The Bison - Vol. 90, No. 2

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April 25, 2014 Vol. 89, No. 18

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By Hunter Beck Beat Reporter

Get Down Downtown

(GDDT) festival begins Friday, Sept. 26. The free event will take place primarily along Main Street and at Spring Park through Saturday night.

Get Down Downtown is put together by Main Street Searcy, an organization dedicated to the revitalization of Searcy’s historic downtown. One purpose of Get Down Downtown is to raise awareness of Searcy’s local businesses. The festival will feature more than 100 vendors set up along Main Street, most of which represent local businesses and restaurants. Amy Burton, the Main Street Searcy executive director, said that by hosting a free, exciting event downtown, she hopes people will discover the local businesses found on the square and throughout Searcy.

“We still have a strong commercial center in downtown,” Burton said. “We hope people will see a business that they’ve not seen before — a bakery, a retail business, an office — so that they’ll come back.”

Burton said that there is a benefit to shopping local rather than visiting strip malls.

Facebook: The Link Camden Henry

“You know who you’re getting your merchandise from,” Burton said. “It’s kind of nice to have that personal relationship that people know you by name. It has that small town feel.”

The festival offers a variety of attractions for students and residents in addition to the vendors. Main Street will be packed with concession stands,

carnival rides and a climbing wall. A jumbotron and tailgate will be set up on Saturday so that college football fans can enjoy the games. Spring Park will feature attractions for children, such as a petting zoo, inflatables and pony rides.

Several special events will take place on Saturday. Author and former Congressman Ed Bethune will be in the White County Courthouse to promote his latest book. After the book signing will be a car show that will likely feature over 100 cars.The Rob bins-Sanford Grand Hall will host a bridal fair throughout the day where vendors from Searcy can showcase their wedding features.

The festival will feature live music throughout the weekend, with 12 bands scheduled to perform on the Quattlebaum Music Center Stage. The music bill is headlined by country super-group Ricochet and gospel-trio The Nelons. Harding groups Good News Singers and Belles and Beaux will perform Saturday morning. The Southwestern Energy Stage at Spring Park will host several local acts Saturday morning, including choirs and cheer squads from local schools.

Senior Bethany Nicholson is currently working as an intern with Main Street Searcy. She said that Get Down Downtown is the organization’s biggest event of the year with an annual attendance of over 20,000 people. She and the rest of Main Street Searcy have been planning Get Down

the variety of events and attractions is what makes Get Down Downtown such a success.

“It’s going to be a very fun environment,” Nicholson said. “There’s going to be bands, there’s going to be vendors. Name a type of food and it will be there.”

Junior Sam Elander, a Searcy native, said he sees Get Down Downtown as a feature of the community.

“It’s a good gathering for the community to support local businesses and to have fun as a family,” Elander said. Get Down Downtown goes from Sept. 26-27.

A full schedule and lineup can be found on Main Street Searcy’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ MainStreetSearcy.

News Editor

A veteran’s association is currently being established by faculty and students to aid and minister to those returning from the military.

Shawn Fisher, assistant professor of history and social sciences, said the Harding University Veteran’s Association (HUVA) is picking up where similar organizations have left off in the past. The association was founded last fall and organized this spring. Officer elections will take place in a few weeks.

David Collins, executive vice president, approached Fisher last fall about starting a new veteran’s association. Fisher said he is pleased with the support the school shows to veterans.

“We’re all about ministering to Harding’s veterans,” Fisher said. “This group allows the school and the students to come together with any issues that our veterans bring forward.”

Fisher said HUVA not only supports veterans, but also supports current servicemen and spouses. HUVA has already held group devotionals, meetings and service projects, all in an effort to bring veterans together and help them find a safe place amidst a group of

One of the projects initiated by the group this spring was a postcard drive, in which postcards from students were sent to deployed serviceman.

“About 830 postcards were sent out to soldiers in Afghanistan,” Fisher said. “The soldiers were so happy to receive mail from so many Harding students.”

Junior Paden Timms, a Marine Corps veteran, said HUVA is about helping soldiers transition from the military lifestyle to the college lifestyle.

“It’s a wholly different environment, being in the army versus being in college,” Timms said. “There’s not a lot of decompression time for veterans. So if we can minister to these people, we’ve done our job.”

Current veterans have an incredibly high suicide rate, according to Fisher.

“Groups like this provide good support, and they prevent feelings of isolation,” Timms said. “Students who are not veterans come to college and find their clique of friends. This group helps provide similar feelings to vets.”

Anyone interested in being involved can contact Fisher at sfisher@harding.edu.

Relay for Life looks to add teams, continue fundraising

By Julie Anne White

Asst. Web Editor Plans are well under way for this year’s Relay for Life.

According to executive director senior Matt Woodson, the event will take place on Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. - 6 a.m. and the theme is “Kick Cancer in the Tailgate.” Woodson said he came up with the football game festivities

theme during a brainstorm session in hopes that it would encourage as many students to participate as possible. Woodson said the fundraising goal is $25,000, and he hopes to have around 30 teams.Twenty-three teams are currently registered.

“Anybody can be a team, it doesn’t have to be a social club,” Woodson said. “I want to encourage people to

utilize the ease of online registration. It makes it really easy to fundraise.”

Woodson said participants can send out emails to potential sponsors directly from the website after signing up. He said he tried this method last year and raised hundreds of dollars in a matter of minutes. Along with the excitement of tailgating games and food, public relations chair senior

Rachel Weiss said Relay for Life will include all of the traditional events honoring both those who have lost the battle and survivors.

“We want to celebrate those we have lost and celebrate those who have fought and won,” Weiss said. The Relay for Life committee hosts a Survivors’ Benefit dinner prior to the event. Then, cancer survivors and their caregivers kick off the evening by making the first lap around the front lawn.

After dark, everyone will gather for the Luminaria Ceremony. Participants can purchase paper bags and decorate them in honor of cancer patients; then the bags are filled with sand and candles are lit and placed inside. Weiss said she got involved with Relay for Life after a young boy she babysat was diagnosed.

Last year she decorated a luminaria for him.

“It lights up the whole front lawn — it’s so cool,” Weiss said.

Woodson said the ceremony is his favorite part of the evening. He said he draws some of his passion for Relay for Life from witnessing his grandfather battle cancer.

“This has always been a passion for my family,” Woodson said. “My grandfather was diagnosed six times and he survived five.”

Woodson said he grew up helping with Relay for Life, and has learned to appreciate the hard work involved by watching his mother serve as a Relay for Life community director. He said he has seen firsthand where the fundraised money goes: into wigs, food pantries, transportation, treatments and Christmas presents for diagnosed children. Woodson said knowing what a difference the money can make spurs him towards ensuring Harding’s relay is a success.

“I’ve got so much going on, and Relay adds so much to my plate,” Woodson said. “But in the end it doesn’t matter because I have so much passion for it.”

