The Bison Newspaper - Vol. 97, No. 12

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Searcy, Searcy, Online atatat TheLink.Harding.edu Searcy, Online TheLink.Harding.edu Searcy, Ark., 72149 Online TheLink.Harding.edu Online at TheLink.Harding.edu Searcy,Ark., Ark.,72149 72149

Searcy, Ark., 72149

to help remember ‘I Community want to beNever able Never forget forget responds to apartment search update Presidential stories’ and complex tell theirfire

Photo by MADISON MEYER Photo by MADISON MEYER

Dr.Jack Jack Shock, Shock, distinguished distinguished professor professor of of communication, communication, and Dr. and Dr. Dr. Ginger Ginger Blackstone, Blackstone, associate associate professor professor of of communication, share share their their firsthand firsthand experiences experiences in in media media from from Sept. communication, Sept. 11, 11, 2001, 2001, with with honors honors communication communication Photos by MADISON MEYER students. Students and faculty visited the 9/11 memorial in Downtown Manhattan on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Photos by MADISON MEYER students. Students and faculty visited the 9/11 memorial in Downtown Manhattan on Thursday, Sept. 9.

Junior Emily Stinnett was a student on “My job was to bring the story out,” Blackstone worked as a producer for CNN Photo

by JEFF MONTGOMERY Junior Emily Stinnett was a student on “My job was to bring the story out,” Blackstone worked as a producer for CNN Photo

by JEFF MONTGOMERY EVERETT KIRKMAN Charles Ganus, head of the Harding presidential president the board Lindy aIngram, member of the tripand and created video documentary of Atlanta in Septemberof2001.

She andof hertrustees; Shock said.search committee; Dr. RobertinWalker, EVERETT KIRKMAN Charles Ganus, head of the Harding presidential search committee; Dr. Robert Walker, president of the board of trustees; and Lindy Ingram, member of the trip and created a video documentary of in Atlanta in September 2001.

She and her Shock said. editor-in-chief the board of trustees, leave the American Heritage building oncorrespondents Sept. 10. team have since received an Emmy Award it. A shorter version of her work, specifically Even national newson editor-in-chief the board of trustees, leave the American Heritage building Sept.

10.

Even national news correspondents team have since received an Emmy Award it. A shorter version of her work, specifically for“ There’s their reporting work over the course of Solomon, from outlets like NBC, ABC and Eleven honors communication students University focused on theofreflection of students, chair the Lipscomb Board of a number good things president.

This marked theCNN first for“ There’s their reporting work of over the course of Solomon, from outlets like NBC, ABC and CNN Eleven honors communication focused on theofreflection of students, EVERETT KIRKMAN students University chair theon Lipscomb Board a number of good things president.

This marked the firstas the KIRKMAN was shown in chapel Friday, Sept.

10.of weeks following the attacks, as America hadan restricted access at ground zero, and fiveEVERETT communication department faculty time Trustees, said in a statement at the time happening here at Harding right now,” outside executive search firm was editor-in-chief the weeks following the attacks,right as America restricted access at search groundfirm zero, as happening and five communication department faculty hadan was shown in in chapel on Friday, 10.

Trustees, said a statement at Sept. the time here at Harding now,” outsideGuard executive was editor-in-chief Her project documented the visit to the learned about the terrorists’ motives and the the National patrolled what was an members traveled to New York City from time ofHer theproject announcement.

Ganus said.

“I’m looking forward to the hired by the University for thiswhat process. learned about the terrorists’ motives and the the National Guard patrolled was an members traveled to New York City from hired documented the visit to the Photo by JULIANNE BAKER of the announcement.

Ganus said. “I’m looking forward to the memorial, by the University for this would process. as wella as visitsalso to St. Paul’s U.S.president government’s responsethe in mission real time. ongoing investigation.

Journalists often new Sept.

8-12 Charles to observe the 20th anniversary York College, continuing of “We are conductingJournalists a nationwide search Alumnus Ganus, board member U.S.president government’s response in mission real time. investigation. would often located Sept.

8-12 to observe the 20th memorial, as wella school as visitsalso to affiliated St. Paul’s Donated children’s clothes layanniversary stacked a“We table in theas100 building at 1201 E.Sept.

Race Ave. The nonprofit has stopped accepting clothing York College, school affiliated new continuing the of chapel, are conducting aFamilies nationwide search Alumnus Charles Ganus, board memberon onongoing Trinity Church and the Engine 54, For Blackstone, 11, 2001, was her speak to Shock a liason, who would then of the Sept.

11, 2001, terrorist attacks with theTrinity Churches of Christ, announced Harding — continuing for 2001, it to be the for a president that will who lead would Harding and chairman of 2001, the presidential search For Blackstone, Sept.

11, was her speak to Shock as a liason, then of the Sept.

11, terrorist attacks on chapel, Church and the Engine 54, donations but is accepting toiletries, furniture andCross monetary donations. with the Churches9of Christ,on announced Harding — continuing for itplane to be the Ladder for a president that will to lead Harding andthe chairman ofstill the Center presidential search 4, Battalion firehouse 8th Ave. day off.

Unaware of the initial crash, enter the Red area find someone World Trade in New York the appointment of a 9new president on June special place it hasof been.

I look forward University in its Cross vision area as a Christ-centered committee, saidTrade while Center the process isNew ongoing, day off.

Unaware the initial plane crash, enter the Red to find someone the World in York Ladder 4, Battalion firehouse on 8th Ave. special place itsaid has been.

I look forward theMidtown appointment of a new president on they June inshare its vision as a Christ-centered committee, saidstudent while the ongoing,an University in Manhattan.

Fifteen firefighters second plane hit the second tower, personally willing toof their story.

Each on process the tripisfulfilled Henderson said the families range said in Henderson the most immediate these like, 2020. Dr.with Samuel A. families, Smith, alumnus towhen the the next president building on that.” theCity. presidential search committee’s rolean institution higher education,” when the second plane hit the second tower, 12, willing toof share their story. Walker EachBEN student on the trip fulfilled in Midtown Manhattan.

Fifteenan firefighters LANE to the next president building on that.” institution higher education,” Walker said theCity. presidential search committee’s role 12, 2020.

Dr. Samuel A. Smith, an alumnus from Engine Co.served 54 went to the World herOther two cell phones, landline “At that“We moment, that firefighter became need contract on ahe topic related to 9/11, wide variety of ages andfirefighter relationships of clothing has also been met,and butBlackBerry toiletries start over,” Henderson said. of theto college, has as president since colleges affiliated with the have in February. are searching for a mature is honors now over.

He said andrelated other to board two cell phones, landline and BlackBerry “At that“We moment, that became her contract on ahe topic 9/11,a in from Engine Co.served 54 went to the World news editor Other colleges also affiliated with the Trade is honors now over.

He said and other board February. aresaid. searching for a to mature of the Center college, has as2001, president since on Sept.

11, and none all began to ring at the same time.

After my client,” Shock “It was up me to the events surrounding it and the effects some have newborn infants, others still being accepted, and furniture is July Senior Sarah Hale volunteered 100 6, 2020, after spending nearly 20at years Churches of Christ have recently gone of the church of“It Christ who isme ledto are members were grateful for the time and —member all began to ring at the same time.

After my client,” Shock said. was up to the events surrounding it and the effects Trade Center on Sept.

11, 2001, and none Christ recently gone Christ who is led members were grateful for the time and member July 6, 2020, after spending years — the most men lostnearly from a20single learning ofofthe events,have she was advised to returned ensure of hethe hadchurch a safeof experience that did Churches felt worldwide. inreturned a variety of roles at Lipscomb.

Smith’s through presidential transitions. byensure the word of God and the are Holy Spirit, effort every committee member put into have older children and some couples also needed.

100 Families listed specificto Families after seeing Henderson’s Facebook learning of the events, she was advised he had a safe experience that did felt worldwide.

— the most men lost from a single EVERETT KIRKMAN presidential transitions. effortThe every committee into bynot theexploit word of God Spirit, in a variety of roles Lipscomb.

Smith’s company thatatday.

The firefighters stay home and rest up for the work that engine him, thatand didthe notHoly put him in a through group visited themember Sept. 11put Memorial inauguration willvolunteers. take day. placeThe today.

Onhome Aug. 5,each Lipscomb University in post narrowing the visited searchthe forSept. the University’s tohim, the that spread the gospel of a donations stay restfamily, up forwhich the work not exploit did not put him in The group 11 Memorialorcommitted engine company that firefighters singles.

100 Families is of working with forand can that be requesting editor-in-chief shared their stories with the would ensue 5, in Lipscomb days and weeks to come.in there zone that would unhealthy him, and and Museum at ground zeroUniversity’s on Thursday, committed On Aug. University to thebe spread of theforgospel of narrowing the search for the inauguration willpersonal take place today.

“Smith proven himself be a Nashville, Tennessee, the and focused on strengthening the next wouldonensue in days andannounced weeks to come. zone that would be unhealthy and found andpresident.

Museum at ground zero on Thursday,23Christ there sharedhas their personal stories to with the of families affected andfor 50him, total White County 100 Families “I really enjoyed getting out into andhave faculty and shared memories “All of the Turner networks, allthe of students alsothe toand accompany him to and through the Nashville, Sept.

