'Tell the Truth': Jerry Mitchell and Reena Evers-Everette Kick Off ASI Distinguished Lecture Series
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For more information, please contact [email protected]. ~September 0 Q 11, 2020 A HARDING UNIVERSITY STUDENT PUBLICATION Vol. 96, No. 02 NEWS 2A OPINIONS 3&4A SPORTS 1&2B @HUStudentPubs FEATURES 3B THE THE Facebook: Harding LIFESTYLE 4B University Student Publications Online at TheLink.Harding.edu Searcy, Ark., 72149 Photo by AUDREY JACKSON Jerry Mitchell adjusts his cap after receiving the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University President Bruce McLarty at the ASI event Tuesday, Sept. 8. ‘Tell the truth’: Jerry Mitchell and Reena Evers-Everette kick off ASI Distinguished Lecture Series ERIC JOHNSON In the main presentation, Mitchell gave an Evers-Everette has devoted much of seeing justice finally prevail, even if much beat reporter overview of his investigative work in reopening her life to continuing the work her father delayed, and Mitchell spoke to his personal cold cases from the civil rights movement, started through various education and civic inspiration and journey to seek out truth On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Harding welcomed which so far has led to 24 convictions. engagement programs. Currently, Evers- at any cost. alumnus Jerry Mitchell and Reena Evers- Mitchell’s new book, “Race Against Time,” Everette serves as executive director of the “As journalists, we’re trying to give a voice Everette to campus as the distinguished was published in February and gives a more Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, which to the voiceless,” Mitchell said. “Tell the speakers for the first lecture event of the comprehensive account of these exploits. “pushes for positive social change, exchanges truth and let the chips fall where they may.” school year, co-sponsored by the American Student moderators senior Namon Pope across generational lines, and social and The evening’s message was not lost on those Studies Institute (ASI) and the Harding and junior Everett Kirkman then facilitated economic justice.” Although she was only 8 present. Both students and faculty spoke to Honors College. Mitchell and Evers-Everette a discussion panel with Mitchell and Evers- years old when her father was killed, Evers- the inspiration Mitchell and Evers-Everette’s were originally scheduled to visit last March, Everette.To conclude the evening, University Everette said that his impact on her life has presence provided. but the event was rescheduled due to the President Bruce McLarty awarded Mitchell been immense. “The biggest takeaway relates to what Jerry COVID-19 outbreak. with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for “We might not have gotten a lot of time, said at the end of the night and that is, ‘We The evening looked different from past his award-winning and nationally recognized but the time my father gave us was quality can make a difference; we can change the ASI events, as guests were socially distanced work as an investigative journalist. time,” Evers-Everette said. “He gave us world,’” associate professor of communication in the Founders’ Room instead of the Benson One of the most notable cases Mitchell instruction, which we thought was a game, and Honors College faculty fellow Dr. Jim Auditorium, and the evening was livestreamed investigated was the murder of civil rights but they were tools for survival.” Miller said. “That’s sort of dramatic, but the for over 400 viewers via Facebook live. To icon Medgar Evers, which led him to become One of the central themes Mitchell and reality is that we have the ability, we have ensure the livestreaming would be successful, acquainted with Medgar’s daughter, Reena. Evers-Everette reiterated throughout the night the resources, and we can make a difference ASI Executive Director Kim Kirkman The two are now close friends and even was the importance for truth and justice to in the lives of other people.” secured a private hotspot through which to laughed in anticipation on Tuesday each time prevail in our society. Evers-Everette spoke broadcast the event. the other started to recall a familiar story. to the transformative and healing nature of Harding honors Botham Jean with night of praise, unity GABRIEL HUFF The event included words from SA student writer President Morgan Proffitt, who spoke about other Harding students who have died in Harding students gathered on campus recent years; BSA President Raissa Ames, Sept. 6 to honor the life of alumnus Botham who encouraged the Harding community Jean, commemorating the second