http://www.harding.edu/news.html Harding University recent news and events. en-ushttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/Index.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/Index.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/new_2011 Reynolds Gov Cup Finalists.htmlApril 18, 2011 University teams named finalists in business plan competition Of the four Harding University undergraduate teams named among the top 12 semi-finalists in the Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Graduate and Undergraduate Business Plan Competition, two Harding teams were announced among the six finalists at the April 7 event and are now competing for the top cash prize spots to be announced April 20 at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock. After preparing professional business plans, five Harding teams submitted their entries in February into the pool of 50 submissions from nine universities throughout the state. Four Harding teams, The AgWhey Group, BEAST Technology, Here to Last, and Tuck-In, were selected among the top 12 submissions and competed in an oral presentation round April 7 at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock. Two Harding teams, Here to Last and BEAST Technology, placed in the top six undergraduate teams to present a 90-second “elevator proposal” at the April 20 final ceremonies, where they will present the cash prizes for first, second and third place awards and also the Innovation and Agriculture awards. Here to Last, comprised of undergraduate students Carlos Avendano, Natalie Bucur, Kevin Ganus and Tim Tostige, is a business plan for an online marriage counseling website, and BEAST Technology, comprised of undergraduate students Eric Giboney, Frank Bolling and Sean Smith, is a business plan for portable wind turbines. The Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup is an annual competition hosted by the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation that seeks to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit among graduate and undergraduate students and recognize them for their initiative and creativity.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/new_2011 Reynolds Gov Cup Finalists.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 _Princeton_Review.htmlAugust 3, 2011 University named among top schools in Southeast Harding University is one of the best colleges in the Southeast, according to the nationally recognized education services company, The Princeton Review. Harding is one of 135 institutions the organization recommends in its “Best in the Southeast” section of its website feature, “2012 Best Colleges: Region by Region” that posted Aug. 1, 2011, on PrincetonReview.com. Says Robert Franek, Princeton Review's senior vice president and publisher, “We're pleased to recommend Harding University to users of our site as one of the best schools to earn their undergraduate degree. We chose it and the other terrific institutions we name as 'regional best' colleges mainly for their excellent academic programs. From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisers whose recommendations we invite. We also take into account what students at the schools reported to us about their campus experiences at them on our 80-question student survey for this project. Only schools that permit us to independently survey their students are eligible to be considered for our regional 'best' lists.” The colleges The Princeton Review chose for its "Best in the Southeast" designation are located in 12 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The Princeton Review also designated 220 colleges in the Northeast, 153 in the Midwest, and 121 in the West as best in their locales on the company’s "2012 Best Colleges: Region by Region" lists. Collectively, the 629 colleges named "regional best(s)" constitute about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges. To view Harding’s profile, visit http://www.princetonreview.com/HardingUniversity.aspxhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 _Princeton_Review.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Academic Quiz Team Competition.htmlFebruary 17, 2011 Academic Quiz Team places second in sectional tournament SEARCY, Ark. — The Harding University Academic Quiz Team placed second in the National Academic Quiz Team sectional tournament at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., Feb. 5. In a round-robin-style tournament where each team competed with all 10 teams in attendance, the Harding team defeated teams from Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. Team members who participated in the tournament were senior biology major and team captain Caleb Robbins of Dixon, Ill.; sophomore social science education major Josh Duggins of Gassville, Ark.; sophomore history and Bible and religion double major Alexandria Grzybowski of Capron, Ill.; and senior international business and management double major Kirvyn Vargas of Chiriavi, Panama. “Placing second shows that, while we may not be the best team in the region, we certainly have the potential to be the best next year – it just takes some work,” Robbins said. “The region saw a pretty decent jump up in talent as compared to last year, so we're excited that we competed as well as we did.” Though the team did not qualify for nationals in Chicago this year, Robbins said the team’s chances next year look very promising. The team competes throughout the school year and placed second in the Academic Competition Federation’s fall competition at University of Oklahoma and third in the Gateway Invitational in St. Louis last semester. “Anybody who thinks they might have fun should join,” Robbins said. “The most common excuse I hear for not joining the team is ‘I'm not smart enough,’ but what it really comes down to is having fun memorizing information, being academically curious and putting in a little work like you do for any other form of competition.”http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Academic Quiz Team Competition.