Memorable moments

Singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” is one of the special Harding traditions I cherish. We sing it to the graduating seniors as they stand at the front of the Benson on their last day of chapel, and the faculty sing it to these same students eight days later at commencement. Three ceremonies May 5 concluded the spring semester. All of these occasions created memorable moments.

One of the highlights of the spring had to be hearing former first lady of the United States Laura Bush, pictured on the cover, address the crowd at the last American Studies Institute presentation of the school year in April.

One of the most beloved and admired American first ladies, she has launched groundbreaking education and health care programs in the U.S. and abroad. As chair of the Women’s Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, Mrs. Bush continues her work on global health care innovations, empowering women in emerging democracies, education reform, and supporting the men and women who have served in America’s military.

Mrs. Bush became the fourth member of the Bush family to address our campus and spoke the day before former first lady Barbara Bush died. In Laura Bush’s ASI address, she described her mother-in-law, “Bar,” as her role model.

Another memorable moment involves the heartwarming story of how Bison athletes worked together to create Alissa Carter’s Make-A-Wish dream of a fairy treehouse. All Harding athletes are involved in service activities including Bison Buddies and Bisons for Christ. For so many young students, athletes are influential role models, and Bison athletes make a positive difference in the lives of many young students in White County.

A snow day Jan. 16 made for yet another memory and some very happy students. In the story “How Harding Works,” you will learn how the decision is made to cancel school as well as several other behind-the-scenes looks at some of the inner workings of Harding.

The Petit Jean continues to be a source of tremendous pride and joy at Harding. The 2018 yearbook with the theme Synthesis was presented in chapel April 24 and distributed at a festive event on the front lawn. I love the way that signing yearbooks has become popular again and is one more indication that our time at Harding University is full of memorable moments.