Everyday Student: Garrett Bender

UNEXPECTED DECISION Senior Garrett Bender wasn’t planning on attending Harding when he made a trip on a whim to campus during Bison Days. He had already made up his mind where he wanted to go to college, but that changed the moment he stepped on campus. “I remember getting to Harding’s campus and falling in love with the school. On the last day of Bison Days, I went to Midnight Oil and overheard a conversation between two people, and they were talking about life and how God has impacted them. I remember thinking, ‘I want this.’ So I changed my mind, and I never regretted that decision.”

PLUGGED IN “I have been a part of social clubs for the past three years, and it has been a wonderful experience. Apart from getting close to people and building relationships, clubs have taught me how to deal with group dynamics, which is a useful trait in any career setting, especially in ministry. I was also part of the Student Association last year, and that taught me the importance of listening to others and helped me define what a leader looks like.”

EXTRACURRICULAR Bender believes that being involved in activities and immersing yourself into social groups is an important part of college life. “I think that getting involved in different areas on campus can help you make friends, expel the loneliness that you may face, and help you develop into the person who you want to become. I believe that no matter how extroverted or introverted you may be, whether or not you are in a social club or Student Association, your involvement with your friends, your church, or any other group on Harding’s campus can benefit you as a person and will definitely benefit the people who you come in contact with.”

POSTGRAD As a Bible and ministry major, Bender said he has learned a great deal about a variety of people and how to reach and interact with them. “Harding has helped me prepare for life after college because my job after Harding is people based. I love Harding because all sorts of people go to school here. Learning how to deal with different people is one of the greatest lessons that Harding has taught me because it is something that a minister in a church will have to do all the time.”

THE LORD’S PLAN Though he’s not exactly sure where life after graduation will take him, Bender is con dent in his education at Harding and in God’s promise to show him the way. “I am getting my degree in Bible and ministry, and I plan to interject God’s truth and love wherever I go both in college and after. My working plan is to either teach kids how to speak English in China or Japan or to go straight into youth ministry. But for now, I will just lean on the Lord and trust that he has plans stored up for me.”