QUALITATIVE RESEARCHER OF IDENTITY - Harding ...
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SUMMER 2021
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCHER
OF IDENTITY
What’s Inside S U M M E R 2021 | V O LU M E 29 | N U M B E R 2
24
Departments
11
28
2 VIEWPOINT 12 SPORTS
Gratitude Freshman Dorian Chaigneau vaults to
national indoor title.
3 HU VIEW
Nine photos from Spring Sing ’21
Features
4 ONE MOMENT
14 24 Celebrating spring commencement
in five ceremonies 30 CONNECTIONS
31 | PROFILE
ON THE COVER
PT: REWARDING. RELATIONSHIPS. NO ROOTS, NO LIMITS Lauren Rydl Turner, 1996
Dr. James Huff, associate
WORTHWHILE. 2018 alumnus Caleb Brackney turned a school bus into a professor of engineer-
32 | PROFILE ing and Honors College
Three members of the 2021 physical therapy graduating tiny home with only $10,000 and a lot of ingenuity. Joseph Ross Smith, 2018 faculty fellow, earns a
class reflect on the past three years of training.
National Science Founda-
28
6 AROUND CAMPUS tion award for research.
18
Presidential search continuing, online P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
opportunities growing, and other
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM happenings around the University
HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND Tacker’s Shake Shack in Marion, Arkansas, is 36 END NOTE
WHO THEY ARE synonymous with good food, Southern hospitality and Reflecting on commencement, retiring
Dr. Jim Miller tells how Dr. James Huff’s early years a surprising elephant collection. School of Theology dean Dr. Allen Black
influenced him to win a nationally-recognized research shares thoughts on his 38-year career.
award focusing on shame and identity in engineering.
Viewpoint HU View
Gratitude HARDING
S U MMER 2021 | VO LUME 29 | NUMBER 2
Spring Sing ’21 I N S TAG R A M S E L E C T I O N S F R O M “ T W I C E U P O N A T I M E ”
By DAVID B. BURKS, president
C
OMPLETING THE 2020-21 school E D I TO R / D E S I G N E R
year with five commencement Tom Buterbaugh, ’78
ceremonies on the main campus CO P Y E D I TO R / W R I T E R
instead of our normal three while Jantzen Haley, ’17
handling COVID-19 protocols is just one
WRITERS
example of the many ways this University Katie Clement, ’16
came together during a very difficult year Lane Gammel
and made things happen. The joy was evi- Luke Humphrey, ’20
Megan Stroud, ’19
dent, and I am very thankful we were able to
celebrate together. This is just one of many SPORTS WRITER
things for which I am grateful. Scott Goode, ’98
I am grateful for our faculty as I witness
P H OTO G R A P H E R
the fruits of their labors. The National Sci- Jeff Montgomery, ’91
ence Foundation recently awarded Dr. James
CO N T R I B U TO R S
Huff, associate professor of engineering and
Emma Aly, ’20
Honors College faculty fellow, a $575,000 Allen Black, ’74
grant for his psychological research on Joanna Crisco, ’97
shame, identity and well-being in engineer- Jim Miller, ’97
ing education settings (page 18). Dr. Clara Hailey Pruitt, ’10
Carroll, Dr. Carol Douglass and Dr. Lisa new and developing programs. I am excited PRESIDENT
Bryant were honored with a grant from the to see new programs in architecture, strength David B. Burks, ’65
Arkansas Department of Education’s Divi- and conditioning, nutrition, and occupational A S S I S TA N T V I C E P R E S I D E N T F O R
U N I V E R S I T Y CO M M U N I C AT I O N S
sion of Elementary and Secondary Education therapy approved and ready to be imple- AND MARKETING
to launch the Special Education Resource mented. I am especially excited about the es- Candice Moore, ’01
Teacher Academy. tablishment of Harding Online, led by Keith
Harding is published three times
I am grateful for the work of our faculty Cronk, and other new programs that will be a year by the Office of University
and staff in sharing the mission of Harding. I implemented soon (page 6). Communications and Marketing
for alumni, faculty, staff, parents
especially appreciate the faculty members who I am grateful for the improvement of and friends of the University.