9. While there, Dr. Jack Shock, Christ Tennessee, announced focused on strengthening the next president.

“Smith has proven himself to be a thoughtful listener with a visionary spirit,” appointment of the university ’s 18th University in its pursuit of excellence in On Oct. 30, 2020, the retirement of Dr. “AllFacebook of the Turner networks, all of the also to accompany him to and through the Alliance Sept. 9. While there, Dr. Jack Shock,individuals. students and faculty and shared memories specific Searcy community,” “It’s colleagues that had been lost. said. them — even like TNT, TBS said — they were of interview.”in its pursuit of excellence in appointment distinguished professor of communication, ofpage. the Baker university ’s 18th On Oct. 30, 2020, the retirement of Dr. University thoughtful listener with a Hale visionary spirit,” Dr. R.eye-opening Wayne White, chairman of theof York president — Dr.like Candice former Bruce McLarty as University president was higher education.” them —items even TNT, TBS — they were very interview.” distinguished professor of communication, of colleagues had been lost.

Searcy Fire Chief Brian Dunavan “[100 Families] working to help donation listedMcQueen, so families can outside the saidthat oneto of work the most memorable all simulcasting CNN, including CNN Shock describedis the many interviews wasMcLarty interviewed by multiple newssaid outlets president — Dr.are Candice McQueen, former higher education.”

Bruce as University president was Dr.Stinnett R. Wayne White, chairman of the York College Board of Trustees, said.

“After Tennessee commissioner of education and announced to the Harding community via Two weeks after this announcement, all simulcasting CNN, including CNN Shock described the many interviews was interviewed by multiple news outlets Stinnett said one of the most memorable theannounced fire department responded to a 911 call resource all the families,” Dr. Andrew receive what they are asking for and to Harding community …

Harding students moments of the of trip to her was reading International,” Blackstone said.

“The thinking heweeks took part in, where he stood directly Tennessee about histo experiences at ground zero invia the that of education and interviewing the Harding community Two after this announcement, College Board Trustees, said.

“After several great candidates, it deancommissioner of Blackstone the university’s department Harding constituents received an directly email former anabout emailhis from Board ofPlace Trustees Chairman International,” “The thinking that he took part in,Mitchell where stood experiences at ground zero in was theBaker, moments of trip topeople her was reading regarding afrom fire at CJ’s apartment director of the Center for as avoid unneeded donations.

Monetary be the ones going outcandidates, and making the names of the the 2,977 that diedit was, there’s no point in ussaid. clamoring over should behind the camera and theheinterviewer, weeks following the attacks.

Shock former dean of the university’s department Harding constituents received an email an email Board of Trustees Chairman interviewing several great was apparent that Smith’s experiences in of education.

McQueen was the first female from the presidential search committee, Dr. Robert Walker on behalf of the entire was, there’s no point in us clamoring over behind the camera and the interviewer, as weeks following the attacks.

Shock was the names of the 2,977 people that died complex at 12:30 last on seeing their faces and in photos right now,being we just need centralize a presence of familiarity. called to Walker Newa.m.

York byThursday, a former student, Leadership and Ministry, said. committee, donations are McQueen also accepted. uncomfortable gettingand out the presidential search ofresources education. was theto first female themselves Dr. Robert on behalf of the Feb. entire was9/11, apparent that Smith’s experiences in higher education were the best match for requesting input for future presidential president hirednow, in the Church Christ board.

On Feb. 10, Walker the from resources right we just need toofcentralize a presence of familiarity. called toIrby, New York bymarketing a announced former student, on 9/11, seeing their faces in photos and 10.board.

The Daily Citizen reported that all learning more about their individual lives. the message.”

“I couldinput stop the interview if I saw him president Darren national officer of requesting Henderson said the nonprofit’s small Baker said the fire typically does not of the Harding bubble and talking to the hired in the Church of Christ for future presidential On Feb. 10, Walker announced the higher education were the best match for the challenges and opportunities ahead.” school’s 130-year history. includedifquestions formation of a presidential search committee theBlackstone message.”

“I couldThe stopsurvey interview I with saw him Darren Irby, national marketing officer of candidates. learning more about their individual lives.

“Ichallenges think it’s easy to define those ahead.” people said the100 channel stopped in was distress, and Ithe made thatmanage clear the American Red Cross, toapartments, assist with Red residents safely CJ’s Place history. formation of exited a presidential search committee candidates.

The survey included questions theCandidates and opportunities staff notcharacteristics equipped to thethe fitschool’s within the scope of Families, but people nobody talks to.” foreasy the role of Harding president “IBlackstone am130-year confident that her vision, deep regarding and qualities inthe a campus-wide email.

The committee said the channel stopped in distress, and I made that clear with the American Red Cross, to assist with Red “I think it’s to define those people their death,” Stinnett said.

“Iamean it running breaks for two fulla weeks. reporter,”characteristics Shock said.

“The number one the Cross mediaE. relations. located on 1706 Moore Ave. However, “I amcommercial confident that her vision, deep by Hale regarding and qualities in a campus-wide email.

Thethree committee Candidates for the role of Harding president amount of and donations, which nonprofit has for “stepped [up] in described the donations as interview with the University boardit expertise, passion faith-based education included seven board members, Harding overwhelming students, alumni, faculty staff considered running commercial breaks for twoBlackstone full huge weeks. will reporter,” Shock said.

“The number one Cross media relations. by their death,” Stinnett said.

“I constant mean was a huge event, and it was a huge attack “You just had to go on feeling,” issue here is the safety and wellbeing of Seated in the same spot in the New York all included 25 families that lived in the apartments students, alumni, faculty and staff considered expertise, passion for faith-based education seven board members, three Harding will interview with the University board caused her to contact women’s social by offering assistance.

100 Blackstone Families stream in which she “may have of trustees, will then vote finalists. and love for Lipscomb lead us boldly incoming most important forsafety a president and club whatof“ way” faculty members three alumni. just hadno torulebook go onwill feeling,” issue here isespecially the wellbeing Seated in theand same spotHarding in the was a huge event, and ittheir was aon huge attack — but theywho deserve for full stories to said.“You “There was for this.

Nothing the subject, at and this brutal time.

Marriott Marquis where he metNew withYork the most have been displaced. and love for Lipscomb will lead us boldly important for a president and what faculty members and three Harding alumni. of trustees, who will then vote on finalists.

Zeta Rho and men’s social club Knights to has also assisted affected families in finding made a 10% dent” in organizing Feb. 10.

The board not publicly announced a newhad season greatness, exemplified theespecially president should be prepared Upon the announcement of met theSeptember search said.athis “There was noof rulebook forLike, this. when Nothing theDr. subject, at this brutal time. “ into Marriott Marquis where he with the challenges —remembered but theyhas deserve for their fulltostories to be and told.

I want be able like ever happened. is rest of his team each morning in Ginger Blackstone, associate professor into athis new season of greatness, exemplified Upon the announcement ofintern theSeptember search challenges the president should prepared The board not publicly announced a Senior Eden Henderson, an forthe ask for assistance.

Members of thebeHarding housing and reimbursement for food loss.

“This is ahas traumatic thing that has just date on which they expect to announce a by excellence, diversity and immersion in to address. committee, Walker also announced like had ever happened.

Like, when is Dr. Ginger Blackstone, associate professor rest of his team each morning in be remembered and told.

I want to be able to help remember andexpect tell their stories.” a it okay to run diversity a commercial again? When communication, was beside Shock in by 2001, Shock told the students of histhe two toofaddress. excellence, and immersion in committee, Walker also announced date on which they to announce 100 Families — a nonprofit that helps team and various University classes think college students again? it’s hard for and nowand these have to decision regarding the new hiring.

Incommunication, the meantime, Ganus said hethe felt blessedin our community together we work to happened, appointment oftold anzero executive search firm, it“Iit okay toasrun a as commercial When of was beside Shock 2001, the students of his twofootball to help remember tell people their stories.” the seating area, sharing with is appropriate?” weeksShock at ground with the Red Cross.

In the meantime, Ganus said hethe feltstudents. blessed our community together work to rebuild,” appointment of—to anorganized executive search decision Henderson regarding the new hiring. families in at crisis additional the livesasofhow ourbig students,” David bythe Dr. David Burks’ interim presidency.

CarterBaldwin, aid the search for afirm, new volunteered asarea, well.

Their time has been ustransform actually ofwe a deal this said. ”It’s been really istoitrealize appropriate?” weeks ground zero with the Red Cross. seating sharing with students. the lives ofbeing our students,” David humbling to see how Searcy has shown

by Dr. David Burks’ interim presidency.

CarterBaldwin, to aid for a new spent volunteers in an effort to the helpsearch the displaced organizing the donations delivered istransform for the community, in the middle families affected by the fire. to 100 Families at 1201 E. Race. of organizing everything and working up for them.”

Students respond respond to to Students Possible vaccine vaccine mandates mandates to affect private companies, Possible to affect private companies, Supreme Court’s ruling on Supreme Court’s ruling on universities Trustee Scholar interview weekends expand universities Texas abortion abortion ban ban Texas

Brands which Association wrote abecause letter to the GABRIEL HUFF SARA MCCLARAN advisers, is important they Brands Association wrote a letter to the GABRIEL HUFF president requesting clarification, asking asst. copy editor problems instead of attacking the woman features editorHUFF GABRIEL have a goodrequesting perspective and information president clarification, asking asst. copy editor problems instead of attacking the woman questions such as, “Must an employee who’s already in a tough situation, I think GABRIEL asst. copy HUFF editor we already don’t have, but itsituation, was good to A panel Trustee questions such “Must anand employee inas, atotough think I n a nof efour f f oasst. rjunior t tcopy o and c ueditor r bsenior COV I D - 1 9 that bewho’s vaccinated to work?”

