On the way: Our spring issue

May 9, 2012 in Harding magazine by tbuterbaugh | No comments

Our largest issue of the year is heading your way soon with extra pages recognizing those who gave to the University in 2011. We hope you find your name in the list of more than 6,000 donors who help pay one third of the cost of a Harding education for our students. If it is not, why not make sure you are on the list next year? Students will be the benefactors of your generosity.

There’s much more in this issue as we highlight some Harding legends, including 14 inductees into the Hall of Fame, Chancellor Ganus’ 700-mile trip down the Mississippi to celebrate his 90th birthday, and Ted Lloyd’s return to coaching. You also won’t want to miss the stories behind nine of the Benson seat plaques.

Look for it in your mailbox soon. As always, let us know what you think.

Tom Buterbaugh, editor/designer

Preston Scott Hannigan

May 3, 2012 in News Flash by jeffmontgomery | No comments

 

Preston Scott Hannigan has made his debut. He was born May 2nd at 11:31 a.m. and weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces. Preston’s mom, Jennifer, works with us in the public relations office and his dad, Scott, works in the admissions office at Harding.

I stopped by the hospital to see them today, and everyone was doing fine. I got to hold Preston for a little while, and my day was made.

Jeff Montgomery/photographer

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Introducing: Ewa Zaborowska

May 1, 2012 in Uncategorized by hbeall | No comments

Another in a long line of premiere Harding distance runners has quietly, but impressively made her debut. Ewa Zaborowska, a freshman from Wejherowo, Poland, helped the Lady Bison cross-country team capture the first Great American Conference cross-country title in October. She placed second in the race and later in the fall placed eighth in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional race attempting to qualify for the national championship race.

The 2012 outdoor track season has opened, and already Ewa has won 800-meter and 1500-meter races with provisional qualifying times for the national NCAA Division II outdoor meet May 27-29 in Pueblo, Colo. Her qualifying time in the 800 meters was 2:10.63 and for the 1500 meters her time was 4:28.57. The latter time set a new school record. Her 800-meter time ranks fifth in the nation in Division II.

Ewa is equally impressive in the classroom. She has a 4.0 grade-point average as a  finance major. The U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association named her to the 2011 Division II All-Academic Team.

David Crouch, director of public relations

Kudos to the yearbook staff and others

April 27, 2012 in Around Campus by Jennifer Hannigan | No comments

Congratulations to the staff of the 2012 Petit Jean for a job well done. The tradition of excellence continues. Special kudos go to Ashel Parsons and her staff of photographers for capturing the year’s events with some great images.

In previous posts on this blog my colleagues in the Public Relations Office have recounted their experiences on Petit Jean staffs. Unfortunately I can’t share my experiences with the yearbook because my student publications lineage comes from the Bison student newspaper. My only experience with the Petit Jean came in sharing a darkroom with their photographers back in the Dark Ages, a.k.a. the late 60s.

My colleagues often remind me that they were a part of THE Harding student publication. To which I remind them that they produced only one publication, while their Bison counterparts produced a publication almost every week of the school year. The friendly rivalry will continue in the office between alumni of the two publications. I have only myself to blame for my minority status in the office. I hired all of those yearbook folks. You can bet my next employee will have Bison roots.

While I’m talking about the Bison, I would be remiss if I did not also congratulate John Mark Adkison, editor of the 2011-2012 Bison, and his staff for an exceptional job in reporting the news of the campus. He, too, continued the tradition of excellence in Harding student publications.

Whether we have Petit Jean or Bison lineage, we all share in the great experiences of student publications that have been so much a part of the Harding scene for more than eight decades. There is a special bond that we all share — unbelievably long nights meeting deadlines.

David Crouch, director of public relations

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Yearbook photographers

April 26, 2012 in Around Campus by jeffmontgomery | 1 comment

I still remember being a freshman photographer for the Petit Jean. I came to Harding with lots of photography experience but no publications experience whatsoever. I remember vividly sitting in chapel one day next to Ken Bissell, Harding’s director of photo services. We were both there to shoot the speaker, and I took a few shots and put my camera down in my lap because I had my photos. I realized Ken was still shooting. As he took photos I watched through my camera because I had no idea what he was seeing that I was missing or why he was picking the exact moments that he was snapping the shutter. I soon realized that he was snapping specific expressions and hand gestures. I followed his example and my photos were better. I started watching other photographers work to see what I could learn. It worked for me because my sophomore year I got the assistant photographer’s job and a small scholarship to take photos. Those two years were by far the most photographically educational years of my life. I still rely on lessons I learned as a Petit Jean photographer.

My junior and senior years at Harding I was a married student so I didn’t have time to give to the Petit Jean. I still was able to work as a student photographer for Leslie Downs in the Public Relations Office. Just before i graduated Leslie decided to go back to school, and I was hired as director of photo services.

For the last 21 years, I have had the privilege of working with many student publication photographers. It is so satisfying to watch them come and work and mature as a photographer just as I did way back in the 1900s as one of my student photographers used to tease me. These guys and gals have been invaluable in helping me cover the numerous jobs that come up every year, but more importantly they are my friends. I miss them when they leave, and I love seeing them when they return to campus for visits.

The great thing about photography is there will always be new photos to take and there will always be new photographers coming to help.

Jeff Montgomery, photographer

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Public failure, professional success

April 26, 2012 in Around Campus by hbeall | No comments

Today, as Michelle Makool, editor-in-chief of the 2011-12 Petit Jean, walked up onto the Benson Auditorium stage to deliver her presentation revealing the theme and faculty dedication of the book, a flood of memories filled my head. I have been on that stage during chapel two times throughout my three-year Petit Jean career. Both times proved to be the most uncomfortable and unforgettable experiences.

My first year on staff was 2007-08, and this was also my first year of college. A freshman and editor of the faculty and staff section, I promised myself I wouldn’t go through the stresses of producing a yearbook ever again. I had pretty much decided it wasn’t for me when then editor-in-chief Katie Ramirez, director of student publications, asked me to be the assistant editor for the 2008-09 yearbook. I hesitantly agreed.

Being assistant editor required me perform a variety of responsibilities throughout the year. I was Katie’s right-hand man, and I loved it. The Petit Jean presentation chapel quickly approached, and I started to become anxious for the day I would have to walk up onto the stage with Katie, sit and look pretty while she spoke, and present a yearbook to the professor to whom it was dedicated. To prepare myself for this day, I preformed a trial run in a variety of shoes to ensure walking posture perfection. I even practiced handing the book to a friend to make sure I gave and shook with the appropriate hands. Though my attempts at preparation were solid, my unimportant performance on the stage failed in my eyes.

The walk to the podium? I foolishly chose high heels and stumbled to the chair on stage. Sitting and looking pretty? The outfit I wore was too casual. The yearbook handoff? The handshake turned into a side hug/arm shake type movement with the book awkwardly sandwiched in the middle of Dr. Jack Shock and me. And the worst part? I had a 10-inch bandage wrapped around my ankle covering a 5-inch-long gash in my leg. Wearing a skirt, it was kind of hard to miss. After the presentation and for the rest of the day, I had to explain to a multitude of people I did and did not know that no, I was not at a tattoo parlor last night, I was in the emergency room getting stitches. After this experience, I was determined to make my next appearance in the spotlight a smoother one, and one that did not include anything that could be mistaken for a tattoo.

The next year proved to be just as disappointing as the first. As editor in chief, I was required to have a speaking role in this presentation. I picked a dynamite outfit for the big day and expected a success. But being almost six feet tall, I towered over the podium, requiring me to continually adjust my flawlessly ironed shirt to keep it steady. When I was listing off the staff members and motioning for them to stand, I forgot to acknowledge the layout editors. They’re only the students who spent hours slaving over layouts and perfecting designs. No big deal. There are no words for how bad I still feel. (So, I would like to take this opportunity to officially recognize Brian Hodges and Kelly Gemma, layout editors for the 2009-10 Petit Jean, and thank them for their work.) And what’s worse, I decided it would be a good idea to watch my presentation in chapel later that day. During the breaks of my sentences, the sound of Darth Vader could be heard as I obliviously took breaths to prepare for my next thought.

