The Bison - Vol. 99, No. 08

A H A R D I N G U N I V E R S I T Y S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N

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NEWS . 2A NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A OPINIONS . . . . . . . . . .

3A, 4A 3&4A OPINIONS SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1B 1&2B SPORTS COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . 2B FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . .3B FEATURES 3B LIFESTYLE 4B LIFESTYLE . . . . . . . . . . . .4B

In this issue Policy revision, 2A

Online at TheLink.Harding.edu

Jordy Searcy visits campus LAUREN SIMMONS guest writer

Football, 1B

Bus stop shed, 2B

Seniors reflect, 3B

Searcy, Ark., 72149

Campus Life hosted pop artist Jordy Searcy Nov. 28 for the annual fall concert.

Students were a large part of the decisionmaking process to bring Searcy to campus, as they tagged Campus Life on Instagram over the summer when Searcy posted that he would come to college campuses on his tour.

Director of Campus Life Jane Chandler said the Campus Life Instagram account was tagged around 200 times when Searcy’s first post was made June 21. Chandler was hired days after the post was created and said the first thing she saw was the hundreds of notifications on her phone.

“Since that was all happening, being tagged and everything, before I even started … my decision was made for me,” Chandler said.

Junior Lexi Earnhart, the marketing director for Campus Life, said she was excited to see Searcy’s post and see if he would perform on campus.

“I have a lot of friends who are very big Jordy Searcy fans,” Earnhart said. “So when he originally posted for college schools to reach out to him, my Instagram and messages were full of people tagging me and our Campus Life Instagram.”

Senior Brinley Colbert saw Searcy’s post and immediately texted Chandler to ask if she had seen the comments on his post and if Searcy could perform at Harding. Chandler said she asked Colbert if she needed a campus job and recruited Colbert to work for Campus Life.

“I was actually one of the students who tagged Campus Life in the post before knowing I was going to work for Campus Life,” Colbert said. “I’ve been a fan of Jordy Searcy for years now, and after seeing him in concert with Ben Rector and Stephen Day in the spring, it was really cool to see some of the people that were also at the concert begin to tag him as well.”

Earnhart said she is excited for the future of Campus Life and viewed Searcy’s concert as a sign that Chandler is willing to listen to the student body.

“Our whole purpose as Campus Life is to provide the students with fun activities and events that they actually want and enjoy,” Earnhart said. “I can speak from personal experience that Jane and my fellow coworkers at Campus Life truly have the students in mind when it comes to every decision.”

Students should expect another concert announcement for the spring to arrive in the upcoming weeks, according to Chandler, as Campus Life is looking to expand the genres of artists that perform on campus.

“I think in the past couple years we’ve had this very Harding-core, folksy, singer-songwriter artist,” Chandler said.

“But [we are] wanting to branch into some more country or pop or just having some other artist come in and fill out our repertoire a bit more.”

Chandler said she encouraged all students to attend all of the concerts because Harding has hosted many artists in the past that gained popularity later in their careers, such as Pentatonix and Taylor Swift.

“How many artists have come here and will come here that this is their stop on the way to some huge destination,” Chandler said. “You want to be able to say you were a part of that. Who knows where Jordy’s career is going? … Take advantage of stuff being here at your doorstep.”

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Dec. 1, 2023 Vol. 99, No. 08

Photo by LAUREN SIMMONS

Musician Jordy Searcy sings in the Anthony Wright Administration Auditorium Nov. 28. Campus Life announced the concert earlier this semester.

Panama Canal deputy administrator speaks at ASI event

Photo by CALEB CHUNN

Ilya R. Espino de Marotta, deputy administrator of the Panama Canal, speaks in the Benson Auditorium at an American Studies Institute (ASI) lecture Nov. 28. Espino de Marotta was the first female deputy administrator of the Panama Canal.

CAMILLE WHITE guest writer The American Studies Institute (ASI) hosted Ilya R. Espino de Marotta, deputy administrator of the Panama Canal. She spoke in the Benson Auditorium Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Espino de Marotta said she had not heard of Harding until she was asked to come speak with ASI. “When I got here, and I saw all the speakers that had been here, I was mega impressed and blown away,” Espino de Marotta said.

“I’m very honored to be here and very happy.”

At the ASI lecture, she discussed the history, modernization and future goals of the

Panama Canal. Additionally, she explained the importance of overcoming challenges and celebrating achievements, both professionally and personally.

Espino de Marotta became the first woman deputy administrator of the Panama Canal in 2020. She said that as the deputy administrator, she oversees all of the vice presidents, such as finance, human resources, legal, operations, engineering and environmental.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Espino de Marotta said. “Basically, you’re a problem solver. You are there to provide support for whoever needs it and whenever they need it.”

In 2012, as executive vice president for engineering and program management, Espino de Marotta became director and chief

engineer of the Panama Canal expansion project until it was completed in 2016.

“It was a little bit challenging getting there because in a non-traditional job for women, it’s not as easy to, let’s say, be recognized,” Espino de Marotta said. “There was a little bit of doubt like, ‘Can she do the job? Is she going to be able to do it?’”

Espino de Marotta offered a final piece of advice.

“Your attitude is more important than your aptitude,” Espino de Marotta said. “If you have the right attitude, you will learn anything. But if you’re a brilliant person, but have a very wrong attitude, who doesn’t like to contribute or work in teams, you are really not that valuable. I think people need to keep that in mind.”

Junior Sydney Soto attended the event, and said she enjoyed hearing about Espino de Marotta’s journey to becoming deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal.

“She aced many different challenges and was able to overcome them in order to have a successful outcome in not only her job, but her life as well,” Soto said.

Dr. John Richard Duke, executive director of ASI, said Espino de Marotta is a talented and respected leader.

“Hopefully the lessons that she was able to share from her pioneering and compelling personal journey can inspire all of us as we move forward in our studies, careers and personal lives,” Duke said.