taught both in-person and virtually all year. conditions so that we could have a Presi- Editorial offices are located on the
It was a tremendous challenge, and they re- dent’s Council meeting, Spring Sing and second floor of the David B. Burks
American Heritage Building at
sponded beautifully by truly going the second commencement ceremonies this spring. I am 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy, Arkansas;
mile. For the staff and administrative support excited to see us return to normal operations 501-279-4316.
which allowed this to happen, I am thankful. this fall.
POSTMASTER
I am grateful for our safe environment for I am grateful for all of you and what you Send address changes to
instruction and work with our students this do to make our mission and ministry at Harding University
year. Our COVID-19 protocols worked out 915 E. Market Ave.
Harding possible. God is faithful, and I am
Box 12234
very well, and we have been blessed as a Uni- excited about the future of our work. Searcy, AR 72149-5615.
versity. Dr. David Collins spearheaded this
EMAIL
effort, and I am grateful for him and all those
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
hardingmag@harding.edu
who worked diligently to make this happen.
WEBSITE
I am grateful to Dr. Marty Spears and his
harding.edu/mag
team for all of the work done to shepherd
© 2021 Harding University
TOP ROW: @karlifisher, @rachel.e.story, @dontchasegrace MIDDLE ROW: @morganjolynn, @thehannahhackworth, @kathleen_ogden BOTTOM ROW: @kattstinn,
@edentaylor, @janae.p
2 H A R D I N G | S UM M ER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 3
ONE MOMENT
After the first commencement ceremony held at 4
p.m. on Friday, May 7, Ingmar “Iggy” Hemesath, a
Bible and ministry major, smiles for a selfie with his
parents in front of the McInteer Center. Because of
COVID-19 restrictions, commencement was held in
five ceremonies this spring instead of the usual three,
but everyone was all smiles to actually be able to walk
across the stage after last spring’s virtual ceremonies.
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
4 H A R D I N G | S UM M ER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 5
Around Campus For the very latest campus news, visit harding.edu/news.
Presidential Harding Online developments growing
SINCE HARDING ONLINE’S establishment in the developed is an agreement with Grand Canyon
search ongoing spring, four new programs have been or are in Education to offer an MBA and MSIS degree
IN FEBRUARY, Dr. Robert Walker, chairman the process of being developed and added to the that will begin in Spring 2022. Currently these
of the board of trustees, announced the list of University academic offerings. Harding programs are offered through the College of
appointment of a presidential search com- Online seeks partnerships with organizations Business Administration; however, Harding
mittee made up of faculty, staff, alumni and that identify with the University’s mission and Online’s instructional designers will col-
board of trustee members to identify and can assist Harding in reaching a global audience. laborate with COBA and GCE. GCE will be
The first new program is a Master of Arts in primarily responsible for running the digital
recommend Harding’s sixth president.
Organizational Leadership, an interdisciplin- marketing and the enrollment process.
Dr. James Berry Dr. Shawn Fisher Dr. Mike McGalliard Dr. Jon Singleton
CarterBaldwin, an executive search firm, D I R E C TO R O F A S S E S S M E N T C H A I R O F T H E D E PA R T M E N T O F A S S O C I AT E P R O V O S T F O R C H A I R O F T H E E N G L I S H L A N G UAG E
also was hired to assist the board and the ary academic field of study that is focused on “GCE approached us initially and asked if
AND TESTING H I S TO R Y A N D P O L I T I C A L S C I E N C E H E A LT H S C I E N C E A N D L I T E R AT U R E D E PA R T M E N T
committee with the search process. individual and team success. Harding Online we wanted to partner with them,” said Cronk.