“What wefully wouldn’t have ban abortions toI make hear f rom, like, people who are in the Scholars met on Jan. 27 and Feb. 10 to I n Ina na 5-4 ePresident f f ovote, r t tthe o cSupreme u r bBiden COV I D -of1on 9 be fully vaccinated work?” and “What we wouldn’t havething.” totoban toone’s make numbers, Joe said are the consequences of abortions falsifying Court the abortions a rare numbers, President Joe said are the consequences of falsifying one’s they’ll be in Marcellus, three years f rom discuss life at Harding with parents and In vote, therequesting Supreme Court ofon theposition abortions a or rare thing.”

Sept.

9a 5-4 that hedeclined is the U.S. vaccination testing status and does the United States toBiden block Texas’ new Freshman Skyler secretary vaccination or testing status and does the Sept.

9who that he isSept. requesting the U.S. United States declined block Texas’ new Skyler Marcellus, secretary Miller said. students were on campus for their Depar tment of Labor require all now,” responsibility restfor with the individual abortion law on 1.to to forFreshman HU Students Life, said he agreed responsibility rest with the individual Depar tment of Labor to require all abortion law on Sept.

1. the100 for HU Life, said he agreed companies with more than employees employer?” process of choosing Trustee Scholars The Texas law, coined Texas Heartbeat orThe with theStudents Texas lawforbecause it aligns with Trustee Scholarship interviews. companies with more than 100 employees orwith employer?”

The Texas law, coined the Texas Heartbeat theKlein, Texas law because itWhere aligns L ori assistant professor of toAct, mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or has seeks to prevent abortions when a fetal his Christian Furthermore, he with said changed in values. recent years. as Junior Halle Miller, senior Grant L ori Klein, assistant professor of to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations orin history Act, seeks to prevent abortions when a fetal his Christian values.

Furthermore, he said and political science, said Harding weekly testing. heartbeat or cardiac activity is detected the law holds people more accountable Countess, senior Everett Kirkman and applicants previously came individuallyfor history and political science, said Harding weekly testing. heartbeat or cardiac activity is detected in the law holds people more accountable for University would also be subject these The mandate will affectbegins 80 million womb, whichHassmann typically aroundfor their and saves lives. theiractions interview, now it is an to event. juniorthe John Howard addressed The mandate will affect 80 million University would also be subject to these the womb, which typically begins around their actions and saves lives. em l o y e einto s , wpregnancy. h i c h i s More a l m o specifically, s t t w o - mandates if that theywebecome effective — sixp weeks “I believe need to fix the systems different requirements for the thee m theme calling purpose p weeks l oact yofof epermitted ethe s, w h iand cindividuals h isector s More a l mto oin ssue t their tanyone w o - There mandates ifmore theywe become effective — six into pregnancy. specifically, “Iare believe that need toemployees fix the systems thirds private workforce, since itthe hasgovernment than the that is100 trying to fix with application itself, including reading a book lives, Dr. Jim Miller, assistant dean of the thirds of the private sector workforce, since it has more than 100 employees — the act permitted individuals to sue anyone that the government is trying to fix with who performs or assists abortions.

The law abortion,” Marcellus said.

“So I believe according to AP News. The task of unless it applies for religious exemption. writing a Marcellus paper.

The purpose Honors College, said. who performs or assists abortions.

The law abortion,” said.

“So Iofbelieve according AP News.

Thefall task of unless it applies forand religious exemption. allows citizens to produce lawsuits instead ofand we need to gosaid in we need to fixthe the However, she such an exemption issuing thetomandates will upon was to provide ago Harding’s panel was put the allows citizens totrustee produce lawsuits instead ofchange, we need to gosaid insaid, and wean need toasfixto the However, she exemption issuing thefirst mandates will upon necessitating public officials tofall enforce foster care system.

Isuch believe we need may beHannigan difficult because, as far she the Occupational Safety and Health necessitating officials enforce themore system.

I believe wesystems need to go may becare difficult as far aswho she the Occupational Safety and Health equitable process forthese students together in plaintiffs 2021,public andwin Miller said students law.

If a case, they can obtain inaware, and we need tobecause, fix all that Administration (OSHA), atoregulatory isfoster the Church of Christ does not law.

If plaintiffs win adepartment. case, can obtain in and we need to all systems that Administration (OSHA), adamages regulatory is aware, the Church of‘Ifthese Christ does not a minimum $10,000 in they alongmay the is fix like, youvaccinations just have an agency of responded theoflabor have agovernment precedent of rejecting be strong in different areas. and parents positively toBiden the awith minimum $10,000 in an damages along have the is like, youvaccinations have an attorneys’ fees. department. abortion, this stuff‘Ifwill bejust taken care agovernment precedent of rejecting agency of the labor Biden also said he of would sign executive asThis a group, though individuals can apply year ’s other assigned reading was experience. with attorneys’ fees. abortion, this other stuff will be taken care Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed of ’ because they are not trying to fix those as a group, though individuals can apply also said he would sign an executive order to mandate all federal employees for exemptions.

“It’s a touch point for them to kind of “Considering Your Calling: Six Questions Texas Governor Greg Abbott of ’exemptions. because they are trying not trying torid fix of those act into law inall May, allowing it signed to take for systems; they’re just to get the order to mandate federal employees tothe get vaccinated, exempting them from “You have to have a basis,” Klein for Discerning Your Vocation.”

It tiedsaid. in connect with some current trustees, and the into 1. law inexempting May, itthe to take systems; they’re just‘Itrying to get rid of the effect Sept.

Some haveallowing criticized new “You problem that’s those systems.” to getact vaccinated, them from “You have tooverloading have aobject basis,” Klein said. weekly testing options.

Furthermore, can’t just say, religiously.’ heavily with the theme of the panel. it’s an opportunity for the current trustee effect Sept.

1. have criticized the problem overloading those systems.” law, saying sixSome weeks is not enough timenew for “You weekly testing options.

Furthermore, can’tthat’s say, ‘Itoobject religiously.’ beginning Oct. 1, immigrants will be You have tojust be able say why.

We don’t “We’re also, of course, lookingWe at don’t that students on to the panel to sortenough ofThere share abe law, saying six weeks is not time for You someone to seek abortion. are also beginning Oct. 1,animmigrants will to say have,have sorttoof,bea able history in why. the Churches required receive vaccinations as well through a very spiritual Christian worldview little bit about their journey,” Miller said. someone to seek an abortion.

There are also controversies regarding the medical accuracy sort saying of, a history in the required to permanent receive vaccinations of Christ we don’t do Churches that.” to become residents.as well have, as well,” Hannigan said. more Senior director ofthe admissions Scott of a term used in bill: fetal heartbeat. controversies regarding the medical accuracy of Christ saying don’t do“It’s that.” to become permanent residents.

Klein also saidwethe mandate would The announcements supplement the lens, Some professionals have said a heart does of a term used in the bill: fetal heartbeat. than just a piece of paper, a degree hanging Hannigan said it was important for the applyalso to students.

Biden administration’s supplement six-prong plan The announcements the notKlein said the mandate would not form around sixget weeks into professionals have said a pregnancy. heartplan doesonnot the wallstudents in office and covered more than toSome reduce the spread of athe coronavirus “ The are not by Biden administration’s six-prong apply to your students. prospective students to better picture Senior Julia Carrell said she was disappointed not form around six weeks into pregnancy. and keep thespread countr ythe onto track.

The that provision,” Klein said.covered “They be are students are not by reduce the of coronavirus a“ The paycheck.

Your vocation should of to what it would look like come to just with the Julia Texas Heartbeat Act. Senior Carrell was disappointed plan listed or tssaid to vaccinate the about moremuch likelymore to bethan affected by testing that provision,” Klein said.

“They and are and keep theeff countr y she on track.

The that.”

Harding. the government should attack the more with“Ideally, the Texas Heartbeat Act. vaccine requirements forstudents large venues unvaccinated, booster shots, plan listed effadminister or ts important to vaccinate the likely to be the affected by testing and Hannigan said 150 that “I think it’s incredibly for these roots of thethe issue,” Carrell said.

“Lotsattack of people “Ideally, government should the vaccine — football, basketball,for etc.” keep schools open, increase testing, assist unvaccinated, administer booster shots, requirements large venues for the Trustee Scholarship are some students — who are making really pivotal searching for abortion is said. aaysymptom largerapply roots of the issue,” Carrell “Lots ofof people said basketball, states and private with economic recover and improve keep schools open, increase testing, assist — Klein football, etc.” companies of the best and brightest in the country, decision as far as where they’re gonna go issues like poverty, access to childcare being searching for abortion ispatients. aysymptom of larger care for COVID-19 The full may filesaid lawsuits the government Klein states and private companies with economic recover and improve only a smallenforcing percentage will to care college — to meet other students that limited …

Itthe could bepatients. that the woman can’t issues poverty, access childcare being summary of plan canto be viewed on and willwhile face challenges Biden’s may file lawsuits and the government forlike COVID-19 The full afford another child [or] it could be that the actually receive the scholarship they are aresummary like them, have the same aspirations limited …

It could be that the woman can’t the WhiteofHouse website. executive order since OSHA,Biden’s which the plan can be viewed on will face challenges enforcing woman doesn’t have emotional support.

There afford another child [or] it could be that the deserving inprimary their own way. has and Hannigan said.

Many questions arose after Biden’s allexecutive serves as the enforcer, only thegoals,” White House website. order since OSHA, which are soMiller many factors that go into deciding woman have emotional support.

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Photo by MADISON MEYER

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Photo by MADISON MEYER

Photo byCOVID-19 MADISON MEYER Second year pharmacy student Claudia Sifford administers vaccination at the student vaccine Claudia clinic held in the Liberty Room on Aug. 27.

Second yearshots pharmacy Sifford administers COVID-19 vaccination shots at the vaccine clinic held in the Liberty Room on Aug. 27.