2A NEWS

Friday, December 1, 2023

Raccoon moves into Pryor Hall MAGGIE SAMPLES news editor Residents found a raccoon in habiting the ceiling of Pryor Hall resulting in the students’ relocation for a week.

Seniors Mikayla Maynard and Carly Collett and juniors Emily Palmer and Bethany Stevens live together in Pryor 316.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, Stevens, Maynard, Palmer and a few others were watching a movie in the dorm when they heard a noise from the ceiling.

“Mikayla goes and opens the pantry, and she just sees eyes,” Stevens said.

The students called Public Safety, but when they responded, the raccoon was in the ceiling and couldn’t be captured.

“As I was looking, I saw a little shadow,” Public Safety officer Mike Mounga said.

“I kept looking for like 15 minutes, but I couldn’t really find it.”

Mounga told the residents to call Public Safety if they heard more noise.

Collett said that she heard the raccoon later that night and found it rummaging through the food in their pantry. Collett called Public Safety, but the raccoon returned to the ceiling before they arrived.

“They [were] like, ‘Sorry, there’s nothing we can do, but if you catch it in this bucket,

we’ll come back,’” Collett said. “[They said] ‘good luck’ and left.”

According to Collett, they decided to lure the raccoon out of the ceiling, and it was

sitting in the pantry when they called Public Safety for the third time.

“Public Safety walks in, and [the raccoon] reaches down, grabs hot dog buns and

returns back into the ceiling,” Collett said.

Collett said the Public Safety officers set up a trap containing bread and ramen noodles before leaving.

Maynard is a resident assistant and was communicating with Pryor residence life coordinator Mary Margaret Fish, who arranged for them to stay at the Heritage Inn. The suitemates said that this has been a bonding experience for them. They have named the raccoon “Remy.”

“I don’t know if this is valuable information, but we have found that this raccoon has a particular diet of plain bread,” Palmer said.

“It doesn’t really like peanut butter, obviously.

I’m skeptical that it’s going to enjoy Spam or anchovies like everyone has been suggesting to us. I think it’s just the hot dog buns.”

The raccoon remains uncaptured, but they were able to move back into their dorm after returning from Thanksgiving break. “[Public Safety] put the trap in the ceiling, and they keep checking it to see if it’s there,” Maynard said. “However, there has been no signs of him since the Tuesday before break.”

Graphic by MAKAYLA MACDONALD

Administration revises, clarifies handbook policy TIANE DAVIS editor-in-chief

The University Board of Trustees approved a handbook policy revision called “Expectations for Sexual Morality” Nov. 2, according to an email Executive Vice President Jean-Noel Thompson sent to faculty and staff Nov. 15.

The revision replaced the previous handbook policy, adding nearly a page of clarifying language.

Thompson said the previous policy said what the University wanted to say from a Biblical standpoint, but lacked a lot of clarity and opportunities to express understanding and compassion “particularly around LGBTQ issues.” He said the “Expectations for Sexual Morality” committee, which was formed about six months ago, wanted to strengthen and clarify the policy with scriptural reference and compassion.

“We wanted to make sure we can give a little perspective, understanding the complexity of the issue and focusing primarily on behavior,” Thompson said. “We’re not going to focus on why someone feels the way they feel or who they may identify with. It’s going to be on behavior.”

Thompson said the committee that worked to revise the policy included input from faculty, staff, the counseling center and the board of trustees. The policy went through several rounds of small changes in wording and changes in perspective before it was sent to the University Board of Trustees.

“One of the things we want to be clear about is, regardless of where we may have differences here and there, everyone’s going to be treated with the highest of respect and

Graphic by BEN EVANS

care,” Thompson said. “We’re not going to tolerate any sense of harassment toward anyone.”

Vice president of Student Life Zach Neal said the goal in revising the policy was to clarify it, not change it. He said the

Scan QR code to see a PDF of the previous policy

committee wanted to better explain “why we have what we have and why we expect what we expect.”

“I found that in the past, not only with this topic, when a student may see it a different way, they still appreciated the University

being clear about what we expect,” Neal said.

“I think this falls in line with that thought process, that we invite individuals to come and ask questions and to even bring challenges to what we expect and allow us the opportunity to explain where we’re coming from.”

Neal said the student handbook is reviewed every year and that his role in the Office of Student Life is to make sure the student body understands everything the administration does.

“The relationship that comes with clear communication is probably the big picture here,” Neal said. “Going back and reviewing the handbook and rewording when necessary shows that we want everyone to know ahead of time what to expect as opposed to just wondering where the University stands.”

University President Mike Williams said the previous policy had a few “missing pieces” and that the administration wanted it to reflect the Harding community’s mission.

“Clarity is kind,” Williams said. “We want people to know on the front end that this is a community value set.”

Ella Duryea, Student Government Association president, said she believes the updated wording better reflects the University’s stance of compassion when approaching “controversial” and “delicate” matters. However, she said disagreement is almost always inevitable and that not everyone will agree or disagree with the revision.

“Whether you agree or disagree with the revised policies, I think we can all concede that choosing a compassionate and kind way to express one’s beliefs will always be of utmost importance,” Duryea said.

Scan QR code to see a PDF of the revised policy

3A OPINIONS

TheLink.Harding.edu

Hunting camo is the new animal print

Randi Tubbs Guest Writer

F

animal print, you aimed for a specific look.

Hunting camo was at a time associated with hunters and gatherers. Wearing RealTree merchandise meant you had pride in your great United States and would hold up a deer head to prove it. The print has morphed into a too-cool-for-school essential. You want to look grunge and cool without even trying?

Hunting camo. There are rips and tears? Even better! My question to the hunting camo disciples: When you buy hunting camo, do you actually like it?

I sympathize with you. Just yesterday I wore hunting camo shorts purchased from the Goodwill

bins to sleep. Just a couple weeks ago I wore an oversized hunting camo sweatshirt with a crochet appliquè. Participating in fashion trends is no bad thing. I find trend hopping as fun as the next girl! But I also anticipate cringing at my hunting camo years (maybe months) from now as it returns to the racks of Goodwill knowing it wasn’t used to hunt once.

