Detained individuals were moved to Louisiana in preparation for deportation with the US attorney’s office claiming all arrested ‘had some type of prior contact with law enforcement’
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested and detained 17 people in Searcy and the surrounding communities on Feb. 24, as confirmed by Lt. Scott Seiders of the White County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrests were the result of a collaboration between the federal agency and local law enforcement, including the Central Arkansas Drug Taskforce. Those arrested have since been transferred to an ICE detention facility.
Searcy resident and Harding alumna Andrea O’Connell said Oscar Muniz-Rios, a friend of hers, was pulled over while driving his son to school and arrested.
“He got pulled over in one of the traffic stops that happened on Moore Street [Monday],” O’Connell said. “Because he doesn’t have a valid American driver’s license, so they arrested him and for 24 or 48 hours his family couldn’t figure out where he was, but they did find out that he was taken to a detention facility in Louisiana, waiting to be deported.”
The U.S. attorney’s office in Little Rock said in a press release Feb. 27 that those arrested “had some type of prior contact with law enforcement.” O’Connell said that MunizRios does not have a criminal background.
“I don’t know about the criminal background of all the others, but I know for sure at least one did not have a criminal background,” O’Connell said.
Immigration attorney and Harding alumnus Guillermo Hernandez heard about the arrests after a friend called him about a missing friend.
“He basically told me that they couldn’t find him, that he’s never late to work, he never misses work, that they couldn’t find him, and his phone was going directly to voicemail,” Hernandez said. “He also told me that there were some rumors about immigration authorities picking people up around Searcy.”
Hernandez is on the board at El Puente,
At the time of the traffic stop, the mother of Muniz-Rios’ son, Brandy Elliott, was out of state and was unable to pick up her son, O’Connell said.
“When [the authorities] got a hold of her, they were like ‘We’re just going to have him wait in the car until you get here,’ and I don’t think that’s what happened, but there was the threat of that at the time,” O’Connell said.
a group that offers classes and programs attempting to bridge the gap for the Spanishspeaking community in Searcy. He was also contacted by other people with missing family members through the organization.
Hernandez said that around 3 or 4 in the afternoon on Feb. 24, families started receiving phone calls from their missing family members.
“They started calling their families and they informed us that they were detained at
Muniz-Rios has been employed at Los Tucanes in Kensett for over 20 years, according to O’Connell. Muniz-Rios has one child with his ex-wife Elliott and has served as a father figure to her two other children. The family went to Louisiana over the weekend to tell him goodbye.
the immigration detention facility in Little Rock,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said that although the authorities said they were only looking for people related to criminal activities, but some that were stopped and detained were not involved in criminal activities.
“Of course, there were other people that were coming out in the morning, they were just going to work, kind of like my friends and clients, and they were stopped,” Hernandez said. “Even though they didn’t have any relationship to criminal activity, they couldn’t prove that they were legally in this country, so they were still picked up.”
Hernandez said the arrests will affect families and communities.
“Those 17 that they picked up in Searcy, obviously I don’t know all of them, but I seriously doubt that all 17 were related to the criminal investigation,” Hernandez said. “I know for a fact some of these kids that were in school that day, they went back home and they no longer found their dad.”
Hernandez encouraged the Christian community to be understanding of those who had been detained.
“They’re trying to make a better life for themselves or for their families,” Hernandez said. “They’re not criminals. I understand that they came into the country illegally, and I am by no means advocating for illegal immigration, but the fact is that these people are already here, and they are hard workers, and they’re hurting anybody.”
Executive director and co-founder of El Puente Ruth Simpson said the Hispanic community of Searcy has been “greatly shaken.”
“Whether a person is here legally or not, many are terrified,” Simpson said. “Children have noticed an uptick in bullying at school and many adults are afraid to leave their homes even to go to the store, church or to work.” Simpson said that the community is fortifying themselves and taking action to protect their children, many of whom are American citizens.
“In order to prepare for the worst, families are signing guardianship rights to other people for their children and power of attorney for their belongings,” Simpson said. “It is recommended that those who have children born in the U.S. make sure the children have passports in case their parents are deported.” Simpson said that the idea that all illegal immigrants are drug dealers or sex traffickers is incorrect, with the majority of immigrants being hardworking and contributing to their communities in good ways.
“In regards to immigration, people say, ‘just do it the right way,’ but they do not understand that we have made that process nearly impossible because it takes 10-20 years and thousands of dollars,” Simpson said. “In my experience, there are many resilient, kind, generous people who do not come here to get ‘free handouts’ from us, but rather contribute to our communities by working hard and being good neighbors.”
Students react to United States’ support of Russia
On Monday, Feb 24, the United States (under President Donald Trump) expressed support for Russia by voting against a European resolution encouraging a solution for Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly. The act came as a stark contrast to the Biden Administration’s staunch support of Ukraine since its invasion by Russia on Feb 24, 2022 — exactly three years before the United States changed its backings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump met on Feb 28 to discuss Ukrainian mineral trade with the U.S., and this ended in a heated exchange, though President Zelenskyy retroactively expressed hope for a strengthened alliance with the United States.
Students around Harding’s campus have had a variety of reactions to these recent developments.
Sophomore history major Josie Smith shared her thoughts on the U.S. announcement about the war (prior to President Zelenskyy and President Trump’s Feb. 28 meeting).
“When I found out that we had backed Russia instead of Ukraine, I was shocked,” Smith said. “I think that being on the same side as Russia and North Korea makes the U.S. look bad and frankly ridiculous.”
Senior Lauren Service is from Canada, and she shared her perspective — prior to President Zelenskyy and President Trump’s meeting — as an international student living in the U.S. According to Service, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced that Canada will send armored vehicles and financial aid to Ukraine.
“To be involved with two countries that are currently playing two different roles in this war is a conflicting point of view,” Service said. “Although I’m not an American citizen, I still have a want to be involved with what the U.S. is doing. A governing land can’t exist without a form of security for it, and I feel
that a larger role played in a conflict such as this could put one’s own country at risk.”
Students also spoke about their predictions regarding the international implications of the U.S. decision to back Russia. Smith emphasized its controversial impact on other nations.
“Siding with [Russia and North Korea] pits us against pretty much everyone else,” Smith said. “It also leaves our allies in Europe scrambling and doubting if they can count on the US anymore.”
Junior Max De Loach shared his opinions on the matter, condemning the U.S.’s unwillingness to hold Russia morally accountable.
