Leader, friend, encourager

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

George Oliver was an encourager. He was my first boss when I was hired at Harding in 2001. I quickly learned that he was very different from any other leader I had experienced in my previous career in financial services. It was obvious I wasn’t a perfect teacher as I began my teaching career, but in looking at my first performance reviews, he was always encouraging and uplifting to me as he helped mentor, shape and develop me as an educator. He wasn’t just a boss after all, he also was a supportive friend.

Oliver encouraged and mentored countless young, Christian professionals as they spent time in his classroom. It was not unusual for the students to see him role play various leadership styles using hats. Let me explain. I invited George to speak at a leadership seminar, and he started his presentation wearing a Goofy hat, then put on a military hat, then a coach’s cap, etc. With each hat came a change in demeanor, voice, volume and character. He taught in a memorable way as he mentored and developed each student.

My predecessor and now vice president for Advancement, Bryan Burks, said, “I placed tremendous value on his wisdom and experience. When I was appointed dean of the College of Business in 2002, he was the first person I asked to serve on the newly formed executive committee. He had a wonderful reputation among the students and was well respected by faculty not only in our program but across our campus. His involvement and leadership with Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs was crucial to our ongoing accreditation. At every regional and national accreditation meeting I attended for 15 years, I always heard appreciation of Oliver for how he led the organization as president and his involvement in accreditation visits of other schools. He was a wonderful ambassador of Harding University across the nation. Through all his many good works, he let his light shine for all to see for the glory of God.”

We will miss George Oliver — leader, friend and encourager.

George Huston Oliver (’57), 83, of Searcy died June 15, 2018. After graduation from Harding, he served in the U.S. Army. Upon honorable discharge, he worked for 25 years in Michigan, first with Pontiac Motors and then with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command. He directed the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus. At age 50, he completed his master’s and began teaching at Harding as a professor in the School of Business serving as both chairman of the department of management and dean of the School of Business. In addition, he was vice president/president-elect, president and immediate past-president of ACBSP and chaired the National Strategic Planning Committee. He retired after 30 years in May 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Joy Vinson (’60) and a grandson, Blake Hunter (’15). He is survived by three children, Debbie Starks (’93), Mike (’82) and Dedra Hunter (’86); a brother, Bill (’60); nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.