The desire to be like a group of people that you admire is an inevitable human experience. Duck Dynasty is a class choice! Just make sure you aren’t participating in something you don’t believe in. And (please) don’t bring back animal print.

RANDI TUBBS is a guest writer for The Bison.

She may be contacted at rtubbs@harding.edu.

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ashion trends weave in and out of our everyday lives, and before you know it the thought of your once favorite cheetah print leggings makes you gag. What was once seen as exotic and lavish is now seen (oftentimes) in bad taste. Hunting camo, much like animal prints at their prime, is a pattern on the rise. My question to the trend minions: Will your favorite hunting camo cargo pants become your (ex) favorite cheetah leggings?

At its genesis, animal print was made from real animal skins. Animals were killed to create warm coats and man cave rugs.

Animals were sought out and plunged to extinction, all for the clout associated with the fad. My question to the modern thinkers: What are you sacrificing for fleeting trends?

What makes fashion tasteful? I suppose it is up to the creator. However, at what point does one differentiate creating fashion they love from creating fashion that other people will love?

Animal print was once associated with wealth and status. If you bought

EN S AN EV

Overall Wednesday

Regan McClure

Guest Writer

W

ednesday is the absolute best day of the week. There are many reasons why. I love going to devo and being encouraged by some of the most incredible and loving people I know. It’s the perfect amount of time to scheme for a great weekend.

And I just love a good midweek shift with breakout chapel. But what really makes it the highlight of my week is that every Wednesday is Overall Wednesday.

Overall Wednesday started as an excuse for my friend Emilie Wilkinson and me to wear our fresh look together. Emilie had never worn overalls before, and during our study abroad trip to Greece, we decided we simply had to get some for her. Emilie is the type of friend to make any situation wonderful. There would be times on our trip when I would be tired from jet lag or just cranky like anyone else would be, and I would look at her, and we would giggle and

I would forget why I was ever not having the absolute time of my life.

The first Overall Wednesday was simply a dream. We walked around the island of Crete all day in our matching fits. We bought ice cream, we talked to Grecian men and we made memories. This day brought us closer together as friends. When we got back from the best day of our lives, we promised to wear overalls every Wednesday.

When we got back to Searcy, we kept our promise. We wore overalls and documented the day on Instagram. As it went on, people started catching on to our tradition. Our friends were participating in the trend and got others to join as well.

Recently I went to Midnight Oil on an Overall Wednesday. I was talking with someone I hadn’t met before, and I complimented her outfit: overalls. She thanked me and told me it was because it was Overall Wednesday.

This reminded me that overalls are a bold statement, and the courage to participate can give others the courage to be bold as well.

Hyping silly things up that you love contributes to the culture of the community around you. Love things and talk about them.

Being vocal about silly things contributes to the community by owning the things you love. Getting excited about little things helps people love their things more. Maybe they don’t love overalls, but seeing others get excited about their things makes them want to be excited about theirs. It can seem scary to be vulnerable about the things you love.

Love and own your things because they are your things. Don’t worry about what others think about the things you love. Overall, the best day is when you do the things you love.

REGAN MCCLURE is a guest writer for The Bison. She may be contacted at rmcclure1@harding.edu.

God Abroad

Faith and Family in Spain Clara Kernodle HUE Student

“God Abroad ” is a travel column by sophomore Clara Kernodle. Each week, she writes about the different ways she sees God during her HUE study abroad trip. This week, she discusses the final part of her trip, her free travel in Barcelona. ur HUE semester is over — most of us have flown home or to places like London, Budapest or Paris for a few more days of independent travel. I met my brother in Barcelona, and together we ended the semester with family friends in Granada, a small Moorish town close to the straits of Gibraltar. Eva and Benyamin, with their three daughters, welcomed us to their home, making Spanish omelets, pointing out the best local churreria and teaching us how to play the castanets. It was a sweet and quiet way to end a busy semester, and during this time I was able to examine my experience with Christian Europe, an experience I have been glad to share here.

The story of Europe could be nothing more than another modern tragedy; every year secular pollsters are happy to announce a further decline in the number of Europeans who practice the faith. The southern nations have held onto their heritage of devotion

O

staff Tiane Davis

editor-in-chief Abbey Williams lifestyle/layout editor Maggie Samples news editor Camille White Randi Tubbs

more firmly than the north, and this is especially true of those nations that profess Roman Catholicism. The historical churches are still the physical center of many cities but now stand as mere ornate museums while the rest of life flows around (instead of from) them. Spain as a whole is less Christian than ever, with non-Christians less and less likely to consider the faith.

But for the few remaining Christians, the eternal Church is the most important, most constant aspect of life. The faith is the most prominent connection to people outside of the secular culture; Christian tourists from China, Greece or Arkansas can join their Spanish brothers and sisters in Christ in worship. For the Roman Catholics, service is conducted the same way as at home, with the same books and prayers, though in another language. The words of the liturgy and the Gospel itself carry the same meaning in Catalán as they do in English or Icelandic, and the symbol of the cross still hangs above the altar in every nation.

Europe, one of the most historically rich continents for Christianity, is not yet lost.

Experiencing the family of the Universal Church has been one of my favorite parts

Emma Weber opinions editor Nic Fraraccio sports editor Eli Dean community editor

Helen Strickland features editor Cianna Jay head copy editor Ava Bramlett asst. copy editor

Lauren Simmons

of this semester. As rain turns to snow and multicolored lights glow from bushes and lampposts, I’ve noticed a lot of familial themes, for the global Church is approaching Christmas. An immediate focal point of Eva and Benyamin’s family room was a large Nativity créche, celebrating the Holy Family in the Roman Catholic way. Most American Nativity sets are a few dozen figures to be arranged above the mantel or on top of the piano, but this one was a large wooden box, with painted figurines fixed around the mangers. Benyamin pointed to it and told us proudly that his mother, an accomplished artist, had painted this and seven other créches, one for each of her children. Christmas — and the faith as a whole — is a family affair, he said; the family attends mass together and exchanges gifts on Nochebuena. The family community is how the faith is strengthened and continues.