has signed an agreement with Strata Leader- “They are overtly Christian, so it was a great • 2004 Lubbock Christian graduate • 1997 Harding graduate • 1994 Abilene Christian graduate • 2002 Harding graduate
Shortly after the announcement was
ship to help develop and grow this program. opportunity to partner. If these are successful, • M.M. from Texas Tech University in • M.Ed. from Harding in 2006, Ph.D. • MPT from Texas Tech University • M.A. from Syracuse University in
made, a survey was sent out seeking input
Out of this agreement came the formation of the idea is we will expand out from there. We 2006, Ph.D. from Texas Tech in 2011 from University of Memphis in 2013 Health Sciences Center in 1997, 2006, Ph.D. from Syracuse Univer-
from the Harding family.
the University Center for Organizational Lead- are looking to get a total of 150 students a year • Advice for students: “Use your • Choosing the field of history: D.Sc. from Texas Tech University sity in 2010
“We have shared this search nationally
ership under which the MAOL will be offered, in those two programs.” time at school to learn about lots “I teach traditions, our mistakes, Health Sciences Center in 2008 • Choosing the field of teaching
among the Harding family, churches of
in collaboration with Harding Online and the The fourth program Harding Online has of different areas. Don’t become our victories and our values in light • Favorite Bible verse: Isaiah 41:10 literature: “Teaching lets me work
Christ fellowship and higher education,” said
College of Business. The MAOL is a 30-hour been working to implement is a Master of Edu- so focused on your major that you of God’s sovereignty in this world “Fear not, for I am with you; be not with people, which I enjoy, while
Charles Ganus, vice chair of the search com-
degree offering graduate certificates that focus cation in Christian education. only learn to do one thing. Become because it is the most important dismayed, for I am your God. I will teaching literature lets us talk about
mittee. “It was wonderful to hear from peo-
on leadership coaching, human resources and “We are working very diligently with Bran- the kind of person who can adapt thing any human can do. By mak- strengthen you, yes I will help you, I deep experiences of life and the big
ple and get their thoughts and responses.”
other areas. As part of the partnership, Strata don Tatum to kick this off in Spring 2022,” said to many different kinds of jobs. You ing the past accessible, you make will uphold you with my righteous ideas that shape our world.”
A presidential profile was created using
Leadership is helping the University seek Cronk. “His long-term association with the never know where God will lead you the present meaningful and the right hand.”
input from the committee, board of trust-
adjunct professors and students interested in National Christian Schools Association and the in the future.” future possible.”
ees and more than 2,000 survey responses.
Moving on
UP
Anyone interested in the position was enrolling in the program, Association of Christian
encouraged to apply or submit candidate which is set to begin in Schools International gives
nominations before May 7. After the appli- August 2021. “That plan has us an incredibly broad
Harding Online also has spectrum of opportunities
cation process ended, the search commit-
tee and CarterBaldwin met to discuss the signed an agreement with always been to take to reach those schools,
Orbis Education to imple- particularly because this is
candidates and provide an update to the
ment an advanced Bach- Harding Christian a nonlicensure degree. We
board of trustees.
elor of Science in Nursing, won’t have to go through
Ganus said CarterBaldwin has been a
commencing in Fall 2022.
higher education state boards of licensure.”