“Very important,” Kelley said. “Because delivered by law rather than an executive delivered by law rather than an executive we “Very said.

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2A

NEWS

Friday, February 18, 2022

Photos by BALAZS BALASSA

(Left) The exterior of Kendall Hall is shown on Feb. 14. (Right) A remodeled hallway on the first floor of Kendall Hall on Feb. 14 includes new training facilities for the Public Safety Department.

Workers make progress on Kendall Hall construction project ETHAN CONN guest writer

Harding is making some upgrades around campus. The Public Safety Department is moving into the first floor of Kendall Hall, which had previously served as a women’s dorm since 1961.

The layout of the first floor of Kendall Hall has been completely reworked to add office spaces and training facilities for the public safety officers. A door has been added to the north side of the building where students can get their parking passes or get their pictures taken for their student IDs. Harding Physical Resources Department construction manager Ryan Carter detailed the project further.

“This is consolidating all of public safety — which includes the public safety side of things but also the transportation, so they will all be in this one space,” Carter said. “This project also encompasses a multi-use space

where the lobby used to be for the dorm.

It’s been talked about determining whether that be a classroom or just a student space.”

While significant progress is being made, Carter said his team has faced challenges along the way.

“Certain challenges have been just getting stuff like materials and equipment,” Carter said. “Some things are available pretty quick, but for some things, we have to wait a while.

There have even been times when something like paint has been harder to get.”

The Physical Resources Department is not the only department involved in the renovations. Sophomore David Perkins, student worker in the Information Systems and Technology Department, said they faced the challenge of creating space above the ceiling grid for plumbing, fire lines, fire alarms and more.

“We just have these tiny little hooks to run our stuff through,” Perkins said. “That has been the biggest challenge: having to

move people’s stuff out of the way to get our stuff where we can and adjust on the fly.

Thankfully, we’ve gotten everything, especially in the offices, done, so now it’s just down to making sure the TVs get up and running.”

Carter said they hope to be completely finished with the project by the end of February or the beginning of March.

Public safety’s former space was on the first floor of the Burks American Heritage Building, which is now being turned into a welcome center for the University and its on-campus hotel, the Heritage Inn. Currently, the construction team is working on the new executive suite for administrators, as well as a new front desk for the hotel. This project will also add offices for the admissions department as well as a presentation room for meetings.

While Perkins said the project was not as far along as they had hoped, he anticipated that the welcome center would be completed in time for Spring Sing on Easter weekend.

Photo by BALAZS BALASSA

A label designates one of the new training rooms on the first floor of Kendall Hall on Feb. 14. Workers transformed the layout of the floor to create new spaces for public safety workers.

Health care faculty members prepare students to face burnout in the workplace GABRIEL HUFF asst. copy editor Burnout in health care has long been an issue in the United States, but COVID-19 has worsened the problem, and Harding professors seek to prepare students for the challenge ahead.

Making up the largest component of the health care workforce, nurses especially feel the effects of health care burnout. Dr. Kristen McCook, assistant professor of nursing, listed some of the problems that underlined the health care burnout crisis. McCook said one issue involved the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

EHRs, which became mandatory for all public and private healthcare providers and other eligible professionals in January 2014, are electronic versions of patients’ medical histories that are managed by health care

providers. McCook said these systems were created with billing in mind, helping providers determine costs. However, health care providers end up spending a significant amount of time entering patient data into a computer system rather than being at their patients’ bedsides. The COVID-19 surge in hospitals has only worsened the problem, McCook said.

“You are taking care of way more patients than you could possibly provide effective care for anyways, and you’re still being expected to do the same kind of documentation that takes up such a huge percentage of your time, even though there’s less of you and more patients,” McCook said.

This coupled with the health care worker shortage has increased stress on healthcare providers, McCook said. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a lack of nursing school faculty and an insufficient growth in nursing school

enrollment, along with an aging population that needs more care, have all contributed to the cause of the nursing shortage, increasing stress levels and compelling nurses to leave the profession.

“America will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses per year to meet increased demand and to replace retiring nurses,” the American Hospital Association states on its website.

When it comes to preparing students for this reality, McCook said Harding is doing its best. Although nursing professors cannot control the environments their students will enter, McCook said they aim to openly talk about these problems with students and encourage them to join professional organizations that seek to improve health care. She said students also get healthy doses of their future environments through clinical care.

“I think that we talk about it, and we talk about how important it is that they be willing to be advocates for their profession, to be representatives for their profession — and that sometimes that involves political action: contacting their senators, writing letters, joining professional organizations,” McCook said.

Junior nursing major Ashley Rehmel, who is in her second semester of clinical experience, said she gives her professors credit for doing what they can to help nursing students prepare for the workplace.

“One of the best things you can really do is just kind of talk about that kind of thing and acknowledge it, because even if we weren’t in a pandemic right now, it’s one of those things that’s going to happen eventually,” Rehmel said. “And when you’re hands on with sick people every day, that gets tiring. It weighs on people after a while.”

Graphic by COOPER TURMAN

OPINIONS 3A

TheLink.Harding.edu State of the BSA Janae Bradshaw

A more perfect union Eric Johnson

Overcoming Black stereotypes

Opinions Editor

BSA Secretary

T

here’s a scene in “The Avengers” (one of my favorite movies) where Captain America and Bruce Banner are engaged in conversation before battle, and Captain America says, “Dr. Banner, now might be a really good time for you to get angry.” To which Banner replies, “That’s my secret Cap; I’m always angry.” Que his transition into the Hulk.

Iconic, really. Who knew I would have so much in common with a massive green giant with anger issues. Not in the way that would destroy cities or tear alien invaders limb from limb — but I too, have felt a long term, slow burn of anger that I actively try to subdue. It flares up when people from outside my race try to lump me into the construct they’ve created of what a Black person is. The assumptions made about my homelife leave them shocked when they find out I’m from the suburbs. The stereotypes that have been associated with me are frequently wildly off base, and I think it all leads back to a general question that has a painfully obvious answer: Why does the world know an infinite amount

of White culture, but not enough about Black culture?

We are main characters.

We are a people worthy of celebration and deserving of good endings.

– Janae Bradshaw BSA secretary

I’ve noticed in some White communities, the understanding of Black culture is limited to what is seen on TV or in the media. This being themes of drugs, poverty and crime.

Film after film, there are regular depictions of Black people as thugs, thieves and menaces to society. Seeing these themes time and time again is hurtful and has created a stereotype that we haven’t been able to escape.

In other films, we are portrayed as sidekick characters only meant to add comedic relief

and be a crutch for the protagonist. Well, spoiler alert, we are so much more than that. We are main characters. We are a people worthy of celebration and deserving of good endings. We are not limited to hoodlums and jesters. Our only job isn’t to make you laugh: We have more to offer.

We are inventors, pioneers and innovators.

We have so many stories that deserve to see the big screen — stories in history that have yet to be widely acknowledged. Where is the story of John Taylor, the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal?

Or of Henry Box Brown who quite literally shipped himself out of slavery? Stories like theirs need to be shared — stories of triumph and perseverance.

So don’t place limitations on Black people because of your asinine stereotyping.

Maybe open up a book and learn all about the ways in which we’ve overcome, and see just how capable we are.

J A N A E B R A D S H AW i s a g u e s t writer for The Bison. She may be contacted at jbradshaw5@harding.edu.

Faculty Finds Pat Garner

Communication

T

he Mandalorian should not have a mustache. I mean, just listening to his voice for seven episodes did not conjure in my mind a mustachioed visage.

The Mandalorian does not have a mustache voice. He has a clean-shaven, shiny kept-up armor, OCD type of voice. You know, that attention to detail type of appearance and especially vocal timbre.

When we cannot see someone or when we can only see their body; hear them but not get a glimpse of their face, we create mental images of what people are like. We all did this with Mando; admit it. And we all do this with everyone we meet whether or not we see their whole body, their face or just hear their voice. This is the person you have talked to on the phone or messaged online for a period of time and finally get the shock of meeting face to face. There was this strange nonverbal communication study I read about that had couples interact with each other for hours. They were blindfolded for the whole time. Then there came the “witching hour,” and all the blindfolds came off. Surprise! Surprise!

The human mind is a creativity instrument.

We create bodies and faces out of someone’s voice. (Have you ever heard of the phenomena called “tall zoom energy?”) We see faces in the headlights of cars, we see animals in cloud formations and we anthropomorphize computers. For me recently, this mental artistry has been most evident in my response to literature, especially fantasy and science fiction. For example, the world created by Tolkien in “Lord of the Rings” was vivid and detailed in my mind long before I saw Peter Jackson’s interpretation of it. I developed detailed images of the people, the cities, the creatures and the landscapes.

From the text itself, I had visions of layers of civilizations appearing and disappearing over eons. Actually, I sometimes even resent illustrations within books as being intrusions into my formation of images. For me, the words and names created by Tolkien had embedded sounds and associated meaning.

Mordor, Minas Tirith, Gandalf, Gondor and Barad-dur were all evocative to me.

As a counter example, words are one of

staffEverett Kirkman

editor-in-chief Sara McClaran features editor Ben Lane news editor Tiane Davis sports/digital editor

About books, words, and imagination the reasons why I have never been drawn to Tolstoy. It’s all the names, intricate and cyrillic sounding. If I cannot grasp a name, I cannot follow and imagine a character.

Literary philistine that I am, I want to build my mental images on words that impart some sort of meaning to me. I can eke out images of “slithy toves,” “borogoves” and “Jubjub bird.” But Andrei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky and Princess Drubetskoya, as well as the names of most of the 498 other characters in “War and Peace” are too much for me.