After dinner, we sat in the family room by the fire, chatting and laughing and praying, for across many boundaries, cultural, linguistic or otherwise, the global, eternal Church remains.

CLARA KERNODLE is a guest writer for The Bison. She may be contacted at ckernodle@harding.edu

Ben Evans asst. copy/graphics Makayla McDonald graphic designer Macy Cox head photographer Clara Kernodle

Morgan Pickering asst. photographer Caleb Chunn asst. photographer/ PR/marketing

No Feeling is Final

Emma Weber Opinions Editor

Music freak

A

recurring theme in my life is music.

My mom loves to tell people that on the way to my first day of kindergarten, I was hyping myself up with a CD of “The Best of the ’70s” when she had to inform me that I wasn’t allowed to sing “Le Freak” in school.

I was obviously distraught with this because it was my favorite song of the group. From that day on I had to wait to sing my tunes until I was home.

When I was around the age of 9, I became obsessed with Adele’s album “21.” I had never been through any kind of heartbreak, especially a messy breakup with a semi-famous photographer, but somehow she verbalized the feeling of longing I felt in my heart but didn’t know how to say. She painted pictures of ideas I had felt before. I was struck by the thought that someone could say so clearly what had been floating around my mind.

Spotify Wrapped coming out this week reminds me again of why I love music. For those who don’t know, Spotify Wrapped is an annual event in which the music streaming app Spotify releases your music-listening data with funky illustrations, probably so you don’t question what other data they may have access to. During this time, music lovers everywhere are reminded about their experiences of the past year through the music they listened to. Spotify even creates a playlist in which one can reminisce on the songs that have become like old friends.

This year was no different. Listening to the songs I loved this year, I was able to be transported back to specific moments, conjure up specific people and reconnect with feelings I had long since disconnected from.

“Simulation Swarm” by the band Big Thief put me back on my bike on the Harding trail for the first time with friends who graduated last spring. “Peace” by Taylor Swift transported me back to the sticky Michigan mornings where I got to water gardens while working at my internship this summer. “The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment” by Father John Misty invokes a clear image of my excitement to find a song written about a woman like me — loud, frequently speaking before thinking and hopelessly ironic.

I have a love language of telling people “This song reminds me of you.” There is no greater honor than hearing the experience of an artist and having someone think of their experience with you. If I tell you I am thinking about you when I hear something, I am cementing your importance in my life.

Sometimes that can be tough, such as the experience for the person I associate with the song “Secrecy” by Ethan Regan, but it is also beautiful to have a marker of feelings.

It’s a way to say, “Whatever we become, I can always remember you this way.”

I had the opportunity to hear Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel live with my parents this year.

When “Landslide” played, my mom and I got to experience our song together, and I remembered when we played it the first time my parents dropped me off at Harding.

Stevie Nicks spoke about the mountain my mom and I choose to climb, the relationship we are building together throughout age and changes. I could only smile at the new moment we could share.

I spent 72,413 minutes listening to music this year. Maybe I am af raid of understimulation, or maybe I like feeling known.

Whichever it is, I challenge you to let the songs you love remind you of the people who shape you. Check out the songs people say remind them of you. Be known by others, and try to remember the past every once in a while.

Graphic by BEN EVANS

EMMA WEBER is the opinions editor for The Bison. She may be contacted at eweber1@harding.edu.

Gracie Cornett cartoonist Lindsay Walton creative director Evie Cunningham PR/marketing

Regan McClure

Elliott Coombes beat reporter April Fatula faculty adviser Michael Claxton narrative columnist

guest contributors Sam Floyd

4A OPINIONS

Friday, December 1, 2023

For Love

Illustration by Gracie Cornett

Tiane Davis

Editor-in-Chief

No start or end When I was in elementary school, I loved to read. I still do, but back then it was a huge part of my identity. I carried books around everywhere and checked them out at the school library whenever I could.

When my identity as a “great” reader was at its peak, I was probably 8 years old. I don't mean to diminish my 8-year-old self, but my reading skills were no where near their peak when I was that age. To offer better perspective, I was still years aways from knowing how to do my own laundry. The word "essay" was a foreign concept to me.

There was a lot I still didn't know.

At that time, I still pronounced the word “opportunity” wrong, and I have a feeling I wasn’t completely comprehending everything I was reading. I could probably now only name about five books I read in elementary school, and that’s only after I think long and hard about it.

One of those that I can name is Dr. Suess’ “Green Eggs and Ham,” which I read in kindergarten. The fact that I read it as a 5-year-old makes me wonder when literacy actually began for me. Do you ever try to remember the first time you could read? I remember the times I struggled to spell my name, and how I always tried to write letters backward because I wasn’t getting it. But I don’t remember a switch being flipped or a sudden realization that I could read the words “Sam-I-Am.” I remember times when I looked at words in a book and wished I could sound them out and understand what they said, but those memories are few.

Generally, most of the skills I had as an 8-year-old were rudimentary at best. It's a humbling realization that, in a decade or two, I might look back at my current abilities with the same judgment. If someone told me to write down all the skills I have, along with the day and time that I gained each one, I would not be able to do it. That’s because a lot of our skills have no start or end and are never black and white.

Ultimately, all of our defining skills will be a work in progress. Calling oneself a writer, or any other identity, is a courageous acknowledgment of being a perpetual work in progress. I can't remember the mooment I became a reader or writer because it was and always will be a process.

Knowing that we will never reach perfection does not have to be a loss. Rather than thinking, “I will never be perfect no matter how hard I try,” we can tell ourselves, “I will always have room to grow.” The pursuit of improvement rather than perfection is a journey worth embracing.

