2A
NEWS
February 22, 2013 Vol. 88 No. 13
OPINIONS . . . .
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
thelink.harding.edu
Opinions: SEE Page 3a
Features: SEE Page 3b
SEE Page 1b
Tide turns for human trafficking by MATT RYAN features editor Governor Mike Beebe signed into law Tuesday new legislation tightening human trafficking laws in Arkansas, updating the state’s original laws passed in 2005. Republican Rep. David Meeks from Conway and Republican Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain Home introduced the new legislation following criticism of the state by advocacy groups like the Polaris Project, which claimed Arkansas was among the bottom four states in the nation in terms of the quality of its human trafficking laws. The house passed Meeks’ bill, HB 1203, with a 91-0 vote on Feb. 8. The new laws offer protection to victims of human trafficking, including the right to sue offenders. It also penalizes anyone who knowingly involves himself or herself with a prostitute who is a victim of human trafficking. Additionally, it sets up a task force that will research further measures the state can take to combat human trafficking. The task force will be composed of local police and prosecutors who will work to produce a broader plan for addressing human trafficking in the state. “We are pleased that Arkansas’ legislators are making significant efforts to strengthen the state’s laws against human trafficking,” Polaris spokeswoman Megan Fowler said. “These are the types of actions we want to see all states take to protect victims of human trafficking, punish traffickers and prevent this crime and human rights abuse from occurring.” The Senate is also considering a safe harbor act, under which women younger than 18 would be protected from being prosecuted for prostitution and other offenses linked with human trafficking. “Human trafficking does often have an interstate component, so that would fall under federal law,” Meeks said to the Associated Press. “But in Arkansas, you had prosecutors who didn’t know that human trafficking existed or knew about it but you saw them using other statutes because the penalty on it was not tough enough.” Senior Ashli Roussel of HUmanity, a student organization largely dedicated to raising human trafficking awareness, said although the group was not directly involved in the legislation, members were glad to see that the issue is gaining a wider audience. “I believe it is such an important issue,” Roussel said. “Harding students need to get on board.” HUmanity plans to host a “Stand for Freedom” event in association with International Justice Mission and other colleges and universities around the nation April 11-12. IJM’s goal is to raise $270,000 in honor of the estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. Roussel said HUmanity hopes to recruit 270 students to help raise $2,700 to contribute.
A look at the Boy Scouts of America’s homosexuality debate.
Junior Katey Brawley shares her weightloss success story.
SEE Page 3b
PART I: HOW HARDING GOT INVOLVED WITH DUCK AND BUCK COMMANDER
Business students help build a ‘Duck Dynasty’
nphoto by ASHEL PARSONS | Student Publications
Seniors Alex Finley and Amanda Carroll talk to Jake, the man who took over Si’s old job of making reeds on Jan. 21. Business students are working with Duck and Buck Commander to help develop a branding strategy and business plan.
by LYNDSEY RUBLE editor-in-chief
Fifteen Harding students in an independent research business course are working with Duck and Buck Commander, the business behind “Duck Dynasty.” Dr. Phil Brown, chair of the accounting and finance department, said he first had the idea of teaming up with Duck and Buck Commander when Willie and Korie Robertson visited campus in the fall. Brown said Director of Professional Business Studies Glen Metheny organized a special event and Q&A for business and communication students with the Robertsons. One student asked Willie Robertson what his 3-5 year business plan was. Willie Robertson said they did not have one. Brown said this started the idea that would evolve into a relationship between Harding students, alumni, faculty and the Duck Commander and Buck Commander businesses. Among the 15 students in the
class, there are representatives from seven different majors — all hand-selected and recommended from their respective departments. In addition, several alumni have gotten involved to assist Brown. Blair Bryan, an alumnus and the director of alumni networking, joined the project after a phone call with Brown one night. Brown said he was in need of another set of eyes and ears in West Monroe, La., where the Duck Commander and Buck Commander businesses are located. Bryan offered his services and headed up the effort to get more alumni involved. Twelve alumni and four faculty members volunteered. Brown said two Harding board members are involved with the project as well. Grant Taylor, a Harding alumnus and the general manager of Buck Commander, said he hopes that he can help students realize that they are not far away from the “real” business world. He said he is trying to be like a big brother and give them a
“heads-up” about what is ahead. “For us, from a business perspective, we understood that there is growth to be realized through exposing a little bit of vulnerability,” Taylor said. “From a student perspective, our hope is to convey the practicality of what they’re learning while they are getting their degree. There is some real relevance to these classes.” John Gimber, licensing specialist for Duck and Buck Commander and Willie Robertson’s cousin, said the project is “one of the least one-sided agreements you’ll ever see.” He said students get the opportunity to practice upper-level decision-making skills with zero risk and faculty get the chance to advise and shape students throughout the learning process. Gimber said Duck Commander and Buck Commander “get the ability to have a bunch of great minds … giving us advice and working on our behalf with the ability to pitch us ideas.”
