2A
NEWS
December 6, 2013 September 20, 2013 Vol. 89, No. 9 Vol. 89, No. 3 online at thelink.harding.edu
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
A FRESHMAN PRESIDENT
McLarty, Board reflect on first semester by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief & Bethany Aspey opinions editor
semester: my first Board meeting, my first faculty meeting, my first cabinet meeting,” McLarty said. “It’s been very much a freshman year for me in a lot of ways.” Throughout the semester, This semester, Dr. Bruce McLarty said he has focused McLarty began his first year as on listening to students, faculty president of Harding.Throughout and the different constituencies the semester, McLarty has talked of Harding. Despite his personal of being a “freshman president,” fingerprint on aspects of his job, learning and experiencing aspects McLarty said the majority of his of Harding for the very first time plans and actions have been a as president. continuation of Dr. David Burks’ “Just like a freshman, there last year of presidency. have been so many firsts this One thing that has changed
Christmas is in the air
though, McLarty said, is the Harding motto. What used to be “Faith, Learning and Living” is now “A Community of Mission.” “When I tried to get my heart around the essence of Harding, (community and mission) are the two words that kept coming to mind,” McLarty said. “It’s a remarkable community because there’s a unity of mission behind what we are. It’s about more than just being a university. It’s about more than just the field I study. It’s based on this understanding of a spiritual mission
that binds the whole community and makes it a remarkable place. In that context, there are the most remarkable relationships developed.” Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Simmons said the Board reviewed and discussed the proposed five-year plan and officially adopted the plan after a meeting during Homecoming. “As always, this is a guide for the university, but is fluid in that opportunities arise and windows open that were not anticipated over a five-year
period and that has, at times, taken priority to some items that were on the five-year plan,” Simmons said. McLarty echoed similar sentiments, saying he is eager to listen to what the students, faculty and alumni think and to adopt new plans and initiatives along the way. “The board has been very pleased with Dr. McLarty’s work as president and the response and support he has received both on and off the campus,” Simmons said.
REFRESHED Updates on News From the Semester
STUDENT HOME INVASION
amden -- Henry
GRANT SCHOL | THE BISON
A group of students admires the campus Christmas lights during the annual lighting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 2. Harding decorates the entire front lawn each year during the Christmas season, attracting students and local Searcy citizens alike.
Black Friday sales fall flat by Bradley Cain beat reporter
Americans flocked to stores that offered sales considered “too good to be true” this Thanksgiving weekend, hoping to get a head start on their holiday spending. However, this year brought the deals earlier and promised to keep them longer. Nov. 29 marked this year’s Black Friday, the unofficial holiday dedicated to shoppers hoping to save money on gifts. Across America, major retailers (Macy’s, Best Buy and Wal-Mart) opened Thursday evening after many families had finished their Thanksgiving festivities. For the first time since 2009, Black Friday spending declined, reinforcing projections that retailers would extend discounts further into the holiday season, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Sales for Thursday and Friday rose 2.3 percent from last year, to $12.3 billion, according to a report released Saturday by ShopperTrak. Bill Martin, founder of ShopperTrak, pointed out the shifting paradigm in the retail world with many choosing to go out on Thanksgiving. As for online shopping, on Cyber Monday, the biggest day of the year for e-commerce in the U.S., sales rose 18.4
percent to $1.735 billion, a record for a single day, according to ComScore. Dec. 2 marked this year’s Cyber Monday. While 141 million people shopped, almost two million more than last year, the average consumer’s spending dropped 3.9 percent to $407.02, according to a survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation. Autumn Dixon, a senior speech pathology major at Harding, shopped with a friend at Little Rock’s Park Plaza Mall. She said she enjoys the experience, but did not make a purchase this year. “I think the earlier start takes away from the Thanksgiving holiday,” Dixon said. “I still waited until 1 a.m to go out instead of Thanksgiving night. It’s a holiday about being thankful for family above material possessions, but we have turned (Thanksgiving) into the most materialistic day in our country.” Carl Craig, a senior graphic design student, shopped with his brother at St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Fla. They left at midnight and returned home just before 3 a.m. with two pairs of socks to show for it. “I like the change,” Craig said. “The stores I went to weren’t very crowded. I just didn’t see any ridiculously good deals.”
Mat Kearney selected for March 2014 concert The Campus Activities Board announced that artist Mat Kearney was selected to come to campus for a concert in the spring. CAB conducted a poll and then a run-off vote to decide which artist to bring to campus. Kearney will perform on Friday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
BISON FOOTBALL The Bisons prepare for the first ever Live United Texarkana Bowl against Texas A&M - Commerce. SPORTS, 1B
Kearney
TORNADO RELIEF
Students reach out to those affected by recent Illinois tornadoes. NEWS, 2A
No additional break-ins have occurred in university-owned housing since last reported in October. Public Safety and the physical resources department have increased security by heavily patrolling areas around campus and installing more lighting. Public Safety also met with individuals and businesses in the area, asking them to share any information with Public Safety and Searcy police. The perpetrator has not yet been identified. Information from Director of Public Safety Craig Russell.
VEHICLE BREAK-INS
Last weekend, Searcy police apprehended two individuals suspected to be involved in vehicle break-ins on and around campus. Public Safety has been working closely with the police department, with both departments aiding the other in investigation and efforts to decrease criminal activity on and near campus. Information from Director of Public Safety Craig Russell.
COURTNEY BOOK
No charges will be brought against a White County deputy who was involved in the collision which killed Harding student Courtney Book,according to the Associated Press. Prosecuting Attorney Chris Raff said the collision was an “unavoidable accident,” and that Book had been wearing dark clothing and there were no reflectors on the bicycle. Lt. Brandon Grimes collided with Book, riding her bicycle, in his patrol car around 9 p.m. on Oct. 17. Book died early Friday morning, Oct. 18, at a Little Rock hospital.
HARDING MEETS SEARCY
In Part 3 of this series, meet the Searcy police department. FEATURES, 3B