No matter how we feel, there is almost never a defining moment for when we “become” something or someone. We just keep living life, and one day we realize we have been that thing for a while already. After that, some days we will feel incompetent or not good enough to fit the standard we have set for ourselves. I feel like a great writer one day but completely incapable the next. But that is part of the beauty of it.

Acknowledging shortcomings doesn't reduce the essence of who we are. On the days we feel less than, it is crucial to remember that identity is not based on flawless execution.

Mistakes and moments of inadequacy don't erase the essence of selfhood.

Being a writer is not confined to the days of inspiration; it also encompasses the days I face a block or don't feel good enough.

The same goes for being human. One of the greatest parts of being a human is that we don't stop living or being when we fail. I am a writer because I fail and grow through that failure. And I am a human for the same reasons.

TIANE DAVIS is editor-in-chief for The Bison. She can be contacted at cdavis27@harding.edu.

Illustration by GRACIE CORNETT

Sam Floyd

Opinions are dangerous

Guest Writer

I

have recently learned about two fundamental methods we use to obtain truth: through experience and through what other people have told us (their opinions).

As a child you either touched the stove when it was hot or someone told you that the stove was hot, and you either listened or touched it anyway. In the end, you learned that the stove could be hot. All methods of learning are essential for growth and maturity, but both need to be kept in balance. If you listened and didn't touch the stove, you had to trust that the stove could be hot until you saw how it could boil water — then you knew that the person’s opinion was the truth.

With the endless ways to communicate and the illusion of placing characteristics on people based on their opinions, the scales have tipped too far in one direction. We are listening to what people are telling us

H

ave I told you that I come from a theatrical family? My uncle was an actor in school, and as an adult, he revived the abandoned theater in his hometown. My sister was an actress too. In high school, college and a little beyond, she absolutely shined on the stage.

My favorite of her roles was in “Once Upon a Mattress,” the musical made famous

by Carol Burnett. Beth played a jealously wicked queen, and I remember her costume, with a hat that was at least three feet wide and a train that went on and on. The minute the spotlight hit her, the audience was in stitches.

As a child, I thought the world of theater was magical and longed to be part of it. I got my wish in the fifth grade when Miss Brooks cast me as the elf who hated Christmas in our holiday musical. I was the anti-Buddy.

The whole point of the program was for the other elves to change my mind, so I was pretty much the star of the show. My redemption arc was epic.

But my career quickly faded. In fact, I was an out-of-work actor for the next 40 years. A brief stint as a magician didn’t pan out, and I didn’t even place in the school talent show.

I did have a cameo in a student film a few years ago where I played an English teacher.

Not exactly heavy lifting. I had all but given up on reviving my stage career.

Then three months ago, I ran into Dottie and Steve Frye, and we chatted about the upcoming Homecoming musical. She was still casting and said she had a part for a mature actor. Since no one has ever accused me of maturity, I said I wasn’t qualified. Undeterred, she

without ever experiencing it for ourselves.

I have heard so many opinions in my life that have changed my perspective and how I choose to experience my life, from what places to visit to what to watch and listen to and what I think I deserve in my life.

Only through experience, I have learned that some opinions are wrong. It is important to take wisdom from others (or you would burn your hand a lot), but I believe that it is essential to not let other people give you the truth on all matters. If I listened to my friends when they said pineapple on pizza was gross, I would have never discovered how I feel about it (my opinion on it is beside the point). The danger becomes apparent when I almost miss out on a good or bad experience — like not trying the pizza — and when my opinion alters how people perceive me without experiencing my presence. If I

Being Mr. Boom Michael Claxton

Narrative Columnist

pointed out that the part required no dancing or singing, which is good because I am legally banned from doing both in Arkansas and in four counties in Tennessee. So, I auditioned and soon found myself in the show.

The minute I began attending rehearsals, I realized two things. First, this was going to be an absolutely wonderful experience. And second, I was seriously rusty. As I watched our incredibly talented students doing their stretching exercises and vocal warm-ups, I found myself an amateur in a sea of pros.

Fortunately, I am used to role reversals as a teacher. I often learn as much from my students as they learn from me. It was time to go to acting class. I called my sister for advice. “Don’t peak too soon,” she said. I was just hoping to peak at all.

In the film version of “Mary Poppins,” Reginald Owen played the slightly daft Admiral Boom, who insists on marking time by firing a cannon. The fact that his role was shortened for the stage musical turned out to be a blessing when I got the part.

The night we blocked the first scene I was in, I showed up ready to go. I made my entrance, said my lines and waited for feedback. The director — the cheerful encourager that she is — said, “That was great! Now try it facing

loved pineapple on pizza, they might have held a subjective truth against me, or if I hated it, then they might be comforted by the fact that we are in the same boat, when regardless, I like some kinds of pizzas.

Opinions are important, but they are just opinions. They hold too much weight on the world and can pressure you to assume how the world works without ever experiencing it. So I urge every individual to learn how to discern for themselves and to learn to balance the scales the best you can. When I look back on my life I am most thankful for the experiences I have lived and the lessons I have learned from them, even the bad ones.

But who am I to tell you how to live your life? That is just my opinion.

SAM FLOYD is a guest writer for The Bison. He may be contacted at sfloyd2@harding.edu.

Graphic by BEN EVANS

the audience.” Ah, the people who pay for the tickets. As an admiral-in-training, I made a note of it in the log.

The musical omits the cannon firing altogether, and Dottie was kind enough to let me add it back in. So, I wrote a new line, which I promptly forgot during a key rehearsal.

The next night, I had the words written on my hand. I am not kidding. Mercifully, I only had nine lines total. I was about to run out of fingers. Later, I also broke a prop spyglass.

But thanks to a very patient group of students, I finally got my act together. When we started dress rehearsals, I discovered the camaraderie of the dressing room, as the guys joked around as they made super-fast costume changes — one actor had 11 of them.

I struggled to master the art of makeup. As the director wanted me to go gray for the part, I had to apply color to my hair. One night, I overshot my eyebrows and spray-painted my entire forehead silver. I looked like the Tin Man. Thank goodness for makeup wipes.

“Mary Poppins” was a huge success. Over 7,000 people saw it, including 2,600 local schoolchildren. I was in awe of the cast and loved watching them night after night in rehearsal. We were supported by an amazing crew, orchestra and production team, who created a magical story of hope and healing.

As I rode the coattails of these students and colleagues, I was grateful to be along for the jolly holiday. If only Miss Brooks could have seen me.

MICHAEL CLAXTON is a narrative columnist for The Bison. He can be contacted at mclaxto1@harding.edu.

Vol. 99, No. 8

Dec. 1, 2023

The Tampa Traveler Nic Fraraccio

Bisons defeat Mules 35-34 Harding moves on to quarterfinals for first time since 2017

Sports Editor

12-Gauge With bowl season upon us, I figured it would be a perfect time to tell the story of a forgotten hero in college football.

The 2014-15 college football season was a historic time for students and fans across the nation. The inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) was set to shake up the world of sports.

One team faced an impossible road to the CFP, and they were led by the most unexpected hero.

Our story begins in Columbus, Ohio, as the No. 6 University of Ohio State was hosting the University of Michigan in the biggest rivalry game in college football history.

It was the beginning of the fourth quarter, and the Buckeyes led 28-21.

On the first play of the quarter, freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett went down with a gruesome leg injury. It was a brutal moment for Ohio State. Barrett was already taking the place of the injured senior quarterback Braxton Miller.

The Buckeyes were forced to bring in their third-string quarterback, sophomore Cardale Jones. Despite winning the heated matchup by a score of 42-28, the players and fans were heartbroken for Barrett.

However, the Buckeyes still had work to do. They were set to face No. 13 University of Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship game. If Ohio State wanted a chance to play in the CFP, the battle against the Badgers was a must-win.

No one knew how Jones would fare in his first collegiate start. The Cleveland native had the weight of Ohio on his shoulder, and he did not look back. Jones threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the 59-0 victory over Wisconsin.

It was mind-blowing — a third-string quarterback making a defense look silly in the air and on the ground. After his third touchdown pass, commentator Gus Johnson gave fans a memorable call: “12-gauge baby!”

Jones’ impressive throwing arm being compared to a gun went viral on social media.

A star was born, but how long would he shine under the intense pressure of a national championship run?

The dominant performance was enough for Ohio State to sneak into the playoff as the fourth seed. The semi-finals were ready, and Ohio State was set to take on the No. 1 seeded University of Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Ohio State entered the matchup as a heavy underdog with many believing the Alabama defense was too much to handle for Jones.

The Buckeyes hung with the Crimson Tide the entire game despite Jones only completing 51 percent of his passes.

Despite the struggles, Jones and sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott always found a way to pull through in the clutch moments.

Both players would give all they had for every first down in their battle against the Crimson Tide.

It did not matter which team was better on paper that day. The Buckeyes wanted it more, and Jones was a big factor in Ohio State’s swagger.

Ohio State defeated Alabama by a final score of 42-35. As the team lifted the Sugar Bowl trophy, the shock of beating the No. 1 team in the nation quickly shifted to pure confidence.

Jones did not look like a third-string quarterback when he led the Buckeyes one step closer to ultimate glory.

One game would decide it all.The Buckeyes would face No. 2 University of Oregon in the College Football National Championship.

Unlike the Sugar Bowl, the Buckeyes were slight favorites heading into the biggest game of Jones’ career.

As a Buckeyes fan, I had no worries as the game kicked off. I knew that Jones and Ezekiel Elliott would run all over the Ducks.

And guess what? That is exactly what they did.

The duo combined for 284 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The Buckeyes never looked shaken during their 42-20 victory against the Ducks.

It was done. The Buckeyes were national champions. The players rushed the field in shock.

Jones had the biggest smile on his face as players and coaches surrounded him with pure joy. Every player lifted the CFP championship trophy with applause from the Buckeye faithful.

When Jones lifted the trophy, it was the loudest applause of the night. Jones was on top of the college football world.

His story began with many thinking the season was over for the Buckeyes. For Jones, his story and season were just getting started.

Leaving no questions unturned, Jones beat the odds, becoming a national champion and an unlikely hero. The story of 12-gauge will never be forgotten.

NIC FRARACCIO is the sports editor for The Bison. He may be contacted at nfraraccio@harding.edu.

Photo by JEFF MONTGOMERY

Harding football players jump to block Central Missouri’s 68th extra point attempt of the season. The Bisons defeated the Mules for their seventh Division II playoff victory in program history.

NIC FRARACCIO Head coach Paul Simmons said he knew “[Grand Valley State] is a tradition-rich the team needed to dominate the game with program that expects to win when they sports editor execution and care for one another. play, like the Bisons,” Morgan said. “This is The No. 3 Harding football team will “When it comes to the care factor, which a battle of two heavyweights Saturday that continue their successful season after defeating team was [it] the most important to and which will be worth every bit of the anticipation No. 6 University of Central Missouri last team would play with the most love for one that will go into it.”

Saturday in the second round of the NCAA another?” Simmons said. “I really believe that The game against the Lakers is a historic Division II playoffs by a final score of 35-34. was the difference in that outcome.” moment for players and students of the Both teams provided key plays throughout With this win, the Bisons extended their University. the back-and-forth battle. However, the winning streak to 16 games.

Saturday’s matchup will be the first home Bisons saved the most important play of the Harding will now look ahead to the playoff game in program history where the season for the final moments of the game. quarterfinal round Dec. 2 as they host No. full student body will be on campus.

With 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter, 2 Grand Valley State University.