“Of course, the United States and Russia must co-exist in the world,” De Loach said. “In order to do so, it is necessary to maintain a somewhat cordial relationship with them. But our inability to condemn such blatant murder, coupled with our occasional inclination to spread misinformation about the beginning of the conflict that would evoke Russian sympathies, is beyond the call for diplomacy. The United States must stand against aggression, foreign or domestic.”
Junior Camille Bewley expressed some guarded optimism regarding positive U.S. relations with Russia, but she also relayed her concerns.
“Although I’m not entirely against the idea of participating in a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, which we sort of already have through NATO, the country has consistently been a threat to peace and liberty, two major American values,” Bewley said.
Harding School of Theology student Malachi Brown was critical of President Trump.
“I think that the developments between the U.S. and Ukraine [are] very consistent with who Trump has proved himself to be,” Brown said. “...One of the last lines in the televised negotiation [between President Zelenskyy and
President Trump] was Trump saying, ‘This will make great television,’ and I think he and [Vice President] J.D. Vance have forgotten that the lives of Eastern Europeans are of much more worth to us than what money we can squeeze out from them.”
Bewley’s reaction involved acknowledgements that a strengthened U.S. relationship with Russia could have various implications.
“We need to be wary for sure, but I’m not opposed to discussion on the topic simply due to wide national security concerns,” Bewley said.
De Loach expressed his hopes for the future of these international tensions.
“Zelensky is not a perfect man, Trump is not either, and no one is arguing for Putin’s perfection,” De Loach said. “Honestly, I am inclined to believe that each of them are bad men. But in spite of that, we must be able to distinguish the aggressor and the one who is the subject of aggression. We must not leverage our international hegemony against a nation at war, against the lives of their own citizens, in order to gain rights to their minerals. I pray, and I suggest that every profiteering warmonger in Washington and Moscow prays this same prayer, that we may discover an exceedingly large needle and a surprisingly small camel in the immediate future. I think they’re gonna need it.”
HELEN STRICKLAND opinions editor
MAGGIE SAMPLES editor-in-chief
Graphics by BEN EVANS
Students wins state advertising awards
KENZIE JAMES news editor
KELLY MAHAWANNIARACHCHI head copy editor
Pivot Creative studios, a student-run advertising agency at Harding University, and graphic design students accepted awards from the Arkansas Advertising Federation (AAF).
Pivot received the award for a video which promoted HU Heal’s GlowRun. The students received their award at the AAF gala in Brookland, Arkansas, Feb. 28. This was the first year Pivot has competed in the competition. There are seven students on the Pivot team: Addyson Prior, Allie Grace Matheny, Audie Isbell, Jackson Pschierer, Jacob Page, Tucker Allen and Ty Bates. Matheny, a senior, commented on the team’s success.
“Attending the awards gala was an honor,” Matheny said. “It was so much fun walking up to the beautiful venue with both the HEAL and Pivot teams. Upon arrival, all I knew was that we had been invited as a Champion in the Winner’s Circle. However, by the time we left, we walked away with big smiles and a Gold Addy Award. It sure was a night to remember.”
AdFed is a national organization that recognizes creative advertising work. AAF is the state chapter, and Harding’s communication department pays students’ membership dues. Student benefits include receiving industry updates and internship opportunities. This year was the first year Pivot members have submitted work to the AAF competition. Gold “Addy” Awards are the highest level of creative excellence awarded within a category specific to the AAF’s standards.
Assistant professor of communication
Lori Sloan, the faculty adviser for Pivot, commented on her role in the project.
“My role as faculty adviser is to uncover the opportunities to do creative work for various organizations/businesses on and off campus, ...and to facilitate membership in organizations like AdFed and encourage these submissions for awards,” Sloan said. “Once a project is identified as feasible, we do a timeline, and then I sit back and let these talented students shine.”
Art, architecture and design department chair Stacy Gibson also attended the gala with assistant professor of art Enrique Colón and the five graphic design students who entered the competition. Abbie Durham, Anna Claire Curtis, Makayla McDonald, Kit Moore and Olivia Williams entered the AAF competition and earned two gold and one silver Addy Awards.
Durham, Curtis and McDonald entered the brand identity campaign category with designs for the Highland Zoo and won a Gold Addy Award. Moore also entered a brand identity campaign she designed for Art Trek, a Canadian nonprofit organization, and won a silver award. Williams won a gold award in the integrated marketing campaign category for her “Death by Delay” poster about the death penalty.
Gibson said the students and faculty felt welcomed and appreciated by the AAF for participating in the competition and she hopes to enter more work next year. She said she appreciates Think Ideas Studio in Searcy for encouraging the graphic design students to enter work in the AAF competition.
“As faculty, we strongly encourage students to enter competitions and portfolio reviews to see how their work stacks up against students regionally and nationally,” Gibson said.
Pipe bursts, floods Keller Hall dormitory
KENZIE JAMES news editor
A pipe burst last week in men’s dormitory Keller Hall, flooding part of the building and displacing students from their rooms.
Physical Resources construction manager Ryan Carter said they received the call about a burst pipe on the third floor of Keller’s north wing around 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. Public Safety immediately responded to the call from the dormitory and called Physical Resources after identifying the issue. A pipe in room 312 was found to have a three-fourths inch opening that leaked water into the hallway and floors below.
Carter said Physical Resources arrived at the scene around 30 minutes after they were notified, and Metro Disaster Specialists arrived around 3:30 p.m. The company brought industrial fans and shop vacuums and cleared out the water by 8 p.m. Thursday. The flooding severely affected six to eight rooms directly around and under the burst pipe.
“Right there in the center, it’s the worst, and then it fades away to where it’s only a little bit of water that got in the front door of the rooms,” Carter said. “First floor had very minimal [flooding], there was a little bit in the lobby, and the manager’s apartment had a bit of water in three spaces, but it was pretty minimal.”
Sophomore Peyton Penick, in Keller 215, said his roommate first saw the water on their bathroom wall and informed their suite. Water also seeped through the base of the wall between their closets and bedroom floor.
“It sounded like someone’s now taking a shower behind our mirror in the wall, because there’s so much water coming out from that pipe,” Penick said.
Physical Resources director of maintenance
Dana McMillion said many of the students in the dorm had good attitudes about the
the option to stay in rooms in the Heritage Inn because of the noise of the machines and the workers moving in and out of the rooms. Penick and his suitemates chose to stay with friends or the Heritage for a few days before moving back into their suite Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The pipe burst was influenced by the winter weather that closed the University on Feb. 19-20. Faulty insulation may also have contributed to the failure. Carter said that insulation settles over time from when it was installed. This creates air pockets in the walls, making it easier for pipes to freeze. Carter and McMillion said it may have also been caused by the pipe degrading, fluctuations in pressure or the age of the pipes.