Woodson said he encourages students to remember that although Relay for Life is lots of fun, it is more meaningful than mere entertainment.

“It’s not all about having fun; the focus is to raise funds,”Woodson said.

Students can sign up to participate in Relay for Life as a team or an individual at www.relayforlife.org.

Making

JANAE CALLICOAT | The Bison Archives

Senior Rachel Weiss lights a luminaria during last year’s Relay for Life. She participated in honor of a boy she babysat who was diagnosed with cancer.

Teacher, retired coach and flea market vendor, page 3B

Football, page 1B

Lectureship founded on ‘A Community of Mission’

By Taylor Gleaves Asst. Web Editor

Harding’s 91st Annual Bible Lectureship will kick off Sunday, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, continuing Harding’s tradition of bringing speakers from across the country to communicate God’s message through a series of lectures.

The theme for this year’s Lectureship is “Return!

Studies in Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.” Keynote speakers include Alan Robertson, Gary Smith, Jim Martin, David Young, B. Chris Simpson.

There will be programs specifically designed for women, a special student lecture series, as well as Spanish and Chinese lectures.

Senior Shelby Coble, a student lecturer, will be

presenting her topic “Claim Your Inheritance.” Coble said she is excited to share her personal journey and hopes students can relate and join in with her. The focus of her lecture is centered on seeking the reasons why we are children of God.

“If you know who God is and what God says you are, then you have a better understanding,” Coble said.

“You are able to grasp better what your mission is and what your purpose is as His child.”

Coble says she wants students and other attendees to seek who God is and where his purpose falls when he provides his children with opportunity.

“We each have something

Post-It and pray

to do that God has placed in our hearts,” Coble said. “God has given us the talents and passions to do them and seek after what that is.”

Coble said that the importance of Harding’s Lectureship tradition is bringing people to educate the students and faculty and foster growth.

“I think Lectureship is a great atmosphere in which we can see what God is doing outside of Harding,” Coble said. “We can see what he’s working on with people that are coming here.”

Senior SA president Philip Habegger is also leading a student lecture, and he said he is excited to have the chance to share what he has learned. Habegger’s lecture

is titled “Return to Sender: Learning from the Theology of the Global South.”

“It’s about knowing that we have a lot to learn from the Global South,” Habegger said. “We think we’re always bringing the gospel to them, but really they have so much Gospel and truth that they bring to us.”

Junior Tyler Newton will also be presenting a student lecture titled “God’s Eternal Purpose.” Newton said his lecture relates to the entire story of the Bible and God’s desire to walk with his people for eternity.

“If God has structured everything, his entire plan around being with us again, the least we can do is do the same for him,” Newton

said. “We should strive to structure our lives around being focused on him and wanting to be back with him one day.”

Newton said Harding’s theme of “A Community of Mission” is found in the center of Lectureship.

“If we can change someone through God’s message, then Lectureship was a success,” Newton said.

Students are encouraged to attend seminars not solely for class credit, but rather for a chance to be in a position to learn or teach. Students will have a chance to attend lectures, Bible studies and concerts centered on this theme.

Visit www.harding.edu/ lectureship for more class information and the full schedule.

HUG stays safe in ISIS crisis

By Alexis Hosticka Editor-in-Chief

Despite turmoil in the Middle East and concern regarding ISIS, students studying at Harding University in Greece (HUG) are not experiencing any problems and the semester has gone smoothly.

“Our trip has gone extremely well so far with no problems,” sophomore Michael DeSalvo said.

“ISIS is a major concern in the Middle East and it could possibly affect our trip to Israel, but we are still scheduled to go.”

During the summer, the HUG group was forced to change its plans a week before they had intended to go to Israel, so nothing is certain at this point.

However, the students say that they feel safe despite what is happening in surrounding countries.

The Center for Student Success held a three-day seminar last week that provided students with helpful tips for academic, social and spiritual success in college. Here are some highlights of the sessions.

Five upperclassmen in a variety of majors ranging from Bible to communication sciences and disorders answered student-submitted questions about balancing college life. They gave helpful tips about

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress hopes to tap into overseas war funds in the U.S. response to Ebola, according to Politico. Two requests from Congress, made on Sept. 8 and Sept. 16, are attempting to pull about $1.06 billion to provide hospital equipment, personnel and airlift capacity to West Africa. Republicans voted on Sept. 24 that it was an “acceptable use of contingency dollars.”

NEW YORK — On Sept. 24, the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office released the grand jury’s decision to clear Tony Stewart of charges made when he struck and killed a man with his car on Aug. 10, according to ABC News. The investigation concluded that, despite consideration of manslaughter and homicide charges, there was insufficient evidence to indict the NASCAR driver. New evidence also claims that the victim, Kevin Ward Jr., may have been under the influence of marijuana when he was struck and killed.

· study habits: do your homework right away instead of waiting until the last minute

· roommate interactions: decide right away who has what responsibilities for health and safety inspections

· social clubs: make sure you spend time with a club before you decide if you like it.

“At the end of the day, Harding is a very special place,” senior Jeanie Linton said. “Try to set aside time to realize that and enjoy it. This place is different from the rest of the world, and that’s not a bad thing. Don’t let that pass you by, because it will be over in four years.”

Professional students Korey Alfred and Alex Samuel discussed time management and maintaining healthy habits. They said having a routine, getting enough sleep and eating right are all essentials.

“There’s no secret to time management, just practical solutions,” Samuel said.

Some of those solutions include setting specific, achievable goals, identifying and eliminating distractors and prioritizing what is important.

Stephanie O’Brian, the academic resources coordinator for the Center for Student Success, revealed the four ways to manage stress: avoid unnecessary stress by learning how to say no, alter the situation by being willing to compromise, adapt to the stressor by changing your perspective and accept the things you cannot change. If you can adopt these four strategies, O’Brian said, you can manage your stress instead of your stress managing you.

“We have seen and felt no affects from ISIS or Middle Eastern turmoil here in Greece,” DeSalvo said. “I feel very safe here, and our directors take every precaution necessary to make sure we are always taken care of.”

Junior Courtney Mitchell said that “because of the ceasefire, (the group) should be able to go to Israel.”

According to the Guardian, it has been one month since the ceasefire began and Gaza is working to rebuild.

I feel very safe here, and our directors take every precaution necessary to make sure we are always taken care of.

- Michael DeSalvo,

However, according to the Washington Post, “Israeli forces shot and killed two Hamas operatives” on Tuesday. The 50-day war in Gaza prior was one of the worst conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians in years.

Sophomore Carly Quibodeaux said that they are still prepared to change their plans if need be.

“If the ceasefire ends and they begin fighting again, our plans will have to change, even if at the last minute,” Quibodeaux said.

The group is prepared with other plans in case of events that keep them from traveling to Israel.

“The backup plan is going to southern Italy,” Quibodeaux said. “Of course, we are praying for continued peace and for ISIS to stop terrorizing the people of the surrounding countries. Fortunately, Israel is the only trip that should be affected.”