In previous years, Harding students have fifth-year defensive lineman Gage Price The programs have combined for eight been away from campus due to Thanksgiving blocked the potential game-tying extra point. ranked wins throughout the season. break during the Division II playoffs.

Price collected his fourth blocked extra Harding leads Division II in rushing As the quarterfinal matchup approaches, point of the season against the Mules. yards per game with an average of 418.8 Simmons said he wants the fans to give the Sophomore running back Braden Jay said yards. Grand Valley State ranks third in the Bisons an “awesome home-field advantage” he knew the Bisons had a chance at blocking nation in rushing defense. against the Lakers. the extra point attempt.

The star-studded matchup will have “Everybody’s back now, and we are getting “I was honestly hoping that Central viewers from across the country tuning in. the band back together,” Simmons said. “We Missouri didn’t go for two,” Jay said. “When Billy Morgan, the voice of the Bisons for the want to have the biggest, loudest and most they didn’t, I knew we had a chance to block Harding Sports Network, said he believes awesome crowd.” it because Gage has been blocking them that no one will be disappointed if they buy all year.” a ticket to the game.

Graphics by BEN EVANS

2B COMMUNITY

Friday, December 1, 2023

XPO Logistics builds bus shelter for kids HELEN STRICKLAND features editor In September, XPO Logistics built and donated a shed for children to use while they wait for their bus. The shed is located across the street from XPO Logistics on Benton Avenue. Employees built the shed when they noticed children waiting at the nearby bus stop in harsh weather.

Michael McChristian, the maintenance superintendent at XPO, said their original plan was to build the children a small school bus, but the idea grew with time.

“My boss, Paul Reed, he approved it,” McChristian said. “I have a guy named John Northcutt that worked for me who builds houses and shops on the side and I gave it to him and he kind of ran with it. Now it looks like a tiny house: four windows and a door and everything.”

Northcutt, an XPO maintenance specialist, said XPO paid for the building material and he built the shed. After it was built, XPO donated it to the community.

The team added to the shed during their spare time at work, and it took around three weeks to build. McChristian said the shed was installed at the bus stop in the first week of September.

“Those kids are safe,” McChristian said.

“They’re off the street now … probably 25 feet back from the road.”

Photo by MACY COX

”The Bus Stop Hut” up and running during the afternoon on November 29. The shed was built by XPO Logistics so that children waiting for the bus could be safe from the roads as well as severe weather.

Betsy Bailey, school and community As a business with ties to Searcy, XPO said maintenance specialist John Northcutt coordinator of Searcy School District, said emphasized a community effort to provide was responsible for designing and building the district is thankful for XPO and other for other Searcy citizens. the shelter. Once their supervisor gave them community partners who invest in education.

“It feels great to give back to the community the idea, Northcutt started the project as “Searcy School District was touched that we have,” McChristian said. “We have roughly soon as he could, Huggins said.

XPO provided a safe and covered space for 400 employees who all live in Searcy, so any “John jumped on it, and within a few some of our students who ride the bus each time we can give back to the community, days of working on it in spare time from day,” Bailey said. “We are grateful to businesses we try to.” keeping the plant up and running, he had like XPO who see a need to help children and T im Huggins, who works in the it complete,” Huggins said. take it upon themselves to meet that need.” maintenance department for XPO Logistics,

Texas Roadhouse to open in Searcy this month EMMA WEBER opinions editor Texas Roadhouse, located on 1555 Janet St., is set to open Dec. 11. This is another deal that was made through Dalrymple Real Estate, the agency responsible for the development of the Searcy City Center.

Principal broker and director of real estate Jose Colunga said he is excited about what the addition of Texas Roadhouse means for the community.

“Nearly 18 months in the making, we were finally able to announce Texas Roadhouse,”

Colunga said. “We started negotiations with their corporate office in 2022. It was crucial for the development of the Searcy City Center to have a place to eat.”

Vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Tara Cathey has similar excitement about the new developments in the Searcy City Center area. Cathay said Texas Roadhouse will add “a huge quality of life” to the area.

“Our local people have big names right here in our community,” Cathay said. “This is an amazing economical plus for Searcy.”

The Searcy City Center has been acquiring the business of big names throughout its construction. The opening of Texas Roadhouse will make it the first dining location in the area.

This service helps both shoppers and residents of Searcy alike. Becky McCown,

Harding School of Theology transition team assistant, is a Searcy local who said she has experienced the benefits of these additions.

“I know that it can negatively affect small, locally owned businesses, but I feel it’s good for Searcy because it attracts more people and gives those of us who live here year-round more options to stay in town,” McCown said.

The additions of big names will continue, according to Colunga. These additions aim to help increase local revenue as well as bring more jobs to the area.

Graphic by BEN EVANS

“Back in the Day” is a special section in The Bison newspaper in celebration of Harding’s Centennial year. Each print issue during the 2023-24 academic year will have pieces related to the Centennial, connecting our readers to Harding’s past.

December 20, 1933 issue: Vol. 6, No. 6, p. 1

This week, we look at Campus Players’ productions of “Below Par” and “Their Anniversaries” just before winter break 90 years ago. Like Harding, Campus Players is celebrating its 100th year on campus and is performing “The Game’s Afoot” at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center Dec. 7-9.

FEATURES 3B

TheLink.Harding.edu

Seniors reflect on years of COVID-19 ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyle editor

With December graduation approaching, some seniors are reflecting on their time at Harding. For most, their college experience was affected by COVID-19. COVID-19 changed how students socialized, attended class and adjusted to their new surroundings.

Senior Bailey Hammond said COVID-19 protocols were enforced strictly at Harding.

“COVID-19 affected my freshman year by altering our entire perception of college,” Hammond said. “The guidelines of social distancing were taken seriously: You weren’t allowed more than three people in your dorm, most large classes were taken in the Benson or College Church auditorium, small classes had plexiglass on the desks, any social gatherings had consequences of quarantining [and there was] online chapel.”

Hammond said the pandemic was unavoidable, but the seniors adapted.