The Mandalorian should not have a mustache.

– Pat Garner, professor of speech

In spring 1973, a friend lent me his copy of “Dune” to read. I read the initial trilogy and then the next two volumes. I was so nonplussed by the books. At first, I was lost. I was dropping into a world that was totally alien to me. And then there were all of the new unusual words.

Melange Bene Gesserit, mentat, Kwisatz Haderach, gom jabbar, jihad. What on earth did these mean? Of course, that’s the point. They were not on earth. These books required that my mind create an entirely new universe. But as I read, I grew more accustomed to these terms and the objects, thoughts, instruments and systems they represented. As I mentioned earlier, the human mind is so actively creative. Whole vistas, unique and unusual, can unfold with the wedding of the written word to the imagination. I, like many of you, have had the sad experience of being disappointed with the movies that have been made to represent literature I have read. To me, my imaginings of the people, events and places in literature seem much more authentic and rich than what Hollywood produces. I know this was certainly the case with earlier interpretations of the “Dune” world. And there were several of these interpretations that were, politely said, “unfortunate.” However,

Sophie Rossitto community editor Eric Johnson opinions editor Maggie Samples lifestyle editor Caroline Birdwell head copy editor

given the recent advances in CGI and the artistic sensitivity of Denis Villeneuve, this latest iteration of Herbert’s classic science fiction world is masterful. It is as if now the scope and immensity of the Arrakis in Herbert’s texts have finally been captured on film. The world of “Dune” is immense in scale on every level. The horizons are vast and bleak. The space ships and transports are massive. And, of course, the worms that make the spice that powers the universe are also dauntingly huge. Villeneuve’s cast of characters captures the sense of power, as well as the fated paths, tragic and inexorable, of all involved in this tale of political intrigue and power. The primitive mysticism that surrounds the Arrakis saga, as well as the subtle and even overtly potent technologies of the era, are captured so well as to draw the viewer into another distant, but not totally unfamiliar world. Before I read “Dune,” I had never heard of the word jihad. I had never thought about a potent, seductive “drug” being dug out of the desert sands in some far off place. And I certainly had not thought about the power of a desert people to shake the foundations of an established civilization. In retrospect, Frank Herbert seemed quite prescient with regard to 20th and 21st century socio-political upheavals.

I invite you to step inside of the world of “Dune” whether in immersive Imax experience or in the solitude of your room — book in hand. There you will find a gripping expose on human nature simmering in greed, religious fanaticism, mysticism and political subterfuge. Look closely at the beginning of the book and you will also find an especially prescient warning uttered by the Reverend Mother: “Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that they would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.” And these words were written in 1965.

PAT GARNER is a guest writer for The Bison. He may be contacted at pgarner@harding.edu.

Gabriel Huff asst. copy editor Cianna Jay editorial asst.

Madison Meyer head photographer Julianne Baker asst. photographer

Behind bars T

he statistics on mass incarceration in America are staggering. Perhaps many of you are not as ignorant as I, but whenever I see these facts I am almost always shocked and surprised. If someone had not put these numbers in front of me, I never would have had any clue. If you would have asked me to guess about the state of our systems of incarceration, based solely on my personal experiences, I would have assumed that our current prison population was relatively stable and had been for a while. I’m sure I also would’ve said that our incarceration rate was not substantially higher than other countries. I actually would’ve guessed that ours would be comparatively low. Well, if you haven’t already guessed, all of these assumptions of mine are dead wrong. In fact, they are so inconsistent with the facts that it would be funny if they weren’t related to an issue so serious and reflect a level of social cluelessness in my life that is deeply concerning. Maybe some of you can relate to my ignorance.

Let me run through just a few statistics to give an extremely brief snapshot of mass incarceration in America. According to the World Prison Brief, the United States’ prison population is estimated to be 2.1 billion, as of October 2021. That is by far the highest prison population for any single country, with the next highest prison population belonging to China with 1.69 million. To further contextualize this statistic, the ACLU points out that despite making up 5% of the world population, the 2.1 million prisoners in the U.S. account for 20% of the world’s prison population. Yikes.

Not only does the United States have the largest total number of incarcerated people for any single country, we also have the highest incarceration rate. According to an August 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, 639 out of every 100,000 people in the United States are incarcerated. In Arkansas, the situation is particularly concerning. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the incarceration rate in Arkansas is substantially higher than the national average, with 942 incarcerated persons per 100,000. The country with the second highest rate is El Salvador, with a rate of 564 per 100,000.

America has not always been this way.

The incarcerated population in America has increased 500% since 1970, according to the ACLU. A study by Vox found that the U.S. incarceration rate hovered around 100 per 100,000 in the early 1970s. Compare that with our current rate of 639 per 100,000.

During the presidencies of Reagan and Clinton particularly, the incarceration rate exploded. The skyrocketing rates peaked off in the mid-2000s, and have now begun to enter a trend of gradual overall decline.

And with that, I’ll end my brief overview.

To be clear, this is not really news and not even a politically divisive topic. There is a relatively strong bipartisan consensus that mass incarceration is bad. Notably, in 2018, President Trump signed the First Step Act, a bipartisan crime bill, in an effort to address trends that contribute to mass incarceration.

Admittedly, the issue gets more politically contentious once you attempt to go beyond the simple assertion that having 2.1 million prisoners is bad. This is where things get tricky. And this is where I have to say that I have only barely scratched the surface of a monumental iceberg. What about racial disparities? What about the War on Drugs?

What about the fact that U.S. violent and property crime rates have plunged since the 1990s? Considering that I am now out of space, I encourage you to investigate this issue further and join the movement to address this epidemic currently plaguing our nation.

ERIC JOHNSON is the opinions editor for The Bison. He may be contacted at ejohnson7@harding.edu.

Balazs Balassa asst. photographer Theo Westbrook video/social media Hunter Woodall pr/social media Cooper Turman graphic designer

Blue Billingsly illustrator Michael Claxton narrative columnist April Fatula faculty adviser

guest contributors Janae Bradshaw Ethan Conn

Kelsey Davis Pat Garner

Hannah Hackworth Bennett Holloway

Jake Mooney Addi Province

Kayleigh Tritschler

4A

OPINIONS

Friday, February 18, 2022

Work in progress Everett Kirkman

Editor-in-Chief

Sing-a-longs and lullabies T

he Curious George movie had me in a chokehold in 2006. Well, the entire Curious George literary universe did as well. In fact, I would venture to say that I was obsessed with Curious George. I even learned how to read with George and the Man with the Yellow Hat at the helm.

So, when the blockbuster film came out at the height of my kindergarten year, I was probably the epitome of the target audience.

I don’t have a ton of vivid memories from that era of my life, but sitting in a theater at the Searcy Cinema 8 in mid-February with a kid’s tray of popcorn, candy and a 4 oz. drink on my lap is as crystal clear as if it happened yesterday.

That being said, I don’t actual l y remember that much of the plot of the movie. All of the adventures I ever read or heard about Curious George going on all kind of mix together to form one conglomerate, happy childhood memory.

Two things have stuck with me from that film, though: the impeccable soundtrack

by Jack Johnson and the voice acting of Will Ferrell in his role as the Man with the Yellow Hat. Both have become sources of comfort for me, although I had no idea who either men were at the time. Or what a voice actor meant. Or what a soundtrack was, probably.

But, for at least two years after that fateful day, if not longer (I need to ask my mom), I listened to the Curious George soundtrack on my hand-me-down portable stereo nightly as I went to sleep. Sometimes, on especially restless 6-year-old nights, I even listened through it twice.

Of course, Jack Johnson didn’t make the whole album alone. (If “We’re Going To Be Friends” and “The Sharing Song” from the album taught anyone anything — you can’t expect to do much without a little help from your friends.) But, Jack Johnson is who has been immortalized in my memory and even still in my listening choices.

Something that speaks to your soul will be unique to you and your experiences. I think it’s natural and even healthy to lean into that place of comfort and vulnerability.

– Everett Kirkman, editor-in-chief

The songs all have new meanings for me 16 years later. Maybe I finally more fully understand them. But, even more broadly, I think there’s something significant — and honestly incredible — about the longevity of music, and its effect on an individual.

Music can become the soundtrack of your life, whether you choose it or not.

Certain songs are tied to particular people, memories, experiences and even smells.

Maybe that music for you isn’t from a cartoon movie about a monkey who navigates the streets of the big city, but I don’t think it really matters what it is, or what it’s from. Something that speaks to your soul will be unique to you and your experiences. I think it’s natural and even healthy to lean into that place of comfort and vulnerability.

I tend to digest my music via streaming nowadays — as opposed to using that ole faithful 30-year-old stereo — but even still, on those especially restless nights, Jack Johnson and Friends’ lullabies can aid in calming my anxieties, at least for a little while.

EVERETT KIRKMAN is the editorin-chief for The Bison. She may be contacted at ekirkman@harding. edu.

Bennett Holloway

Ye, Bitcoin, and our philosophy of trust

Guest Writer

Y

e, formerly known as Kanye West, recently took to Instagram posting a handwritten note which said, “My focus is on real products in the real world… Don’t ask me to do a NFT… Ask me later.”

Meme coins, price predictions and celebrity hot takes make the discussion surrounding blockchain-based digital assets a rollercoaster of entertainment and intrigue, but Ye’s hesitancy regarding NFT’s points to an underlying philosophical question that deserves more airtime in our musings about all things Bitcoin, crypto, NFTs and beyond. The question is this: Where does our collective trust lie?

Trust is intrinsic to contracts and financial activity mediated by third parties such as a banks and payment processors. However, the advent of Bitcoin shook the foundation of that trust.

The Bitcoin network was released in 2009 utilizing distributed ledger technology (DLT) under the premise of “solving the double spend problem.” Fundamentally, Bitcoin allows individuals to execute digital cash transactions directly from peer to peer, rather than with the facilitation of a trusted-third party.

Subsequently, the DLT which Bitcoin’s network operates with circumvents third parties and has ushered in a wave of innovation. Since 2009, developers have utilized DLT and smart contracts (automated, self-executing contracts governed by code) to replicate many other functions commonly facilitated by legacy financial systems. The totality of these applications is known as Decentralized Finance (DeFi),

W

and its space allows owners of digital assets to borrow, lend, trade, earn interest and much more. It’s important to note that DeFi activity is distinct from investing in digital assets or cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum or Doge Coin from an online brokerage such as Coinbase or Robinhood, as they are centralized exchanges. DeFi has no such middleman. (Now would be an appropriate time to disclose that I’m not a financial adviser and that this article is in no way, shape, or form financial advice.

Just covering my bases.)

The DeFi space was developed under the premise of being an alternative source of trust to big banks and the other major financial powers that be. This sentiment unleashed a movement of innovators who sought solutions to displace this central trust of, who they deemed to be, the abusive financial juggernauts of the world. The value proposition of DeFi is that trust is distributed among a worldwide, thus decentralized, network of users and secured by code which renders transactions secure and tamper-proof. Trust lies in the collective network and code is law. Herein lies a paradigm shift in social philosophy of money.

Currently, the DeFi space’s Total Value Locked (TVL) is around $250 billion, which is to say that it stands as a legitimate alternative for those who prefer their trust distributed.

So, where does our collective trust lie? Will we entrust code-governed networks that enable peer to peer financial activity? Will we remain steadfast in entrusting third parties to facilitate

our financial activity as we have up until this point? Is there somewhere in between where the legacy financial system can ensure public trust by implementing DLT and smart contracts?

As individuals, reaching a decision to these questions is straight forward: You use what you believe in. But the collective adoption question is a weightier matter for the future of finance.

I’d love to engage in this question with anyone and everyone, and I believe a good place to start would be gathering some data to gauge the Harding community’s sentiment surrounding these two alternatives.

If you believe that Bitcoin and DeFi hold the superior philosophy of trust, an apt way to express this to me would be sending a minimum amount of 0.25 $BTC to bc1qchj4tujl2rnt9rujatcerd5pn9kj7r9rtqahce.

If you second the sentiment of Ye in saying “ask me later” and prefer to trust financial intermediaries, let me know by venmoing a few bucks to @Bennett-Holloway-1.

However, if you’re like me, and believe the path forward isn’t as black and white and will likely entail some integrated adoption of two systems, let’s catch up on campus and share our thoughts in conversation. Good oldfashioned face to face conversations will never be replaced… unless the metaverse absorbs the entirety of our daily life.

BENNETT HOLLOWAY is a guest writer for The Bison. He may be contacted at bholloway2@harding.edu.

Remembering Dr. Linda Thompson

hen Earl and Jean Minor realized in the late 40s that they were expecting a baby, it was a pleasant surprise.

Years later, their daughter Linda loved to grin and say that she was a “minor accident.”

But she lived a life of dynamic purpose. In her 72 years, Linda Thompson accomplished more than many people would if they lived twice as long.

Professionally, she was a force in developmental education, dedicating her career to students with challenges. She received multiple advanced degrees and wrote a dissertation that was required reading in some doctoral programs in her field. She served as president of both state and national associations, sat on editorial review boards for journals in her discipline and received its highest honor by being named a fellow of the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education.

Harding students benefited from her passion for decades. Students with learning challenges, or from underperforming schools, or who were in the first generation in their families to attend college — these were the young people she nurtured. With patience and graciousness and good humor, she helped students of all backgrounds see the best in themselves and succeed. In 31 years at Harding, she pioneered three programs.

In 1986, she started the Program for Academic Success, serving first-year students who came to Harding needing additional support. Four years later that became TRIO Support Services, helping first-generation, low-income and disabled students. Then in 2004, Dr. Thompson brought the McNair Scholars program to Harding after an intensive grant-writing effort. This program prepares young people who are interested in graduate school and who come from groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate studies, including many students of color.

She gave them incredible opportunities, such as taking students to attend both inaugurations of President Barack Obama.

She retired in 2017 after 13 years of service to McNair, but Harding still offers the program.

Michael Claxton

Narrative Columnist

Her love for people who face challenges was infectious. Through sponsoring the Sign Language Club on campus, she trained others to minister to the deaf and hardof-hearing community. She taught Bible classes for the deaf at a congregation in Louisiana and often signed for services at the College Church of Christ when deaf members were present.

While passionate about serving students who came to Harding with disadvantages, she also embraced other avenues to encourage achievement for young people. For a long time, she co-sponsored Alpha Chi, a leading honor society on campus. And she loved working with younger children, too, volunteering as a pronouncer for the White County Spelling Bee. If that were the whole of Linda Thompson’s life, it would be impressive. But she did more. Let’s start with her family. She was married to Harding math professor Travis Thompson for 53 years. They had a son, John, and two grandchildren, Wes and Chase.

It was not dull growing up in the Thompson household. Linda had a passion for Disney World and made over 100 trips there. She spent time in her youth in New Mexico and had an entire room in her home dedicated to Native American culture. She adored Christmas and turned her house on Harding Drive into a showplace of decorations for the holidays. She hosted parties constantly.

She had a lively sense of fun. Once at a Western-themed dinner at Dr. Debbie Duke’s house, Linda disappeared from the party for a moment, only to reappear wearing a glitzy saloon girl dress and twirling a beaded necklace as she perched on top of the piano. She called for her

high-school-senior son to come over and join her. Faced with the choice of hiding under the table or simply embracing the craziness, he joined his mom.

Linda had several circles of friendships.

In the late 1980s she started swimming with a group of women on campus, often starting at 5:30 in the morning. Those sunrise swims continue. Once a year she traveled much further to swim, going with a group of women who vacationed on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama. With still another group, she hosted Bunco tournaments at her home. Linda could be fiercely competitive and loved games of any sort.

More profoundly, Linda fought cancer and lived free of the disease for the last six years. Her bravery and trust in God’s goodness were an inspiration, especially to all of us who attended Bible class with her. I was blessed to sit next to her on the front row week after week.

Linda lived a fully integrated life: work, family, faith, friends and play . . . she flourished in every area. She lived, loved and laughed boldly. And she sang boldly, too. She had a beautiful soprano voice, majored in music at Harding and toured with Uncle Bud’s famous a capella chorus.

Her son followed in her steps and sang in a group called “Glorify Him.” Linda also composed music. Back in the 1970s, she was teaching a preschool class and wanted to introduce the children to Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” So, she wrote a tune for them to sing it by. We’re still using that tune. If you have sung this song in church, you can thank Linda Thompson.

Somehow, “Be still” doesn’t seem like a fitting description for Linda. But I have no doubt that she knew God, and I’m grateful for the ways she helped us to know him, too.

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

At The Bison, it is our goal to serve the Harding University student body with integrity, truth and open ears. However, we believe that meeting that goal is a two-way street between our staff and the public it serves. We pledge to keep our eyes and ears open to what our community has to say and hope that, in return, that community will be an interactive audience, sharing its stories with us. We also pledge to do the basics: Report accurate and relevant information, check our facts, and share them in a professional, timely manner. If you have any story ideas, questions, comments or concerns for The Bison staff, please email Everett Kirkman, the editor-in-chief, at ekirkman@harding.edu. “The Bison (USPS 577-660) is published weekly (except vacations, exams and summer sessions), 20 issues per year,

by Harding University. Periodicals postage paid at Searcy, Arkansas 72143. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bison, Harding University 11192, SEARCY, AR 72149-0001.” BYLINE POLICY: The Bison provides an opportunity for class writers to contribute work under the byline “guest writers.” Due to this arrangement, staff writers may rewrite a portion of the guest writers’ stories as they deem necessary, while still identifying the work as the guest writers’ own.

Vol. 97, No. 12

THE

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

February 18, 2022

Online at TheLink.Harding.edu

Super Bowl aches

Searcy, Ark., 72149

Bison baseball starts strong

Gabriel Huff

Asst. Copy Editor

I keep thinking back to that moment. The moment my heart stopped. Yes, the vivid memory comes back to me clearly. Super Bowl aches do not disappear easily.

It was fourth-and-1 near midfield. The Cincinnati Bengals were playing the Los Angeles Rams, attempting to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Forty-three seconds were left in the game. The score was 23-20, with the Rams leading. The Bengals could end the game by scoring a touchdown or send the game to overtime by kicking a field goal. It was all coming down to this next play.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati’s fearless quarterback who was fighting through pain after having his knee twisted earlier in the game, took the snap, looking to throw a short pass for a quick first down. The Rams’ defensive line came bursting through the Bengals’ offensive line. A tackler wrapped Burrow in his arms, swinging the Bengals quarterback to the ground, but Burrow, determined as ever, made one last throw, sending the football spinning to one of his receivers, but the receiver could not turn around in time. The play was ruled incomplete and a turnover on downs.

I was at men’s social club Chi Sigma Alpha’s Super Bowl party, sitting on the living room floor in the home of a Chi Sigs sponsor, watching the play unfold before my very eyes. As the ball rolled on the turf, I thought surely the game could not be over.

I searched for a yellow flag on the television screen, thinking some type of penalty would surely save the day for my team. Lo and behold, nothing happened. The game was truly over.

