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THE
Aug. 30, 2024 Vol. 100, No. 1
In this issue Dr. Jack Shock, 2A
Online at TheLink.Harding.edu
Searcy, Ark., 72149
The Bison celebrates 100 years
New Stores , 2B
Photo by ABIGAIL CALLICOAT
A poster of headers from previous editions of The Bison hangs in the Student Publications office. The student newspaper released its first edition in 1925.
People’s House, 3B
Stampede, 4B
APRIL FATULA faculty adviser College journalists have recently found themselves at the center of the stories they are covering. Last summer, the president of Stanford University resigned after an investigation stemming f rom allegations of research misconduct in past academic papers; allegations that were published in The Stanford Daily campus newspaper. In an Oct. 12, 2023, article by Associated Press writer David Bauder, Jackie Alexander, president of the College Media Association (of which The Bison is a member), said of the students who spearheaded the investigations, “They are unafraid. They are digging deep. They are really living up to the values and principles of being journalists while also being full-time students.” Journalism is a public good. Whether it’s holding local officials accountable or shedding light on serial sexual abusers, journalists are called to speak truth to power and serve as a voice for those who don’t have one. From my perspective, it’s also biblical, aligned with Jesus’ example of serving “the least of these” and the Old Testament prophets’ message of seeking justice. Investigative journalist Jerry “Boo” Mitchell is arguably The Bison’s most famous alumnus. He won a MacArthur “Genius Grant” and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. But he wasn’t always appreciated during his time as a student journalist. “Oh, my, they didn’t know what to do with us,” Mitchell said of the University administration’s perception of his fellow
student journalists and their work. “We were young journalists trying to practice our craft, but we sometimes wondered if they believed we were all sitting in The Bison newsroom trying to plot the overthrow of Harding or something.” Although Mitchell’s professional work would later lead to the convictions of Klansmen in the 1963 assassination of Mississippi NAACP official Medgar Evers, the 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church that killed four Black girls, and the 1964 slayings of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andy Goodman and Mickey Schwerner, The Bison story he believes had the biggest impact was one he wrote about cafeteria prices. “…I wrote about cafeteria prices skyrocketing by 15% or so, but the meal ticket staying the same,” Mitchell said. “In my column, I challenged any administrator to try and make it a week on my meal ticket. Joe McReynolds kindly took me up on my offer and wound up failing miserably. Kay Williams did a news story on it, and the next semester, the administration created a larger meal ticket so that students could survive.” His subsequent work followed a mission he developed as a Bison reporter. “Journalism is more than a job; it’s a calling,” Mitchell said. “By pursuing truth, we are pursuing what God loves. And by serving others in his name, especially the ‘least of these,’ we are showing our love to him.” The importance of the work student journalists do is often passed over at the time because it’s in the day-to-day. They are chronicling the highs and the lows, the extraordinary and the mundane of campus life.They are giving students an opportunity
to voice concerns and criticisms, record school pride and celebrate achievements.This opportunity also extends to the community we call home. We live at a time when local journalism is dramatically decreasing, and unfortunately, Searcy is part of that national trend. In response to this void,The Bison has a dedicated page highlighting our community. This year, The Bison student newspaper celebrates its 100th anniversary. Although it started as the Petit Jean Collegian from the Morrilton campus in December 1925, the second volume was titled The Bison, with J.N. Armstrong himself on record as faculty adviser. Under “Our Aim,” the staff wrote, “We aim in this paper to reflect the student life at Harding College, to the best of our ability, as it really is. If the paper is not what you think it should be just ask yourself if you have helped in any way to make it a better paper before you criticize.” This aim still resonates 100 years later. The Bison staff members and writers are among the most earnest and sincere students you will encounter. They are asking the big questions. They want to tell the story of Harding as they witness it in a given year. They are seeking truth. So thank you — President Williams, faculty, students, deans, other administrators too numerous to name individually, staff, coaches, athletes and members of the greater Searcy community —for taking their calls, emails, texts and office visits and making time in your calendars for their questions as they seek to make you the center of Harding’s story through the pages of The Bison newspaper.
Adele Duncan begins Student Government Association tenure NIC FRARACCIO editor-in-chief Adele Duncan is the president of Harding’s Student Government Association (SGA). Duncan announced her campaign, Illuminate, during the 2024 spring semester. Q: How was your summer? Did you travel anywhere? A: It was one of the best summers I’ve had since being at Harding. I was an admissions ambassador, and I traveled around the United States… We stayed at different college campuses, and obviously, talking about Harding is something I enjoy. After that, I went to Greece with Harding for 10 days. Q: How does it feel to see Hilton Duncan (Adele’s brother) on campus this year? A: We have an 8 a.m. together… he said he’s going to do better in it than me. He’s got that freshman mindset so he probably will, and that’s okay. It’s really funny — we sit next to each other and get to walk to chapel together afterwards. Other than that, I’m just letting him do his own thing. Q: How did you come up with the name of your SGA campaign? A: The campaign idea started when my friend Asaf Lopez, who is on the steel bridge team for Harding, mentioned they won their competition and made it to nationals… I was like, ‘Oh my goodness,’ there are so many things like this that we are just not talking about. Q: Why is it important for the student body to be connected to each other? A: I think you might as well get to know everyone here, and get to know their stories. You only live on the same plot of land with
Photo by ABIGAIL CALLICOAT
Duncan holds a light bulb while posing for a picture on Aug. 26. Duncan presented her campaign, Illuminate, during the 2024 spring semester. thousands of people your own age for four years. There’s no other place in your life like this. Q: What is your favorite thing about the Student Government Association? A: I have two answers. The opportunity to know so many people and get to know what’s going on in their circles… It gives me an opportunity to see what they see which is really awesome. The second part is I work with
great people. I love sitting in those meetings, and the ideas that come from those minds are so creative. Q: Do you have a sneak peek for any upcoming events on campus? A: Founder’s Week is coming up soon. Sept. 5 is the day of our first tailgate and football game. There’s going to be a lot of exciting events going on that I can’t share yet. We will be digging up the time capsule
and every day of chapel will be something exciting. Q: Do you have a message for the students and faculty as the semester continues? A: At the end of the day, I have three words that I keep using. I want to be approachable, available and present.Those are my three words.