“Some pipes are compression fittings that are not really screwed together,” McMillion said. “They’re clamped and the pressure
during the “Decade of Development” to replace a temporary residence hall and add more housing for male students. The dormitory was remodeled in 2006 to replace the communal bathrooms with private bathrooms in each suite. Room 312 is where a communal bathroom was formerly located, so the piping after the remodel for the room is like the previous piping. The floor plans from 1965 show the pipes from the communal bathrooms on the third floor went into the wall between the bathrooms and hallway, where it went down to the first floor and out of the building. The Bison was not able to access the plumbing plans from 2006, but renovation plans showed most of the piping was installed similarly and connects inside of the building, not the exterior. This was also consistent with the path of the water during the flooding and which rooms it affected.
Pictured left to right, Allie Grace Matheny, Ty Bates, Addyson Prior, Jackson Pschierer, Tucker Allen and Jacob Page pose with the Gold Addy Award in the Pivot studio. The student team, with Audie Isbell (not pictured), won a Gold Addy Award for their promotional video of HEAL’s GlowRun.
Photo by ISAAC BROWN
TheLink.Harding.edu 3A OPINIONS
The unseen gifts of a youth internship
I once read, “There’s something about experiencing the overflow of joy through the gift of laughter… experiencing a happiness so uncontainable your body physically can’t contain it.” I experienced that firsthand with these teens, where simple moments of joy became acts of worship, reflecting the laughter of our Creator. I saw them serve one another and the community, lead with fun and responsibility, and most importantly, mentor and grow beside one another. These experiences taught me that our shared stories, doubts and bursts of laughter are all parts of a larger tapestry woven by an awesome God — one who delights in our joy and uses it to uplift and inspire.
Before my summer with Mayfair Church of Christ, I questioned my ability to lead or mentor others. I wondered if I was truly ready for the challenges of youth ministry. Yet stepping into that internship opened my eyes to the unexpected benefits of serving in the vibrant community it provided. It wasn’t just about fulfilling internship credits or building my resume—it was about venturing out of my comfort zone and embracing opportunities I never imagined. Like when I spontaneously signed up to design the t-shirt for camp on my first day. It felt like a small task, but looking back, it was the first of many moments where I chose to step forward and contribute in unexpected ways. That simple act became a reminder that sometimes the best experiences in ministry — and in life — come when we embrace new challenges with an open heart. Every interaction quickly became a chance to grow in both faith and leadership. Beyond the planned lessons and small groups, I discovered that genuine connections form in unexpected places. Whether it was chatting with students over lunch, enjoying a movie outing, or bonding during an impromptu game of Secret Hitler, Grog or a lively karaoke session, each moment revealed new facets of their passions and potential. I witnessed firsthand how these teens expressed their calling to serve the kingdom of God — not only in the structured church setting but also in the spontaneous, everyday moments where laughter and joy overflowed.
I stepped into this internship thinking my role was to serve these students, to pour into them and help them grow in their faith. But I didn’t expect how much they would serve me in return. Their kindness, encouragement and unwavering enthusiasm became a source of strength on the hardest days. They reminded me of what it means to have childlike faith, find joy in the little moments and fully trust God’s plan. They weren’t just students — they were friends, mentors and constant reminders of God’s goodness. They blessed me in ways I never anticipated, and I am forever grateful for how they showed up for me, just as I hoped to show up for them.
My most consistent prayer this summer was that the MYM students would be able to see a tiny piece of Jesus in me with each
interaction, but I underestimated just how much the face of Christ would show in them. This summer of growth, love and joy with these people has filled me with more gratitude than I could have imagined. Now, as the season approaches when many of you might be considering your internships, I encourage you to welcome the opportunity with an open heart. Whether you are stepping into a role for the first time or returning to familiar ground, remember that the true benefits of a youth internship are found in the growth it nurtures within us. It’s a time to challenge your doubts, lean into unexpected joys and see firsthand the power of God’s presence in a community.
I am grateful for every moment of that summer — from the times I doubted my ability to the countless instances of shared laughter and heartfelt connection. The unseen gifts of that internship continue to shape my journey, reminding me that our true strength is built not just on our skills, but on the love and encouragement we share. If you’re considering a youth internship, know that you’re not just taking on a role; you’re embarking on a path filled with unseen gifts that can transform your life and the lives of those you mentor. Trust that every moment, every creative risk and every shared challenge is a step toward becoming the leader and servant God intends you to be.
For a few years, I attended an Episcopal school. Many of their traditions were beautiful and reverent, yet there were a few with which I had to take issue, their method of prayer being foremost among them. A prayer before a meal often consisted of Latin, and some quickly spun off memorized words. I could not provide an amen to a prayer that carelessly threw some words God’s way, half of which were not understood by the people supposedly praying them. I sincerely believed that the same man who spoke them would be incredibly offended, should someone speak to him the same way he spoke to the Lord. So I was silent.
One might think that these things were consequences of a church that leaned too far Catholic, and believe that my complaint is against non-conservative churches — but this diagnosis could not be further from the truth. I believe they would be sorely incorrect in absolving even the most conservative of the Churches of Christ of these offenses. Many times I have attended a Church of Christ service, during which a member prayed without reverence, describing generic and oft-repeated thanks and desires, between at least a dozen occurrences of “just,” a word used to fill gaps, one which would certainly not be used if asking something of a material person of governance. We also sometimes sing hymns that glorify ourselves, or entertain us, rather than hymns that offer glory to God. There is certainly great value in giving children fun ways to remember
To be entertained in the church: Biblical joy vs. fun
the precepts of the Bible, but there is also a context in which this must be exchanged for reverence, even with children. The sum of their education in Christ cannot be that they can list the apostles, and know how to prettily color nativity scenes.