I suddenly felt numb. My heart seemed to stop pumping, and all the energy from the night was zapped from my body. I was ready to leave the party. Before I left though, one of my friends loudly declared to the whole room, “I just would like to say: The Bengals have still not won a Super Bowl.” That was salt in the wound.

My team had fought hard to get to the championship, exceeding all expectations.

No one thought they would win the AFC North division, sweeping both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, but they did. No one thought they would make the playoffs and win their first playoff game in over 30 years, but they did. No one thought they would march into the stadium of the Tennessee Titans and win in the divisional round of the playoffs. They accomplished that feat in dramatic fashion. Maybe the thing that shocked most people was the AFC championship game. No one thought they would enter Arrowhead Stadium, the home of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and leave as the victors.

No one thought the Bengals could possibly win that game when the Chiefs — who had arguably been the best AFC team in the last few years — were leading 21-3. However, the Bengals proved doubters wrong once again.

I just wish my team could have done it just one more time.

I hesitated before writing this piece.

Up until now, I had done everything I could to distract myself from the pain and disappointment of the Super Bowl. I listened to my favorite band after the game. I kept myself busy with homework — I certainly had plenty. I avoided reading any headlines about the game. I spent time with friends and went to Spring Sing practice. Now, writing this piece, I have no choice but to face the full ache of that Super Bowl loss.

My next words are directed toward all fellow Bengals fans and all those who are aching from any type of disappointment: The ache is only temporary. It will go away.

In the meantime, we need to put a smile on our face, keep moving forward and avoid dwelling on the past, knowing there is still a trophy waiting for us in the future.

I’ll see you at our next Super Bowl, Cincinnati Bengals. Who Dey. GABRIEL HUFF is the assistant copy editor for The Bison. He may be contacted at ghuff2@harding. edu.

Photo by MADISON MEYER

Senior pitcher Joel Barker pitches against McKendree University at Jerry Moore Field on Feb. 12. The Bisons won two out of three games against McKendree that weekend.

JAKE MOONEY guest writer The Harding Baseball team is starting off their season with a 6-1 record.

The Bisons’ season began on Feb. 6 against Northeastern State, where they won 4-2.

The second and third game of the season was against Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. They took the win in both matches with the finals being 10-4 and 6-2. The Bisons played McKendree University in their next three games, going 2-1. Their last game came against Williams Baptist University on Feb. 15 in Searcy, where they won 9-2.

Head baseball coach Patrick McGaha said the team’s key to winning these games and going farther into the season is their pitching.

“So far we’ve pitched well,” McGaha said. “Anytime you can pitch well and give yourself a chance to win ball games, it makes you feel really good.”

Another strength that the team has is the defense behind the pitcher. The 2021

GAC All-Defensive team short-stop and fifth-year senior David Butterfield said there have been a couple of close games, and in the late game they have relied on their defense to help close out those games.

One thing that the team has acknowledged as being one of their weaknesses is hitting.

The team’s batting average is .211, whereas last season’s batting average was .355.

“We had a couple of guys swinging the bats well at Christian Brothers,” McGaha said. “The hitters are coming around, and the more pitching they see the better it is going to be for them.”

Some things that the team has been working on are their explosiveness and baserunning reads.

Senior outfielder Cody Smith said they also have been staying in the weight room, getting stronger and trying to stay healthy.

“These are things that can constantly improve and are things that will win us games throughout the season, especially close games,” Smith said.

Since last season, the team has lost the

majority of their older players, and this has led to them having a younger roster this season compared to the last. One of the major questions coming into the season was how the newer players would perform on the diamond.

McGaha said they used this fall to work on building culture on the field and building relationships between players.

“I think that really happened this fall,” McGaha said. “They seem like a close group of guys, and they enjoy being around each other.”

Though the team is young, they have a close connection on the field and have a competitive, fighting spirit.

“We have a great group of guys, and each win so far has taken everyone doing their job to help the team win,” Butterfield said. “We are a very competitive group that wants to win every time we take the field, and I see us feeding off of that energy all year.”

The Bisons’ next game is today at 2 p.m. against East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Bison golf ’s spring season set in motion

Photo by BALAZS BALASSA

Sophomore Brenda Sanchez practices on Dec. 7 in Searcy. Both the men’s and women’s golf teams are a majority underclassmen.

MAGGIE SAMPLES lifestyle editor The Harding University golf teams have started the second semester of their season with the men’s team playing at the Houston Classic Feb. 7.

The men’s team placed eighth out of 14 teams for their first tournament of the semester, which was at Southern Nazarene University. The women’s team will play for the first time in the semester in the Tunica Cup Feb. 21.

Dustin Howell, coach of both teams, said they have already played over half of the total season, and the beginning of the spring picks up around the middle of the season. Howell said the teams will continue competing regionally, and he hopes they will finish the season by making the NCAA postseason.

“Each year we set a goal of making it to the NCAA postseason,” Howell said. “Both teams halfway through our season have a wonderful chance of doing so. We just need to put in the hard work down the stretch

heading into April. Personally, I have had a goal of having both men and women’s team in the postseason in the same year.”

Howell said the men and the women’s teams are young: Both of the teams have one graduating senior, and the experience that the younger players have gained has been valuable for the teams.

“I obviously attempt to recruit the best players that fit well into our system each year, but I also strive to have a mix of American players and international players,” Howell said.

Senior Caleb Nichols said he looks forward to making regionals with his team and having a chance to go to nationals.

Nichols said the team had the potential to make nationals in 2020, but the season was cut short by COVID-19.

“Last year our team ranking was terrible — we weren’t even close to making the postseason, and our highest ranked player was 500th in the country,” Nichols said. “This year, we are the eighth seed, and the top 10 make it to regionals. The growth in our games and performance has been substantial. We have

three players ranked inside the top 35 players in our region. Three players are also ranked inside the top 250 players in the country.”

Nichols said the team is special because of the relationships between the players and their relationships outside of golf. Nichols said the team dynamic is different than most other teams.

“I am looking forward to seeing how well the team does,” senior Abbey Bryan said.

“Our team has just seen amazing progress since I got to Harding, and I’m just excited to see more growth.”

Bryan said she is trying to finish her last season without putting too much pressure on herself, but she still plans on finishing strong.

She said she wants to look back on the great memories she made and understands that the score will be what it is.

“I love the memories and friends I have made during my time on this team,” Bryan said. “I firmly believe that this team is improving every year and I’m excited to see where they go next.”

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English class holds poetry reading for Black History Month SOPHIE ROSSITTO community editor

A Harding English Department class held a public poetry reading Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Kibo Midnight Oil Coffeehouse to read short stories and poems by Black authors in honor of Black History Month.

Associate professor of English Nick Boone and members of his African American literature class gathered around the Midnight Oil outdoor stage at 4 p.m. and took turns reading works by 20th century authors such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

Each student selected the poems and stories he or she wanted to share at the reading.

Boone said he created this event as a way for students to provide a service to the local community. Boone said he hoped people in the class would learn the benefits of taking literature beyond books and classrooms and sharing it with people in other places.

“For the students, I want them to develop a comfort and confidence in handling literature so they can make it a part of their world,” Boone said.

Before the event, senior Brett Birdwell said he wanted to read a poem by Langston Hughes because the poet played a very influential role during the Harlem Renaissance and wrote about problems that are relevant in the U.S. today.

Birdwell also said he found poetry by Black authors easier for him to connect with

compared to other genres because many of the writers came from the South, where Birdwell was also from. The senior said the African American literature class has allowed him to explore works containing a variety of themes about love, spirituality, beauty and more, which have helped change his perspective about this genre of writing.

“I would say it’s not just about race; it’s about a lot more,” Birdwell said.

Boone said his class has focused on the artistry of Black writers and on ways the authors used obstacles to stimulate their creativity. Boone said he hoped the poetry reading would encourage members of the public to have a greater appreciation for Black writers and to explore more works by these authors.

Midnight Oil manager Annesly Pruitt said Boone reached out to her about having the event at the coffeehouse because it was a nice space for people from the community to talk and interact. Before the event, Pruitt said she was excited for the poetry reading group to discuss topics about diversity and connect with others at Midnight Oil. “I’m thankful that we kind of get to serve as a space for events like this, not only to reach Harding students but also to reach the Searcy community with thoughts and conversations,” Pruitt said.

Photo by JULIANNE BAKER

Senior Katelyn Hawkins participates in the poetry readings on the Midnight Oil stage on Feb. 15. Members of Nick Boone’s African American literature class took turns reading works from 20th century authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston

James Huff, Jim Miller receive appointments for the Honors College HANNAH HACKWORTH guest writer EVERETT KIRKMAN editor-in-chief In January, associate professor of communication Jim Miller was promoted to assistant dean of the Honors College. Starting in August, associate professor of engineering James Huff, will begin a new position as senior faculty fellow for the Honors College.

Although both Miller and Huff were previously faculty fellows, these new roles solidify their relationships within the Honors College.

“Both [Miller and Huff ] are full time in the Honors College,” dean of the Honors College Kevin Kehl said. “That was one of the big changes, was that they moved to full time. We wanted to enhance the experience for students, so this model really said, ‘You can borrow them in the department that they’re in, but their permanent home is really the Honors College.’”

Huff ’s responsibilities evolved to assisting students and faculty that are involved in contract courses, helping with honors capstone or thesis completion, as well as participating in mentorship.

Recently, Huff has been producing his own psychological research in engineering and other professional domains.

“By having the experience of doing research and mentoring students with research, I’m able to work with the Honors College to work with

other faculty members to build infrastructure for contributing scholarship across all of the University,” Huff said.

Miller said one responsibility within his new role will include administrative oversight of Honors Symposium.