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Academic Reorganization.htmlApril 15, 2011 University announces academic reorganization President David Burks of Harding University announced Friday a major academic reorganization of the University effective in August with the beginning of the fall semester. Included in the reorganization is the naming of a provost for the University, formation of a provost council, creation of a Center for Health Sciences, and creation of a College of Allied Health. Burks announced Dr. Larry Long, current vice president for academic affairs, would become the University’s first provost. Burks noted that most schools like Harding with numerous graduate programs have a provost serving as the chief academic officer. “By naming a provost and a provost council, we will be giving Dr. Long more time to make and direct policy decisions affecting the entire scope of Harding’s academic programs,” said Burks. Serving on the provost council with Long will be Drs. Marty Spears, Cheri Pierson Yecke and Julie Hixson-Wallace. Spears will be associate provost with responsibilities for undergraduate and institutional effectiveness programs. Yecke and Hixson-Wallace will be assistant provosts. Yecke will assume responsibilities for research and graduate/professional programs. Hixson-Wallace will provide oversight and direction of the Center for Health Sciences. The Center for Health Sciences will include the College of Pharmacy, the College of Allied Health, and the Carr College of Nursing. In addition to serving as assistant provost, Hixson-Wallace will continue to serve as dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Cathleen Shultz will continue to serve as dean of the Carr College of Nursing. Burks commented, “Creating a Center for Health Sciences brings together all of the health sciences for the first time in the University’s history. This will be a much more efficient way to administer these programs.” Included in the newly organized College of Allied Health will be the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program directed by Dr. Dan Tullos, the Physician Assistant Program directed by Dr. Michael Murphy, and the new Physical Therapy Program directed by Dr. Mike McGalliard. The doctorate in physical therapy is seeking accreditation. Dr. Rebecca Weaver will serve as dean of the College of Allied Health. She previously served as dean of the College of Communication. In his announcement Burks noted the University’s continued interest in adding health-related programs and degrees made the creation of a Center for Health Sciences a very significant move in the academic reorganization.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Academic Reorganization.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Advancement May Events.htmlMay 9, 2011 Upcoming events in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Harding alumni, parents, prospective students and friends, please join Mike Williams, vice president of advancement, and other University representatives at a reception in your area. Dr. Williams will share information about admissions and provide updates on current projects at Harding. We look forward to seeing you, reliving the memories, and sharing the vision for the future of our alma mater. Marcus Thomas, assistant director of admissions for the region, will also be in attendance at these events. Saturday, May 21, 4 p.m. Home of Mike & Marilyn Bucchi 3426 South Justin Court Bloomington, IN 47401 Sunday, May 22, 7 p.m. Northside Church of Christ 2510 East 10th St. Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (Louisville, Ky., area) Monday, May 23, 6:30 p.m. Home of Lundy & Beth Neely 8300 Dog Leg Rd. - NOTE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Dayton, OH 45414 Contact Brian Harrington at 501-279-4277 or bharrington@harding.edu to RSVP!http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Advancement May Events.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Alison Krauss Concert.htmlMay 12, 2011 Alison Krauss & Union Station 2011 tour coming to campus Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will bring their Paper Airplane Tour 2011 to Searcy, Ark., at Harding University’s Benson Auditorium Sept. 16, 2011. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, May 21, and will be available at www.HardingCABtickets.com. Tickets will be $40-50 for the general public and $20-30 for Harding University students, faculty and staff. All seats reserved. On April 12, 2011, Rounder Records released the eagerly anticipated Alison Krauss and Union Station album, Paper Airplane. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart, Bluegrass Albums Chart and No. 3 on the Top 200 Album Chart. A truly breathtaking collection of 11 exquisite songs, Paper Airplane is Krauss’ 14th album and the band’s follow-up to 2004’s triple Grammy-winning Lonely Runs Both Ways (Rounder). It is Krauss’ first release since her 2007 internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum collaboration with Robert Plant, Raising Sand, which won six Grammys including “Record Of The Year” and “Album Of The Year.” Alison Krauss, along with Union Station band members Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin and lead vocals), Barry Bales (bass and harmony vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar and harmony vocals), and Jerry Douglas (Dobro and harmony vocals), will crisscross the nation beginning this summer performing over 50 dates. Part of Alison Krauss’ incontestable talent is how effortlessly she bridges the gap between roots music and country, rock and pop. A highly sought-after collaborator, Krauss has worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, including James Taylor, Phish, Dolly Parton, Yo Yo Ma & Bonnie Raitt. Since signing with Rounder Records at the age of 14 in 1985 Krauss has sold in excess of 12 million albums and garnered 26 Grammy Awards, the most for any female and the third most of any recording artist in Grammy history. Her breathtaking live performances should not be missed. For more information, contact the Harding University Campus Life office at 501-279-4106.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Alison Krauss Concert.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Alpha Chi National Convention.htmlApril 27, 2011 Students attend national honor society convention Six Harding University students and one faculty sponsor represented the Arkansas Eta chapter of Alpha Chi at the national college honor society’s annual convention March 31-April 2 in San Diego. All of the Harding students made presentations at the convention, which featured scholarly, creative, and artistic presentations by 270 students and a national literacy service project of providing books to a local elementary school. One of 26 prizes for the top student presentations went to senior biochemistry and molecular biology and Spanish double major Nicholas Scanlon of Searcy who won the Bonnie Revelle Prize in Molecular/Cellular Biology for his poster presentation “Cytotoxic Capacity of HIV-1 Specific CD8+ T Celle in Acute Versus Chronic HIB-1 Infection.” Other Harding students presenting included senior music and international studies double major Devon Newburn of Spotsylvania, Va., with a piano performance program “A Fond Remembrance of Fusion: Milhaud;” M.B.A. graduate student Caitlyn Ann Ringling of Jenison, Mich., with “Strategic Marketing for the Global Expansion of Target Corporation;” senior management information systems and economics double major Bradley Wolhuter of Bentonville, Ark., with “Leadership;” senior broadcast journalism and electronic media production double major Luz Marina Marchena Villarreal of San Jose, Costa Rica, with “Spread the Word;” and senior communication sciences and disorders and leadership and ministry double major Savannah Steiner of Mabelvale, Ark., with “Was Judah a State in Early Iron Age II Prior to the Reign of Hezekiah?” Chapter sponsor Dr. Linda Thompson accompanied the delegation. Also attending from Harding, which houses the society’s national headquarters, were Dr. Dennis Organ, executive director, and office staff members Lara Noah and Melinda Hicks. The convention attracted 460 delegates and guests from 87 chapters across the country. Alpha Chi has some 300 chapters in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Members come from all academic fields and must rank in the top 10 percent of their institutions’ junior, senior, and graduate classes.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Alpha Chi National Convention.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Annie Auditions.htmlMarch 29, 2011 University seeks local children to perform in “Annie” Open auditions will be held for local children Saturday, April 30, for the 2011 Harding University Homecoming musical, “Annie,” to be staged Oct. 26-29. Director Robin Miller, professor of communication, is seeking girls ages eight through 18 who meet the following criteria: must be a good student, able to take direction, able to do simple choreography, and who will have graduated third grade through 12th grade by July 1 for roles as orphans and the feature role of Annie. Auditions are open to all female students — public, private and home schooled — in the White County area. After the initial auditions, callbacks will be Sunday afternoon, May 1. Audition packets are available in the Reynolds Center for Music and Communication just off Beebe-Capps. Those interested in auditioning should pick up information packets and sign up for an audition time at the bulletin board opposite Room C223 before April 30. For more information, contact Producer Cindee Stockstill at 501-279-4300 or Children’s Director Dottie Frye at 501-279-4492.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Annie Auditions.