“Looking back as a senior, I believe I have enjoyed my Harding experience, even with COVID-19, Hammond said. The pandemic isn’t something Harding could have avoided.

2020 was a time everyone can say they missed out on something, but my freshman year has made me grateful for my Harding experience post-COVID-19.”

Senior Tanner Shumate said some aspects of COVID-19 brought seniors together, and friendships were uniquely made because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Shumate said one of these instances was in his freshman Bible class.

“In that class, we had about three or four people who became close because we

weren’t allowed to talk to the other people in the class,” Shumate said. “So whenever we were leaving, they ended up becoming kind of this friend group that [has] still lasted until this year, here three years later.

But ultimately, it pretty much just made it difficult to get to know anybody in any of the classes at any time.”

Shumate said Harding was still a good experience even with all the regulations.

“My freshman year was really affected

by COVID-19,” Shumate said, “But overall, the same heart that Harding has was still present. It was just harder to find it and to go about it safely.”

Senior Mattie Powers said some Harding regulations included Plexiglas barriers in classrooms, stickers on the ground to designate where to stand in line for food in the Student Center, face masks and an altered club process. She also said that wearing masks made meeting people difficult.

“You had to wear a mask everywhere you went, which kind of discouraged people from talking,” Powers said. “Plus, you only know people’s eyes. Like you don’t know their whole face. So that was really hard. And then since there were no events on campus, you couldn’t meet really anyone unless you got into a club.”

Powers said she doesn’t look back on her beginning at Harding negatively.

“I think it was a good learning experience,” Powers said. “I think that now with our [return] to normalcy, things are just as fun and you just got to make the most of the situation you’re in and just not focus on the negative.”

Photos provided by BAILEY HAMMOND

Senior Bailey Hammond poses during a social club event in 2021 (top) and again in 2023 (above). COVID-19 changed club events in 2020 and 2021.

Campus Players to perform for 100 year celebration ELI DEAN community editor

Student-led theater group Campus Players will perform“The Game’s Afoot” at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center Dec. 7-9. The whodunit set in the 1930s will be a part of Harding’s Centennial celebration this year. The director, junior Aubrey Jones, is president of Campus Players and said she is excited about her first opportunity to direct a play at any level.

“Every year, Campus Players puts on a show directed by the president, so it’s part of my responsibilities in that office,” Jones said.

“As part of the Centennial celebration, the theatre department decided to make the CP show part of the main stage season, which has allowed me to direct a full-length show this December instead of a one-act like we typically do in the spring.”

The Game’s Afoot is a murder mystery comedy about a group of actors at a Christmas party that quickly turns into a mystery after one of the actors is found dead inside the house. Jones said the show is a compelling way to get a few laughs while trying to figure out the secret hiding inside the house.

Graphic by MAKAYLA MCDONALD

“Through the course of an evening, a murder plot is revealed, someone is stabbed, accusations are thrown and relationships are questioned,” Jones said. “Expect to laugh a lot and experience twists and turns alongside the characters.”

Campus Players has been on campus since Harding’s first academic year, and every student group since has kept the tradition alive for 100 years and counting. Junior Emma McDaris said that with everything being student-led, a lot more opportunities are

available for students who might not be able to be as hands-on during other productions.

“We have been around for the entire 100-year history of Harding, and we host events for students to come and perform such as an annual cabaret at the end of the academic school year for students to share their talents with their peers,” McDaris said.

“Campus Players also puts on a completely student-produced play every year that provides students the opportunity to act, direct and try any technical positions that they normally do not get to try.”

Campus Players have done a variety of different genres of productions, and for junior Magadalene Pruitt, this is her first production that does not feature music as part of the performance. Pruitt said that she is excited for the new challenge that a “straight play” presents.

“This production is different from others I’ve been a part of because it is my first straight play,” Pruitt said. “That means there is no music, singing or dancing — just acting. I’m having a great time with it so far.”

Students spend Thanksgiving break away from home CIANNA JAY head copy editor For many international students, University breaks involve staying in the United States rather than returning home. These students have to find alternative plans for their time off, and with campus housing closed during breaks, accommodations elsewhere.

Junior Lauren Service, who lives in Canada, said the International Student Services office sends out an email to international students asking them about their plans for the break.

If a student does not have a planned place to go, the office will place them in a faculty or staff member’s home or with someone in the community.

Sophomore Kelmen de Carvalho, a member of the men’s track team, said he stayed in a teammate’s apartment during Thanksgiving break because of how long the trip back home takes.

“The break is just too short to travel all the way back to Germany,” de Carvalho said.

“The trip takes me almost a day.”

Over the break, de Carvalho said he spent his time cooking since the cafeteria was closed, hanging out with international teammates, and resting from classes and practices.

Sophomore Cella Nguema said she

S o m e H a rd i n g f a c u l t y a n d s t a f f offer Thanksgiving celebrations

for those Graphic by MAKAYLA MCDONALD staying in the stayed in S earc y area during the break. during the break to practice for the Dec. 8 Nguema said Don Hood, the head crosstrack meet. She said she knew she would country and track coach, invited students return home to France for winter break to his house for a Thanksgiving meal with his family. shortly after Thanksgiving.

“For the day of Thanksgiving, I went to my coach’s house,” Nguema said. “He’s always doing something for Thanksgiving with the team here because he knows that some people are staying.”

Service, a forward on the women’s soccer team, said she spent the break in Dallas with a teammate and her family and friends. Service said while they celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, their Thanksgiving occurs on the second Monday in October and her experience with U.S. Thanksgiving has been different from back home.

“Of course, I want to go home and see my family, but it’s nice to explore other cultures and family norms,” Service said. “Although Canadians celebrate, American Thanksgiving always looks a bit different. It’s a bit more celebrated in America with family traditions and football games to watch.”

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Emma 72,413

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About You by The 1975

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see Christmas lights

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Decorate a gingerbread

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Worse Comes to Worst by Billy Joel

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