Senior Lisi Padilla and junior Kyle Johnson place Post-It notes from students with prayer requests on the walls of Shores Chapel on Sept. 24. The Student Association is organizing the event to be held on Friday, Sept. 26, where volunteers can go to Shores Chapel from 4 p.m. to midnight and pray over the requests.

GRANT SCHOL | The Bison

Graphic by CINA CATTEAU

sophomore

Love thy roommate

phil habegger

Idon’t know about everyone, but for a big chunk of the time I lived in my parents’ house I had my own room. I know that not everybody has been this lucky; when you are like one of my friends who has eight siblings, you would have to live in the Biltmore to have your own room. But I had my own space, my own bed, my own closet, my own bathroom and, most importantly, my own train set that I did not have to share with my siblings. Whenever my brother started farting on me or my sister started talking about shoes, I had my own Phortress of Philitude where I could play with my train set.

When I came to college that all changed … something that makes college and early adulthood unique is that these years are shared with a roommate. It can be a strange thing for some people to cohabit a 20-by-20 box with another fellow for four years. This experience is enjoyable for some, but for others it is more of a drudgery.

I attribute this to the phenomenon that roommates come in all shapes and sizes. There are cool roommates and lame roommates. There are roommates who are never in the room and roommates who devour seasons of TV on Netflix (along with Cheetos and Capri-Sun). There are roommates that turn into the Hulk when you leave a spoon in the sink and roommates who have let that mac and cheese mold since Labor Day. There are roommates who sing in the shower and roommates who pee in the shower. There are roommates who talk to you when you have headphones in and roommates who haven’t spoken to you since you moved in. We all have these experiences; I hope that yours has been a great one. Mine has been really interesting.

You see, I live with the quizzical, eccentric and uncanny specimen that is Colby Wallis. We have been going strong now for four years. I phrase it like that because we really are like an old married couple. We chose to room together during Honor’s Symposium in 2010, and we have been stuck together ever since. We joke that the only reason we remain roommates is that we are the only ones that can tolerate each other. If you do not know Colby Wallis, you need to. I totally want to meet and

interact with all of you, but you also really need to meet Colby. There is a good reason I talk about him all the time, but I will leave it to you to find out why.

I joke about Colby a lot, but really I love the guy. Roommates are a blessing, and I have witnessed that first hand. I do not know the circumstances between you and your current roommate, but know this: having a roommate is an opportunity to grow together towards God. Rely upon your roommate. Don’t just live with them, share your life with them. God gave us each other so that we may mutually encourage each other and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 10:24). Don’t pass up this opportunity for real relationship. Whenever you get mad at your roomie, when he or she used your toothbrush or ripped your flag from Florence, remember that this is your brother or sister in the faith. College is tough, but it sure helps to have someone go through it with you. And in case you were wondering, I actually did have a train set. Fake smoke and everything.

PHIL HABEGGER is a guest writer for the Bison and the SA President. He may be contacted at phabegg1@harding.edu.

A theology of emotion

Ibegan writing this article under the title “An Ode to MO,” alternatively titled “Be Thou My Mr. Blonde” or “There Is Beyond the Basic Brew.” One day I hope to finish that affirmation of affection for my favorite coffeehouse, but it is not this day. As I pondered the more popular locales on campus, I realized that certain places deserve far more attention than they currently receive. My goal is not to profile an already inhabited hot-spot; I prefer to introduce you to an underrated and undiscovered treasure. I realize I may sound hypocritically saint-like in a few sentences, so let me issue a short disclaimer: I have never claimed and cannot claim now to be a perfect Harding student devoid of sin and free from vice. But if you were to ask me where my faith has been nourished the most during these past two plus years of intensive growth, I would point you towards Harding Park and a grassy field beneath the night sky.

At the start of every semester, a student will inevitably ask the question, “Why do we need to pursue personal

Alexis Hosticka editor-in-chief

Shows for your semester slump

My work ethic during the semester is a series of peaks and valleys. I always start the semester on a peak. I have recently-purchased school supplies — which, after 17 years of being scammed into buying back-to-school “essentials,” equates to maybe a binder and a couple pencils — my iCalendar has all my appointments in color code, I sign up for Canvas notifications, and if I’m feeling especially ambitious, I’ve purchased my textbooks before the first day of classes.

This is really as motivated as I get all semester. There are a couple more peaks — usually around midterms and right before Thanksgiving break — but for the most part, it’s all downhill from the first day of classes.

One of the main distractors from doing my work is, big surprise, television. There are so many good shows that demand my full attention. “I’ll just watch one episode before I study” quickly turns into a daylong, 15-episode affair.

I spent my summer anticipating this struggle, and have compiled a list of shows that are good but not so good that you shirk responsibilities to watch them. Obviously this hinges on your own tastes, but these are my ideal “background-noise shows.”

1. “Portlandia.” A skit-based show set in Portland, Ore., “Portlandia” is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the niche culture Portland has come to represent. It’s a great show, but the humor becomes exhausting if you watch too many episodes in a row, so pace yourself.

Bible study? We’re attending classes and chapel five days a week.” A fair point. And if the sole purpose of Bible study were to increase our knowledge of theology, I would agree with our befuddled student. So often we view personal devotions as a task — just another checkmark on our daily to-do sheet. Perhaps this attitude is carried over from a childhood filled with required readings, scheduled family prayers, whatever. However, if you are at college, you are no longer that child who needs the structure of organized prayer; embrace the relationship of Christianity for what it is — a relationship.

In a recent conversation, I was discussing the nature of responsibility within the church. You must understand how detailed I am when it comes to planning; everything in my life has been entered into an agenda and cleared past a five-step “is this socially acceptable?” checklist. My friend was defending the position of not feeling obligated to attend church. I was somewhat shocked; this person had earned my respect over the past couple years. She continued by saying “I don’t want to schedule church into my life; I want to have a desire to come to church.” That moment fueled a minor revelation of my view of Christianity. A certain Bible professor was fond of reminding his students that Jesus is a being with all the complicated passions of any

emotional character; in the words of Lucy Pevensie, “He’s not a tame lion.” Christ wants more than just a standard number of hours per week. He is your soul’s lover, not your employer. Nothing further cemented this relationship view of Christ than a recent visit to Harding Park (see? I tied it back in). The film “Amazing Grace” has a scene where William Wilberforce is lying down on the grass, mesmerized by the intricacy of spiders’ webs. Something about viewing nature has always driven the believer back towards his maker, and that was my experience one night. With a million galaxies in sight and an intricate weave of foliage supporting my head, I remember thinking, “God, I simply want to feel you.” Now, emotional connections aren’t everything; proper theology is also important. But for Harding students who have the advantage of hours of theological training, perhaps we need to rediscover this emotional dynamic. I’m not suggesting we hold a massive prayer-walk through Harding Park, but maybe we can all find a few extra minutes in the day to talk with our father. After which, let us promptly parade over to MO and share the experience while enjoying a Black Bear.