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arab League.htmlApril 22, 2011 Students ranked in annual Southwest Model Arab League Ten Harding University students participated in the annual Southwest Model Arab League for the first time in the school’s history April 7-9 at University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a team of two Harding students receiving honorable mention. The students, members of the Harding chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, an international political science honor society, were assigned to represent the United Arab Emirates at the simulation hosted by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. The teams researched preset topics for several weeks before the competition to create agendas to present before student attendees of 16 other universities from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Senior political science major James Brunton of Leire, England, and Steven Crowder of Abilene, Texas, served on the Joint Defense Council and were awarded honorable mention based on a review by the student delegates in attendance and recommendations from chairpersons on the committee. Harding students Emily Hartman, Kathleen Larkin, Emily Wood, Caleb Stovall, Bethany Stovall, Garin Giacomarro, Andrew English and Sarah Everett also participated in various committees at the competition including the Political, Social, Environmental and Palestine Affairs Councils. “We heard about the event and had wanted to look at ways to be more active,” Brunton said. “We unanimously felt it would be something that would be enjoyable, challenging and help us to learn more about the Middle East and Islam in general.” The Southwest Model Arab League is one of 14 annual simulations across the U.S. hosted by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations that seeks to educate university and high school students on issues in the Arab world and improve skills of diplomacy and public discussion.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arab League.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arkansas Dietetics Association Conference.htmlApril 26, 2011 Student and alumnae receive honors at dietetics conference Harding University alumnae Debie Head and Angela Caldwell, along with current student Jessica Heimrich, were honored at the Arkansas Dietetic Association Conference at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock April 14-15. The conference is a two-day program featuring speakers, research and poster presentations, and vendor exhibits. It also includes an award ceremony honoring outstanding members of the Arkansas Dietetic Association that are nominated by members of the organization. Heimrich was honored as the Outstanding Undergraduate Dietetic Student of the Year. A junior from Saint Louis, she plans to graduate next May, then complete her dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian. Head was named the Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year. She is currently the dietetic internship director at University of Central Arkansas. She previously worked as a registered dietician at White County Medical Center in Searcy. She was also named the incoming president for the Arkansas Dietetic Association. Caldwell was recognized as Outstanding Dietitian of the Year. She was recently named vice president for technical education at Black River Technical College. “We are proud of each of these individuals and the contributions that they have made and will make to the profession of dietetics. These award winners are bright, talented people who strive for excellence in their work. We are happy that Harding's dietetics program is and was a step on their path to professional success,” said Dr. Lisa Ritchie, director of the dietetics program at Harding.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arkansas Dietetics Association Conference.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arthur Shearin Faculty Recital 1.27.11.htmlJanuary 24, 2011 Dr. Arthur Shearin to perform vocal recital SEARCY, Ark. — A faculty recital featuring the baritone vocal talents of Harding Professor of Music Dr. Arthur Shearin will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Reynolds Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public. Selections for the recital include an Italian art song and opera; pieces composed by William Holloway set to the text of English poets; and songs from German romantic opera. The performance will also feature songs of inspiration including "Panis Angelicus" by Thomas Aquinas, "The Lord's Prayer" by Albert Hay Malotte, and "I Believe” by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman, as well as two duets from Broadway's “110 in the Shade” and “Porgy and Bess” featuring Harding Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Kelly Neill and Kami Horton. Shearin will be accompanied on the piano by Noelani Wilkinson, Dr. William W. Hollaway, Lis Jones and Dr. Scott Carrell. For more information, please contact the music department at 501-279-4343.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Arthur Shearin Faculty Recital 1.27.11.