“For John and (me) and for our organization, we’ve invested some time,” Taylor said. “And I feel confident if this thing ended today, I’ve been compensated double for my time.” After seeing the well-rounded success and benefits from this project, Bryan said he hopes that more departments and more classes will want to pursue projects like this one. This semester the students are focusing on branding the business. According to Brown, they chose branding as the focus because it is the core of a business and every other project and idea should branch out from the central brand. Bryan recalled the first off-site retreat with the students in the class. One female student told him: “I think I learned more today than any other single day in my life.” Brown said the project is a “different vision in education” that teaches the spontaneity and flexibility needed to work in business.
Students prepare for Spring Break missions by KORY HOWARD student writer
HARDING — In the last few days, students have reported three stolen spare tires from Jeeps on campus. Any suspicious activity should be reported to Harding Public Safety. HARDING — Generation HU will host a “Hightlighter Run” on Saturday, March 23 for this year’s Say Thanks Day. The race is $15 for individuals or $10 with a group of 15 or more. The race will begin in front of the Ganus Athletic Center and will continue throughout campus.
With Spring Break quickly approaching, groups for mission trips are beginning to prepare. Harding students had the opportunity to choose from 18 different campaigns this year. One of the nearest campaigns, and therefore the cheapest, is the campaign to Knoxville, Tenn. This year, Bailey Gammill is a co-leader for the Knoxville campaign along with junior Victoria Sams. Gammill said he originally did not desire to be a mission-trip leader. In fact, he said he rejected offers to lead two other trips before he finally accepted the third offer. “The third time I was asked to do it, I was like, ‘OK, I see what you’re doing, God,’” Gammill said. The Knoxville campaign is centered on ministering to homeless people by doing service projects through organizations such as the Salvation Army. According to Gammill, the cost efficiency of the Knoxville campaign gives it a lot of appeal.
Another mission opportunity offered is the Panama campaign led by junior Isaac Alvarado and sophomore Caleb McCurry. Of course, the campaign is costlier and the scope of the mission is different. Foreign campaigns carry a unique set of challenges as opposed to domestic campaigns. “Taking a group of people who have never been to this country, don’t speak the language and are not familiar with the culture is a challenge,” Alvarado said. Both Alvarado and McCurry share the same mission experience in that they both attended the Port Angeles, Wash., mission campaign a year ago. According to Alvarado he realized during the Port Angeles campaign that he would best serve God by leading a campaign to his home country, Panama, where he would be able to understand and connect with the culture. The Panama campaign has a three-fold plan. They intend to work at a school, implementing teachings about Christianity into the children’s classroom setting. They further intend to provide materials for a rural congregation to continue its
efforts in building either a baptistery or a bathroom. Finally, they intend to evangelize among the local Indian tribe. The work to be done is part of a long-term effort, according to Alvarado. That in mind, one danger of Spring Break campaigns, according to Gammill, is that people may believe that one week is long enough to make a drastic impact. “If you are wanting to go on a Spring Break mission because you feel like you are going to change the world in a week, you might want to reevaluate your reasons for going,” Gammill said. One quality of Spring Break mission trips that makes them special, according to all of the leaders, is the campaign’s power to bring individuals together as a group. One goal that many of the leaders share is simply for the group to have unity of mind in preparation for the campaign. According to McCurry, it is vitally important that a campaign group find unity. “We are seeking that each member has every need, every fear and every concern that is on their heart taken care of,” McCurry said.
upcoming news and stories Pepperdine University introduces a scholarship for students who have shown dedication to outreach in the LGBT community.
Next issue on stands March 22. Until then, check out The Link.
State of Arkansas considers legislation to allow school faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus.