JULIE: Fortunately, we were traveling be present. Interaction between males and much the driving force, but at least in the right before this impacted most interna- females was much more prevalent. Lahore in major cities like Lahore, the people seem tional travel. I think the only restrictions our days was very segregated between males more relaxed about the rules. Even at the were travel to and from China at the and females. In those days, women wore the active Badshahi Mosque, there was no one time. When we arrived at the airport burka and stayed at home. Now all are out monitoring dress code, head covering or in Lahore, there were three uniformed and interacting, and some have public jobs behavior, like it is in other cities where we men scanning all incoming passengers — unheard of when I was a kid. Stores have have traveled. The people in Lahore have with forehead scanner thermometers. ready-made clothes, as opposed to selecting always been friendly, but this trip we were They did it so rapidly, I wondered how material and having everything stitched from overwhelmed with how kind people were they could even read one before scan- a picture. Many stores also have fixed prices to us as travelers. Everywhere we stopped ning the next person. But perhaps they for things — as a child we bargained for every people introduced themselves, many times were proficient at it! purchase. Also many food products are avail- mentioning relatives in the U.S. and wanting Beth James and Julie Garner peruse the handcrafted BETH: They took our temperature shoe selection at a local shop. While ready-made able now in chain grocery stores. As a kid to help us in some way. At a shopping area when we arrived at the airport, and clothes and fixed prices are much more common in we bought meat fresh from an on-the-street a family stopped as we were having trouble Lahore today, intricate stitching, beautiful fabrics and those people were wearing masks. We butcher, fresh vegetables and fruit. Milk with our loaner phone, gave us their Uber negotiable prices are still part of the shopping culture. didn’t see anything else related to it used to come directly from a local seller that and arranged to send a car for us to eat with except for a few signs in a couple of bought it from a farmer and watered down a them the next night. We went and had a nice public places, but definitely no social few times and then sold to us, or sometimes meal together and have met their relatives distancing going on in that incredibly the water buffalo was milked at our house as here in Oklahoma since returning. crowded city. Stores were full and busy, they walked from house to house. We also and traffic was heavy. had someone who brought fresh ground What does it mean to you to be able to peanut butter door to door on a donkey. They revisit these locations with your father 52 JULIE: Finding the property at Siddiqui and is still alive and thriving and so dear to appointment to visit many places. We had spooned it out of a larger vat into your own years later? Street (now Abu Bakar in New Garden our hearts. We visited our old schools and trouble recognizing places because the walls container and sold it by weight. It was not JULIE: As they say in the MasterCard com- Town) where we lived the longest was had tea time with two of my Pakistani school obscured views of the buildings. Security homogenized or pasteurized or very smooth mercials: Priceless. Who gets this kind of gift monumental. It took a dedicated driver to mates. We had a huge spread of food and checkpoints were set up in various parts and had to be stirred before every use be- given them? To go back to their childhood finally locate the property. The compound visited for several hours after having been of Lahore. None of this existed in the ’60s cause of the oil collecting on the top, but it home in Pakistan with their 92-year-old Dad wall was still there, but the house was gone. separated for 52 years. I thought it might be when we lived there. As we drove into our was good! We made our own mayonnaise, and brother and sister? It was truly priceless. This property housed our family in one half awkward after all these years as adults ... also hotel compound several times a day, the gate marshmallows and potato chips. Now Lays I would do it again in a heartbeat. of the house and the worship area in the separated by different faiths, but we picked would open, the security guards would check and other companies are in local stores. BETH: Visiting in Lahore with my Dad and other half. The floor where we worshipped up, filling in the gaps of our distance and under the hood and in the trunk of the car. siblings meant we had come full circle. The had bright red, waxed floors. All of this was years with laughter and tears. America and Americans were loved in the What has remained largely the same? days living in Lahore were during my forma- gone. We took pictures of where it used to JULIE: On our Sunday in Lahore, Dad ’60s. Now there is a “going-to-keep-you-at- JULIE: It is still very much a male-dom- tive years growing up and helped shape be and compared them to pictures of us in delivered the message and Asghar Ali arms-length” for a minute ... and then it was inated Muslim controlled country. There attitudes and feelings toward others and that very place. When people use the word translated, just like back in the day. Dad had just like when we were kids. The everyday are people everywhere. As women, Beth experiences. I think all this early traveling “bittersweet,” that word encapsulated our taught and baptized Asghar in 1962. He has Pakistani was curious about these foreigners and I knew when to cover our heads with made our time in Greece when we served experience standing in the midst of that remained faithfully carrying on all these visiting their city. First question — where are dupattas (head scarves). Cricket is still THE as directors of HUG and as faculty at HUF compound. We only wish our mom could years, preaching the word of God. Seeing and you from? Next question — do you like Paki- sport. Glass bangles are still very popular. and HUA especially meaningful. We pulled have joined us there. hugging Asghar again after all these years stan? Our answer was always a resounding Eat only with your right hand. The traffic together and worked to learn about new and BETH: We spent all day Sunday with the was heart bursting. Seeing Asghar and my “we love Pakistan!” Instant friends. is horrendous. You had to just learn to not different things, including a language and church family in Lahore and again on dad together again was heart melting. As one BETH: The most significant changes are look out of the car window. Even with signs customs very different than our own. Now Thursday evening as we gathered in a tiny of Dad’s girls meeting one of Asghar’s girls to the city infrastructure. Because of the that said fixed price, you could still bargain we are grown and have families of our own home of one of the local families for tea and — heart-rending. sheer growth of the population it has had and get the “special price for foreign visi- who will never really be able to know what cookies and a time to share Scripture. We sat to keep up. Many of the older sections have tors.” My overall takeaway within an hour of that life was like, but together we were able in chairs my dad had purchased for worship What are the most significant changes to been torn down and built up. Ox carts and being back in Lahore is that the hospitality to feel transported back to a very important in the ’60s, and he preached from the old the places, the people, the culture? horse-drawn tongas have been exchanged of Pakistanis is unparalleled. Wherever we place and time in our lives and see how it has lectern he had someone build during our JULIE: The walls. There are now walls for many more cars. Cell phones are every- went, in the finest areas and the poorest changed and is yet so familiar. The only part early years in Lahore. All of us cried tears of around every significant building in La- where, and people constantly stopped us to areas, we were sincerely welcomed, always. Gordon Hogan stands in what remains of the pool missing was our mama, who passed away and baptistry behind where the Hogans lived and joy being with the brethren. The work had hore — walls with massive metal gates take photos with them. We saw no foreign It was a humbling nine days that will forever worshiped in Lahore. The rest of the property is no four years ago. Having her with us would been a part of our lives so many years before, and gun-toting guards. You must make an activity anywhere, which was unusual for be etched in my heart. longer there. have made our hearts complete.

16 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 17 HARDING COVERat aSTORY DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE By HANNAH OWENS HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE hen I stepped into the office HARDING at a DISTANCE on April 16, 2020, it was like stepping back in time. Cam- HARDING at a DISTANCE pus had been nearly empty for more than a month, but I made the trip to campus to HARDING at a DISTANCE Wcomplete this story assignment — I knew writing would be more meaningful in this place. The stack of The Bison newspapers we provide for visitors to our department HARDING at a DISTANCE was still neatly sitting on the coffee table. Before I even turned on the office lights, visible from the doorway were HARDING at a DISTANCE the words “Leaving Florence” under the masthead over a photo of Florence, Italy. The headline on that issue, HARDING at a DISTANCE stamped with a date of Feb. 28, wasn’t breaking news anymore, and so much has happened since that ink first dried. As I locked in on that space above the fold, in that HARDING at a DISTANCE moment it was like time was frozen. For the first time ever, students were not rushing to chapel, classrooms HARDING at a DISTANCE were empty, and we probably made the least amount of chicken biscuits we’ve ever made. Harding was still ex- HARDING at a DISTANCE isting — still teaching, nurturing and providing — for its HARDING at a DISTANCE students, but those students were far away. HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING18 HARDING | SPRING 2020 at a DISTANCE SPRING 2020 | HARDING 19 HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE

The first report of a person who tested positive for the measures like avoiding close contact with people, especially novel 2019 coronavirus in the United States came Jan. 21, those who are sick; frequent hand washing; wearing a mask sending shockwaves through every industry across the coun- in public; cleaning and disinfecting surfaces often touched; try. But the top of the news hour was reserved for stories sur- and staying home. rounding the virus in early January when the World Health Harding’s first decision as a result of COVID-19 came Feb. Organization identified a surge in “pneumonia of unknown 26 when the announcement was made classes were suspend- cause” in Wuhan, China. The world watched as this highly ed at its study abroad program in Florence, Italy. The Univer- contagious strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, spread over sity’s decision to suspend all on-ground classes was reported city lines, international borders and continents. Words such March 12 during spring break. Faculty began transitioning as “uncertain,” “unprecedented” and “social distancing” all course materials into online learning environments, and defined this experience that tied every human on earth most students completed their coursework far from within together. Health care workers stayed where they are every the University’s classroom walls. University administrators day — on the front lines of saving and preserving human life. monitored movement of the virus in addition to state and Almost everyone else was instructed to stay home. nationwide efforts to stop the spread to ensure Harding’s According to the WHO, “Coronaviruses are a large family response aligned with guidelines and recommendations. of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In It was a spring without Spring Sing, sporting events and humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respirato- speakers. As classroom instruction went virtual, the effects ry infections ranging from the common cold to more severe of our empty campus reached far and wide. In the next few prepared for, and relationships were no less meaningful. As a ued to do what they do to make Harding the truly special diseases.” COVID-19, a completely new coronavirus, was first pages, several different voices of our community reflect on writer for Harding magazine, I’ve interviewed many people place it is. It’s great to be at Harding, even at home. discovered in a Chinese seafood and poultry market. WHO this time in history from their perspective. — students, faculty, staff and alumni. The one question says person to person exchange of the virus occurs “through Harding is a beautiful place, but this semester Harding people have the most common answer to is, “What makes EDITOR’S NOTE: Hannah Owens, director of digital media, has small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread was an experience that transcended a physical space. There Harding so special?” “The people,” most say. Harding oper- been a vital part of the magazine staff since 2011. Her contribu- when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.” The CDC were challenges and obstacles to overcome, but chapel on ated completely at a distance for the first time ever in spring tions will be sorely missed as she left the University in May for a and other health professionals communicated preventative social media was no less thoughtful, classes were no less 2020, but people — faculty, staff, students, alumni — contin- new position.

COVID-19 TIMELINE OF EVENTS AT HARDING & BEYOND

President Donald Trump Harding closes its inter- Harding announces the Faculty and staff are en- World Health announces creation of a national program in Flor- closure of its international couraged to work from President Trump signs $2 Organization announces Coronavirus Task Force ence, Italy, and students program in Greece, and home and stay off campus trillion economic stimulus a rise in pneumonia cases that would oversee and faculty return to the Gov. Asa Hutchinson con- during a partial closure Harding announces its bill to assist in relief for from an unknown cause national response to the states to complete the rest firms the first COVID-19 President Trump declares that extended for the rest May commencement will Americans financially af- in Wuhan, China. 2019 coronavirus. of the semester remotely. case in Arkansas. U.S. national emergency. of the spring semester. be rescheduled to Aug. 15. fected by the pandemic.

DEC. JAN. JAN. FEB. FEB. MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH MARCH APRIL 31 21 29 11 29 4 11 12 13 16 17 19 24 26 27 6

The first case of novel Dr. Tedros Adhanom Harding cancels all Harding shifts all Transition to online classes Harding announces online Number of active CO- Arkansas Gov. Asa coronavirus in the U.S. Ghebreyesus, director University-sponsored on-ground course delivery officially begins. course delivery will VID-19 cases in the U.S. Hutchinson announces is confirmed in general at World Health international spring break to online for two weeks, continue for the rest of surpass every other closure of all schools Washington state. Organization, gives a mission trip travel. and faculty members semester, ending all on- country in the world. statewide for the remain- name to the novel begin transitioning course campus activities sched- der of 2019-20 school year. coronavirus — COVID-19. materials to virtual learn- uled during the remainder “Co” stands for corona, “Vi” ing environments. Hard- of the spring. is for virus, “D” is for dis- ing also announces the ease and “19” represents closure of its international the year in which the virus program in Latin America.

was first identified. MONTGOMERY JEFF BY PHOTO

20 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 21 Students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents share HARDING at a DISTANCE their perspectives from the pandemic. HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE

enriching and rewarding weeks of my life. we’re learning is that OUR plans are not fail The kindness, support and love that exuded proof. We’re all in a much bigger plan, and I’m from our director had profound effects on so grateful for each step of the plan we’ve been our attitudes toward embracing everything a part of. On this trip, we’ve seen things with Learning to teach online foreign that we encountered. We got to know the least likely probability occur despite their the locals, we learned about the art and history improbability. From a worldwide virus to being IN THE TRANSITION TO TEACHING ONLINE, concern for our Sing, celebrating graduates at senior award ceremonies, and meeting of the city, but what I’ll always remember and called back home, to the descent of a random students has been the overriding theme, and we have been able to prospective students in person. what I took away from Robbie (Shackelford) fog, to unfortunate typos in an important docu- gauge what our students are feeling through the experiences of our The shift to online has been hard for professors of composition is to aggressively seek beauty every day. We ment, to the daily question of if we’d be granted own children. One, a college freshman, feels the loss of friends and classes, and they’ve accommodated by reviewing essay drafts over all took this advice and remembered it as we permission to travel — I am learning that what community, her routine and her independence. She returned home Zoom and Facetime and tracking changes in Word files, a labor-inten- walked into buildings with magnificent archi- I want to happen and what I think is the best to a world that feels a little too much like high school. Our younger sive process. I have been fortunate to offer my English classes synchro- tecture, but we also remembered to seek beauty way are not things I can hold fast to. daughter watches the milestones of her senior year of high school nously, since they are discussion based, but as I launched the first Zoom in something as simple as a grocery store or a That’s the end of the update, keep reading meeting, I wondered coffee shop. for a piece of my heart. if my students would As I wake up every morning in my house in Thank you for your prayers. We are not one attend, and if my plans Colorado, I try to seek beauty in every way pos- more thing to worry about. There are too many were even feasible sible. Because of the virus, I’ve learned a few new things that are clamoring for front and center through cameras and songs on the piano, I’m starting to read much attention right now. Instead, take hold of what internet connections. more than I used to, and I’ve learned that cooking But the class began, and has easily become one of my favorite pastimes. my picture was joined I’m also discovering that this time with my by students logging in, family is precious and that I should cherish their faces accumulat- every moment while I can. If you think about it, ing on the screen like how often does the entire world come to a halt “The Brady Bunch.” And and you get to spend time with the ones you I saw that they were love the most? I’ve used this time since coming OK, and in fact they home to discover new things about myself and were happy to see me Seeking beauty learned not to view this experience as an im- and one another, and we began class and did WHEN ASKED TO WRITE a piece for this pediment but to see it as a rare opportunity for the best we could do to magazine about my international experience growth. I hope others are doing the same. Next make this new normal at Harding University Florence being cut time you wake up, wake up with this in mind work. Seeing my stu- short due to COVID-19, I was overwhelmed and it will change your entire attitude for the dents’ faces pop onto with what I could talk about. There of course rest of your day: Aggressively seek beauty! the screen, hearing have been negative effects to coming home so JAKE RIGGS, April 22 their voices, replying early from Italy, but I am focusing attention on to their comments and how I’ve twisted the negative into something questions, brought positive by turning the whole situation to my tears to my eyes be- benefit these past couple of months. A bigger plan cause interacting with To provide an idea of what transpired lead- PERU UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your being clipped away like the limbs of a pruned tree: Her final theatre students is the best reason for choosing this line of work. ing up to us leaving, students received the news prayers and encouraging words! We are having production, prom, senior ceremonies at school and church, and In the College of Nursing, classes quickly moved to Zoom and/or that the campus in Italy was being shut down quite the time as we navigate uncertain times, graduation. Questions about the future dog her as she weighs college recorded Echo lectures. Faculty have become creative by filming their in late February just three weeks after we ar- but we are making the most of it with plenty of options. It’s easy to project their sense of loss, fear, isolation and anger own cases in our state-of-the-art simulation labs. Textbook publishers, rived in the country. After being told the news, love and community! onto our own students. especially Elsevier and F.A. Davis, scrambled to provide faculty and we spent our last few days in Florence visiting Every day of the past week has potentially Our efforts have been devoted to retooling our syllabi to make sure students with resources at discounted rates or even free of charge. museums, churches and, most importantly, dis- been our “last day” as many people have been that important student learning outcomes are met, to learning new Like Terry, seeing my students has been extremely emotional and I covering as many new gelato shops as possible working hard to get us flights back. I’m so you know to be true and hold fast! We hold technologies like Zoom and the finer points of Canvas (Harding’s learn- cried the first time we met via Zoom. The College of Nursing has many before going to the airport in Rome. To end the thankful (especially for our director and Har­ His hand, and He is guiding us everywhere we ing management platform), to finding ways to do things we take for alumni working on the front lines of this pandemic. The faculty walk experience, the amazing staff threw a banquet ding’s abroad programs) for being so diligent go. We have an opportunity to grow through granted in face-to-face interactions, to managing the emotional and the halls, looking at class composites and praying for our alumni, for everyone, which is something students usu- and hardworking! crisis. Lean into the lessons being shown to technical disruptions faced by our students. Nursing faculty have faced along with all health care professionals, who are working to save lives ally throw for staff at the end of each semester. Once again, tomorrow may be the day. The you. Instead of asking “Why?” I dare you to ask moving from hospital-based clinical hours to virtual, case-study-based and serve the Lord. It was such an emotional, raw and perfect way MOST LIKELY course of action will be to get “What?” What are you being shown, what can PHOTOS SUBMITTED clinical hours, no easy task. This all comes with the emotional drain DR. TERRY ENGEL, English department chair to end our time with each other. on a bus in the afternoon for an 18-hour ride to you learn, what are you hoping in? of empty buildings and closed office doors and canceling the events DR. LISA ENGEL (’88), Carr College of Nursing associate professor I want to make one thing unambiguous. Lima. We’ll stay in a hotel until our chartered I’m so broken, but I’m so redeemed. that highlight the spring semester, such as seeing alumni at Spring April 13 Though our time abroad was reduced sub- flight to the U.S. leaves on Sunday. GRANT COUNTESS, March 26 Facebook post stantially, those three weeks were the most Again, this is OUR plan, and something The HULA group arrived in the U.S. March 30. PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY JEFF BY PHOTO

22 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 23 HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE HARDING at a DISTANCE On the front lines MY COVID-19 EXPERIENCE is quite different compared to that of my friends and family. whose settings have continued to allow stu- number who had not been before were disap- I started college at Harding in the fall of 2016. I was accepted into the Harding College of Strengths and blessings dents have embraced them with open arms and pointed. Others, like me, who had been able to Pharmacy in the fall of 2018 and began coursework this past August. I chose to spend my THE END OF THE SPRING SEMESTER has cer- been willing to heavily invest in their training. work with the people at the City of Children senior year at Harding pursuing my first year of a doctoral program — a very unique situa- tainly not played out as anticipated for either We are utilizing an online simulation platform before were heartbroken. It wasn’t because tion! For the most part, my life remained normal. I was still active in my social club, Ju Go Ju, students or teachers at Harding University. and have invested in some new technology to preparations for our time there had been in attended semiformal, and studied on campus at Starbucks with my friends. As I taught my last class before spring break, help our students develop skills they won’t vain. Rather, it was the lost chance to see those I knew the coronavirus was bad as soon as the HUF Spring 2020 group was sent home. I I chatted with my students about their plans, have time to get in their externships this year. sweet children and help those seeking to take spent spring 2018 in Florence and couldn’t believe their experience had been taken in the encouraged them to get some much-needed Our on-campus speech clinic is now provid- care of them and teach them more about God. blink of an eye. I went on with life as normal and didn’t think much of the COVID-19 threat. rest, and looked forward to seeing them in one ing teletherapy to clients of all ages who were Last year was my first time to go on a As my friends were in their last few months of college, we spent our senior spring break short week. I didn’t expect that it would be previously being seen in the clinic, at Harding Harding-sponsored spring break mission trip Senior season at Blue Mountain Beach in Santa Rosa, Florida. We had the trip planned for months. How- many months before I saw them again. Academy, or in other clinics around the state. to the City of Children. Several of my close ON THURSDAY, March 12, 2020, the entire ever, everything changed for me on March 12. My friends and I were sitting on the beach As I’ve talked with both graduate and un- Our clinic is free, so we don’t have to deal with friends, knowing how much I enjoy being with college sports world came to a halt, including when we received an email from Dr. McLarty that school would be held online indefinitely. dergraduate students, I hear many of the same insurance issues that can make service delivery children, had asked me to join their group the immediate suspension of all Great Ameri- Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. concerns. Spotty internet, missing motivation challenging in other places. Making these can Conference games. Since I was in pharmacy school, my lasts of college weren’t really over. Technically they and elusive time management skills are com- changes quickly has allowed us to keep these The previous Monday, March 9, everything were, but since I had 3 ½ years of school ahead of me, I wasn’t in the same position as my mon challenges for students across all levels of students on track for an on-time graduation — seemed normal. We were going to head to Okla- friends. I wasn’t in search of a job or an apartment learning. In addition to these hurdles, graduate we are all very proud of that. homa Baptist University on Thursday, play four to live in like all of my 14 friends on the trip with me. students are facing other worries. In our mas- My role in academia during this experience games, and come back home late Saturday night. They were devastated. Wedding showers, social club ter’s program for speech-language pathology, has revealed numerous strengths and blessings We practiced like normal on Tuesday amid formals and our last Spring Sing were taken from us. I might not have seen in absence of a global growing concerns about the virus and what was It was a hard reality to face. We were forced to say pandemic. I am so proud of the CSD faculty going to happen. Wednesday, the whole team our goodbyes and depart forever without a gradua- and the creative diligence they’ve shown in heard about March Madness and the teams tion to celebrate or senior tea (a Ju Go Ju tradition) support of our students. Faculty have gone playing with no crowd. Thursday, we went out to commemorate our four years in the social club above and beyond all expectations to help our to practice, wondering if it would be our last. that gave so much to us. It was very sad and surreal. students graduate on time without sacrificing As a senior, I was terrified. I may have As we parted ways and began our new normals the quality of their training. Our students have played my last game of softball ever, and I did at home, my normal didn’t really change. As a phar- demonstrated a determination and resilience not even know it at the time. We all felt so macy intern at Walgreens in Searcy, I went on with they might not have known they possessed. many emotions that day. My fellow seniors and life as normal, working long hours in the pharmacy I see students advocating for themselves and heading to Ensenada. They were not mistaken. I were in shock when head coach Phil Berry with the fear of contracting COVID-19 through each paying close attention to the national dialogue As an elementary education major, I thoroughly broke the news. He told us at the beginning person I encountered. I have actually been work- surrounding changing practice patterns, infec- enjoyed preparing materials and lessons for our of practice to think of it as the last one. It was ing almost full time since COVID-19 hit Arkansas. tion control and quickly-evolving evidence to time there and spending spring break forming overwhelming in so many ways. We also got We have changed many policies at Walgreens, but support best practices in patient care. Faculty relationships with those precious children. news of the Harding campus shutting down every time I walk in the store I remain terrified of are utilizing new technologies and finding ad- That’s why I was so excited to return this and transitioning to online. catching the virus. While everyone else gets to shelter in place safely in their own homes, I ditional ways to deliver course content. While I year and see them all again! Even though we People in sports always say, “Play every cannot. I am on the front lines of this pandemic. It is scary and it is real. graduates must demonstrate academic knowl- hope we never live through another pandemic, spoke different languages, we were still able to game like it’s going to be your last.” As athletes, My professors, classmates and friends have been so encouraging and uplifting during edge and clinical skills across a wide scope of the resourcefulness and flexibility that’s being interact with one another and build friendships we hear it so often, but we don’t truly under- this time. I am so happy that I chose Harding to continue my education to become a phar- practice before they are eligible for professional uncovered now will undoubtedly serve each of — not to mention the fact that their precious stand what it means. For most of us, we know macist. The only thing getting me through this time is my faith. God remains in control and credentials. They also must log a minimum of us well when life returns to normal. smiles could melt your heart. I began looking when our last game is going to be. At least, I confide in that. A verse that I have kept close to my heart during this time is Philippians 400 hours of direct client contact. DR. MELANIE MEEKER (’95), Communication forward to returning this year as soon as our we think we know. My last game of my senior 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with To assist in meeting these requirements, Sciences and Disorders chair, April 9 group left last March. season had already been played in Durant, thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all LEFT PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY. RIGHT PHOTO SUBMITTED externship placements are a significant part Next year at this time, I will be in the middle Oklahoma, against Southeastern Oklahoma. understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” of our training program. As concern over the of my student teaching semester with gradua- Harding softball had five seniors this year HANNAH JONES, Pharm.D. candidate class of 2023, April 2 novel coronavirus increased over break, many tion only a couple of months away, making this whose final season was cut short: Katie Carney, sites where SLP students were placed for ex- Missing her mission my last opportunity to go on a spring break mis- Lindsey Duncan, Aidan Nichols, Mary Mills ternships were not able to continue supervising LIKE MANY AROUND THE NATION, my recent sion trip as an undergraduate student. However, Lochala and me. This group of seniors poured our students. These decisions left students and travel plans were canceled at the last minute. I you can be sure that I will be looking for other everything we had into Lady Bison softball, and 2019 and brought her passion for the game. We will be honoring the four seniors at Family faculty looking for valid and creative ways to had planned to spend my spring break serving chances to go back to the City of Children. we wanted to accomplish so much. Katie, Lind- Soon after the cancellation of the season, we Weekend in the fall. help students complete requirements for licen- the residents of the City of Children in Ensena- Plans change. Things far beyond our control sey and I had been at Har­ding since our fresh- waited to hear about eligibility relief for spring I can’t wait to see what Harding softball ac- sure. The timeline has been especially tight for da, Mexico. However, my mission group was happen, but one thing remains the same — man year. We were a part of the team that won sport seniors. We found out that Division II complishes during the 2021 season. This whole our May graduates, many of whom have already told that due to concerns regarding the spread God’s love for us. He will see us through this a conference championship, hosted and won a was allowing seniors to return for a fifth year. situation has enhanced my mindset. Every time accepted jobs around the state and nation. of COVID-19, there may be potential border time of uncertainty and will provide for the City regional, and hosted a super regional. We were While the other seniors already have jobs lined I step on the field next year, I will not take it for To meet these challenges, we have utilized closures. The University, desiring to keep our of Children in the absence of foreign helpers. Of one out away from heading to the world series. up and weddings to plan, I have decided to granted. I want to play my last season for my our willing community partners to a larger group safe, decided it was not prudent for us that I am certain, no matter the circumstance. Aidan joined us in 2018 and made an immedi- come back for a fifth year and start my Master group of seniors who didn’t get to finish theirs. degree than ever before. Speech pathologists to travel to Mexico at this time. Those of our BRILEY SAUNDERS, April 12 ate impact on the team. Mary Mills joined us in of Business Administration through Harding. BRILEY FERINGA, April 10 LEFT PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY. RIGHT PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO RIGHT MONTGOMERY. JEFF BY PHOTO LEFT

24 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 25 attention is now devoted to helping students HARDING at a DISTANCE Inform, record, connect vacate those same dorms. HARDING at a DISTANCE WHEN THE 2019-20 SCHOOL year began, we I would be lying if I said this wasn’t disap- HARDING at a DISTANCE took a long look at the purpose of The Bison pointing or even frustrating. Projects we had newspaper within Harding’s community. I was worked passionately on for months had to be honored to be leading this publication, and I put on hold just when we had been racing to did not take the responsibility lightly. As a staff, complete them before the transition into a new we decided our purpose was twofold. First and SA administration. Still, we didn’t have much foremost, we serve to inform the current com- time to grieve these potentially forgotten proj- Upside down munity. Secondly, we serve to record history for ects. The responsibilities of the SA did not stop when we left campus. MARCH 5 Upon landing, they will quarantine for two weeks at a dear friend’s the communities to come. We laid out our new objectives as the fol- I landed in Dallas to work some labor and delivery shifts to aid lake house in Texas. Would you believe our friends hurriedly prepared the Inform and record. Along with an amazing lowing: assisting students (as well as the rest of in our ability to get a home loan. This was a step in the preparation place and stocked it with some groceries in advance of them arriving? team of fellow students and our faculty advi- the Harding community) in this transition and process as we transition back to America in June 2020. I was supposed Next they’ll visit family and we’re not sure what things look like sor, April Fatula, we spent our days on campus maintaining the most essential SA functions to be here for two weeks. beyond that. informing and recording. It became second remotely. The first objective required that we Then the coronavirus exponentially wreaked havoc across the world. I am in NYC working a crisis response assignment and begin tomor- nature — almost routine. — we feel it, too. Because of that, The Bison has focus on current dilemmas — working with the MARCH 20 row. It’s a ghost town here as I’m sure When we learned over spring break that we tried to connect our community through the Office of Student Life to help students move out We learned that my flight back most places are at this point. A local would not be returning to campus, we were stories and information we share. of campus residence halls as well as coordinat- to Rwanda was cancelled. Rwanda guy here told me, “Nurses are the shocked, just as most students were. It didn’t Inform. Record. Connect. Working with The ing with the provost to educate students and closed its borders and suspended air firefighters of 9/11,” which was like a feel real. With such news though, The Bison Bison newspaper this year has shown me the faculty about online class etiquette and proto- travel, leaving me trapped here and punch to the gut. needed to serve both its purposes: to inform power of such simple, yet critical, purposes. It cols. While these all dealt with current issues, my family across the world. FEMA has brought in hundreds of and record. has been an honor to serve the community in the scope of our other objective focused more When U.S. embassy staff and Peace nurses. We’ve been told we’ll be in a For the next several weeks, as Harding’s this capacity, now more than ever. on the future of the Student Association. Corp volunteers were recalled from hospital setting or drive-thru testing situation continued to develop, The Bison EMILY NICKS, The Bison editor-in-chief, In one of my first virtual meetings with Dr. Rwanda and evacuated to the U.S., the site. I have no idea what I’m walking team continued to work. Spread across the April 12 James Huff, one of the SA faculty advisors, we urgency began to rear its head. into. OK, I have some idea based on country, we made phone calls and sent emails. agreed that our most fundamental responsibil- Then the word “indefinite” began the media. We edited stories virtually and came up with a ity for the time remaining was conducting a circulating from our U.S. Embassy refer- I walked to get groceries from my new system. We were in the beginning stages Transition mode fair and accessible election. We held interest encing Rwanda’s closure. This terminol- hotel and Times Square is empty. It’s of unprecedented times at Harding. More than I WAS IN UTAH ON A SKI TRIP when I heard meetings via Zoom, spent hours communicat- ogy meant our family could potentially surreal. Oh, how I ache for the home- ever before, we felt the need to inform our that we were not returning to campus after ing with all interested students and relevant be separated for many months. less, addicted and those with mental community and record history. spring break. Immediately, I switched into administrators and staff, and updated our MARCH 21 health issues living on the streets. Now, we’ve begun to settle into the new nor- Student Association mode and began calling intent to file forms and candidacy petitions to The most logical yet gut-wrench- I walked past several with a strong mal. As we all dealt with our personal emotions the other executive officers and our faculty Google Forms so candidates could run for office ing decision was to have Eric and the cough and also know that living in and feelings about the semester’s strange evolu- advisors. Before long, we in the Student Asso- from all over the world. As I write this, our kids depart Rwanda immediately. community is so dangerous for them. tion, we figured out how to continue our work. ciation Council and our advisors agreed these online election for the SA Council of 2020-21 is Within 24 hours Eric packed up Yesterday the news reported one New As a senior, I especially struggled with persever- circumstances called for a reassessment of our underway, and our advisors have informed me our entire home and life in six boxes Yorker dying per hour here. ing through the emotional challenge of knowing priorities. With the representatives no longer that voter turnout is excellent considering our to depart on one of the (if not THE) I have a small arsenal of essential my final weeks as a Harding student would take on campus, it would be impossible for the 12 SA situation. I am glad to say the torch is nearly last flights departing the country. My oils that I’ve been practically bathing place away from the campus and community I committees to continue pursuing their projects passed, and the Student Association of our enneagram type one and perfection- in and dousing the inside of my face had grown to love over four years. However, we and proposals. More importantly, the current great school will outlast this pandemic. ism took a big hit here not to be per- mask with. Ginger shots, eating gluten knew there was still work to be done. circumstances rendered many of our projects Moving forward, we will continue doing sonally present to urgently pack our free/sugar free, probiotics, vitamins, For the second half of the spring semester, temporarily moot. For example, the Technol- what we can to support the students and entire home and life. Far from ideal. apple cider vinegar, etc. — all the we met with our writers and staff members via ogy Committee’s initiative to put printers in administration during this challenging season. Eric walked around the house videoing while asking what I wanted to feels. And the incredible power of prayer covers. I’m gonna ward off video conference calls instead of in the office. the lobbies of dorms is much less relevant if all Until the end of our term, we will carry on the keep ... uh all of it. But not possible. corona with all I got. I won’t get sick without a strong fight first. We uploaded new stories and content to The types of tasks I already mentioned, and we will Meaningful goodbyes, visiting places one last time, hugging We couldn’t secure the paperwork in time to bring our dog and Link every Friday. We even established The almost certainly gain more. The most encourag- friends and so much more were not an option. best friend, Sarge, with us. That’s also a huge blow as we call him our Bison’s first e-newsletter, sent to our subscrib- ing part of our situation is this: everyone wants The last 24 hours have been unexpected, emotional and trying. This “working dog.” His gentle and tolerant nature would have brought ers’ inboxes Friday mornings with the week’s to help. A class of public relations students has abrupt departure has been brutal; we never imagined eight years of such calm and peace to our kids if he were journeying with us. And top stories. dedicated the rest of their semester to helping mission work overseas ending like this. We’ve read the books, listened who am I kidding, he’s my therapy dog, too. He’s in excellent hands We have a new process, and our product looks us keep the student body connected via social to seminars, and learned from others all about “leaving well.” Apparently with dear friends, and we hope to figure out a way to get him back as different. However, our purpose remains the media, and I have seen other remarkable acts we failed to factor in a world pandemic to our carefully planned exit. soon as possible. same. We inform our community, now spread of kindness and generosity done by people at Oddly enough, back in 2012, when we first stepped foot off the In short, this has turned things upside down for us as it has for across the world. We record history, knowing Harding and in the worldwide community plane as long-term missionaries on foreign soil, we were in Wuhan. We everyone. We’re tremendously grateful to all the folks who’ve helped that many will be reading our words for years to recently. All in all, while none of this is what I were later led to Rwanda after being in China for several years. What a our family along the way. It takes a village for sure. We’re so deeply come as a documentation of this time. ever expected for my closing chapter at Hard- treasured journey this has been. sorry for the missed goodbyes. We painfully grieve this sudden loss; Through the process, we’ve also discovered PHOTO SUBMITTED ing, I have witnessed encouraging blessings The guys are currently flying in the air. I told the kids that it’s not a it feels surreal. a third purpose, just as important as the first throughout it. I find solace in Mordecai’s advice matter of IF they’ll come in direct contact with corona but how many WENDY GREEN DAVENPORT (’00) two. In this confusing, uncertain time, The to Esther that perhaps our generation was times as they travel internationally. March 23 Facebook post Bison serves to connect. We know how easy it is to feel completely cut off from the commu- raised for such a time as this.

TOP PHOTO SUBMITTED, BOTTOM PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY JEFF BY PHOTO BOTTOM SUBMITTED, PHOTO TOP nity during this time. We’re students ourselves MICHAEL KRUPKA, SA president, April 11

26 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 27 Surrounded HARDING at a DISTANCE AS I SAW THE EMAIL March 12, 2020, asking HARDING at a DISTANCE students not to come back to campus until Stuck in the states HARDING at a DISTANCE further notice, I was in disbelief. At the time, it AFTER I GRADUATED IN 2018, I moved to a city in China to teach English. The population seemed confusing. Why were such drastic mea- of the city was just over 11 million, yet it was relatively unknown to the western world at sures being taken when I was just at church semester, those who needed items from their not take it for granted. We also experienced the the time. Nobody would have guessed that a year and a half later my little neighborhood of the evening before? As I continued reading room immediately, and those who needed to separation on a greater scale when our daugh- Wuhan would be the epicenter of a worldwide pandemic. the email, I saw that Spring Sing was being work out a place for their belongings to remain ter went to Harding University Latin America. At the end of December, some of my students told me about a virus infecting people postponed until on-campus classes resumed. all summer. There is a certain amount of jealousy regarding and that I should protect myself. At While this was encouraging to see, I knew A huge thank you to the assistant deans our time with her. Right now we are loving the time, it was still very new and my that no matter what Spring Sing looked like, who each fielded hundreds of emails and having her at home! Both of her grandfathers students didn’t know how to explain it wouldn’t be the same. However, I knew the continue to remain immediately available to are at high risk due to health issues, so the call everything in English. Despite not know- producers were doing everything they could to students near and far, administrative assistants to adhere to prevention strategies is especially ing exactly why, I began wearing my face work it out, and as a Spring Sing director, this who weathered the immediate response of meaningful at our house. However, there is a masks more often and spending less provided a beacon of hope for me. increased communication and continue to bittersweetness to this whole COVID-19 thing. time in group settings. I, along with many A few days passed, and I continuously manage normal tasks while being away from Being apart from her fiance and other others, was not aware of the number checked the Spring Sing directors Facebook the conveniences of the office, residence life close friends is not ideal, but they are coping. of people infected and how serious the page. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to coordinators who were ready at a moment’s virus was at the time. find out something, whether it was good or notice and continue to assist students in the My semester ended following the bad. Waiting was the hardest part, not knowing residence halls while honoring CDC guidelines, first week of January. I stayed in China a whether I needed to be making a checklist of Residence Life who had to adjust the entire fall week longer to travel, and then I went on the things to do as soon as I got back to campus. housing assignment process, Campus Life who a preplanned trip back to the U.S. Even On March 19, 2020, a week after we had got- created options for students to stay plugged though I already planned to go to the Modify and adjust ten the news about postponing on-campus in via online interactions, games and competi- states, I was only supposed to be there I ALWAYS ANTICIPATE SEEING activities, we got the news about Spring Sing everyone the tions, and the Office of Disability Services and for a couple of weeks. I only packed one being cancelled. I knew what was coming next: Monday following spring break. I include a Educational Access who continue to make sure suitcase and a carry-on full of things I online classes for the rest of the semester. prayer of safety and that all students will finish all students have the support they need. didn’t need in China anymore. Almost At first, I was angry. How could this be strong. In this case, it is the truest form of a To our students, we truly miss you being on everything I own is still in my apartment happening the year that I decided to be Spring never-ending prayer. The students are always on campus. We are praying for you daily and en- in Wuhan. Sing director? I had put in a year of work for my mind but never before at this level as we are courage you to stay strong in your studies. Please Once I arrived in Arkansas, I realized the magnitude of COVID-19. My friends and stu- this show and it seemed like it was so quickly all missing the relationship-driven approach to look for us on Instagram @HUDeanTeam. We’re dents in China have been giving me updates daily. Wuhan began quarantine in January. In taken away. everything we do in the Office of Student Life. hopeful it creates another way for us to stay China, especially Wuhan, quarantining looks much different than social distancing or even When the decision was made to move to connected. I’m confident we will all be stronger stay-at-home orders here in the states. It started with closing public transportation, trains an online format until further notice, IS&T than ever after we walk through this surreal She moved out of her apartment the second and flights. Then it expanded to instituting specific, limited times people could leave their assisted us in having [email protected] time together. Please do not hesitate to reach out. weekend in April. There was no celebration or homes. By February, the government was delivering food to each community — no one made accessible by all of the deans. Informa- Hope to see you soon. hugging and crying together with her room- could enter or leave. Throughout the past couple of months, quarantining has become tional updates were being sent to students via #BisonsTogether mates of three and four years and her many more severe. email and posted on the COVID-19 webpage, ZACH NEAL (’01), assistant vice president classmates and club sisters. There was no Through these strict quarantining measures, Wuhan seems to be improving. Starting on but every student has a specific, unique situ- for Student Life, April 11 four-part harmony in the Benson Auditorium April 8, China began to lift domestic travel restrictions. While life seems to somewhat nor- ation, thus creating the understandable need or post-graduation shake at Frozen D’s as in malize for Chinese residents, foreigners are still restricted from entering China. to ask questions. We wanted to be able to give years past. The thing that makes Har­ding so This entire situation has been difficult for millions of people for multiple reasons. As personal responses. We received close to 1,500 special — camaraderie — is the thing that is for the expats in China, everyone’s struggling in different ways. Some of my American emails within five days of the announcement. Drawing you back being altered so drastically. friends are still stuck in their apartments in Wuhan. The rest, including myself, are stuck in I’m also pretty sure the phone rang every two CORONAVIRUS HAS THROWN a big monkey Fortunately, Harding has a way of draw- the states. Currently, like many people, I am without a job, not knowing when or if I’ll ever minutes on that first day as administrative wrench in everyone’s plans. The loss of the last ing you back. My wife and I were away for return to my second home in Wuhan. assistants managed and directed each call. two months of her senior year at Har­ding is several years after graduation. Medical school Even though I trust that God has this all under control, that doesn’t make it hurt any When the decision was made to remain very disappointing for my daughter Hannah, and “life” took us away from Searcy, but since less. For now I’m social distancing like everyone else and appreciating my time with family. online for the semester, a Google form was and there is nothing my wife and I can do about our daughter has been a student, the familiar I still pray that somehow and someday I will return to my Chinese home and my sweet created for students to sign up for a day and it. Our sympathy for her loss is profound. We warmth of the campus (though significantly friends in China. As the news came out to all the students time frame to retrieve belongings and check are all adjusting to a new normal. different than 1995) immediately welcomed about on-campus classes not resuming, my ABIGAIL COOPER (’18), April 8 out while honoring CDC guidelines. The next As a family physician, I am learning tele- us back. I suspect each of the 2020 graduates co-directors and I compiled messages for the major step in our modify and adjust plan was health strategies to meet patients’ needs. Our will experience a sense of unfinished business participants of our show. It was heartbreaking to the day it was determined that we needed to daughter is finishing her degree from Har­ding due to COVID-19 forced changes. Thankfully, I type our farewells and gratitude posts so soon, suspend the retrieval of belongings for a tem- and our other two children are learning remote- know they will each be welcomed back in fu- but we all knew it was for the best. Past Spring blessing in disguise. I am thankful for God because he offers hope porary time with the goal of reducing the risk ly, as well. E-learning takes place all over the ture visits to campus, as we have been. For our Sing directors, participants and club members While it was hard to grasp at the time, I am for something better. While we are uncertain of PHOTOS SUBMITTED of exposure for campus, the Searcy community, house, video chatting with family and friends is family, our youngest son plans to be a freshman reached out to check on us. While the Harding so thankful for a university that was proactive the day that we will reunite here on Earth, we and to individual students traveling. nearly constant, and even church is remote. Our in 2021, so we look forward to many more trips community couldn’t physically reach their arms in keeping us all safe. I am thankful for profes- look forward to the day we will all be together We have done our best to respond to the poor router is pushed to its limits, I am sure. to Harding in the future. out and support us during this time, I felt so sors who were understanding and patient with in heaven. concerns of all students, from the students who Being nine hours away from Harding has ANDY (’94) and ANDREA PORTER CHUNN (’95), did not have another option where to live this conditioned us to value our time together and Loveland, Ohio, April 14 surrounded. I started to see that this was a us as we adjusted to new routines. Most of all, BRIANNA ALLMAN, April 12 LEFT PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY, RIGHT PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO RIGHT MONTGOMERY, JEFF BY PHOTO LEFT

28 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 29 Send us your news! Let us know about your wedding, a birth, job change, promotion, award, retirement, etc. Email your items to [email protected] or write Connections Harding University, Office of Alumni Relations, Box 10768, Searcy, AR 72149-5615.

had numerous articles published, sponsored the 1970 Junior Civitan Club, coached high school teams 1987 James W. Carr was appointed to the U.S. Com- Kevin Ward became a certified professional coder to four straight International Economic Summit PROFILE | SARAH FELPS SCHECTER mission on International Religious Freedom. He first-place titles, and competed in marathons. He and certified professional medical auditor in 2019. Faith in action is currently president and and his wife, Debbie, live in Dickson, Tennessee. He is employed at the University of Michigan as ARAH FELPS SCHECTER (’84) FOUND that stepping Despite having her family’s full support, Schecter said it wasn’t until chairman of Highland Home a revenue specialist, website administrator and out in faith and trusting in God’s plan ended up being parent teacher conferences a month later that she fully committed. Holdings, a Dallas-based medical coder for the Department of Neurology. different than anything she had ever imagined. “One of Nate’s kid’s teachers had said she would like for me to be there. investment fund. Before his 1984 S For more than two decades, Schecter has worked To me, that was God saying, ‘Sarah, you need to do this. Stop putting it off.’” retirement from Harding in Kyle Beaty retired as an equity shareholder in the in education, and for the last 10 years she has served After the conference was over, Schecter pulled Amenze aside and 2019, he served as executive Dallas law firm of Winstead PC, following a 32- 1991 as the principal of the lower grades at The Oakridge School, a private told her that she felt she was supposed to be the person to give her kid- vice president and professor of year career specializing in commercial mortgage- Bryan Jackson has been named chief administra- business. In 2015, he was ap- backed securitizations. Prior to joining Winstead, tive officer of Jefferson Regional in Pine Bluff, school in Arlington, Texas. ney to Nate and would do what was needed to get on the donation list. pointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas he was a managing director at Nomura Securities, Arkansas, where he has served as chief financial “I love my kids. They are sweet, smart, fun and always ready to learn.” After several months, Schecter was called and quickly found out Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he The Bank of New York and Washington Mutual officer since 2011. He is a Fellow of the Healthcare As head of the lower school, Schecter forms relationships with both she was a perfect match. However, it wasn’t until the following school now serves as chairman. He also has served on the Bank, and a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave. Financial Management Association. He and his students and their parents. During year, in November 2019, that Schecter received the call. board of directors of World Christian Broadcast- wife, Charlotte Baird, live in White Hall, Arkansas. fall 2018, she had a conversation with What had just been a possibility was now a reality. The pieces ap- ing since 1993 and from 2006-11 he served on the John M. Brown received his Ed.D. from University Karen DeWoody Roberts was honored with the Amenze Jones, the mother of three peared to be coming together seamlessly, but Schecter said it wasn’t National Security Education Board. He serves on of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, West Virginia. 2019 Gayle Pettus Pontz award from the University students, that left her thinking. an easy journey. the executive board of the Quapaw Council of the He teaches at Greenup County High School and of Arkansas School of Law Women’s Law Student Boy Scouts of America, on the board of Arkansas also is an adjunct instructor at Ashland Communi- “I asked Amenze how her summer “There were some hard days in there. About a week before the surgery Association. She received her J.D. in 1995. She is State Chamber of Commerce, and on the business ty and Technical College and Kentucky Christian was going and she said OK, but her an- date I started getting a little antsy and nervous and having some doubts.” executive vice president and general counsel for board of First Community Bank. He and his wife, University. He serves as minister for the Church swer seemed a bit flat, and that didn’t Those doubts quickly dispersed when Schecter’s church family, the Walmart Inc. where she oversees the legal depart- Susan Housley (’80), have three children. of Christ in Olive Hill, Kentucky. He and his wife, seem like her. So I said what’s going Hills Church of Christ, organized a prayer circle at her house a week Dana, live in Flatwoods, Kentucky. ment. She was previously executive vice president on, and she just spilled the beans and before her surgery. and president of Walmart Realty. She serves on the said they were really struggling.” “They prayed for every aspect of the surgery — it was amazing. Af- 1972 Vicki Cole Clayton is chief information officer of Mercy Northwest Arkansas Community Board and Generations Bank in Rogers, Arkansas. She has the Northwest Arkansas Council. She is a previous Schecter learned Amenze’s hus- ter that, I was excited. After that, all my worries, doubts and fears were Mark Sperry recently published God’s Secret of served as information technology officer at the board member for Mercy Health Foundation North- band, Nate, had been having health totally behind me, and I never had a second thought.” Happiness. It’s a short book encouraging the reader bank since March 2018. She previously was infor- west Arkansas. She is a member of the Arkansas Bar issues. What started out as a possible Schecter said the entire journey has been an opportunity not only to redefine happiness through the use of Scripture. mation technology officer at Heartland Bank of Association and the American Bar Association. She vision problem turned into an immediate visit to urgent care, a two- to listen and learn to hear God better but to obey and act on what he He and his wife, Nadara, live in Texarkana, Texas. Little Rock for 20 years and information systems and her husband, Richie, have two daughters. week hospital stay, and being put on dialysis. is calling her to do in any given moment. manager for Lockheed Martin for nine years. “When I first talked to Amenze, Nate was already on dialysis. I “Just like the old song says, ‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, 1978 1993 couldn’t believe it. I saw him on field day, and he looked fine. It just to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’ As soon as I obeyed, the Lanny Dauksch retired after 40 years in public ed- seemed ridiculous that you could go from a normal, healthy looking happiness in Jesus was there, and that’s how it’s been all along.” Steven McRoberts has been hired to lead the Mis- ucation. For 35 years, he coached high school foot- ’99 person, to someone who’s on dialysis in just a few weeks.” This not only has had an impact on Schecter’s life but the lives of souri State volleyball program. He comes to Mis- ball taking teams to 13 state championship games. I got into the Schecter said it was after that conversation that she felt God was her students. Her hope is that one day they will remember this experi- souri State after a six-year tenure at the University He was inducted into the Arkansas Coaches Hall calling her to do more than just pray for the family. And, after learning ence and listen to God’s voice in their own lives. of Mississippi, where he guided the Rebels to the of Fame in 2015 and the West Memphis Athletic industry of athletics 2017 National Invitational Volleyball Champion- that Nate had been placed on the donor list, that tug grew stronger. “I have 145 students in lower school and I hope and would love it if Hall of Fame in 2019. He and his wife, Penny, have ship title. In 23 years as a collegiate head coach, “I just kept feeling heavily like I was the person who was supposed 20 or 30 years from now many of them have donated a kidney or liver been married 34 years and have two children, because of the including 15 at the Division I level, he owns a 587- to do this. It was weird. I discounted and ignored it because it didn’t or whatever science allows them to donate or even just their time, love Megan and Cody. They attend Pine Street Church 245 (.706) overall record with 21 winning seasons make sense I would be the person to help because I am not close and attention.” of Christ in Heber Springs, Arkansas. positive impact a and 19 years with 20 or more victories. A 10-time friends with them, and I have never even thought about being a donor.” Putting your hope in God and God alone can impact your life in coach had on me. conference coach of the year, his teams have won Schecter kept tabs on the family through the fall, prayerful that ways you can’t even imagine. Schecter says she feels this more and 1982 a combined 13 conference regular season, tourna- Nate’s health would swing back the other way, and he would recover. more as she grows older. ment and national postseason tournament titles. Lori Deacon married Daniel Arnold on June 1, That impact allowed By Christmas Nate wasn’t any better, so she approached her husband “Nearly all of us have these crazy ideas, but because we are so He has mentored a total of 20 All-Americans, 64 2018. Lori retired from the Ohio Department of and two children about being a donor. She was surprised at how pragmatic and on our own schedule, we refuse to hear them. It’s been all-conference players, 11 conference players of Health, and Daniel works for the Ohio Depart- me to grow at a quickly they were on board. one of the highlights of my life and to think that if I hadn’t listened and the year, 12 academic All-Americans, and 29 total ment of Medicaid. The couple reside in Columbus specialty award winners at the conference level. “All three of them were like, ‘You’ve got to do it. If God put this on your followed through, I would have missed out on it completely.” with their daughter, Charis. pivotal time in my He and his wife, Stacy, have three children: Jack- heart, you have to do it. At least get checked to see if you are a match.’” — Katie Clement Mark Horsley son, Nathaniel, and Mollie. was inducted into the West Union life. I enjoy trying to PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY (Ohio) High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 17, 2020. He ran track for four years at WUHS and help support similar 2001 support systems. He previously was the director therapist. She is owner of Campbell Counseling was the first cross-country state qualifier from Ad- 1999 of IT at LifeCare Health Partners. Group. They also have a daughter, Finleigh Grace. Kyle Johnson has joined Nobis Rehabilitation ams County and the first individual state qualifier Jason Carmichael is California State University opportunities for Partners as director of information technology. Ben (’02) and Kristina Watkins Stephens announce at WUHS. He spent 32 years teaching history at East Bay athletic director. He completed his With nearly two decades as an IT professional the adoption of twin boys Nov. 26, 2019. Lucas Bar- Dickson County High School and has been a min- master’s degree in physical education, health and 2003 our student athletes. in health care, he oversees the architecture and rett and Carter Ellis were born Dec. 25, 2017. Kris- ister in the church of Christ for 20 years. He has recreation from Emporia State University. Amy Cooper has been inducted into the 2019-20

PHOTO SUBMITTED PHOTO tina is a licensed professional counselor and play — Jason Carmichael implementation of all operational and business Women in Industry inaugural class. She is the

30 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 31 Connections Connections

public information officer for the North Little Collin and Katherine Fittz Harwell announce the through the North Texas Area United Way and is a Rock, Arkansas, Police Department, where she 2005 2006 2007 birth of a son, Andrew Oliver, Oct. 26, 2019. They member of the Junior League of Wichita Falls. assists with the reporting and communicating of Philip (’06) and Amy Eichman White announce Harold and Mary Cunningham Steiner announce Brett (’08) and Amy Jones McGohan announce also have a daughter, Ella Ruth. Heath Houtchens is a nurse practitioner and one of major events in the community. She also is re- the birth of a son, Ezra Ceola, Jan. 10, 2020. Philip the birth of a son, Harold Lee Steiner IV, Jan. 28, the birth of a son, Chance Carter, Nov. 26, 2019. Caleb and Ashley Ward Mitchen announce the two faculty leaders at Baptist Health Urgent Care sponsible for completing Freedom of Information is a manager at a plywood mill and sawmill, and 2020. The couple also have twin daughters, Kath- They also have another son, Charlie Grayson. birth of a daughter, Rachel Jane, Oct. 4, 2019. Caleb in Little Rock, Arkansas. He earned a Master of Sci- Act requests among other duties. Amy is a homemaker. They have two other sons. ryn and Clara. is a national account executive for Keurig Dr. Pep- ence in Nursing from Harding in 2019. He and his 2008 per, and Ashley is a director of operations in fi- wife, Anne Fitzgerald (’15), have a daughter. Kristie Miller Finley received an MSN-FNP from nance at Walmart Inc. They also have a son, Luke. Bradley University in December 2019. She works Small agency, big impact PROFILE | MAT FAULKNER 2019 for Southern Arizona Orthopedics. She and her 2012 AT FAULKNER (’02) IS THE FOUNDER and chief idea messaging and communication in a creative, swift and engaging man- husband, Sam, have two children and live in Tucson. Mason Banger is the assistant men’s golf coach Nathan Baskett received the Rotary Club’s teach- at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was a officer of Think Idea Studio, a full-service marketing ner. With regard to the COVID-19 crisis, our first step was to identify er recognition award for winter quarter 2019-20, three-time All-Great American Conference selec- agency based in Searcy. Mat met his wife, Shelley Law- segments of the community who were being immediately adversely 2009 along with a plaque and $1,000 to spend on class- tion and 2018 PING All-Central Region recipient M son, at Harding, and they have three sons. Think Idea impacted and create and implement ways to encourage the commu- Seth Woodason is director of sports and rec- room needs. He teaches sixth grade at McKinley at Harding. Studio began with Faulkner working as a freelance nity to support each other.” reational facilities at Rose-Hulman Institute of Elementary School in the Santa Barbara (Califor- Bronson Crabtree is a junior videographer at Sells graphic designer during school, expanded to a home-based agency In late March and early April, Faulkner and the Think team or- Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he nia) School District. He received his M.A. from Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he in- offering graphic design, web design and photography, and eventually ganized a COVID-19 press conference at City Hall; organized and oversees the operation, maintenance and sched- the University of Southern California. terned. He is married to Sydney Warren. grew into the award-winning team and agency it is today. executed a community Park ‘n’ Pray event where thousands came to uling of the Sports and Recreation Center and Ben Caudill was named head football coach for In 2014, the Faulkners purchased Robbins-Sanford Mercantile in Unity Health to encourage doctors and nurses; partnered with Burrito athletic facilities. A member of the SRC staff since Robyn Terry is working as a global classroom lan- Stewart Creek (Tennessee) High School where he 2015, he formerly worked at athletic facilities for guage assistant in Madrid, Spain, for the 2019-20 Searcy’s Main Street district. The downstairs space continued operations Day and facilitated over 30 small business owners’ families receiving previously served as defensive coordinator and University of Evansville and Gonzaga University. school year. She teaches English and history and as an event center, while the upstairs was reno- free fresh groceries; helped (to date) 33 small businesses with an in- taught math. Before working at Stewarts Creek, He earned a master’s degree in recreation and runs the Model United Nations program. vated in 2016 to become home to Think Idea flux of revenue through the “Cash Mob” program by encouraging the he served on the coaching staff at Brentwood High sports management from Indiana State. He and Studio and other loft tenant office spaces. Think community to support certain businesses all at one time; marketed a School. He and his wife, Alice, have two sons, his wife, Jessica, have two children. had been providing pro bono design services T-shirt fundraiser aiding a few dozen small businesses through shirt George and Max. to Main Street Searcy for several years, but their sales; and launched a “Big Bloomin’ Weekend” campaign to beautify Passages Ashley Shelton received a master’s in public A. Earl Priest (’42), 97, of Memphis, Tennessee, presence on the square catapulted Faulkner’s the community and help bring revenue to small businesses that sell 2010 administration from George Mason University in died Nov. 9, 2019. He married Willene Jones in 1941 involvement with downtown Searcy. Always landscaping, paint and supplies. Riley (’16) and Robin Gould Pate announce the December 2019. She is the legislative director for and joined the U.S. Navy. He moved to Memphis in searching for ways to collaborate with other In addition, Think has worked to provide free digital content to birth of a daughter, Eden Rebecca, Nov. 30, 2019. U.S. Representative Rick Crawford from Arkansas. 1946 where he worked for an advertising agency community organizations, Faulkner’s efforts have help businesses adapt to the changing economic landscape, cover- They also have a son, Silas. and later served as chief financial officer for St. led to a monthly art and music festival, Beats ing topics like DIY iPhone photo tips, quickly transitioning to selling Joe Price III was named director of player per- Francis Hospital. In retirement, he served as presi- & Eats, and the Think ART Project, one of many online, social media best practices during a crisis, and elements of 2013 sonnel at University of Texas at San Antonio dent of Kirby Pines Advisory Group, a position he Josh Jackson has joined Rainwater Holt & Sexton town revitalization and beautification initiatives. websites that drive sales. in March. He joined UTSA after spending the volunteered for and held 10 years. He was a mem- as associate attorney where he works in the per- “At Think, our mantra is ‘Small Agency. Big “When I take into account the effort our team is contributing in 2019 season as director of high school relations ber of the church of Christ at White Station and sonal injury department. He holds an MBA from Impact.’ Our mission is encapsulated within the concise second half of the middle of this challenge, I can say we are continuing to meet for the Illinois football program in Champaign. served as an elder for more than 40 years. He was the Walton School of Business and a Juris Doctor- our mantra. We strive to make a ‘Big Impact’ for our families, our clients our mission and we are doing it by loving and serving our neighbors Prior to his time at Illinois, he was passing game preceded in death by his wife and a son, Duane. ate from the University of Arkansas School of Law coordinator, wide receivers coach and recruiting and our community. Ever since we started this company, we have used and being resourceful even when conditions are tough. Challenging in Fayetteville. Lucian Paxson Gordon (’49), 94, of Edmond, coordinator at perennial prep powerhouse North whatever talents and resources we had available to try and help others.” circumstances can lead to innovation, and I am directing our team to Oklahoma, died Sept. 19, 2019. He joined the Army Shore High School from 2014-18. He helped the Melissa Lea Nelson married Nathan Stanaland Faulkner’s knack for innovative problem solving and community explore new avenues of revenue that will help others, not only during Air Corp in 1943, serving until the end of World Mustangs to a pair of Class 6A-DI state champi- on March 9, 2019. Melissa is a special education mindset have been especially notable this past year, first as he led the this crisis, but to sustain our agency for the long term.” War II. Upon graduating from Harding, he began a onships and four district titles during his time teacher at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas. charge for Searcy winning the Small Business Revolution hit Hulu series It’s clear that Faulkner is not afraid to try something new and share career in education that led him to Beaver County, with the program. He earned a master's degree and now as he searches for ways to partner with and support local busi- what’s successful with those around him to benefit the larger commu- Oklahoma. He retired from teaching at Liberal, in educational leadership and administration Kansas, in 1992. He loved to preach the gospel nesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. When the virus began making nity. When asked about Think’s creative process, he boiled it down to from Stephen F. Austin in 2017. He is a member of 2015 and spent much of his spare time studying and its presence known in the U.S., Faulkner was quick to jump into action. this: listen, learn, create, launch, repeat. Implementing this process has the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Claire Summers is a history teacher at Conway preparing sermons. He spent time in the pulpit “We took the early warnings seriously and pivoted our agency proved successful so far for Faulkner, Think Idea Studio, the Main Street American Football Coaches Association, and the Christian Upper School. She was one of the teachers in Booker and Darrouzett, Texas, and Beaver, to a work-at-home status beginning the week of March 15. We have district and Searcy, leaving no qualms that the town can rebound from Greater Houston Area Football Coaches Associa- honored at the 35th annual Golden Apple Awards Oklahoma. He and his wife spent many years attempted to act as proactively as possible, both in taking safety mea- the pandemic and grow stronger than ever. tion, where he served as secretary on the execu- by the Conway Noon Lions Club Feb. 25, 2020. She traveling to Romania serving as missionaries. He tive board of directors. He and his wife, Joy, have serves as the senior high sponsor for Quiz Bowl and sures for our team as well as clients, and also by applying for appropri- “Searcy, as a community, continues to be a serving community. also served as an elder at Beaver Church of Christ. two daughters, Ryan and Jordan. coaches the women’s bowling team at CCS. ate relief programs.” We are fortunate to have been coming together for the past couple of He was preceded in death by a daughter, Alma. He In the month of March alone, Think saw a 40% decrease in rev- years, and this experience just strengthens those bonds. I believe Searcy is survived by his wife of 73 years, Opal Fae Shaf- enue with further reductions expected as the effects of the virus on is being true to itself — we are watching and learning from other areas 2011 2016 fer (’48); four children, Norma Bridgwater, Larry, Linda Peters and Sylvan; 13 grandchildren; and 28 businesses and the economy persist. Faulkner took note of a piece of of the country, we are supporting each other, we are showing we are PHOTO SUBMITTED Calea Bakke married Blake Davis on March 31, Sarah Hines started at News Channel 6 in Wichita advice from an online webinar on how to survive the pandemic — stay a strong faith community, and we will continue to come together. Just great-grandchildren. 2018. They live in Nashville, Tennessee, where Falls, Texas, in 2016 as a reporter and anchor of true to your company’s mission and values during times of crisis. like the Revolution mural on the side of Crafton’s Furniture downtown Calea is a real estate appraiser and agent and “News Channel 6 Weekend Morning” before being Dennie Hall (’56), 85, died April 17, 2020. He “As a marketing agency, we are equipped to develop and deploy depicts: ‘Together, we can do so much.’” — Jantzen Haley serves on the board of the Mary Parrish Center, promoted to anchor of “News Channel 6 This Morn- was a respected journalist and then a journalism and Blake is a film producer. ing.” She serves on the board for the VITA program professor and historian at University of Central

32 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 33 Connections Connections

was a member of College Church of Christ. She is cancer. During her 25-year teaching career, she Central Arkansas and his doctorate in gifted and VINTAGE HARDING survived by three siblings, Windle (’53), Jeanette taught elementary school in Spokane and Seattle, talented education from University of Connecticut. Schoof and Marie. Washington, and Anaheim, California, before He was the director of special education and an moving back to West Fork after her husband’s assistant professor at Sacred Heart University. He Carolyn Ann Cowan Hook (’68), 74, of Bentonville, U.S. Coast Guard retirement. She taught special participated in Sacred Heart’s alternative spring Arkansas, died April 13, 2020. She was a talented art- education and elementary education in the public break and was a member of the El Salvador service 40 ist, painter, crafter and interior designer with a pas- school systems of West Fork, Winslow and Green- group since 1989. He also participated in service sion for herbal foods and their efficacy for health. A years ago land. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, trips to Costa Rica. He earned his black belt in devoted Christian homemaker and minister’s wife, Kenneth; two daughters, Rebecca Lehew and karate and practiced Tai Chi as both student and she served as a member of Bentonville Church of Rachel (’16); her father, Junior Leon Porter; and teacher. He was preceded in death by a son, Jacob. Christ for 40 years. She led sixth-grade Bible classes three brothers, Ronnie, Randy and Rusty Porter. He is survived by a daughter, Rachel Elizabeth and studied and taught biblical evidences and Grace; and her mother, Jane Elizabeth Shewmak- archaeology. She is survived by her husband of 52 Kay Lynette Fudge Nix (’81), 62, of Cypress, Texas, er Neu (’82); his parents, Wayne and Bertie; and years, Walton (’67); two sons, Todd (’92) and David died Jan. 4, 2020. She earned a bachelor’s degree two siblings, Lisa Tyler (’83) and Nick (’86). (’95); her stepmother, Virginia Cowan; two siblings, in education from Sam Houston State University Joe Cowan and Jan Arcidy: two stepbrothers, Paul and a master’s degree in education from Stephen F. Ron Mashburn (’84), 58, of Sherwood, Arkansas, Parrish and Jon White; and five grandsons. Austin University. She taught in the public school died March 21, 2020, from cancer. He was a resi- systems in Arkansas and Texas for more than 25 dential building contractor. He loved gun collect- Rodney “Rod” Vernon Holland (’69), 72, of Corval- years with her last 18 years in Cabot public schools. ing, hunting, fishing and coaching. He is survived lis, Oregon, died March 23, 2020. He obtained a She was an avid runner and biker. She is survived by his wife of 34 years, Karen; two children, Ryan D.C. from Western States Chiropractic College, a by her husband of 39 years, Bobby (’92); three and Alexa Grace; his parents, Curtis and Doris; a CCSP from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, children, Ryan (’03), Keith (’09) and Kevin (’11); sister, Lisa Elfrink; and a granddaughter. and an MBE from the Academy of BioEnerget- siblings Donald and Allen; and four grandchildren. ics. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force Betty Sue Smith Slaughter (’84), 91, of Searcy, as a pilot and, later, in the Oregon Air National James Berton Bellcock (’82), 88, of Searcy died died Dec. 10, 2019. She was a member of the White Guard. He established his Corvallis chiropractic Jan. 6, 2020. He served 22 years in the U.S. Air County Writers Guild. She was a writer and a mu- Dedicated March 27, 1980, this rendering was used on the cover of the dedicatory program of Benson Auditorium, which began construction in March 1978. According office in 1979 and practiced until January 2020. In Force as a communications officer and navigator sician. She was preceded in death by her husband, to the program, “It is a building for the ‘80s. The strong graphic lines of the new George S. Benson Auditorium reflect a growing and progressive period of campus his- recent years, he authored a book focused on the during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. After Roy. She is survived by her children Roy, Samual tory. Generous use of space, repeated lighting pattern and semicircular seating combine functionality with the aesthetic.” The architect was Yearwood and Johnson of efficacy of natural medicine. He was a member of retiring from the Air Force, he attended Sunset and Kathy Throckmorton; six grandchildren; and Nashville, Tennessee, and the 58,000 square-feet facility cost approximately $2.6 million and used an estimated 350,000 red bricks. the Circle Church of Christ in Corvallis where he School of Preaching and spent five years as a min- eight great-grandchildren. served 26 years as an elder, teacher and worship ister in Wisconsin. In 1981, he moved to Searcy John Granville Fox (’91), 55, of McCune, Kansas, Oklahoma. He was co-founder of the Oklahoma survived by her husband of 63 years, Joe (’56); five was commissioner and member of Fort Boreman leader. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda and completed a master’s in education. He taught died Feb. 16, 2020. He drove a propane truck Journalism Hall of Fame and served as its director. children, Joe, Mary Jane Bannister, Bonnie, Laura Historic Park for the Preservation Development Brown (’71), three children, Karie Slater, Jason and school and drove a school bus for several years. for McCune Co-op. He was an avid fisherman The recently published book Our Greatest Jour- and Bobby; a brother, Bob Herren; nine grandchil- Initiative of the Greater Parkersburg Convention Travis; a brother, Van; and seven grandchildren. He served as a deacon and elder at Four Mill Hill and gardener. He was preceded in death by his nalists: Fifty Years of Oklahoma Journalism Hall of dren, and 15 great-grandchildren. and Visitors Bureau. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by Mike Kirksey (’76), 64, of Friendswood, Texas, wife, Cathie Binns (’81). He is survived by two Fame is dedicated to him and Dr. Ray Tassin. He Sons of the American Revolution and an honorary his first wife, Sueyo, in 1969 and his second wife, Betty Sue Butler Hill (’62), 79, of Searcy, died died Feb. 14, 2020, from progressive supranuclear daughters, Chelsea Wertz and Chaney; and three was the longtime advisor to UCO’s The Vista and member of the Centennial chapter of Daughters of Belva, in 2014. He is survived by four children; March 4, 2020. She was an Air Force wife and a palsy. He obtained his Texas CPA license shortly siblings, Mark, Kenneth (’90) and Connie Carbary. known for supporting his editors against attacks the American Pioneers. He was preceded in death James (’84), Donald (’86), Karen Fonville (’86), devoted Christian. She was preceded in death by after graduation. He worked for Arthur Andersen, from the administration. The student newspaper by his wife of 51 years, Annette Tucker (’64). He and Nancy Nicholas (’95); 11 grandchildren; and James Stanley King (’91), 50, of Pensacola Beach, her husband, Gerald “Skip.” She is survived by a Keystone International, Input/Output, Metals was named an All-American College Newspa- is survived by three daughters, Melanie Valentine, three great-grandchildren. Florida, died Feb. 23, 2020. He was a registered daughter, Melinda Sue Kimbrell. USA, Sirva, Endeavour, Stewart & Stevenson, and per for the first time in its history while he was Leslie Rollings (’90), and Betsy Thornabar; three nurse, med flight nurse and instructor. He worked W.W. Williams, allowing him to live and work in Terry Wayne Neu (’82), 60, of Storrs, Connecticut, advisor. He was The Oklahoman’s book editor siblings, Pat Michaels, Judy Adams and Dwight; on Survival Flights in Arkansas and was working Philip Wayne Sturm (’64), 77, of Parkersburg, West Belgium, England and Illinois as well as Houston. died Feb. 4, 2020. He obtained his master’s degree known for his reviews and helping great future seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. as an emergency room nurse in Florida. He was a Virginia, died Feb. 9, 2020. He received a mas- He was a member of Southeast Church of Christ, in educational psychology from the University of authors. He fought for civil rights, First Amend- member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola. ter’s and a Ph.D. in U.S. history and Appalachian Barbara Ann Kee (’65), 75, of Searcy died Dec. 15, where he served as an elder and teacher. He is ment freedoms and the downtrodden, especially studies from West Virginia University. He was 2019. She earned her Master of Library Science survived by his wife of 43 years, Debi Baten (’76); PASSAGES | JOHN GRANVILLE FOX

those wrongfully imprisoned. He was a grammar PROGRAM COVER LIBRARY COURTESY ARCHIVES OF BRACKETT professor emeritus of history and social studies at from Syracuse University. She spent two years in his parents, Jerrel and Virginia; two children, and Associated Press style guru with a dry sense ’91 Ohio Valley University and formerly chaired the Geneva, Switzerland, and several years in Louisi- Ryan (’02) and Jason (’04); two brothers, Tim and of humor. He was preceded in death by his wife humanities division. He also taught briefly at the ana working for the Whites Ferry Road School of Terry; and four grandchildren. of 55 years, Ann Mathews. He is survived by two University of New Orleans and Loyola Univer- Biblical Studies as a librarian, counselor and Bible John loved teaching his grandchildren and any children, John and Amy Hall; his siblings, Mickey, Alan Pogue (’78), 62, of France, died Nov. 22, 2019. sity. He was a James Still Fellow at University teacher. She received a master’s in marriage and Karen Dye, Patricia Yarbrough, and Jimmy; three He was a licensed professional counselor who of Kentucky in 1987 and held a full-time John B. family counseling from University of Louisiana youngsters how to fish. He enjoyed being out in grandsons; and a great-granddaughter. mentored and educated new counselors in Ar- Stephenson Fellowship from the Appalachian Col- Monroe and a doctorate in marriage and family lege Association at WVU in 1999. In 2000, he was kansas. He was a longtime member, minister and Mary Ruth Herren Lewis (’57), 83, of Cumming, counseling from Texas Woman’s University. She nature, especially on his farm. His garden was chosen by the Faculty Merit Foundation of West elder of Levy Church of Christ. He is survived by Georgia, died Dec. 6, 2018. She worked at Vander- practiced as a marriage and family counselor in Virginia as the West Virginia Professor of the Year. his wife of 43 years, Sherry Dunn (’01); three chil- lyn Elementary School and Tucker High School Richardson, Texas, and later was a doctoral dis- enormous. He loved to load any visitors up with In 2019, he was recognized by the West Virginia dren, Heather Sutherlin (’99), Shannon Iverson in DeKalb County, Georgia. She retired from the sertation coach. She devoted her life to teaching legislature as a West Virginia History Hero. He (’06), and Aaron; his father, Al; a brother, Perry; school system at age 60 and went to school to ladies Bible studies, private Bible studies, and bags of his beautiful veggies — corn and tomatoes authored five books and numerous articles on and eight grandchildren. become a licensed massage therapist where she embarked on numerous mission trips to Europe. regional history. He served as president of both worked until her retirement at age 74. She was She wrote eight Christian historical romance Rhonda Gail Porter Ingalls (’81), 61, of West Fork, were his specialty. You could taste the love that he the Parkersburg Bicentennial Commission and preceded in death by a daughter, Kyrie. She is books under the pen name of A.J. Hawke. She Arkansas, died March 22, 2020, from esophageal the Wood County Bicentennial Commission, and put into his produce.

34 HARDING | SPRING 2020 SPRING 2020 | HARDING 35 End Note The power of a nudge By DAN WILLIAMS, vice president for church relations

NCE HE MET JESUS, the first thing Philip did was find his friend Nathanael and run into Sara as she was walking through the excitedly inform him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law student center with an armload of textbooks. and about whom the prophets also wrote — Jesus of Nazareth.” “How is your semester going?” I asked. “I’m Upon learning of the hometown of Jesus, Nathanael dismissively replied, taking 17 hours so I’m really busy,” she an- “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Philip could have taken of- swered. Then Sara broke into a broad smile fense at this response; could have argued with Nathanael; could have attempt- and said, “But, oh, Mr. Dan, I have loved ed to pressure or coerce his friend. He didn’t do any of those things. Instead, every minute of my time here at Harding!” Philip simply replied, “Come and see.” With that she walked on down the hall, OPhilip gives Nathanael a nudge. Reading this story from John 1:43-46 we know what Nathanael still beaming. could not possibly have comprehended at the time — as a result of this brief encounter his whole I’d like to feel I had a small part in nudg- life was about to change forever. Crucial turning points in our life do not always appear at the time ing Sara in the right direction, and perhaps in the form of dramatic encounters. someday she will look back on that Wednes- Sometimes they come about as gentle nudges. day night presentation as a crucial turning For example, if I trace backward the trajectory of my own life to 1972, one point in her life. I know this: Sara’s story THIS FALL IT’S TIME TO of the most crucial turning points turns out to have been a load of laun- could be multiplied by the thousands. Every dry — that I didn’t do. year I am gratified to see young people It was a September Saturday morning. I was a freshman at Freed- from around the nation and the world Hardeman College and was walking across campus on my way arrive on our campus because I know to the laundromat when I ran into a friend. Denise looked at the here they will have a life-changing basket of clothes under my arm and said, “Dan, aren’t you going to experience. Harding is a place tryouts this morning?” where faith is strengthened, minds I replied, “What tryouts?” are challenged and character is COME HOME “For the Pied Pipers,” she said. molded. This is a place where “What are Pied Pipers?” lifelong friendships are formed, “A children’s theatre group,” Denise explained. and where, for some students, “No, that’s not my thing,” I laughingly said. romantic relationships are initiated “Oh, but you’d be so good at it,” she insisted. that eventually lead to the formation Lectureship Homecoming “I don’t think so,” I said as I started to leave. of strong Christian homes. SEPTEMBER 27-30 O CTOBER 29-31 Denise pleaded, “If you go, I’ll do your laundry.” Since that is the case, I have just “Where did you say these tryouts are?” I responded. one question: Is there some young INVINCIBLE! To make a very long story short, I was chosen for the troupe and made person you care about who could #comehomeHU20 friends with Glen Henton, the upperclassman Bible major who served as use a nudge? Courageous Faith leader. He recommended me for a summer ministry internship with a church in Virginia where he had previously worked. There I met a in Troubled Times “ELF” THE MUSICAL pretty woman named Gina, and this year we will celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL BELLES AND BEAUX · PIED PIPERS I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out differently if my friend Denise hadn’t SHEPHERDING WORKSHOP BLACK AND GOLD BANQUET nudged me to try out that long-ago Saturday morning. I am just thankful she did. YOUTH AND FAMILY TRACK HERITAGE CIRCLE CHAPEL One Wednesday night a couple of years ILLUSTRATION BY JENNIFER ALLEN ago I had the opportunity to talk to a church WOMEN’S MINISTRY FAMILY PICNIC AND TAILGATING youth group about Harding. Two of the teens present that night went on to enroll here, including one young lady I’ll call Sara who YOUNG MINISTERS’ NETWORK PETTING ZOO AND INFLATABLE GAMES came from a difficult family situation and had not known of Harding before coming PREACHER’S WORKSHOP BISON FOOTBALL AND MUCH MORE to school here. Last spring I happened to

36 HARDING | SPRING 2020 harding.edu/lectureship harding.edu/homecoming Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Office of University Little Rock, AR Permit #420 Communications and Marketing Box 12234 915 E. Market Ave. Searcy, AR 72149-5615 Electronic Service Requested

Final Frame PHOTO BY JEFF MONTGOMERY

NASA Chief Technologist Douglas Terrier studies the poster highlighting Harding’s first grant with NASA in 1967 and show- casing the work of Dr. R.T. Clark, Bob Corbin, Dr. Harry Olree and Dr. Caroll Smith. The poster was part of the exhibit “Har­ding and NASA: Through the Years” held in Cone Chapel as part of NASA Day Jan. 27. For more on NASA Day, see page 6.