I attended a church last year which sent children away during “children’s bible hour”, which coincided with the sermon and its surrounding songs. The idea was to prevent the children from having to sit through a sermon, assuming it would be non-applicable to them, and that it would bore them. I hope it does not reveal me as too much of a curmudgeon to claim that boredom may be part of the point. Before our generation became so in need of constant entertainment, people used to say that patience was a virtue. If we don’t want to take this instruction from our parents, we should at least take it from Jesus’ rebuke of his disciples, who sleep as he prays at Gethsemane. They were exhausted, a condition quite familiar to the college student, falling continuously asleep, as they had nothing to do but keep watch. Of course, I have often felt my eyes droop listening to dear Dr. Sandlin, or any of our teachers within the church. But we should know that Jesus’ response to us is: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
to mutually edify, and part of edification is joy. The apostle Paul would likely agree, as he responds to Jewish persnicketiness about the Gentiles’ food with: “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Surely we are not asked to be so regulated to the point where we stiffly reject our fellow saints, believing their traditions are “too happy.” The idea would be comical, were it not a view held by a rare collection of members of the church.
An open letter to administration
I appreciate the chapel sessions where we hear survey results regarding student satisfaction at Harding. I am glad to see improvements in many areas of student satisfaction here, and it is impressive that Harding consistently reports higher levels of satisfaction than the national averages. I am glad that so many students are satisfied with Harding. However.
Most is not all.
Jesus tells us a story of a shepherd leaving his 99 sheep to find his one lost sheep. Just one. He is our shepherd, and we are called to behave as he does.
We must celebrate the content students, the students who would return to Harding again and again if they had the option to do so. We must also understand that there are students here who are hurting. Because of this calling to seek out the last, lost and least of these, I have some questions regarding the survey results:
1. What were the demographic distributions of student satisfaction? In other words, what race, gender, etc., was more likely to be satisfied in what areas?
2. Why were both women and men allowed to vote on gender equality satisfaction on campus when women have been more historically disadvantaged both at Harding and worldwide?
3. What was the relationship between student household income and student satisfaction? In other words, are students of specific financial backgrounds more likely to be satisfied here?
I ask these questions because unfortunately, even numbers can be used to misconstrue reality or — as I wonder in this case — only paint part of the whole and intricate picture. Pure numbers and percentages do not tell us everything.
We as students deserve the whole picture here and the picture’s implications. Potential students also deserve the entire picture here, too; they deserve to know how current students feel and what is being done about these feelings.
Here, then, is my final question:
4. What kinds of students is Harding tailored to benefit?
Likely someone reading to this point has just shaken their head, incredulous at the idea that worship services should be boring and dreary. One might say that we are called
But here we must make a divide between joy and fun. Biblical joy is a source of spiritual strength and peace. It comes not from indulging the flesh with activity, but from a reverent love for God. Ecclesiastes, a poetic book all about the uselessness of pursuing even the most respectable diversions, posits that “for everything there is a season.” There is a time for entertainment, yet there is also a time for quiet and reverence, and if we cannot accomplish it on the first day of the week, as we remember the mournful death and glorious resurrection of our Lord, when will we? If spending quiet time with each other and God quickly tires and frustrates us, perhaps we now have cause to hear Jesus’ words at Gethsemane; perhaps we will set down our amusements for a moment, to exchange them for the patience and joyful peace which venerate the Lord our God.
Abigail
I return to the concept of leaving the 99 for the one. Harding is an institution that prioritizes Christian values. This concept comes straight from the mouth of Jesus himself through our sacred Scriptures. When we are conscious of what groups of people are most marginalized by Harding, we are recognizing the “one.” We are reaching out in love to make their lives better. This is selfless Christian community. This is growth. I applaud what Harding has achieved in the last few years, and we should all as Christians expect more.
HELEN STRICKLAND is the opinions editor for The Bison. She may be contacted at hstrickland@harding.edu.
Katherine
Aja Griffin
Julia Jenkins
Graphic by SYDNEY PALMER
Jackson Trahant
Eleanor Kingry
Guest Writer Aja Griffin
Guest Writer Eleanor Kingry
Graphic by BEN EVANS
Graphic by SYNDEY PALMER
Editor-in-chief
NYC bagel review
I am an avid bagel lover.
I cannot emphasize enough how much I adore bagels. They have been a staple of my breakfasts: blueberry, lightly toasted with plain cream cheese. A staple of my lunches, a turkey sandwich on an everything bagel toasted in the oven. A staple of my snacks, mini cinnamon bagels toasted with butter. When on the last day of last semester, Tod Traughber brought my media graphics class homemade bagels a’la New York City, it was an exciting day for me. The bagel that I partook in was a salt bagel, a plain bagel essentially, but with something unnameably better about it than any other plain bagel I had enjoyed before in my life. I had that particular bagel toasted with butter, and it was so stunning.
So, when I learned I was going to New York City for a conference last weekend, I was determined to fully enjoy the bagels of the Big Apple.
I was there for four days, I ate three bagels and thoroughly loved each of them. All of the food I had in New York was amazing, but the bagels, wow.
The first bagel I had was on Friday at a restaurant called Bagel Pub. For those of you who have never been in a New York bagel shop, let me emotionally prepare you, the cream cheese array is expansive. There is Nutella cream cheese, Oreo cream cheese and birthday cream cheese with actual chunks of cake in it. On the savory side, there was cream cheese with salmon, sun dried tomato cream cheese and cucumber cream cheese. I panicked. I got plain cream cheese on a blueberry bagel. Although I have been lightly bullied for that choice with all the world of cream cheese around me, to my mind it was trying an old favorite of mine, but how it’s made in New York.
It’s made excellent in New York. Bagel number one was a huge success.
Bagel number two was to be found at a bagel shop across the street from Central Park called the Broad Nosh. When my parents were in the city this summer, they had the Broad Nosh and recommended we try it.
It was busy, with barely any standing room, requiring pushing through the line and yelling to the man shouting “Next please” behind the counter. I was slightly more emotionally prepared for the mountains of cream cheese this time, so I got strawberry cream cheese on a French toast bagel.
I ate this bagel on a bench in Central Park, and it was also a hit. The French toast bagel is difficult to describe. The cinnamon flavor was vague, not overpowering, and the bagel, while inherently sweet, did not distract from the strawberry cream cheese (complete with chunks of actual strawberries!)
Broad Nosh was so good, it was on the menu for breakfast Sunday too. This time I chose the very bagel that had led me to this New York tour, the salt bagel. Once more, it astonished me by being the best bagel I have ever had.
This particular salt bagel had chunks of salt on the top, reminiscent of a soft pretzel, and the bread-but-better taste was perfectly complemented with slightly melted cream cheese from the warmth of the toasting and a crisp, cold Diet Coke.
As I reflect on this journey, to a place I had never been before and trying a variety of foods, even if my choices in cream cheese are not adventurous enough for some, I find myself leaving New York with the same feeling I had before I landed there.
I just really love bagels.