Though my public speaking appearances did not go as planned, the work I did and the publication I represented for three years made everything worth it.  I treasure my experience with the Petit Jean and the doors it opened for me. It even allowed me to cross an item of my bucket list. I concluded my Petit Jean presentation with a phrase that students of my day only dreamed of getting the opportunity to say: “You are dismissed.”

A decade of yearbooks

April 25, 2012 in Around Campus by hbeall | No comments

In writing this post, I did something that I truly hate to do — math.

If my adding skills are correct, this is my 10th year on a student publications staff. I spent four years on my high school yearbook staff, and four years on the Petit Jean while I was in college, and now two as the adviser for Student Publications at Harding.

I am a yearbook nerd and proud of it. I stayed two weeks after my high school graduation to complete our yearbook so it would be ready for the fall. I went to graduate school at Harding and worked on my master’s in business administration (lots more math) so I could finish just one more yearbook. And I moved my family back to Searcy last year to become adviser for the Petit Jean and Bison newspaper. You don’t keep at something for 10 years unless you truly love it.

My fondest memories come from moments with staff members with whom I worked and the advisers who guided me along the way. I have lifelong friendships with these people. We went through the trenches together and came out on the other side, a little haggard maybe, but with a completed book in hand. Making the switch between a student staff member and adviser has been as easy as … moving next door. Not only do I get to continue my work and love for student publications, but I am also able to guide new editors and staff members and instill in them a love for publications at Harding.

One of my favorite pastimes is poring through old copies of the Petit Jean and getting a picture of how Harding once was through stories, captions and photographs. I love that a part of Harding’s history has been captured each year and can be shared with another generation.

To tell Harding’s story year after year is truly a gift. The deadlines can be rough, and the editing dizzying, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bring on 10 more years.

Katie Ramirez, Student Publications Adviser/Instructor of Communication, Petit Jean editor-in-chief 2007-09

Never a wasted experience

April 24, 2012 in Around Campus by Jennifer Hannigan | 1 comment

When I started working in Public Relations here, one of my first interviews for the magazine was with Tamera Alexander, a Christian historical fiction writer who has won several awards for her novels. I asked her how she got to that point in her career, and her answer has stuck with me ever since.

She said, “God never wastes an experience.” As she applied that to her own career, I realized it was true for my own and my time with student publications and the Petit Jean.

In school, I was an English major earning my teaching licensure and always secretly hoping that one day I’d be a writer.

Lucky for me and my love for writing, my roommate and dear friend happened to be on the Petit Jean staff and was going to be the assistant editor for the 2007-08 book. She came to me saying they were in the market for a copy editor and asked if I’d be interested in doing it.

Grammar? Writing? Pointing out the flaws of others? Yes, please!

Plus, I was getting married in a few months, and any money or job was greatly appreciated.

Working for the Petit Jean was great. I loved working with the yearbook staff and the writers. I loved cleaning up others’ writing to make a better product. And although it was frustrating to find that someone had failed to cover a story, I loved taking an assignment and writing it myself.

One morning, while sitting with my then-fiancé, now husband, in the library, I looked up from the stories I was editing and told him that I would love to do this job forever as my real life job. How nice would that be? He told me that I wasn’t allowed to be wishy-washy on my job because he already had that position.

Fast forward to graduation day. I’m standing there, cap and gown, and everyone in my line is discussing their grand life plan. This guy was moving to inner-city Detroit to teach English, another going to China for the same reason. She was going to grad school; they had a big job lined up at wherever and on and on it went.

I was going to be an unemployed townie.

My husband and I were staying in Searcy. He had a job lined up and grad school forms filled out, and I had nothing. It was a little depressing.

I was two months into unemployment and “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” marathons when I received the greatest Facebook message ever: the news director from Public Relations said there was a job opening for a publications writer in her office and would I be interested in applying and interviewing for it.

A week later I was hired.

And here I am, four years later.

I look back and realize how none of it, really, was my own doing, but God shaping and preparing me for that very moment, blessing me with the job I’ve always wanted. While it’s not a big name like Time or People or whatever, I get to write about what I love — the university with whom I’ve been throughout my adulthood.