wonderful resource during the process. “Of
All of the didactic require- Harding Online instruc-
the searches done for faith-based institu-
ments will be taught online
to all the world.” tional designers will begin
tions, they have led half during the last
year and are very well-regarded. They have by Harding faculty. After collaborating with current Dr. Reet Cronk Dr. Jeffery Massey Dr. Mark Powell Dr. Dana Steil
contacts with a huge number of people in students have completed that portion of the University online programs on their curricular A S S O C I AT E D E A N A N D P R O F E S S O R , D I R E C TO R O F T H E O F F I C E O F DEAN, HARDING SCHOOL A S S O C I AT E P R O V O S T F O R AC A D E M I C
higher education that they have helped degree, they will arrange to take their clinicals. development. Any additional faculty hired for HARDING ONLINE SPONSORED PROGRAMS, O F T H E O LO G Y A F FA I R S , A S S O C I AT E P R O F E S S O R O F
get the search out to.” Orbis will help establish connections with hos- new programs will continue to go through the • 1981 graduate from the University
A S S I S TA N T P R O F E S S O R O F
• 1993 Lipscomb graduate
CO M P U T E R S C I E N C E , D I R E C TO R O F
During the summer CarterBaldwin is pitals in West Memphis and Northwest Arkan- University hiring process. of Southern Queensland
E N G I N E E R I N G A N D P H YS I C S
• M.Div. from Emory University in
INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH
conducting interviews with semifinalists, sas, in addition to building out centers where Cronk says Harding Online is something he • M.S. from Australian National • 2005 Arkansas State University 1996, Ph.D. from Southern Meth- • 1997 Harding graduate
and the search committee will determine students can fulfill their simulation laboratories. has envisioned for more than a decade, and he University in 1984, Ph.D. from graduate odist University in 2005 • M.S.E. from Harding in 2004, M.S.
the final candidates. Students also will be able to arrange to take is excited to see how things progress. University of Southern • M.S. from Missouri University of • Advice for students: “There are from University of Alabama in
“The main message that we want to their clinicals in other locations, if needed. “I have a folder that has a strategic plan in Queensland in 2004 Science and Technology in 2008, more important things than grades. 2008, Ph.D. from University of
share is that the search is going well and is “The longer term plan for that is to not just it from 1999. That plan has always been to take • Favorite aspect of your role: Ph.D. from Missouri University of Focus on getting a good education Alabama in 2010
limit it to nursing,” said Keith Cronk, chief in- Harding Christian higher education to all the Science and Technology in 2011 • Favorite family trip: “Traveling to
P H OTO S B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
on schedule,” said Ganus. “We continue to “Ideation and being part of an and being a person of faith and
solicit prayers for God’s guidance for the formation officer and senior vice president of in- world. That’s what I want to do, to get what we innovative team committed to • Favorite aspect of your role: high character.” Harding University in Greece in the
right person as Harding’s next president.” formation systems and technology and Harding have, in terms of Christian higher education, extending the reach of Harding’s “Bringing together multiple stake- summer of 2017. The opportunity to
To view the presidential profile and Online. “We would love to expand our physician out to people who will never come to our cam- mission through online programs.” holders to create opportunities teach and learn in the cradle of west-
any updates on the search process, visit assistant programs as well, and they could use pus. I think in two years time we could have for the students, faculty and the ern civilization was life changing. We
harding.edu/presidentialsearch. the same sort of facilities in years to come.” 800 to 1,000 students that we never had before institution.” love our HUG family and the invest-
The third initiative Harding Online has because we have offered this opportunity.” ment we made in each other’s lives.”
6 H A R D I N G | S UM M E R 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 7
Around Campus Around Campus
BY THE
WHY HARDING Gabriella Fields, a sophomore from Rog-
HEARD in CHAPEL NUMBERS
ers, Arkansas, knew right away that Harding was going
to be the place for her. “I came and visited for Trustee
JAN. 21
ACCOLADES
Weekend in January of 2020, and I got to see the campus,
“All of us at some point in this last year have been
overwhelmed, but those times when I pour out things
to admit I shudder to even say that because I know
I am not Christlike, and my guess is you do, too. It is 2020-21
but then everything shut down because of COVID-19 so I
No. 1
to God, and I say, ‘God, I don’t get it,’ and then I focus only by the grace of God’s spirit who puts Christ in me
didn’t get to make any follow-up visits. However, on that
on what I have or what I don’t have, I found that he and puts me in Christ that I can say this: I come to God
first visit to Harding it just felt like home. It felt like a place
does give me a peace. … God has some peace for you. as Christ because I am hidden in Christ, I am clothed
that was going to be incredible, and the people were so
[I hope] that you can begin to experience that, so lay in Christ, I have been buried with Christ and raised.” Best Faith-Based College
amazing. The campus was so beautiful, and this just felt
your anxieties on him. He understands you’re human, Mac Sandlin (’03), or University in Arkansas
like the right place. This all sounds so cliche, but it’s abso-
but he wants to give you peace.” assistant professor of Bible and religion by PLEXUSS
lutely the truth.”