Looking back at the four years that I’ve spent studying political science and philosophy at Harding, I have appreciated becoming part of the literati of politics. I’ve studied my Thomas Hobbes and John Locke; I’ve milled through J.S Mill and paid my $12 for a copy of the Communist Manifesto, which I’m sure Marx would hate. I’ve written papers on Kautsky’s influence on modern Socialism and Mao Zedong’s rise to international prominence. Policies that would’ve meant nothing to me as a freshman now engage me in discourse (if they don’t fill me with rage), and I’ve formed what I think are some pretty educated opinions on all things politics. Sadly, coupled with this appreciation remains a quiet contentment, the acceptance of a fact that has made itself clearer every day: The last four years have changed nothing at all, at least as far as wider society is concerned, about the validity of my political opinions. This fact first presented itself almost a year ago, while I was working a shift as a server. My boss’s husband asked me who I thought would win the 2024 presidential election, knowing that I studied such things. I answered trepidatiously, aware that such topics can arouse emotional responses; given that he was the husband of my boss, I decided to be careful in my wording and deliberate in my reasoning. The effort I’d gone through to
The politics of a political science degree
anxiously defend my logic was in vain; as soon as I gave him my thoughts, he disregarded them in favor of his own, saying he’d seen some pretty convincing polls online, despite having been the one to ask.
not studying the issue beyond public news sources kept her from bias.
I’ve talked to my political science professors, praying that they would tell me it gets better. Evidently, it doesn’t. They don’t talk politics outside of work, no matter how passionate they are about the fields of study they’ve spent decades teaching and researching. They turn down the questions like the one my boss’s husband presented. They go quiet when family members pipe up about what they saw on the news. They’ve given up hope of sharing their knowledge about political philosophy and government because they’ve come to expect their wisdom to fall on intentionally ignorant ears. Had my professors and I chosen to study engineering, I highly doubt that strangers would come up to me and argue about CAD models. Had we studied ecology, no one would have claimed that our academic community had categorized elephants into the wrong genetic class. But, because we chose political science, suddenly every axiom is under scrutiny, every piece of evidence subject to disregard as “part of the narrative.” So while I plan to go to graduate school to continue my passion for this seemingly futile endeavor, I do so knowing that I’m fighting an uphill battle against common opinion to make my opinion matter.
Dipping into fashion
I apologize from the get-go for the lowbrow start to this column, but there’s an old vaudeville song from the 1920s called “Lydia the Tattooed Lady.” Though it seems tame today, this Tin Pan Alley tribute to a woman covered entirely in ink was shocking in an era when the only women who had tattoos were in the circus. These days, your Sunday School teacher may have one, so some of the whiff of scandal has gone. Anyway, the song has this lyric near the end:
“She once swept an admiral clear off his feet. The ships on her hips made his heart skip a beat,
And now the old boy’s in command of the fleet
‘Cause he went and married Lydia!”
Why am I telling you this in a wholesome family publication such as The Bison? Because if you replaced “ships” with “chips,” you’d be describing the latest fashion trend. The restaurant chain QDOBA recently entered a new branding phase by selling Chip Pants. These leather slacks are covered with small Ziploc bags full of tortilla chips. If you have not seen them already, you should check Google before you keep reading.
The Mexican restaurant chain has over 750 locations, and their food is popular with the Generation Z crowd. An agent told The New York Post that the brand is “tapping into the intersection of food and fashion and showing that QDOBA is more than just a place to eat — it’s a lifestyle.”
I totally get it. I once tried to dress in Waffle-House-Chic to promote the lifestyle, but the wind blew my paper hat away.
Unfortunately, I’m over a week late to this story, which means all the good puns have been taken. My favorite — again from the Post — is “These are nacho average pants.”
Still, these clothes may be good for your attitude. If you have a chip on your shoulder, you can simply wear it on your knee instead. And when the chips are down, you just tighten your belt. Nor do you have to let the chips fall where they may because you can strap them to your ankles. So far, the pants
have a plain cuff, but they could decide to add ruffles.
Will these slacks make a fortune for their brand? I don’t know — QDOBA could become a blue-chip stock soon. If the product goes bust, though, will buyers be able to cash in their chips?
As QDOBA chips away at the competition, I’m afraid we could see a fashion war on the runway. Belt holsters for your burritos? Queso packets on your socks? Taco salad in your Pedro Garcia handbag?
But on a marketing level, this may be genius. One QDOBA fan said the fashion accessory would be perfect for the movies. Tired of paying $8 for 12 chips and a cup of cheese sauce at the concession stand? Just march into the theatre with your Chip Pants loaded. When the usher says, “Hey! You can’t bring outside food in here!” you simply say, “Well, I can’t very well take my pants off right here in the lobby now, can I?”
Forgot to bring food to the party? Thank goodness you’re wearing your QDOBA pants. And really, haven’t you secretly always wanted to stand next to the vending machine in the break room at work and announce, “Hey guys! The snacks are on me today!”
I once knew a man who was such a connoisseur of chips that he would hold up an empty basket at the restaurant in silence until the waiter noticed that it needed to be filled. Now, when the basket runs dry, you can just dip into your private stash. Assuming, of course, that you sat down lightly. You see, while the designer cleverly put most of the nearly 20 chip bags on the front of the pants, a few are tucked away in the rear. That means that by the time you’re ready to nibble, some of the contents may be pre-crunched. Fortunately, chip dust still
goes well with salsa. They just call them micro-chips then.
I can’t say how these pants will fare in the washing machine. You may have to chip in a little more at the dry cleaners.
I’m told that the Chip Pants are not yet available in stores. But they will be made of the finest quality materials. Genuine fullgrain leather, hand-stitched, and not sanded or buffed, allowing for a naturally strong and durable fiber. Just the right amount of elastic is added for that stretchable quality. Plus, only the best buttons, snaps, and zippers are used. So, these pants are special. They’re all that and a bag of chips.
I’ll show myself out now.
Narrative Columnist
Michael Claxton
Illustration by KIT MOORE
Maggie Samples
Graphic by BEN EVANS
Guest Writer Jackson Trahant
GraphicbyCARYSBIRDWELL
Men’s basketball ready for GAC tournament play
ELI DEAN sports editor
Harding’s men’s basketball team is gearing up for their postseason run after having their most successful season in eight years.
The Bisons finished off their regular season as the third best team in the Great American Conference (GAC) after a come-from-behind 76-66 victory last weekend against Henderson State. The win sets the stage for the Bisons to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State tonight at 8 p.m. in Fort Smith as part of the GAC tournament.
