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THE
September 2, 2022 Vol. 98, No. 01
Online at TheLink.Harding.edu
Construction continues around campus
Searcy, Ark., 72149
Photo by MADISON MEYER
Many areas around campus have been fenced off for construction. Pictured, a “Keep Out” sign at the site of the upcoming Holland-Waller Center. SOPHIE ROSSITTO news editor Workers moved forward on laying the foundation of a new academic building last week as crews continue to work on a variety of construction projects across campus. Physical resources director Danny DeRamus said his department coordinated with outside contractors and companies to tackle a number of projects this summer, including construction of the new HollandWaller Center and renovations to the Benson Auditorium, Harding University Bookstore, Brackett Library and freshmen men’s dorm Armstrong Hall. “I’ve been here 40 years, and this is the busiest summer I’ve ever had,” DeRamus said. Although he has seen progress in the projects on campus, DeRamus said many renovations have been hampered by supply chain delays, with crews waiting for parts
needed to complete the projects. In the Benson and bookstore, workers are waiting for electronic control valves, which would make the new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units more efficient. DeRamus said Flynco, a Little Rock-based construction company, is overseeing work on the foundation of the Holland-Waller Center at the site of the former Ganus Building. The new center will house the History and Political Science and Foreign Language and International Studies departments, along with programs such as ROTC, according to an April 21 article from The Bison. In the Benson, workers created new men’s and women’s restrooms in the lobby this summer, DeRamus said. They also changed all of the lighting in the Benson to LED fixtures in addition to replacing the HVAC system. Brackett Library director Jean Waldrop said construction crews brought changes to
the second floor of the library this summer as well, including fresh carpeting and four new study rooms, which have not been painted and spackled yet. Waldrop said she hoped the updates would give people more opportunities to work in a quiet environment on the second floor. “For me, the goal was to take care of the students first,” Waldrop said. In addition, DeRamus said contracted workers were about halfway finished building an east cooling plant behind the library, with the goal of completing the project in October. Workers also renovated Armstrong Hall over the spring semester and summer. Emily Myers, the Residence Life Coordinator for the dorm, said workers redid plumbing throughout the entire building, replaced tiles on the walls with sheetrock and added a second sink to each of the suite-style restrooms. They also added a common area kitchen on the first floor and expanded the lobby.
“Coming in, it just looks really different,” Myers said. To make room for construction, workers have closed off parking spaces in some places across campus, including the lots near Pattie Cobb residence hall and behind the Benson. Junior Maura West, who lives in Pattie Cobb, said that because of construction on the Holland-Waller Center, she and her roommate have been parking in the lot by the Swaid Center for Health Sciences. “It’s pretty inconvenient,” West said. DeRamus said workers hope to open about 30 parking spaces between Pryor Hall and Pattie Cobb once they make more progress on construction in the area. They also hope to eventually open up parking spots and create a walkway behind the Benson, allowing students to cross from one side to the other. “We’re doing the things that we hope can improve that traffic flow,” DeRamus said.
Photo by MADISON MEYER
Construction continues behind the Benson Auditorium. The Benson, Brackett Library and the upcoming Holland-Waller Center were blocked off from campus foot traffic.
IP sees multiple program changes during fall semester EMILY STINNETT guest writer Harding International Programs (IP) made multiple changes to the fall 2022 programs by combining two programs, shifting a fall program to summer and bringing back a program for the first time in three years. The Harding University in Europe (HUE) program, previously known as Harding University in England, is returning to its original itinerary prior to COVID-19 and will be traveling to 13 countries across Europe. Due to the small number of students interested in Harding University in Florence (HUF), the international program decided to invite those signed up for HUF this fall to combine with HUE. “Because of the specific interest for fall '22, we decided to do this because it seemed like it offered the best experience to the students,” IP executive director Audra Pleasant said. “We just have to keep adapting.” HUF directors Robbie and Mona Shackelford are leading the HUE group with HUE directors Lauren and Tyler Knight. Pleasant said the future is undecided on whether the IP will continue to model HUE as it is this fall. Harding University in Zambia (HIZ) has typically been offered in the fall but will only be offered in the summer starting in 2023. Pleasant said students majoring in health science or nursing are the most common
students interested in HIZ. It is hard for them to be gone in the fall because they are not able to take prerequisite classes offered i n the fall on campus.
Sophomore Holly Windon is a nursing major attending HIZ this fall. She said she would have preferred to go to HIZ in the summer so as not to miss social
Graphic by COOPER TURMAN
She said she is hopeful this change accommodates all students and opens the opportunity for more students to attend the study abroad program.
activities in the fall and to stay on track to graduate on time. However, she said she is excited about the change and hopes future students will be able to benefit from it.
“If it wasn’t as rewarding as I think it’ll be, I don’t think I would be studying abroad at all,” Windon said. “I am thrilled to be able to go to Zambia.” Harding University in Australasia (HUA) is returning this fall. This is the first opportunity for students to study abroad at HUA since fall 2019. Pleasant said there might be more of a risk in students’ minds when choosing HUA because of the multiple cancellations of the trip in the past. However, the fall 2022 group is almost full, with 28 out of 40 spots filled and the fall 2023 list filling up, according to Pleasant. HUA was not an option for junior Morgan Kirby when she was thinking about studying abroad. She was immediately interested when IP announced HUA’s return. “I know it has been a while since the program has been around, but I think that’s kind of the exciting part to experience something new, being a part of the first group back,” Kirby said. Pleasant said she is confident in these adaptations and looks forward to more students being able to study abroad. “We want to provide opportunities that are transformational and academic but also that students are interested in,” Pleasant said. “That is the whole reason we do these programs.”