And I have the Petit Jean to thank for helping me get here — one of those experiences that God didn’t let go to waste.

Jennifer Hannigan, copy editor/writer, Petit Jean copy editor 2007-08

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It’s in the blood

April 23, 2012 in Around Campus by tbuterbaugh | No comments

In my editor’s remarks in the 1978 Petit Jean, I wrote, “This book is a part of me; I hope in it you can find a part of yourself.”

For many years, yearbook was a major part of my life. I was a novice editor of my high school book, served four fulfilling years on the Petit Jean staff, and worked as art director for a yearbook company for more than seven years.

As my parents used to say, “Give Tom a yearbook, and he’ll be happy.” And they were right.

Strong relationships are key to this line of work. I cherished and kept in touch with my high school adviser, Mrs. Supinka, for many years after graduating. I had the chance to work with some of the finest people I have ever known during my four years on the Petit Jean staff. I couldn’t have asked for a better adviser than Dr. Joe Pryor and his sweet wife, Bessie Mae. I served under three great editors and worked with some of the best photographers I have known. I even heard from my head photographer who lives in Singapore just the other day. My staff was small, but we worked hard to put out another in a long line of All-American books.

The 2012 book comes out this week, which I eagerly anticipate. There will be no Petit Jean day ceremony with the crowning of a queen and unveiling of a large hand-painted replica of the cover. But the excitement will still be there when students receive the book.

It’s that excitement of birthing a new publication on which I’ve always thrived. I still do with each edition of Harding magazine. You see, once publishing gets in your blood, it’s there forever. And that’s a good thing.

Tom Buterbaugh, editor/designer

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Grace for Cambodia

April 17, 2012 in Uncategorized by hbeall | No comments

A large percentage of students visit one of Harding’s overseas programs during their undergraduate career. Students come back with stories of getting lost, making friends and seeing many wonders of the world. One group of students came back with similar stories and something more: a conviction.

As I was walking through the student center today, I passed by a booth selling beautifully made bracelets. I stopped to learn more information, and I found that these bracelets were handmade. Around 20 students who attended Harding University in Australia (HUA) during fall 2011 have spent the last three months preparing for this week. The semester they shared together lit this fire.

“We wanted this trip to affect us more than just us having a fun trip overseas,” sophomore Kristin Galloway said. “This is our opportunity to get involved and go beyond our trip.”

As part of their curriculum, HUA students traveled to several countries in Asia during their time overseas, including Cambodia. While there, they visited an orphanage that partners with G.R.A.C.E. for Cambodia, an organization that tries to combat malnutrition in rural communities surrounding the capital. G.R.A.C.E. stands for “giving relief and care every day for Cambodia.”

“I feel like God was giving us a choice to either do something about it or to go on like nothing ever happened, “ said senior Katherine Finn. “When we visited this organization, I saw a lot of room for expansion. Not only are they teaching kids about hygiene and nutrition but also about God. We got to see them singing and praying.”

Students like Finn and sophomore Forrest Haley had such a rewarding experience interacting with the children of this orphanage that a desire to support them came about.

“Even though these kids spoke a completely different language, they made it so easy to open up,” Haley said. “If you shot a basketball and made the shot, to them you were like Kobe Bryant. All they wanted to do was come and touch you and hug on you. Seeing their face light up was incredible. When the trucks pulled up to feed them, they all lined up in a single file line and recited a prayer. You could tell these kids knew about Jesus.”

Students spent the majority of their returning semester making around 1,000 bracelets to sell during this week and at the Harding Bazaar on Saturday, their main goal being to raise as much money as they can to support the kids that touched their lives during their semester abroad.

“We were playing with kids who had just come out of child sex trafficking,” Galloway said. “We wanted to find a way to make an impact even if we never go back to Cambodia.”

The group is off to a great start, having raised close to $700 on the first day. These handmade bracelets are available in every color and feature a small circular charm with the word “grace” on one side and a small outline of the country of Cambodia on the other side.  You can buy one bracelet for $3 and two for $5. They will take cash or credit cards. Drop by their booth this week. Even if you don’t buy a bracelet, just hearing their story is worth your time.

Hannah Beall, writer

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