CORBETT HALL is a guest writer for the Bison. He may be contacted at chall9@harding.edu.

2. Anything on TLC. A treasure trove for eye-roll inducing reality television, TLC has so much to offer in the “background noise” category. With shows like “My Strange Addiction,” “Extreme Cheapskates,” “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” and more, TLC has something that can make anyone lose sleep over the direction society is headed.

3. “30 Rock.” Produced, written by and starring Tina Fey, “30 Rock” is about a single, middle-aged TV producer who tries — and consistently fails — to balance personal and professional life. Tina Fey’s comedy is brilliant, but the characters she casts herself as continue to bore me because they’re all the same: “30 Rock,” “Mean Girls,” “Baby Mama” — they’re all the same desperate spinster.

4. “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom.” These shows were my guilty pleasure in 2010-11, and I was honestly surprised when I was flipping through channels recently and came upon a newer episode of “Teen Mom 2.” I watch this show and think, “This can’t be real. How do I live on the same planet as these people?” I like to think of it as a culturally enriching experience.

5. “New Girl.” This is a show that had so much potential and started off very strong. They managed to create two good, quality seasons before they switched to cliche storylines and lazy character development. To be fair, these are strong criticisms for such a light-hearted comedy. I just expect more out of Zooey Deschanel. The first 40 episodes are golden, but season 3 was a disappointment.

Let me clarify that none of these shows are bad; I actually love all of them. Next time you need a study break, I recommend any of these shows. They’re all available to stream on Netflix or Hulu and you won’t have to worry about getting too involved.

staff list guests

Joshua Johnson news editor

Janae Callicoat asst.

Maeghen Carter

Michael Claxton

Phil Habegger

Ben Hansen

Corbett Hall

Amber Houston

Chloe Savage

At the Bison, it is our goal to serve the Harding University student body with integrity, truth and open ears. However, we believe that meeting that goal is a two-way street between our staff and the public it serves. We pledge to keep our eyes and ears open to what our community has to say and hope that, in return, that community will be an interactive audience, sharing its stories with us. We also pledge to do the basics: Report accurate and relevant information, check our facts, and share them in a professional, timely manner. If you have any story ideas, questions, comments or concerns for the Bison staff, please email Alexis Hosticka, the editor-in-chief, at ahostick@harding.edu. “ The Bison (USPS 577-660) is published weekly (except vacations, exams and summer sessions), 18 issues per year, by Harding University. Periodicals postage paid at Searcy, Arkansas 72143. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bison, Harding University 11192, SEARCY, AR 72149-0001.” BYLINE POLICY: The Bison provides an opportunity for class writers to contribute work under the byline “guest writers.” Due to this arrangement, staff writers may rewrite a portion of the guest writers’ stories as they deem necessary, while still identifying the work as the guest writers’ own.

guest columnist

alexis hosticka

Healthy is beautiful

Fat is an ugly word. No one wants to be called fat. It has come to mean that you don’t fit the cultural expectation of beautiful. So we swap it out with words like curvy or thick or chubby to make being “fat” OK.

Then you move on to the touchier subjects of body image and self-confidence. If you tell someone he or she is fat, it’s bound to end poorly and have a terrible effect on his or her confidence.

So what have we as a culture done to fix this problem? We tell people that they are beautiful just the way they are; no matter what. We say that there’s nothing wrong with being fat if you’re happy and confident. And it’s working. It’s working to propel the notion that being overweight is not really a problem.

I understand that because weight is not something I struggle with, this can all seem very out of place and out of my realm of authority. But I know that being disciplined in any area of life can be extremely difficult.

In an article from Sept. 10, 2014 by The Guardian titled, “Do you know what too fat looks like?” researchers tested a group of African American women to see how they defined obese and overweight. The group of women in Chicago were asked to “look at a ‘body image scale’ made up of drawings of women of different sizes and identify which women on the scale were overweight, obese and ‘too fat.’” They were also asked to place themselves on the scale.

Most of the participants were able to accurately decide which of the drawings represented women who were overweight and obese, but they only thought that the last two, largest drawings were “too fat.” As the article states, “in their view, it was only serious obesity that could be bad for your health.”

The article suggests that this study indicates that Americans are losing sight of what healthy and unhealthy weights actually look like, and I tend to agree.

We are afraid to confront people who are overweight and obese because it’s such a touchy subject. People worry about hurting feelings when in reality being overweight or obese already hurts people.

I understand that body image is extremely important. I’m not asking that we go criticize and critique every overweight person until they make a change. That’s not a solution. People need to be confident in who they are and in their appearances, but they also need to be encouraged to make changes when necessary.

I think this is the problem: obesity should not be an issue of appearance; it should be an issue of health. Being overweight or obese can cause a multitude of long and short-term problems. Beauty may come from the inside, but so does health.

The Bible references multiple times that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we must glorify God with them. So as Christians, we must take care of our bodies. And as Christians we must keep each other accountable.

I understand that weight does not always determine how healthy a person is. Working out and eating right is just as important for people with fast metabolisms.

But it’s easy for someone like a doctor to tell a person that he or she is overweight. It’s the doctor’s job to try to keep his or her patients healthy. It’s a lot more difficult for one friend to tell another that same thing. Confrontation doesn’t have to be a bad thing when it’s done out of love and concern.

Our culture needs to stop pushing the “fat/ curvy/thick is beautiful” stigma. Beauty doesn’t come from your weight. It comes from your heart. We need to stop being afraid to confront the health issues that being overweight and obese present. Be an encouragement for change rather than an encouragement to stay the same.

Yes, you’re beautiful just the way you are. But that doesn’t mean you’re healthy just the way you are.

Curse of the mean resting face

guest writer

Mean resting face: a real and evident presence in my life. I was blessed with a natural resting face that looks like I’m about to kill whoever makes eye contact with me next. But let me tell you, I do not want to do that. And neither does anyone else who was given the curse of MRF.

There are some people on this earth who have some kind of magical ability that allows them to smile 24/7. Oh my goodness, I absolutely cannot. No way. So what do I do when I’m not smiling? Nothing. My face just rests. Apparently this resting face of mine can come across as “unfriendly” or “intimidating” or “terrifying.” Since my Harding journey began, these are all terms I’ve heard from my friends when they talk about my infamous face.

I jumped on the opportunity to write an opinion on this subject. I know there are others out there with MRF, and I

Just the Clax

want to be the voice that says, “We are more than our scary faces and we are not awful people!”

A friend of mine recently showed me a Facebook status that read, “You have a mean resting face? Oh, you mean you’re just a terrible person.” Oh boy, was my blood boiling. Hear me now: my facial expression is not a reflection of who I am as a person.

I am very aware of what I look like to others, and I am constantly trying to show that just because it looks like I’m criticizing or glaring, I am not. I try to smile at every person I make eye contact with when I’m walking, I smile when people are giving presentations, and I smile when someone looks genuinely scared of me, which happens.

My MRF has gotten me in trouble before. Feelings were hurt because someone thought I was glaring, adults and teachers thought I was being disrespectful, and bad first impressions from others are all on the list. Nothing is worse than when someone tells me they thought I didn’t like them but only because of my face.

There are very few times in my life, and in the lives of my friends who have MRF, where our resting faces have been

an accurate portrayal of how we are feeling or how we feel about someone else.

However, just because we have the faces of a fallen angel, doesn’t give people the right to say whatever they want to about it. Please don’t tell us we look better when we smile, that we should cheer up, or incessantly ask why we’re mad. Some people are self-conscious about it and are usually feeling fine until comments like that are made.

Please do not misunderstand me; I am not ashamed of my face. I accepted this a long time ago and have chosen to rock it. I know that not everyone understands this, and that is why I try to adapt. I don’t want to come across badly to others or give people the wrong idea.

I am simply wanting to raise awareness that an expression is not a truth. What I want people to know is that we are not terrible people, we are not mean, we are not scary and we are fine. We can do whatever we want to with our faces. And that’s OK.

MAEGHEN CARTER is a guest writer for the Bison. She may be contacted at mcarter7@harding.edu.

Thanks for the Chikin

The inscription in black ink reads, “To Michael, Thanks for your letter — S. Truett Cathy, Proverbs 22:1.” When I heard that the legendary founder of Chick-fil-A had died on Sept. 8 at the age of 93, I took his book down off my shelf and thought back to my college days. I had written the inventor of the fried chicken sandwich to thank him for sponsoring a scholarship that I received to Oglethorpe University, and even though we had never met, he kindly sent me a copy of his book, “It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail.”

Something should be said around here on behalf of Truett Cathy. Set aside the fact that he was one of Harding’s ASI distinguished speakers in 2008. Set aside the fact that if you analyzed the blood content of the average Harding student, you would find it was 28 percent chicken biscuit. Here was a man who embodied what our University stands for in so many ways. A Bible teacher and mentor to generations of young boys, a man who opened his home to more than 40 foster children, married for 66 years, a supporter of Christian education, and a business leader who stood by his principles when others dismissed them as quaint, Samuel Truett Cathy lived out his faith for more than eight decades.

He opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Ga. in 1946, but it would be 20 years before he would create the signature sandwich and the chain that made him famous. As a boy growing up during the Great Depression, he had helped his struggling parents purely by using his wits — at the age of 8 he bought bottled Cokes in six-packs for 25 cents and sold them for a nickel apiece, pocketing the nickel profit. Eventually, this same business savvy would make him a billionaire as head of one of

michael claxton

the most successful fast-food chains in American history.

His success was the result — as it usually is — of hard work and dedication. He and his brother Ben built that first restaurant mostly by their own labor, and they ran it themselves, learning the trade as they went. At first, closing on Sunday had simply been a matter of sheer exhaustion. At the end of their first week in business, the tired brothers decided to take a day off to rest. But closing on Sunday out of principle remained Cathy’s practice from then on. It was non-negotiable, and he politely declined every time a mall owner begged him to open his restaurant in the food court on that day.

So many other Christian ideals guided his business and personal ethic. He treated employees like family, and he spent millions of dollars on scholarships for young people who worked in his restaurants. A survivor of colon cancer, he ministered to sick children. He spent hours praying with business associates and teenagers. He gave wise counsel to friends and to strangers. He supported his daughter’s choice to move to Brazil to be a missionary, even as it broke his heart for her to move so far away. He held himself to a high personal standard of conduct. He didn’t even swear. According to one of his sons, if Truett Cathy ever hit his thumb with a hammer, the worst he would say was, “Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

Chick-fil-A has flourished not only because it serves great food and has a

courteous and efficient staff (I’ve never been to one that wasn’t spotless, fast and friendly), but Truett Cathy was also a marketing genius. In 1967, at the debut of his new sandwich, he invited two rival newspaper editors to his restaurant, promising each he would buy a full-page ad in his paper. The two editors hated each other and constantly traded barbs in print. But when they came to the restaurant, Cathy promised to buy the expensive ads only if the two enemies would shake hands for a photo-op. The caption that ran under the picture: “We disagree on many things, but we agree that this is the best chicken sandwich we’ve ever had.”

What was Truett Cathy’s legacy? Yes, it’s 1,800 restaurants and $4 billion in annual revenue. But as for the man himself, ask the children who were riding in his car one day when he called Jimmy Carter just so the former President could say hi to the kids. Ask the man who mentioned to Cathy at a conference that he was struggling with a job decision, and later found the famous entrepreneur knocking on his hotel room door to pray with him about it. Ask the foster children he personally rocked to sleep in his home.

Or ask the Oglethorpe University graduate who made it through college with Truett Cathy’s help. And who absolutely loves Waffle fries. And who had some today before he wrote this.

Proverb 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” Truett Cathy chose well, and he ended up with both.

ALEXIS HOSTICKA is the editor-in-chief for the Bison. She may be contacted at ahostick@harding.edu. Twitter: @alexis_hosticka

MICHAEL

maeghen carter

Shane Schock

Schock Talk

These are the twitter questions for this week’s Q&A. Tweet @Shane_M_Schock to see your questions about our Harding Bisons answered.

@KeenanKellett4: What do you think the Bisons chances are of making the playoffs this year?

The football team is on the verge of getting over that Henderson State bug that kept them from the playoffs the last two years. I believe what has been holding the Bisons from the playoffs has been the offense. If you look at the stats, the defense has consistently proven they have what it takes to make that leap to the playoffs

This year, I have a feeling the offense is at its full strength when it comes to experience and knowledge of the triple option offense. This year’s seniors were freshmen when the Bisons picked up this offense in 2010, which gives them five years of experience in this system, which is a huge positive for the offense.With the defense firing on all cylinders, I expect it to be difficult for any team in the conference to run the ball and control the clock better than the Bisons.

@Derek_LePore: Do you think the women’s basketball team will continue their regular season dominance?

Yes. I believe the Lady Bisons will have another impressive year. They have a tremendous coaching staff that has given the players the attitude and confidence to win. Take last year for example; did anyone think that the Lady Bisons would go on that insane winning streak? I didn’t. Now that winning streak could mean higher expectations, which could cause trouble if the team buckles under the pressure, but I don’t think that will happen.

I believe what will really drive this team in continuing their dominant play is their experience from last year’s season. The skilled roster that lost seniors from a year ago still retains a lot of young talent like the Haney sisters and also will bring back veterans like senior Arielle Saunders.

@TarynEubank: How do you feel the volleyball team will wrap up this current season?

This is tough. I think the big question going into the season is how the volleyball team would play after losing their skilled seniors following the 2013 season. At first glance it looks like the team has had a slight drop in record losing an early conference matchup against Arkansas Tech University, but it still has a good opening record of 7-4.

I think with experienced leadership of seniors Taryn Eubank and Marindia Turner, the Lady Bisons may not have the best conference record, but they will be a team no one will want to face come season’s end, and they will be right there competing for a postseason tournament spot.

SHANE SCHOCK is sports editor for the 20142015 Bison. He may be contacted at sschock@harding.edu. Twitter: @Shane_M_Schock

Harding defense puts Skidmore back in lineup

By Shane Schock

Sports Editor

The football team had a bye week this past weekend, and it panned out well. The team got back one of their starting linebackers junior Daylan Skidmore for this week’s game.

Skidmore started week one against Southwestern Oklahoma State University before injuring his knee in the same game and has been out the last two weeks.

Skidmore returned to practice Tuesday in full participation and will give the linebacker group depth on the field.

“It feels amazing, I’ve been waiting for it for a while now, and I’m just glad to be back out there with my teammates,” Skidmore said. “I feel about 90 percent

right now, and by Saturday I think I will be ready to go.”

The defense has given up just 13 points in the first two games and allowed only 49 total rushing yards. Southern Nazarene University (SNU) will likely get the same results on the ground with Harding’s commitment to stop the run.

“I think we are going to dominate them on the run, which they will try to establish early,” Skidmore said. “After we stop the run, we need to defeat the deep pass and shut them down.”

Skidmore said the objective is to totally dominate in all phases; whether that is the run, the pass, getting sacks or taking the ball away, he said zero points is always the Bisons goal.

Bisons finish first in Gravett Invitational

Cross-country takes first in 8K

By Rebecca Neely Head Web Editor

The men’s cross-country team had a great start this season. They finished first as a team in the 8K Bob Gravett Invitational with 32 points and second in the 8K Commodore Classic with 79 points altogether.

The first place runner for the men’s team in the Commodore Classic was sophomore Russell Chase. He finished the 8K course in a time of 26:29.9. Chase was also named Great American Conference Men’s Runner of the Week.

“I was honored to be HU’s top finisher. It feels great to be an important part of such a great program,” Chase said.

“However, I really only became our top finisher because of a few complications. Our other top runners were recovering from some illnesses that have been going around, and the course was very hilly which is my specialty. We have a very strong group of runners, and we still have a lot of hard work to do. I believe anyone could be our top runner next race.”

The cross-country team

spends many hours training for races, not just running but also eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep. Senior Logan Green mentioned that all of these were key for the team, but difficult to maintain as busy college students.

“We have a strong team environment that makes every day enjoyable,” Green said. “Being together so much, we become close friends. It is fun to be a part of a group that is willing to sacrifice and work hard towards our common goal.”

Chase said that it was rewarding to be able to train and compete with such a hard-working group of Christians, and pushing yourselves as hard as possible with the same people every day forges the strongest friendships.

Pensacola, Fla., is the team’s next stop. They will race in the Gulf Coast Stampede, hosted by University of West Florida on Sept. 27 followed by the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 4, then the UALR Invitational on Oct. 18 in Little Rock.

Harding is ranked as the No. 1 defense in the Great American Conference so far this season and is the only team in conference that in two games has allowed less than 100 total rushing yards.

Harding’s offense scored 45 points in their week two win over Northwestern Oklahoma State University. They had a slow start, scoring just seven of those points in the first quarter.

“The bye week is always good to get some rest and help with injuries like Skidmore,” senior offensive tackle Cole Lockwood said. “But to be honest, I don’t really like the bye week, I would rather just get out there and play.”

The Bisons offensive line has five seniors that have four or more years of experience

in the triple option system. The offense moves only as far as the offensive line takes them.

“We set the pace, it starts up front with us,” Lockwood said. “If we dominate and win the hitting game, we set the tempo for the offense and give our backs room to do their thing.”

The team has had two weeks to prepare for SNU, giving both sides of the ball an extra week of practice and game planning.

“We really don’t ever know what we will see defensively week to week with our offense,” wide receivers coach Luke Cullins said. “Our plan doesn’t really change; we work different defensive fronts every week, not dependent on the opponent.”

Cullins said SNU takes a lot of chances defensively with their pressure and aggressive blitzing. He said the Bisons have to take advantage of those type of pressure plays and capitalize on them.

In the 2013 season, Harding rushed for 505 yards and seven touchdowns in their meeting against SNU, beating them 63-21 at home. This weekend the Bisons will travel to Bethany, Okla. to take on Southern Nazarene University Saturday at 6 p.m. Going into this week’s game, the Bisons moved up in the American Football Coaches Association from No. 20 to No. 16. According to Harding Sports, it is Harding’s highest ranking since 2012 when they were at No. 12.

Soccer needs an answer

By Alexis Hosticka Editor-in-Chief

With an 0-7 record as of press time, the Lady Bisons soccer team is struggling to make progress on the field this season.

On Thursday, the team faced Ouachita Baptist University for their first Great American Conference game, but results were not available as of press time. On Sept. 30, the team will face Northeastern State University (NSU) in Talequah, Okla.

So far this season, the Lady Bisons have scored a total of three goals in matches, two by junior Audrey Adkison and one by junior Ashley Sampson.

The season has been a struggle for the team as they have tried to get on their feet and win their first match.

“I would say our team’s biggest challenge this year is believing in ourselves,” junior Melissa Minnich said. “A team could have all the talent in the world but if they don’t believe in themselves it’s hard to be successful.”

Last season, the team finished with an 8-9-1 record after losing six of their first eight games.

“Last year started out rough, but when conference came, we believed in ourselves and ended up placing second,” Minnich said. “Our team this year has great potential and I know we can be successful.”

NSU comes into the game with a 3-2 record as of press time, but this does not discourage the team.

“It would be easy to get

down, but when you know you have the talent and the attitude to win and it’s just not happening yet, you have to pull together and play as a team and know that it will get better and the wins will come,” sophomore Anna-Grace Kirkman said. “It would be easy to get down on each other, but we are a tight team and focused and we will trust (head) coach (Greg) Harris.”

According to Harding Sports, the Lady Bisons are averaging 11.7 shots per game and junior midfielder Adair Schmidt has 13 shots this season.

Despite the string of losses, the team is determined to make a comeback and confident that they can.

“We will turn this around,” Kirkman said.

Senior running back Alapeti Magalei runs the ball in the Bisons win over Northwestern State University 45-7 on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Alva, Okla. Harding will face Southern Nazarene University this Saturday, Sept. 27 in Bethany Okla.

GRANT SCHOL | The Bison

Junior Audrey Adkison handles the ball in the game against Hendrix College last Tuesday, Sept. 16. The Lady Bisons lost the match 0-1.

DAVID CROUCH | Public Relations

Group builds professional network, gives back

By Matt Ryan Features Editor

The Animal Science Association is a relatively new campus organization that a group of biology, pre-veterinary and other health sciences majors started this spring.

