Harding Visit

When we were in Arkansas we were able to make a drive up to Searcy and spend a little time on the Harding University campus. I think it had been about 10 years since we'd been on campus, and things have really changed. It was fun walking around and seeing many of the new and remodeled buildings.

(Click here for a nice concise history of Harding, although it omits the pre-cursor days when Armstrong led a college in Cordell, OK.)

One of the neatest things is how they have maintained the main lawn open space that stretches north from the Administration Building. The pic below was taken in 1961, and is pretty much how I remembered it looking. Below that are some shots from last week. The main difference we noticed was how many more trees, many of whom were planted during our era, are now giants. Much more landscaping than in the old days.

They've maintained the Admin Building, and inside it is really nice... much different than in the 60's and 70's.

The Lily Pool in front of Admin has been re-done. Nice touch.

Some of that mature landscaping I mentioned.

VJ in front of her old dorm, Cathcart. It still looks pretty much the same, although the magnolia tree is bigger. My guess is that the insides are upgraded somewhat. It didn't even have AC in the days.

It was fun to be on campus again. Things have really grown, and all the new changes are "first class," much different than the frugal early days of George Benson. Obviously the donor base is both larger and more flush than in the past. My nephew, Ryan, will be a freshman there this fall. Forty years after I walked into Armstrong Hall to begin 4 years that have helped shape my life, he will do the same. Good luck, Ryan, and God bless!!