anniversary to take a stand against racial injustice; and of his death. Tiffany Byers, director of diversity services The event, called “A Night of Praise, at the University. Additionally, Justified, a Remembrance and Unity,” was co-sponsored by chorus group, sang “Dreaming of a City.” the Student Association (SA), Black Student University President Bruce McLarty was Association (BSA) and men’s social club the last speaker of the night, and he reflected Sub T-16, Jean’s former club. The vigil was on the moment he heard of Jean’s death, Photo by AUDREY JACKSON held on Sunday from 7-8 p.m. on Harding’s as well as his favorite Jean story. The night Senior Chantel Ceaser leans her head on senior Amanda McDuffie’s shoul- der during candlelight ceremony on front lawn, commemorating the second front lawn. ended with a prayer from McLarty and a anniversary of Botham Jean’s death Sept. 6. The event, closed to those outside of the candle lighting. University due to COVID-19, was hosted by Gentry, also a board member of the Jason Darden, an instructor of the College of Botham Jean Foundation, said he devised Bible and Ministry. Some of Jean’s favorite the idea of the event, believing that people melodies were sung, including “Our God Is needed to remember Jean’s passing. Alive,” “Just A Little Talk With Jesus” and “In a time when our world is really “Awesome.” struggling with race tension, I think that’s a Todd Gentry, a college community outreach great event for unity,” Gentry said. “Botham minister, read remarks from a letter written used to say that one thing that unites us is by sophomore Brandt Jean, Jean’s brother. singing together, so I think that is pretty key.” In the letter, Brandt Jean said that Jean was After sharing the idea with the event’s able to see the positive in every situation. sponsors, Gentry said they worked together Tommy Schuler, a close friend of Jean from to help the vision come to fruition. Junior Sub T-16, also said that Jean walked after Stone Nix, a representative of Sub T-16, said God’s spirit. the sponsors unanimously wanted the event “It just changes your life when you’re to spread a message of solidarity to the world. around someone that puts that much effort “We want to unite people and see past into trying to model himself after things each other’s differences to see the things like the fruit of the spirit,” Schuler said. that are more important than what divides “[The fruits of the spirit] couldn’t describe us,” Nix said. Photo by AUDREY JACKSON him any better.” Students hold lit candles on the front lawn during the service Sept. 6. 2A NEWS Friday, September 11, 2020 3 positive cases 24 total tests 9 in quarantine 3 in isolation tests positive: prepared spaces: prepared spaces: faculty 2 • • 0.15% 50 Heritage Inn 49 Kendall Hall Villiage Apartments 1 student pending results: 13 8 52 dorm rooms *as of 2:13 p.m, Sep. 9 Graphic by GAEL LANGDON & MADISON DEREE COVID ON CAMPUS GAEL LANGDON throughout the summer to develop a system for “People can complete that, submit that, The meeting is so “each University knows news editor screening, testing, isolating and quarantining and it generates communication to me,” how to report students, faculty and staff that on campus. Davis said. “And I can follow up by phone.” happen to test positive to the coronavirus,” Harding administrators announced on The Task Force was formed without any The form communicates whether the Neal said. Wednesday three individuals tested positive members of the current teaching faculty. student has symptoms or if there is concern He said the meeting helps provide for COVID-19 on campus. Two students and Provost Dr. Marty Spears listed the members of coming in close contact with someone who awareness to whoever has been potentially one faculty member tested positive and are of the Task Force in a private interview. The does have or is suspected to have COVID-19. affected by a COVID-19 test, so they can in isolation as of Tuesday, Sept. 8. names listed, not employed by Harding, were: “It lets me sift through those different be quarantined properly. While test results As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Student Health Dr. Michael Justus, physician and Harding responses and figure out what really needs to are pending, Neal said, the one being tested Services conducted a total of 24 tests. About Board Member; Dr. Roddy Lochala, physician be followed up in a testing bottle,” Davis said. as well as those considered close contacts are 0.60% of Harding students and faculty on and Chief Medical Officer of Unity Health; Davis, who has been a member of the to remain in their place of residence.