Senior Will Justus, who served last semester as the organization’s first president, said that since there are few students and faculty members who focus solely on animal sciences, it can be difficult to build connections and relationships with academically and professionally like-minded individuals. Justus said he helped start the organization, in part, to provide networking opportunities for those looking to pursue graduate studies or a career in an animal science related field.

“The values we’re founded upon is to provide a professional network for people who are going into these fields,” Justus said. “We practice professional skills, (and) recently we did a thing where we worked on (surgical) knots. We also were trying to get a professor from the vet school at Auburn University, where I’ve done research, to Skype in and talk about the research she’s done.”

Justus said the association also created a Facebook page to connect current students with former students who are now in graduate school or in professional settings. He said this gives current students a support network they can go to for advice and guidance for decisions about graduate school and future career moves.

Professor sells unique products, enjoys company at Thackerland

By Wesley Seaman Beat Reporter

Professor of kinesiology, retired tennis coach and flea market vendor David Elliott has operated space at Judsonia’s Thackerland

Flea Market for the last 28 years.

Elliott initially decided to get involved with Thackerland by his interest in buying, selling and trading sports cars.

Thackerland has become a destination for many students looking for unique dorm decorations, gifts and other items for many years.

people looking for antique gifts and other merchandise.

“It’s a big family,” Elliott said. “I started out and I didn’t know hardly anyone there … I’ve met literally hundreds of people from all over the country; Harding students from everywhere, foreign countries and people traveling from different states who stop by.”

The relationships Elliott has built with his fellow vendors and customers are one of the biggest reasons he continues his vending at Thackerland.

like Elliott.

“The vendors love to chat and are quite interesting people,” Wells said. “One guy was telling me to tell all my friends to come. He said we don’t care if you buy anything, we just want to talk. I thought that was really neat.”

Dr. Steven Cooper, assistant professor of biology and one of the Animal Science Association’s sponsors, said the group holds regular meetings to discuss practical professional skills or academic topics. He also said the organization’s constitution says the group will take part in at least one charitable activity and one fun activity each semester. Cooper said that for last semester’s service activity, members of the organization took children living in foster homes on a trip to the Little Rock Zoo. A former foster parent himself, Cooper said he thought the trip was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to learn and enjoy the positive company of college students.

“I knew people in the Searcy Children’s Home, so I contacted them and got a list of kids,” Cooper said. “They did fundraisers on campus and raised enough money to do it, selling cookies and stuffed animals and all kinds of things like that. We took about 10 or 12 kids, I think, and they loved it, but I think the college kids especially loved it.”

Junior Hailey Weare, who serves as the Animal Science Association’s current president, said that one of the difficulties of majoring in an animal health science related field is that there are very few scholarship opportunities available for her. Because of this, as well as to encourage future students to consider pur suing an animal science related career path, Weare said the Animal Science Association is working alongside faculty members, like Cooper, to create a new scholarship. While she said not much has been raised at this point, they plan to help contact alumni and local professionals who might be interested in donating.

“One of the things that really prompted us to help get this going was that (Justus) applied for a health sciences scholarship, and there is nowhere on the application where it says students specifically have to be going to work with humans,” Weare said. “So naturally he applied for it, but he didn’t get it for that exact reason. Other than basic academic ones, we don’t have a whole lot of scholarship options, so professors like Dr. Cooper are really fighting for us by trying to make this happen.”

Justus said the Animal Science Association is not meant to be confined to current students but to graduates and to the professional com munity, so as to provide a broad network for students to reach out to in the future. Weare said the association is still accepting members until the end of today, and interested students can inquire about joining by emailing her at huanimalscience@gmail.com.

Thackerland is located in Judsonia, Ark., and is a cluster of buildings, trailers and outdoor areas where vendors rent out booth space to sell merchandise.

Organized and operated by the Thacker family, space is rented out by vendors who provide a welcoming atmosphere for

“Every week you always look forward to seeing all the friendly faces,” Elliott said. “Sometimes you only see somebody once a year. But usually there’s a bond, and you remember them.”

Junior Jake Wells enjoys going to Thackerland not only to shop, but to visit with the unique personalities that sell there,

Elliott currently operates eight booths, and some of his merchandise includes sports and hunting equipment, ammunition, clothing, camping equipment and the occasional gold or silver item. Elliott said that as long as it’s “wholesome,” chances are he has it.

“It has been a pleasant relief from the pressure of teaching and coaching,” Elliott said. “It was a means of relieving stress, and it’s something I always look forward to, going out and seeing all the friendly faces.”

Caf breakfast with a side of adventure

By Rachel Brackins Editorial Asst. Haleigh Edge Head Copy Editor

Hundreds of students count on the cafeteria to fill their stomachs every morning. Even though the renovations have provided additional options, students who frequent the cafeteria for breakfast may find the selections somewhat redundant. Fortunately, several students have come up with creative solutions to shake

and start the day off right.

Freshman William Gann has a specific way to spice up his morning waffles. This DIY trick is a way for students to satisfy their sweet tooth.

“I don’t want it to get too monotonous, so every now and then I’ll bring in a little extra treat, like a little container of Nutella and a banana or two,” Gann said. “(Then) I’ll slather some Nutella all over my waffle, just because it keeps thing interesting.”

to be a little adventurous and take his breakfast meal to the sandwich line to mix things up a bit. His unconventional method condenses and simplifies an array of choices into one hearty serving.

“At times I will get a meal from the Home Zone and I will take it over to the sandwich area and get a wrap and make a breakfast burrito,” Davis said.

Junior Christy Delgado has a quick and easy alternative for students looking for something

“I’ll get yogurt and get granola and mix a little bit of peanut butter into it,” Delgado said. “I like that because it’s filling and a better option when I want to avoid the heavy, greasy meal from the Home Zone.” These breakfast hipsters refuse to conform to the mundane. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why should it not also be the most exciting? In the words of the late Truett Cathy, “Food is essential to life,

GRANT SCHOL | The Bison

David Elliott, a professor of kinesiology at Harding, tends to his booth at the Thackerland Flea Market, where he sells his products every weekend. Elliott said he has met people from all over the world since he first opened his booth 28 years ago.

Graphic by JEWELYA WILLIAMS

Survey conducted by Bison staff members on the morning of Sept. 22 in the caf. Eighty-two students participated in the survey.

The values we’re founded upon is to provide a professional network for people who are going into these fields.

-Will Justus, junior

Lady Gaga Tony Bennett

Bennett, Gaga get cozy on new album

By Cole Mokry Opinions Editor

Unlikely duo Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga released “Cheek to Cheek,” their 16-track jazz collaboration on Tuesday. The album pulls from the Great American Songbook, with Bennett and Gaga covering classic jazz hits by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole.

“Cheek to Cheek” was inspired by and recorded in New York City, where both Bennett and Gaga were born and raised. The album explores the history of American jazz music, which Bennett frequently calls the greatest music ever made. You can hear the influence of Ella Fitzgerald on Gaga’s vocals throughout the album.