For three seniors, the run up to this moment has had plenty of challenges, but it’s been worth it in the end. After three years of a lack of success as a team, senior guard Wyatt Gilbert said that the mindset change at the beginning of the season played major dividends for where the team is now.
“It was always tough,” Gilbert said. “It was a lot of losses, and a lot of close ones too. But we’ve had such a shift of our mindset going into games. Like now we expect to win games, and it’s nice just going into games expecting to win because obviously you win a lot more when you expect to win.”
It doesn’t come easy to suddenly shift the mindset of an entire team, but for Gilbert, trusting the work that each player put in went a long way to giving the team higher expectations as the season progressed into the later stages.
“We have a lot of guys who put in a lot of time over the summer working on their games,” Gilbert said. “We have a very free flowing offense, but it’s so free flowing because we’ve practiced it so much. We’ve just trusted the work that we’ve put in, and so I think that goes into a lot of it for the mindset part.”
Fifth year senior guard Stetson Smithson
finished the regular season with a 19-9 record as they look to continue their season in the Great American Conference tournament.
said he’s had the most fun he’s ever had playing basketball and that all the work and preparation for a run like this has finally paid off.
“Years like this makes all the years that we struggled worth it,” Smithson said. “This has been my favorite year basketball I’ve ever played my career, and this year’s team is so close.
Smithson said that he has plenty of confidence for the team to succeed even when things might not go there way early on, like what happened when they trailed by ten early against the Reddies.
“This team is capable of winning a game whenever we don’t make shots, and we’re capable of winning a game we do make shots,” Smithson said. “It gives me confidence that no matter what happens, we got a good shot
to win the game.”
For others, the journey to Harding is fairly recent. Senior Josh Denton transferred from one GAC opponent to another, coming to Harding for his last collegiate basketball season after spending the past three seasons at the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
Denton said that the offensive and defensive gameplan that allows for a much more freer body of play helped Denton feel like he would be a good fit for Harding.
“Being a transfer, I wanted to move somewhere that I could play freely and use my talent to help a team compete and win,” Denton said. “The coaching staff and group of guys that we have are experienced and willing to do what it takes to win.”
One thing that Denton noticed right
away was the strong team chemistry even before the season started. He said that the time the team spends with each other has helped them trust each other and make them a better team on the court.
“The team has been extremely close,” Denton said. “We have hung out outside of basketball very often, whether it’s going out to eat or playing video games together. This has helped build our chemistry on the court and it shows when we play.”
The 19-9 Bisons are ready for a possible deep playoff run, and it starts today. For Denton and the rest of the team, a conference championship and beyond is on their minds.
“I am looking forward to competing with my guys to win a championship,” Denton said. “We feel completely capable and ready to do so.”
Harding baseball off to hot start in first half of season
Harding Baseball has climbed to No. 24 in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) poll, marking a significant achievement for the program. Head coach Dr. Patrick McGaha, now in his 20th year leading the team, acknowledged the accomplishment while focusing on the bigger picture.
“It’s the highest we’ve had in a while, it’s a nice accomplishment,” McGaha said. “But we can’t get caught up in the honors and recognitions — we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing to be successful and stay grounded.”
McGaha credits the team’s success to its strong culture, dedication, work ethic and camaraderie.
TOYE guest writer
Buff the Bison is the beloved Harding mascot. Known for being at all football games, pep rallies, large campus events and various other sporting events, Buff brings energy and enthusiasm to the Harding crowd. However, this semester, Buff the Bison has been absent from all games and events.
Student Government Association Vice President Reed Wilson shared her opinions on Buff the Bison being absent in the Harding sphere.
“We did the Illumination on Buff where he came on stage, and we talked a little
“The culture is in place here,” McGaha said. “They pay attention to detail, work hard and care about each other. We’re blessed with talented guys who are also high-character young men that do things the right way.”
For senior pitcher Griffin Meeker, the ranking serves as recognition for the team’s hard work but does not define their success.
“We have been playing really good baseball and plan on keeping it rolling,” Meeker said.
“It doesn’t matter if we are ranked or not — we just plan on playing good baseball.”
McGaha also prioritizes faith in his coaching, ensuring his players develop on the field and grow as Christian leaders.
“We talk a lot about expectations and how we represent the University, our families and the Lord,” McGaha said. “We use the life lessons from baseball to help the players
bit about all the things that he does,” Wilson said. “Through that experience, I learned a lot about what he does. I already had an idea of what he did, but being able to communicate with him and really hear about what he did, it was pretty astounding to me how many responsibilities he really had. Buff is historically a student. Whether Buff is a student or whether Buff is not a student, it’s a really big time commitment. I think what has happened is we are in-between Buffs.”
Some people have been quicker to notice Buff’s absence than others.
become Christian leaders in their homes and communities.”
Meeker emphasized the team’s shared faith as a key part of their journey.
“It has been known from the beginning that our faith is the most important thing,” Meeker said. “As a team, we hold each other accountable on and off the field with our walk. We all know that having Christ in our lives will bring us more enjoyment than baseball ever can.”
With a challenging schedule ahead, McGaha remains focused on keeping his players grounded.
“Our schedule on the back end is really brutal, so we need to continue playing well,” McGaha said. “We’ll have to play really well and execute fundamentals to have a chance. As long as we can keep doing that, we like our chances.”
“I think that it’s definitely noticeable when you’re somewhere like a basketball game and Buff is not there. I also have seen Buff interact with a lot of children,” Wilson said. “I think that is a big demographic that loves seeing Buff. It’s important to remember that Harding events, whether it’s sporting events or just social events, are for Harding alum and their families as well as the Searcy community.” Wilson went on to explain how being Buff is a huge time commitment. Fulfilling these commitments while being a student is not only difficult, but also, for a lot of people, unrealistic.
Hudson Vaughn said the team put in effort to reach this point.
“It is an honor to be ranked because a lot of work has gone into putting ourselves in the position we are in,” Vaughn said. “None of the rankings matter when we are on the field, nor do they change how we go about our business.”
Vaughn credits Harding Baseball’s culture for shaping the team’s success.
“We are blessed with the culture we have built on this team. This is the way it is because of the guys who have come and gone before us here,” Vaughn said. “We have amazing leaders, and carrying ourselves in a selfless manner on and off the field helps us remember where our real priorities lie.”
Freshman Callie Reeves shared how she views the absence of Buff the Bison.
“I think that it’s just really sad because Buff the Bison is a staple of Harding culture, and he brings joy to people,” Reeves said. Sophomore Adrian Galyean has also noticed the absence of Buff and said he was disappointed in not seeing Harding’s mascot at more events.
“Bring back Buff,” Galyean said. “I think that a mascot is such a good sign of school spirit and a great way to let students celebrate their love for their school. I think that Harding should be looking to hire a new mascot as soon as possible.”
AMANDA
Senior Wyatt Gilbert puts up a midrange jumper in the Bison’s 95-74 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State Feb. 23. The Bisons
Junior
Photo by EDGAR CARDIEL
Photo by EDGAR CARDIEL
Senior catcher Sebastian Martinez takes a lead off of second base during the 14-2 win over McKendree University Feb. 7. The Bisons are 16-2 and have quickly become one of the top teams in the country with a combination of offensive production and the ability to shut down teams on defense.
AJA WILSON guest writer
Special Olympics are held at GAC
Soda Jerk rebrands, renovates store in downtown Searcy
Not everything went perfectly during renovations. Douglas recounted when a ghost named Lilly disturbed her store and moved her lunch.
Soda Jerk completed renovations to their store in downtown Searcy across the street from Burrito Day, days before their weekend Mardi Gras celebration on March 3.
Lisa Douglas owns Soda Jerk and the nextdoor thrift store Vintage Vibes. She moved the ice cream bar closer to the door and shunted some tables to the side of her building. She is also expanding her menu with more sodas, coffees, and vegan ice cream and cones.
“We’re going to expand our menu into fun milkshakes,” Douglas said. “We’re going a little bit more nostalgic with sodas and floats. All that’s coming.”
“My bag was here one day, and my lunch was behind it, and my lunch went to the floor,” Douglass said. “Not my bag, just my lunch that was behind the bag.”
For a social club who needs a fun gettogether, it would be a good idea to follow in the steps of Phi Kappa Delta, who held their Galentine’s Day event last weekend at Soda Jerk. Outside the club sphere, the store has been a place for get-togethers and traditions. Sophomore Allie Laverty said she remembers meeting her friend to get snacks after class.
“In freshman year, I quickly became friends with one of my good friends Sara Crooks,
and we started a tradition of going [to Soda Jerk] every Tuesday together,” Laverty said. “We would opt for their cold blue floats or acai bowls every Tuesday, and so it was just a fun little place for community.”
Soda jerk is the job title of the drugstore assistants who operated soda machinery with a jerking motion. But despite the signs and colored drawings of coffee and ice cream on the store’s windows and sign, the name Soda Jerk has spawned confusion for some students, leaving sophomore Kerra Felzien wondering what the store sells.
“I think the name is kind of confusing,” Felzien said. “Maybe next time they should change the name, because they don’t sell soda—they’re not jerks.”
Soda Jerk will host an event celebrating Mardi Gras this weekend. Music artist Silas
ANDREW RENEAU asst. copy editor
Graphic by BEN EVANS
Photos by EDGAR CARDIEL
Carpenter is scheduled to perform, and vendors will set up stands in front of the shop.
Special Olympics was held in GAC March 1. Participants of all ages and abilities competed against one another for prizes in various sporting events.
Graphic by BEN EVANS
Game by Jacob Branson
TheLink.Harding.edu 3B FEATURES
Davis leads worship at youth rally
Boulevard Church of Christ in Lake Charles, Louisiana, hosted Feb. 21-23rd Ignite Lake Area Youth Rally. The event featured speakers, song leaders and families from multiple states coming together to encourage young people. The group ranged from 6th-12th graders who were given the opportunity to worship with people their age. Coordinator Austin LaRocque said the preparation for this event called on the whole congregation to step up and serve the youth. The church members opened their homes for anyone travelling to the event for the weekend. LaRocque shared that Boulevard Church of Christ used multiple forms of advertisement to reach families and churches in surrounding areas.
“Social media was our main advertising outlet–Instagram and Facebook, stuff like that. I sent letters out to area churches,” LaRocque said. Amy Drymon, a member of Boulevard’s and also a helping hand in the planning, said that they want to advertise much more next time around and hopefully make this a large, yearly event.
Guest song leader Terry Davis of Monroe LA traveled to Lake Charles for the event. He often leads singing for Harding during Bison Bound and other activities. He’s known for his energy on the stage and how it travels to the crowd.
“I always say where there’s two or three gathered, we’re gonna have some singing,” Davis said.
He engages with as many congregations as possible to encourage them through worshiping with hymns.
“At this particular rally there was a cross of old songs, mid songs, new songs–I do a lot of combinations because you never know what the kids know,” Davis said.
New ‘I
LaRocque shared that the turnout was smaller than he expected. While he was discouraged at first, they ended up being blessed by the smaller group of young people who were able to fellowship in a closer setting. He praised the guest speake Spencer Furby, who is a minister in Jonesboro, Ark., that led the event.
“All of the young adults loved him and so did I,” LaRoque said. “It’s crazy how he can put things into perspective and really make you see the big picture. He puts it in such an eloquent way that teenagers, adults, older adults and everybody can understand it.”
of 6th-12th graders
LA. The rally was
worship .
Am’ statements chapel series makes its debut
series does a good job of giving to the people who are trying to receive from it.”
Freshman Carmen Campbell shared her thoughts on the series’ theme and impact.
This semester, chapel has introduced a new series focusing on the seven “I Am” statements found in the Gospel of John. Guest speakers, such as Dr. Monte Cox, Dr. Carl Williams, and Grant Fitzhugh, have each expanded on these statements which highlight the identity of Jesus Christ. Jesus describes himself with these seven statements throughout the book of John, each revealing a unique aspect of his nature. In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to himself as “the bread of life,” “the light of the world,” “the door of the sheep,” “the good shepherd,” “the resurrection and the life,” “the way, the truth, and the life” and “the true vine.”
Freshman Samuel Haviland has appreciated the structure and message of the series.
“I think that the ‘I Am’ series has been productive and I’ve enjoyed it,” said Haviland. “I would like more series like it, or even a series going through a specific book of the Bible like 1 John, Acts or Romans.” Haviland has also noted the series’ relevance to students already engaged in the daily chapel program.
“I think it’s in the chapel coordinators’ best interest to appeal to those who are already interested,” said Haviland. “I think the ‘I Am’
“I think the overall concept of the ‘I Am’ statements traces back to the idea of abiding and how that looks in different circumstances,” said Campbell. “I like this series because you get to walk out of chapel with a morning devo and it is refreshing to your soul. I think another series like this would be a great addition to the weekly chapel rotation in the future.”
Freshman Ava Bernard said she particularly enjoyed the consistency of the series.
“I really like the ‘I Am’ Series because it’s cohesive and it’s simple,” said Bernard. “I want to be able to go to chapel and read the Bible and hear someone preach. I think it’s a good time to hear more about the Word and learn.”
Bernard also appreciated how the series has reinforced what she has studied in her daily Bible classes.
“It’s nice being a freshman who just learned about all the Gospels and seeing that content represented in chapel,” said Bernard.
The “I Am” series will continue to cover the remainder of the seven statements found in John.
by
Zeta Rho to host fundraiser for Arkansas Crisis Center
Zeta Rho is hosting the Shamrock Shuffle 5K March 15 to raise money for the Arkansas Crisis Center. The Arkansas Crisis Center is a non-profit organization that operates as a suicide hotline, offering support to individuals facing mental health challenges or those concerned about others. They respond to calls daily, working to save lives and contribute to long-term safety and well-being.
Zeta Rho service co-director Jayden Ellerman, a junior, said she has personal experience with friends who struggle with mental disorders.
“I have had multiple people in our lives who have struggled with mental disorders or have contemplated taking their lives, and we know that many people on campus have had similar experiences,” Ellerman said. “This program is extremely important to us, and we want to bring to light just how much good that they do. Especially since ACC is a nonprofit organization, we know that any donation will be helpful to their program and overall goal.”
ACC is founded on hope and providing hope to struggling teens and adults. Their goal is make an impact in decreasing Arkansas’ rising suicide rates.
“Supporting their mission aligns with values of service and offering hope in suffering,” Zeta Rho service co-director Astryd Marcum, a junior, said. This event is open to anyone and all are welcome to join. Freshman Athenn Stewart said her decision to participate in the race was connected to her passion for mental health issues.
“Mental health has always been very important to me,” Stewart said. “My mom is a high school teacher and through her experiences in her work, I saw how many teens are affected by mental health issues and how important it is to focus on maintaining your mental health. When I found out that this 5K supported the Arkansas Crisis Center, I was stoked to be able to contribute in any way I could!”
The race will begin at 9 a.m. on Harding’s campus, and the start and finish lines are located behind the McInteer Bible Building. The entry fee is $20 through March 14, but registration will also be available on race day for $25. Since March 15 falls just before St. Patrick’s Day, participants are highly encouraged to wear their best green attire. Event t-shirts are available on a first-comefirst-serve basis. Over $750 has been raised by the more than 85 race-runners.
Groups
worship and attend lessons at the Ignite Area Youth Rally Feb. 21-23 in Lake Chrales,
hosted by the Boulevard Church of Christ and featured Harding alumnus Terry Davis leading
Photos provided by Mackenzie Folding
Photo
ABIGAIL CALLICOAT
JIANA MANGLICMOT lifestyle & features
JULIA JENKINS guest writer
ABBY BARRY copy editor
Graphic provided by Zeta Rho Social Club
Grant Fitzhugh stands on the Benson Auditorium stage as he delivers a devotional thought. Fitzhugh was assigned one of the seven “I Am” statements found in the Gospel of John to talk about in chapel Monday, March 2.
Ben Rector returns for spring concert
JULIA JENKINS guest writer
Ben Rector will headline a concert April 26 in the Benson Auditorium for students, faculty, staff and the general public. Jane Chandler, director of Campus Life, and the Campus Life team have worked hard to make this opportunity possible.
Last fall, Rector announced that he would take his last tour for a while. Upon hearing this, Chandler immediately jumped on the opportunity to see if Harding could be a stop. Though the process was challenging and involved a lot of waiting, Chandler — along with Harding’s booking agent, Jolene Chevalier from How To Concerts—was able to secure Rector for a stand-alone concert on campus.
“I think so many people love his music, but he just felt unattainable for Harding, or, you know, if a Harding student wants to see him, that you need to go somewhere else to see him, you know, like, it’s not here,” Chandler said. “I’m really grateful for Harding for being able to work with us on getting him.”
April will be Rector’s fifth performance at Harding. Students are just as excited as ever for his return. Senior Emily Patterson, a longtime fan, described her reaction upon hearing the news.
“I was so excited,” Patterson said. “I heard some rumors, but I wasn’t sure if they were true because he’s such a big artist now. So I was excited that we were able to get him to come back when he’s gotten so much bigger since the last time he was here.”
Harding has a strong track record of inviting up-and-coming artists — like Taylor Swift and OneRepublic — just before they become more successful. In the past, Ben Rector was one of those emerging artists Harding saw potential in. Now, with his widespread success, his return is even more exciting.
Chandler describes “Harding-core music” as folksy, singer-songwriter style — which perfectly aligns with Rector’s music. Sophomore Sophie Vergne, another huge fan, shared why she thinks his sound resonates with many Harding students.
“I think he just has good everyday music,”Vergne said. “You can study to it, or you can play it in the car. It’s just like, it meets what a lot of people want.”
are now available at Hardingtickets. com.
The concert has been a closely kept secret since mid - January, but tickets
“So if you like his music, you will love him live,” Chandler said. “It is so good. I think it’ll be a sweet sendoff for seniors, it’ll be good going into summer – just a great, great artist.”
Rounding up current fashion trends among students
“Back in the Day” is a special section in The Bison newspaper in celebration of Harding’s centennial year. Each print issue during the 202324 academic year will have pieces related to the centennial, connecting our readers to Harding’s past.
Fashion at Harding is what many students use to express themselves. With diverse cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and personal interests, the fashion at Harding presents many different looks. The fads recently have been Adidas Sambas, the color red, cardigans, denim, camouflage (both pants, shirts and jackets), wide-leg pants and overalls. In winter fashion, there have been long colorful scarves, westernstyle jean jackets, knit sweaters, cargo pants, Blundstone boots, trench coats and chunky jewelry. Harding has gone through and withstood several cultural shifts, many of which involved fashion. There has been a long-standing conversation about what is and is not appropriate for students to wear when attending classes. Together, students and faculty have worked hard to find a compromise on what is deemed acceptable. Now, according to the handbook, students can wear shorts that are mid-thigh length or longer, shirts with straps that are at least three fingers width and casual wear as they please.
This week, we get a glimpse at the banter between students at faculty from years past. We also see a bit of satire connecting the Searcy community with Harding’s culture.
