Harding Magazine

Connections

Profile: Randy Steger 1975
Alumni Anecdotes
Profile: Jeff Smith 1993
Alma Matters
Alumni Awards
Focus on the future

PROFILE: Randy Steger 1975
The business of healing

When Dr. Randy Steger, professor of marketing at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., assigned his seniors to complete a humanitarian aid effort for a class project in 1990, he never imagined how long-lasting and far-reaching the results would be.

A former marketing consultant, Steger says, "Figuring out solutions to real problems is part of my background." When he entered the classroom, he wanted to use this experience firsthand. Thus, each semester, his seniors take on a real company project. That year's class chose to solicit donations of supplies to send to the former Soviet Bloc.

"Projects have beginnings and ends," he says. "But this one just wouldn't go away."

Instead it has evolved into the largest nonprofit organization among churches of Christ for humanitarian aid, operating out of centers in Nashville and Abilene, Texas. Today that project - now known as Healing Hands International - includes programs for medical, education and agricultural aid; water resource development; and international disaster response.

Many initiatives work to meet emergency and immediate responses. Others strive to provide long-term relief and development. Some target both. One such example concerns recent efforts in Zambia: An earlier group had traveled to help a large group of farmers form a co-op and employ drip irrigation methods to grow crops. However, the farmers were unable to find markets in which to sell their goods. So this year, volunteers returned to the area to set up a distribution system, allowing farmers to sell their products and provide for their families.

Steger shares numerous lessons learned as a leader of the organization. On entering a variety of cultures: "You must first truly understand what people need," he says. "Different things work for different people." This is why volunteers' skills, time and strengths are matched with specific requests. He has also learned to let God take charge of the efforts rather than depending on man. "My understanding of God's providence has greatly increased and grown," he says of the last 17 years. And most importantly, he adds, "God is working through his people."

— Jennifer L. Marcussen

To learn more about Healing Hands International or become involved in relief efforts, visit www.hhi.org, e-mail contact@hhi.org or call (615) 832-2000.

Alumni Anecdotes
Pilgrimage to a milkshake

You may recall your first trip to Pattie Cobb or the race across the front lawn to beat the crowd to Heritage at the close of chapel. But Searcy of the late '70s offered a variety of off-campus dining options that are also crystallized in our memories.

Selections included Tom's Mexican Food, Juan's Taco House, Miss Harris' Cafeteria, Wendy's and others; however, the top three spots for me stood out far above the rest.

3 - Western Sizzlin - Free drinks before 5 p.m., a great steak sandwich, and a baked potato as big as my head.

2 - Little Rock's Casa Bonita - A magical place where, with the raising of a small flag, food was brought to your table on a never-ending basis.

1 - Frozen Delite - Home of five hamburgers for $1, the iconic hot fudge banana nut, and countless other combinations of dairy decadence. This is the place for which late permission was invented and where 175-pound boys became 210-pound men.

I'm saddened that many of these establishments are now gone. It was not the places or even the food itself that cast such lifelong memories, but the people with whom I shared those meals. It was Steve Bible ('82) responding "What doth hinder me?" to the waitress at Tom's who delivered our drinks with the announcement, "Here is water." It was George Santellan ('80) getting "packed" at Casa Bonita, and Sunday afternoon trips to Miss Harris' with Bible, David Padgett ('82),

Robert Ulrey ('82) and David Wright ('83). It was eight guys piling into Mark Clay's ('82) "Lead Sled" at 4:55 p.m. and speeding to Western Sizzlin to claim our free beverages. It was memories of time spent with friends that will last all my life. And while we will never again see each other daily as we did 25 years ago, the memories often flow as a familiar sight, sound or smell allows me to wander back in time.

I invite you to wander back in time as well during Homecoming Nov. 1-3. Visit with friends you haven't seen in years, and relive some of your fondest memories. But this time at Frozen Delite, you may want to hold the nuts and whipped cream - after all, we're not getting any younger.

PROFILE: Jeff Smith 1993
His fishing secret is out

Looking back, Jeff Smith admits that having Wal-Mart as the first customer for the Trout Magnet he co-invented was a bit ambitious. "We got the cart in front of the horse for sure, but it was a blessing."

Leland's Lures, owned by Smith and Todd Gainer, began in 1997 with a sale to a regional Wal-Mart manager Smith met while in a West Virginia store for a meeting with a local buyer. Smith, who now lives in Searcy, was working in Belington, W.Va., at the time as a youth minister. He and Gainer had 548 packs, all of which sold in one day.

Within a couple of months, stores throughout the Northeast had placed orders. "We had a hard time filling them," Smith says. "I had every person in my family and in the youth group packaging magnets."

From 1998 to 2001, Smith worked with Leland's Lures on a part-time basis; his day job was as a University admissions adviser. A big jump in business in 2001 convinced him to devote his full attention to the company. "That was when the business would either have to grow or fall out," he says. "It was just the right time."

For the last four years, the trout magnet has been the number-one selling fishing lure. The company is in its third year of production of the crappie magnet and also offers lines, rods, hats and shirts. Smith estimates sales of five to eight million trout magnet pieces per year.

The production facility in Elkins, W.Va., employs students and adults with disabilities to make some of the magnets and package them. A facility in Searcy opened in October.

Smith says the trout magnet out-fishes other lures 20 to 1 when used properly. He regularly receives phone calls, e-mails and letters from customers who often comment, "Never in my life would I have believed that one lure could make such a difference, but I do now." Such testimonials and word-of-mouth marketing have helped propel sales; the company does not pay for advertisements.

"Without the right equipment and fishing with it properly, the trout magnet is useless," he says. "If you present it properly, it's deadly." His sign-off on Leland's Lures Web site says it best: "Sore Lip 'Em All."