“I will continue to oversee curriculum development and the implementation of cocurricular and extracurricular programming for honors students,” Miller said. “I will also lead all efforts related to promotions, recruiting and alumni relations within the college.”

Through his work with the Honors College, Huff has the opportunity to work with students from across all academic disciplines, rather than just engineering students.

“I’m seeing honors theses come out that challenge our understanding of our political identity and political landscapes,” Huff said.

“Those are things that I myself as a researcher would never have the creativity, or the energy, or the background to fully execute those projects.

But, these students have this initiative and they, with their faculty mentors, are really producing some very Christ informed scholarship that I think is going to continue on a trajectory where we get to be transformative to the world around us in ways that are not reactionary, but in ways that are really beautiful and transformative.”

Miller said the Honors College is in a place to support students and faculty in academic pursuits.

“Academic excellence is thriving at Harding,” Miller said.“Our students and faculty are engaged

Photo by MADISON MEYER

James Huff stands outside the Honors House on Feb. 15. Huff will begin his new position in August, along with another faculty fellow who has not yet been selected. in high-caliber scholarship across campus, and the Honors College is well positioned to support, promote and expand those efforts. It is our goal to provide students and faculty with opportunities to make significant contributions to the world through their academic pursuits.”

The search for a new faculty fellow will remain within current University faculty. In a colleagues email sent on Feb. 8, Kehl listed duties and preferred characteristics of applicants.

“The Honors College partners with every academic area across campus,” Miller said.

“Having a new faculty fellow will provide fresh insight to these efforts and enhance our ability to support excellence from a variety of fields and disciplines.”

Interested faculty were told to email Kehl no later than Friday, March 11. The position is to be filled by August, allowing for the fellow to begin working with the Honors College in the fall semester.

HU HEAL starts student running, fitness programs KELSEY DAVIS guest writer EVERETT KIRKMAN editor-in-chief Beginning Monday, Feb. 21, senior nursing major Deanna Hutson will lead a running group specifically geared toward beginners through the HU Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) group. The HEAL fitness guide program sign-up will end today at midnight.

HEAL has also joined with Searcy organizations like Nooma and WellBar to improve the local community. Hutson said while HEAL is primarily for Harding students who wish to enhance their relationship with God through fitness, they are undergoing projects to benefit the Searcy community, as well. Searcy organizations are also serving as a platform to help students get involved in HEAL. “The community of Searcy has really stepped in and helped us grow and serve,” Hutson said.

HEAL has helped with a variety of projects at schools like Harding Academy

and Judsonia Elementary as well as within individual families. HEAL also partners with Lamplight ministry on campus, providing healthy snacks for the kids the ministry works with.

“We have done several small projects in the community and hope to expand that aspect of HEAL,” HEAL sponsor and associate professor of kinesiology Britney Finley said.

Finley said HEAL helps bring the community together, allowing Harding students the opportunity to enhance their social wellbeing.

“I have met so many amazing and genuine people through this organization,” sophomore child life major and co-president of HEAL Lindsey Ball said.

“I would love for people to know that if they have questions about HEAL, our mission, our purpose, for them to please come directly and talk to me or one of our ambassadors,” Finley said.

For more information, they can be found at their office in the GAC or @harding_heal on Instagram.

Photo by JEFF MONTGOMERY

Harding students participate in last year’s Murph challenge through HU HEAL at First Security Stadium on May 13. HEAL works with both the student body and the Searcy community.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Photo provided by CAB

Junior Abel Shelburne and freshman Laura McDuffie won the Kahoot game at the CAB blind dates. They were one of five couples who went on CAB sponsored blind dates this Valentine’s Day.

CAB organizes blind dates for Valentine’s Day

KAYLEIGH TRITSCHLER guest writer TIANE DAVIS sports editor

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) organized a blind date event on Valentine’s Day in the Student Center pit where the paired couples ate dinner, played a Kahoot game and decorated cookies.

“It started as a joke, and then we were like, ‘Maybe we have something here,’” CAB director Abby Stinnett said. “I just wanted to try and have more events and thought it would be a fun little thing to do.”

CAB picked five couples after students filled out a Google form. Initially, 115 forms were submitted. To break that down from there, CAB sent out a new form.

“Then we sent out a second Google form with a more specific personality question,” Stinnett said. “I think we only had 85 fill that out of the 115. We read through all of the responses and picked people who kind of answered similar dream vacations — I think — and an ideal date.”

Junior Abel Shelburne, one of the people who won the Kahoot game, said the activities were planned well, especially with a sense of awkwardness going into it.

“I thought that whoever coordinated the event did a really good job of pairing people up,” Shelburn said. “We just kind of talked about what our majors were, where we were from. We found out we were both homeschooled.”

Shelburn said he thought it was beneficial to be put in a situation where he was forced to interact with someone he might not have had the chance to meet on a normal day.

“I would say it was definitely a very positive kind of thing,” Shelburne said. “You know, for a lot of guys — and I’m sure girls on campus — talking to people of the opposite

sex is oftentimes awkward, and I think this was a great facilitator of that.”

One participant, junior Sam Stebbins,

already knew some of the other participants

and said he was glad to get free food on Valentine’s Day.

“The overall experience was not a bad way

to get free dinner for the night,” Stebbins said. “There is an inherent awkwardness in the idea of CAB blind dates, but the CAB staff seemed to get that. Also the fact I knew several of the other guys who were on blind dates was very funny.”

Photo by JULIANNE BAKER

Graphic by COOPER TURMAN

Senior Bonnie Ritchie participates at the “Empowered” Devotional on Feb. 10 at Midnight Oil. The devotional focused on women-led worship.

Where to find Tuesday deals SA holds ‘Empowered’ devo HANNAH HACKWORTH guest writer xx

For some students, Tuesday nights are busy on campus with club athletics taking place. However, for those wanting to explore Searcy or have a cheap night of fun with friends, there are some deals and steals that are important to know.

If seeing the newest movie is on your to-do list, the Searcy Cinema hosts “$5 Tuesdays” every week, offering $5 tickets all day. That’s not all.The Searcy Skate Family Entertainment Center has a “$2 Tuesday” deal from 4:308:30 p.m. Admission and all skate rentals are $2. Senior Mak Oviedo-Rodriguez is a frequent participant of $2 Tuesday.

“We are college students, and we like to have fun,” Rodriguez said. “You can guarantee in the hours they are open that more than one group of Harding students will come through that door.”

Rodriguez and friends began staying at the rink from the beginning of $2 Tuesday until closing to see how many people they could get to join them.

“If you are thinking about it, go,” Rodriguez said. “The environment is always vibrant, and the kids there are absolute characters most nights. And it’s $2, and we are college

students; we are looking for cheap and fun.”

Tuesdays could easily be turned into a date with dinner beforehand. Both Mi Pueblito Mexican Restaurant and Casa Brava celebrate “Taco Tuesday” every week.

Both restaurants serve chicken and ground beef tacos for $1 all day.

Sisters Brecken and Camdyn Joice, junior and freshman, go to Mi Pueblito every Tuesday to take advantage of the deal.

“We started doing this with our friends at the beginning of the fall semester,” Brecken Joice said. “We didn’t feel like eating in the caf and knew Mi Pueb did $1 tacos on Tuesdays, so we went and made it a tradition. My favorite part is sitting with my friends and just chatting. It’s the one day of the week we set aside to go and do something together.”

Camdyn Joice said it’s a great opportunity to spend time with friends without breaking the bank.

“My favorite part of taco Tuesday is that it is a time that I get to spend with just my sister,” Camdyn Joice said. “We are usually always with other people, but this is a time for just the two of us to catch up and just talk.

And $1 tacos. What else could be better? It’s cheap and is such a fun experience.”

ADDI PROVINCE guest writer

The female, student-led devotional — “Empowered” — reconvened on Thursday, Feb. 10 at Midnight Oil Coffeehouse at 8 p.m. Empowered first began last semester in October, meeting once a month.

The female-focused devotional is held by the Spiritual Life Committee on Harding’s Student Association. Senior social work major Eden Henderson has become a big proponent of Empowered since getting involved.

“I got involved with Empowered last semester when I was asked to lead a prayer,” Henderson said. “I am more directly involved with Empowered this semester because Malachi Brown asked me to be on the Spiritual Life committee. Empowered has been a really neat experience because it has prioritized women’s voices and gives them a platform to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them. This is a really powerful thing.”

Although Empowered focuses on womenled worship, men are welcome to come to the devotional, and many do.

“We typically have 10 to 15 students show up,” Henderson said. “There is usually a mix of men and women, although there are typically more women than men.”

Students have gotten involved in leading prayers, songs or devotionals. Junior international

business major Abbey Masters attended the latest session on Feb. 10 at Midnight Oil. “It was really cool to be in a room with a bunch of women that I could tell wanted to be there,” Masters said. “No one was focused on the person leading it. Everyone was so into the worship. At the end, a girl led a prayer. She admitted that she gets nervous to speak in front of people. It was awesome to see someone put themselves out there despite that fear.”

The Spiritual Life Committee announced that Empowered will now meet twice every month this semester. Senior Bible and family ministry major Haylie Douglas works to organize Empowered in cooperation with the Spiritual Life committee as well as several members of Harding’s faculty.

“I absolutely love Empowered because it gives a space to women on campus who are spiritually gifted in acts of public worship to be able to actually use those gifts in ways we have not typically seen at Harding,” Douglas said. “Turnout differs from meeting to meeting. I love that each session seems to bring out a different group of people. It’s also been really cool to see those that come each time. For me, the two people that stand out the most are Rachel and Alan Howell.

They have come to almost each Empowered that we have had and are always so kind and encouraging.”