Small WORLD stories

Compiled by Tom Buterbaugh

Attracting students from almost every state and many countries around the world, our University definitely fosters a global emphasis, one that continues after graduation. So last spring we asked you, our readers, for your “small world” stories. Where have you had that chance meeting with another alumnus or person connected with the University? Your encounters show how small the world is after all.

Name recognition

On our summer vacation in Glacier National Park, we ate at the very small Two Dogs Flat Restaurant. At breakfast a lady approached our table saying she had noticed our son’s Harding Bisons sweatshirt. She asked if it referred to Harding in Searcy, Ark., and told us she was from Batesville, Ark. She was very familiar with the school and had attended events on campus.

That evening, after some long hikes, we were eating a late dinner in the same restaurant in a nearly empty dining room. A couple came over to our table commenting on my daughter’s T-shirt. The lady said, “You have to be from Harding because there can’t be two TNTs and Zeta Rhos in the world.” Their daughter had recently graduated from Harding (which she loved) and was to join them on vacation soon from her new Orlando home. It pays to wear Harding attire — you never know what nice people you will meet.            
- MariLynn McInteer Canterbury (’72)
Nashville, Tenn.

Bumps on a log

I graduated from Harding in 1982. In the early ’90s, a co-worker and I were sitting on a log in Vancouver, Wash., waiting for the Concorde to land at the Portland, Ore., airport across the Columbia River. A conversation ensued with a couple sitting further down the log. Somewhere in the conversation, a mention was made about having lived in Arkansas. From that point, it was only a few short moments until I discovered they also were Harding alumni!
- Lois Bell Smith (’82)
Olympia, Wash.

Could it be magic?

In May of 1975, my husband-to-be rode home to Maryland with roommate Kenny Daniel and served as best man at his wedding. But the real adventure began when he set out to do what his parents had never let him do before … hitchhike across the country back to Arkansas before our imminent wedding.

What had been anticipated as fun and excitement turned into slow going in more than 90-degree heat. After one long day and night, Ken found himself not much closer home, as rides were few and far between around Baltimore. That was until he pulled from his duffle bag a Harding T-shirt.

Ah, Harding … the magic word emblazoned across the chest. That one big word made drivers see a nice, clean-cut college student from a Christian school, not a sweaty, poor drifter who would probably rob or hurt. Ken got back to Arkansas within the next two 24-hour periods as Christians recognized the magic word and gave him rides in air-conditioned cars. One older couple whose son had been to school at Harding, a student from another Christian college in Tennessee, and a truck driver who just knew of the school all gave him rides and must have felt safe in doing so.

He never again tried hitchhiking, but if he ever found it necessary, he would have done so only if he had his magic T-shirt with the big “Harding” on the front.
- Cathy Cole Sewell (’74)
Willis, Texas

Bisons on a bus

Having been away from Harding for more than 20 years, I never thought about running into a Bison — in a bus — while traveling abroad.

In the fall of 2000, my friend and I went on a cruise. One stop included a day trip to the Cayman Islands. Upon our early morning arrival, we decided to take a kayak trip for the day. We went to the tour operator’s office and waited in a short line, finally boarding a small van with six other people.

On the way to the inlet, we listened to the other members of the group talk among themselves. First we noticed the southern drawl, then heard the word  “Arkansas,” and ultimately heard the word “Searcy.” I immediately knew they were either current or recent graduates of Harding. The three couples were married, some still taking classes and living in Searcy, while others were alumni. They had all gotten together to vacation in the islands and enjoy a day kayaking.

Unfortunately I do not recall their names, but what a fun day we had in the Cayman Islands!
- Pamela Flannery (’80)
St. Clair Shores, Mich.

Singing with the chorus

In the summer of 1984, I earned a trip to England for nine days with the insurance company for which I worked at the time. When we got to London, we had difficulty finding a church. After a $26 taxi ride that seemed to be going in circles, we came to a small building on the city outskirts in time for the evening service. When the service was over, several went forward to partake of communion. Upon sitting down we could see the risers in the corner, and I leaned over to my wife and said, “Someone is here to sing.”

Sure enough, in walked Dr. Davis and the Harding Chorus. He kept looking at me through several songs until his curiosity got the best of him, and he asked, “Sir, do I know you?”  When I told him that I graduated in 1975, he said “Steve Watts?” I could not believe what he did next. He shook my hand and pulled me up and said, “Join us in the Alma Mater and the fight song.” Well, my wife and guests crawled under the pew. By the way, I did remember the words and did not butcher them too badly.
- Steve Watts (’75)
Jonesboro, Ga.

Just ducky

A few years ago, my family and I were in Memphis, Tenn. We decided to take our children to The Peabody Hotel to watch the ducks come off the elevator and swim in the fountain. The children had never seen that before, so we thought they would enjoy it.

As we were standing in the foyer at the hotel, I told my husband I saw a man who looked very familiar. I just could not think of where I had seen this man. After awhile, I just had to find out who he was, so I walked over to him and introduced myself as Barbara Jones Neely and told him he looked so familiar, but I just couldn’t place him. I was totally embarrassed when he introduced himself as Dr. Clifton Ganus, former president of Harding.

Dr. and Mrs. Ganus were being honored that day at the Peabody because it was their 60th wedding anniversary. They had stayed at the Peabody on their honeymoon for the price of around $7 a night. Dr. Ganus had saved his receipt from the honeymoon and presented it to the Peabody, and they allowed him to stay again for that same price.

I was honored when Dr. Ganus asked me to take pictures of them as they escorted the ducks off the elevator.  
- Barbara Jones Neely (’84)
Florence, Miss.