- April M. Fatula

ALMA MATTERS
Homecoming activities support diverse issues

By Liz Howell, director of alumni relations

Two distinct opportunities await Homecoming participants Nov. 3 with the repeat of Strolling for the Cure and a meeting of the newly formed African-American Alumni Association.

Last year's Strolling for the Cure was the first of its kind benefiting Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Similar to the annual Race for the Cure, the event encouraged individuals as well as parents with small children in strollers to take an unhurried walk around the campus.

Komen Foundation recognized Strolling for the Cure with its Above and Beyond Award for helping continue its mission to save lives and endbreast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find cures.

Strolling allows current students to interact with alumni and members of the community while supporting a worthwhile cause.

Participants should dress comfortably and may pin placards to their backs in honor and in memory of friends and loved ones affected by the disease.

Those interested may preregister by contacting the alumni office at (800) 477-4312, ext. 1. A $20 donation includes a T-shirt. Virtual strollers may pay $20 and will also receive a T-shirt. All proceeds benefit Komen Foundation.

At a reception and meeting in Heritage Center Room 206 from 10 a.m. until noon, Eddie Carson ('98), an AP history teacher from Houston, will lead a discussion based upon the works of W.E.B. DuBois and the vision for HU STRONG. STRONG - the acronym for Standing Together to Represent Opportunities, Networking and Growth - was developed by Ericca Walker ('91) Rivera. Brainstorming sessions and panel discussions are on the agenda.

During Spring Sing 2007 more than 30 members of the African-American Alumni Association met on campus to develop the HU STRONG Initiative Foundation. The group's purpose is to commit to the recruitment, retention, empowerment and development of University African-American students by creating a scholarship fund.

For more information, e-mail Marcus Thomas at mathomas@harding.edu or Butch Gardner at bgardner@harding.edu or call the alumni office at (800) 477-431, ext. 1.

Alumni Awards

Honor to whom honor is due
Homecoming's Black & Gold Banquet will see some of the University's finest honored as the Alumni Relations Office presents annual awards. The following alumni have been chosen for the 2007 awards because they have achieved a degree of excellence and recognition in their chosen fields; exemplify lives consistent with University ideals; actively support the University; and strive to advance their service to community, church and God.

Distinguished Alumnus
Dr. A.R. Brown ('41) trained many of Searcy's most well-known doctors, some of whom still practice. He and his late wife, Ruth, served in the former Northern Rhodesia, now known as Zambia. He served two years of active duty during the Korean War and in 1959 helped begin Westside Church of Christ in Searcy.

Outstanding Young Alumni
Marty ('90) and Louise Tucker ('90) Koonce moved to Tabligbo, Togo, in 1997 to join the team of missionaries working there. In the last 10 years, they have seen 35 churches planted among the Watchi people, with six elderships established and more than 50 lay leaders trained. The couple and their four children plan to begin a new mission effort in Rwanda in January 2009.

Outstanding Alumni

College of Arts and Humanities
Bobbie R. Coleman ('71) has taught English at Searcy High School for 27 years. The only active teacher to be inducted into Searcy Education Foundation's Hall of Honor, she is a recipient of the Arkansas Governor's School Award for influential educators and the 2004 Arkansas Journalism Teacher of the Year.

College of Bible and Religion
Long-time teacher of social studies, history and Bible, Bernard Waites ('59) has ministered to Corinth and Perrytown churches of Christ in Wilkinson County, Miss., for 45 years. He is a Mississippi Teachers Hall of Fame member, and was named one of Wilkinson County's most influential citizens in the last 100 years.

College of Business Administration
Mark Wallis ('72) of Littleton, Colo., is senior executive vice president of United Dominion Realty Trust. He founded and served as president of Golden Living Communities, during which time he was involved in development of eight communities containing more than 1,200 assisted- and independent-living apartments.

College of Education
In 1998 Dwight Thompson ('62) retired as health/physical education and English teacher at Shawnee High School in Medford, N.J., after 36 years of service in New Jersey schools. He led the Shawnee baseball team to state championship finals in 1993 and also coached basketball.

College of Nursing
Christy Golden Mars ('90) is an advanced practice nurse specializing in hematology-oncology in Memphis, Tenn. She also holds the master of science in nursing degree from Vanderbilt University. She has served in medical missions to Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad.

College of Sciences
William Chism ('72) served as optometrist at naval hospitals in Florida and Tennessee before opening five optometry offices in Southwest Missouri. He has served as president of Kiwanis Club and on numerous community boards and ranks 11th in career scoring average for Bison basketball, at 16 points per game.

Focus on the future
Inspire your family with a charitable report

By Ted Hackney, director of the Center for Charitable Estate Planning

Just as ocean waves sweep relentlessly toward the waiting shore, so Harding's endowment funds provide an unending source of assistance to accomplish the University's goals. Each year, amounts taken from endowment help meet obligations and fulfill our mission.

Institutions rarely use the principal of an endowment fund. Instead, they utilize only investment income. The University uses this aid to fund such purposes as operational needs, Tahkodah, Bisons for Christ, specific departments, special projects and scholarships.

Few gifts are as powerful as an endowment, primarily because it annually provides money to the University for as long as it exists. A donor can know that he or she has made a gift with unending benefits. Nearly everyone desires to leave behind an honorable legacy, a witness to his or her personal values. Endowment funds provide that opportunity. Long after the donor's life, the named endowment will remind others that this person cared about the University and its mission.

Experience rolling waves of support and influence. Know your legacy will help future generations. Be a good steward of the assets you have accumulated. Say "thank you" to God by sharing his abundance and helping to advance his kingdom. All of these blessings - and more - are yours when you create an endowment.

To learn more about establishing an endowment during your lifetime or as part of your estate plan, please call me at (800) 477-4312 or thackney@harding.edu.