Jazz is slower and more deliberate than what is normally played on the radio, and for that reason “Cheek to Cheek” has been criticized as boring and outdated.The album is not an attempt to compete with contemporaries, but a page from a songbook of another generation.

Bennett and Gaga especially shine in the title track, “Cheek to Cheek,” with vocals that glide in and out of the music. Each song transports you into a smoke-filled room with mahogany walls where Miles Davis and Count Basie play jazz standards. The album is not entirely duets, Bennett and Gaga both take two solos where their individual talents, Bennett’s smooth cadence and Gaga’s killer pipes, are showcased.

The pair recorded a live special at Lincoln Center in July that will air on PBS on

By Zach Hailey

Asst. Copy Editor

Video game developer

Bungie’s long-anticipated first-person shooter, “Destiny,” was released Sept. 9 into stores nationwide. After releasing its final contribution to the “Halo” saga in 2010, “Halo Reach,” Bungie set it’s eyes on building a new type of game, one that felt “alive.”

“Destiny”is set in the distant future, where a moon sized sphere called the Traveler is discovered by humanity.

This orb has the ability to turn dead planets, such as Venus and Mars, into habitable planets. Of course, mankind is quick to colonize the new frontier, until an alien enemy of the Traveler arrives and all but destroys Earth. Now, it is up to the playable characters of the game called “guardians”

By Chloe Savage Student Writer

Open dorms are a quirk unique to the Harding experience when dorms suddenly become co-ed for two and a half hours and the resident assistants make sure that all pairs of feet in the room remain firmly planted on the floor.

These evenings are an opportunity for students to hang out, watch movies, or just eat dinner together. However, many times students are not aware when they are going on until the day of.

“(Having open dorm) once a week would be awesome, but I don’t know if it’s doable,” junior Danny Jackson said. “Given that the RA’s have to be there checking, I think the number one thing we need for open dorm is consistency.”

“I think one of the things that’s been bad in the past is that they’ve been really random and nobody would know about it,” Student Association vice president senior Zach White said. “Now the way it is, it’s on a Tuesday every time and they will be back to back, three in a row.”

This year, Student Association president senior Phil Habegger proposed dates for open dorm that will run three Tuesdays in a row alternating between male and female open dorms.

But what do you do for two and a half hours? Here are some ideas: make a music video, host a debate, have men lift heavy furniture and rearrange your room, get hypnotized, or have a hall party (with your RA’s permission).

Oct. 24. The 60-year age difference between Bennett and Gaga doesn’t seem to affect their magnetic chemistry that flows from the music.

“I learn so much when we sing together,” Gaga said in an interview with Billboard. “The way he sings is like he’s touching the heart of every single person in the room.”

Bennett approached Gaga in 2011 after watching her perform and asked if she’d like to make a jazz album together.

“I’ve seen it all, but I’ve never met anybody that is more intelligent about performing than Lady Gaga,” Bennett told the Today Show. “I have a lot of faith in her career.”

Bennett and Gaga collaborated once before, recording a cover of “The Lady is a Tramp” for Bennett’s “Duets II” album. They went on to perform the song at the 2013 inauguration of President Obama.

Bennett, 88, has been making music for over 65 years and has released over 70 albums. In 2001, he started the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, New York. He is also a painter with his work on display in the Smithsonian.

Lady Gaga has released five albums since being discovered in 2008. She is also an advocate for equal rights and founded the Born This Way Foundation in 2011. She primarily makes pop music, but has been singing jazz non-commercially since she was in high school.

Can’t-miss songs: “Cheek to Cheek,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” and “Lush Life.”

to overcome the evil that has covered the universe.

At the beginning of the game, players have the opportunity to choose a class and race for the character that they will use in the game. Titan, Hunter and Warlock classes are available to choose from, and each class has several weapons and armor choices to upgrade and purchase throughout the game.

“Destiny” includes Story missions for the solo player as well as Strike missions designed for co-op playing. Many other game types are also available. Unlike most single player campaigns, “Destiny” requires Internet connection to play both single and multiplayer.

Freshman Dylan McCoy has been playing “Destiny” with his friends since it was

Harding’s Student Handbook does not make provision for open dorm nights, so the Student Association has taken the responsibility to become a liaison between the students and the administration to provide this privilege. This year, the SA is making efforts to provide clarity and consistency in providing nights men and women can visit each other’s dorms.

By Amber Houston Student Writer

The Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall is preparing to host its first bridal fair on Saturday, Sept. 27.

According to Mat Faulkner, who owns the Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall with his wife Shelley, the bridal fair became an opportunity to reach out to the Searcy community after a canceled event.

“We had a wedding booked there the weekend of Get Down Downtown, but their wedding rescheduled for later in the year,” Mat Faulkner said. “So since we didn’t have anything booked we were trying to find a way to be involved with Get Down Downtown and show off the building to those in

released on the Xbox 360.

“You’re always online playing multiplayer,” McCoy said. “You can choose to play solo, but there will still be other players on your map.”

McCoy said there was a situation where he and a friend were overwhelmed with enemies, but were then rescued by other online players.

“Destiny”offers a less-structured storyline, unlike most first person shooters of this generation.

Freshman Jake Buchanan said he has been impressed with the layout of the story of “Destiny.”

“It feels more open and less structured,” Buchanan said. “You can choose which mission to do and which place to go.”

The game features several different game types for players

the community who have not yet had an opportunity to see the inside of it, and so we thought the bridal fair made a lot of sense.”

The Robbins-Sanford Grand Hall has a rich historical background and was a major mercantile site 100 years ago.

“People would show up on horse and buggies, and they would come and get their feed and their clothes,” Mat Faulkner said. “It was the largest mercantile store between here and St. Louis back then.”

Shelley Faulkner believes that the bridal fair can especially benefit Harding couples.

“It’s especially good for Harding because a lot of people are from out of town,” Shelley Faulkner said. “If they

who want a little more than a campaign. However, the online campaign requires no payment for online play. For players looking for a player-versus-player experience, Gold Membership is required for Xbox Live.

“If you are a Gold Member you can choose to fight other players,” McCoy said. “You go to another planet and can battle with friends and other players.”

The frontier is vast and beautiful in the “Destiny” universe. The new feel of constant online play is as interesting as it is engaging. The game leaves plenty of room for opinion of character choice as well.

“I recommend choosing a Warlock,” Buchanan said. “We are going to beat the game with him, then maybe try with something else.”

do want to get married here in Searcy, they might not know what’s available. So this will give them an opportunity to see that.”

According to senior Briana Holland who got engaged on Aug. 15, a bridal fair is beneficial because of its convenience.

“Just knowing everything is in one spot and actually not having to go to a thousand different stores, a thousand different places (makes it easier),” Holland said.

The fair will have 15-20 venues and will go from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“The wedding is a large event and generally very expensive so a bridal fair allows you to look at different vendors and compare their products and services all in one place,” Mat Faulkner said.

Cheek to Cheek

LINDA FERELLE | The Bison