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 ASHA Convention.htmlNovember 17, 2011 University faculty and students to present at national convention Faculty and students within the Harding University College of Allied Health and the department of communication sciences and disorders were accepted to make presentations at the national American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convention in San Diego, Nov. 17-19. Those participating include Dr. Rebecca Weaver, dean of the College of Allied Health; Melanie Lowry, instructor in the department of communication sciences and disorders; and graduate students Charissa Collins and Amy Collins. Weaver is a professor of communication sciences and disorders and her oral presentation entitled “Using Your University’s Resources to Enhance International Practicum Experiences” will be presented on Thursday, Nov. 17. With the assistance of Dr. Jeffrey Hopper, Janis Ragsdale, Sara Shock and Dr. Daniel C. Tullos, Weaver will describe the group’s experiences in developing HIZ-Path, a six-week international practicum course for graduate-level speech-language pathology students in Zambia. A ten-minute documentary will be premiered during the presentation featuring HIZ-Path. Lowery, under the direction of Kim McCullough, her dissertation supervisor of the University of Central Arkansas, will present her dissertation poster presentation entitled “What Factors Predict Communicative Participation in an Elderly Population” on Thursday, Nov. 17. Under the direction of Lowery and McCullough, Charissa and Amy will deliver their poster presentation on “Examining Correlations Between Depression, Quality of Life and Communicative Participation” on Friday, Nov. 18. The ASHA Program Committee received a record number of presentations and the selection process was very competitive. The national convention is the premier annual professional education event for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. It provides unparalleled opportunities for participants to hear the latest evidence-based research and gain new skills and resources for career advancement. The theme of this year’s convention is “Beacons of Inspiration: Innovation to Action.” http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 ASHA Convention.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 AURC Presentations.htmlApril 7, 2011 Students deliver reports at statewide research conference Seven Harding University students presented oral reports on their NASA research at the 18th Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia April 1-2. Senior mechanical engineering major Matthew T. Irvine of Richmond, Va., discussed “Hybrid Rocket to Measure the Irradiance of the Sun.” Senior electrical engineering major Emilia N. Faraj of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, presented “Measuring Solar Irradiance Onboard a Sounding Rocket.” Darah McDaniel, a senior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Mountain Home, Ark., discussed “Construction of a Spectrometer for Measuring Biomarker Gases on Mars.” Senior electrical engineering major Julianne V. Pettey of Kenai, Alaska, discussed “Design of a Diode Laser Spectrometer for Space Missions.” Senior chemistry major Daniel Smith of Cleveland, Okla., spoke on “Testing an Open Path Diode Laser Spectrometer.” Garland, Texas, native Ethan Lilly, a junior computer engineering major, discussed “Atmospheric Spectrometer Payload for a NASA Terrier-Orion Sounding Rocket.” Senior electrical engineering major Eric Locke of Richardson, Texas, presented “Measuring Atmospheric Gases Onboard NASA Rocket From 0 to 72 Miles Altitude.” The meeting provides an opportunity for students from all over the state of Arkansas to present reports on the research they have done throughout the year. All Harding students who completed a research project were asked to present at the conference. This was the 18th year Harding students have attended the event. Dr. Ed Wilson, professor of chemistry, attended the conference as well. He has been working on NASA projects for 20 years.http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 AURC Presentations.htmlhttp://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Author Series.htmlNovember 7, 2011 Young Adult Author Series begins with best-selling author Todd Strasser Todd Strasser, author of more than 120 books for teens and middle school students, will visit Harding University on Nov. 11-12 to give several presentations to begin the University’s Young Adult Author Series. During Strasser’s lectures, attendees will learn about inspirations and motivations for writing, ideas for using novels in the classroom and tips for teaching young writers. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with dinner and a presentation in Cone Chapel of the Heritage Building. On Saturday, the event will continue with breakfast at 8:00 a.m., two presentations from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and a final presentation at 1:30 p.m. Book signing will be available Friday night and Saturday, and Strasser’s books will be sold in Room 207 of the Heritage Building. Strasser published his first book, Angel Dust Blues, in 1978 and used the profits to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. Strasser later wrote the best-selling Help! I’m Trapped series. Some of his other titles include The Wave, Give a Boy a Gun, The Accident, Can’t Get There From Here, Boot Camp and If I Grow Up. Some of his books have been adapted for television and the feature release Drive Me Crazy was based off of his novel How I Created My Perfect Prom Date. For more information about cost, registration or the Young Adult Author Series, contact the Graduate Reading office at 501-279-5107. http://www.harding.edu/news_2011/news_2011 Author Series.html