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
@HUStudentPubs Facebook: Harding University Student Publications
NEWS
THE
September 11, 2020 Vol. 96, No. 02
Online at TheLink.Harding.edu
2A
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
LIFESTYLE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
Photo by AUDREY JACKSON
Jerry Mitchell adjusts his cap after receiving the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from University President Bruce McLarty at the ASI event Tuesday, Sept. 8.
‘Tell the truth’: Jerry Mitchell and Reena Evers-Everette kick off ASI Distinguished Lecture Series ERIC JOHNSON beat reporter On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Harding welcomed alumnus Jerry Mitchell and Reena EversEverette to campus as the distinguished speakers for the first lecture event of the school year, co-sponsored by the American Studies Institute (ASI) and the Harding Honors College. Mitchell and Evers-Everette were originally scheduled to visit last March, but the event was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The evening looked different from past ASI events, as guests were socially distanced in the Founders’ Room instead of the Benson Auditorium, and the evening was livestreamed for over 400 viewers via Facebook live. To ensure the livestreaming would be successful, ASI Executive Director Kim Kirkman secured a private hotspot through which to broadcast the event.
In the main presentation, Mitchell gave an overview of his investigative work in reopening cold cases from the civil rights movement, which so far has led to 24 convictions. Mitchell’s new book, “Race Against Time,” was published in February and gives a more comprehensive account of these exploits. Student moderators senior Namon Pope and junior Everett Kirkman then facilitated a discussion panel with Mitchell and EversEverette.To conclude the evening, University President Bruce McLarty awarded Mitchell with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his award-winning and nationally recognized work as an investigative journalist. One of the most notable cases Mitchell investigated was the murder of civil rights icon Medgar Evers, which led him to become acquainted with Medgar’s daughter, Reena. The two are now close friends and even laughed in anticipation on Tuesday each time the other started to recall a familiar story.
Evers-Everette has devoted much of her life to continuing the work her father started through various education and civic engagement programs. Currently, EversEverette serves as executive director of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, which “pushes for positive social change, exchanges across generational lines, and social and economic justice.” Although she was only 8 years old when her father was killed, EversEverette said that his impact on her life has been immense. “We might not have gotten a lot of time, but the time my father gave us was quality time,” Evers-Everette said. “He gave us instruction, which we thought was a game, but they were tools for survival.” One of the central themes Mitchell and Evers-Everette reiterated throughout the night was the importance for truth and justice to prevail in our society. Evers-Everette spoke to the transformative and healing nature of
seeing justice finally prevail, even if much delayed, and Mitchell spoke to his personal inspiration and journey to seek out truth at any cost. “As journalists, we’re trying to give a voice to the voiceless,” Mitchell said. “Tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may.” The evening’s message was not lost on those present. Both students and faculty spoke to the inspiration Mitchell and Evers-Everette’s presence provided. “The biggest takeaway relates to what Jerry said at the end of the night and that is, ‘We can make a difference; we can change the world,’” associate professor of communication and Honors College faculty fellow Dr. Jim Miller said. “That’s sort of dramatic, but the reality is that we have the ability, we have the resources, and we can make a difference in the lives of other people.”
Harding honors Botham Jean with night of praise, unity GABRIEL HUFF student writer Harding students gathered on campus Sept. 6 to honor the life of alumnus Botham Jean, commemorating the second anniversary of his death. The event, called “A Night of Praise, Remembrance and Unity,” was co-sponsored by the Student Association (SA), Black Student Association (BSA) and men’s social club Sub T-16, Jean’s former club. The vigil was held on Sunday from 7-8 p.m. on Harding’s front lawn. The event, closed to those outside of the University due to COVID-19, was hosted by Jason Darden, an instructor of the College of Bible and Ministry. Some of Jean’s favorite melodies were sung, including “Our God Is Alive,” “Just A Little Talk With Jesus” and “Awesome.” Todd Gentry, a college community outreach minister, read remarks from a letter written by sophomore Brandt Jean, Jean’s brother. In the letter, Brandt Jean said that Jean was able to see the positive in every situation. Tommy Schuler, a close friend of Jean from Sub T-16, also said that Jean walked after God’s spirit. “It just changes your life when you’re around someone that puts that much effort into trying to model himself after things like the fruit of the spirit,” Schuler said. “[The fruits of the spirit] couldn’t describe him any better.”
The event included words from SA President Morgan Proffitt, who spoke about other Harding students who have died in recent years; BSA President Raissa Ames, who encouraged the Harding community to take a stand against racial injustice; and Tiffany Byers, director of diversity services at the University. Additionally, Justified, a chorus group, sang “Dreaming of a City.” University President Bruce McLarty was the last speaker of the night, and he reflected on the moment he heard of Jean’s death, as well as his favorite Jean story. The night ended with a prayer from McLarty and a candle lighting. Gentry, also a board member of the Botham Jean Foundation, said he devised the idea of the event, believing that people needed to remember Jean’s passing. “In a time when our world is really struggling with race tension, I think that’s a great event for unity,” Gentry said. “Botham used to say that one thing that unites us is singing together, so I think that is pretty key.” After sharing the idea with the event’s sponsors, Gentry said they worked together to help the vision come to fruition. Junior Stone Nix, a representative of Sub T-16, said the sponsors unanimously wanted the event to spread a message of solidarity to the world. “We want to unite people and see past each other’s differences to see the things that are more important than what divides us,” Nix said.
Photo by AUDREY JACKSON
Senior Chantel Ceaser leans her head on senior Amanda McDuffie’s shoulder during candlelight ceremony on front lawn, commemorating the second anniversary of Botham Jean’s death Sept. 6.
Photo by AUDREY JACKSON
Students hold lit candles on the front lawn during the service Sept. 6.