Todd Gentry (’85), College Church of Christ ·
college and community outreach minister APRIL 2 Best Value College
CAREER PATH A biomedical engineering major and pro-
“There are times in life that we go through that we in Arkansas
gramming minor, Fields wants to use her love for building
JAN. 22 can’t make sense of. There are times in life for every- by SmartAsset
things to help others. “I thought I wanted to be a doctor for
the longest time, but biomedical engineering just kind of
“Today, amid our anxieties, our concerns, our down- body where God feels impossible or a million miles ·
cast moods, our uneasy spirits and even in the pres- away, but here’s what Good Friday means: don’t let RN Program in Arkansas
fell in my lap. I loved my anatomy class, and I love to build
ence of our greatest successes and joys, we believe your pride fool you. We are not the masters of the by RegisteredNursing.com
things, so I really can see myself working with prosthetics.
that Jesus is enough and that he is our satisfaction. universe that we think we are, and in those moments
No. 2
I also considered computer engineering, so I started a mi-
He is enough for us, and we are enough for him.” where we think he’s a million miles away, God might
nor in programming. I’m so excited that I can take classes
Daylan Moore (’19), be closer to you than your own breath, and God might
that I enjoy and will have the ability to engineer things.”
clinical mental health counseling graduate student be trying to reach through your life to do something
about evil. Evil is still a four letter word, but so, thank Best Colleges in Arkansas
INVOLVEMENT Fields’ background and love for engineer- by Intelligent
F E B. 2 God, is love.”
ing helped land her a position on Harding’s Baja Club,
“The one to whom I pray is with me always, is with Jonathan Storment (’03), preaching minister at
No. 4
which builds a race vehicle to the specifications set out by
you always, is with us all always. When I pray, I am Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock, Arkansas
the Society of Automotive Engineers and competes in at
calling upon that and reminding myself of the com-
least one of the annual competitions. “We went to (Tuc-
munion I share with God.” APRIL 6
son) Arizona this year, and in the 4-hour endurance race, Best Christian Colleges
Steven Hovater (’00), preaching and outreach “We leave the people we care about briefly and come
which is the hardest of them all, we took first place. As in 2020
minister at the Church of Christ back from solitude a more stable, confident, compas-
a first-year member I just got to do odd jobs like helping by Best Value Schools
at Cedar Lane, Tullahoma, Tennessee sionate friend. … We need to be with people, but we
with the tire rods. Next year I’m going to try and be on the
also simply must create time and space to listen. …
·
welding team to help build the frame. I don’t think anyone Best Value Education School
F E B. 2 4 Solitude is about waiting patiently and quietly to hear
expected we would do that well. It was amazing for the in the U.S.
“When we come before God in the name of Christ, we from God.”
seniors who didn’t get to compete in 2020.” By College Factual
not only come with Christ, we come as Christ. I have Michael Claxton, professor of English
No. 9
CAMARADERIE Diagnosed on the autism spectrum as a
toddler, Fields was inspired by Temple Grandin’s campus EVENTS
lecture and wants to promote awareness at Harding. “It’s
amazing to me that Harding would bring someone here in
my demographic — someone who is autistic. Not only was
Everyday STUDENT AUG. 19-22 SEPT. 24-25 OCT. 1
Best Degrees in
International Business
she female and autistic, she’s also someone who has made it Stampede Family Weekend Fall break by Study.com
SOPHOMORE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
her purpose to show how she can overcome it and use it to Campus comes to life as freshmen and Fall is in the air as Harding welcomes Nearly halfway through the semester, (No. 1 in Arkansas)
her advantage to grow and raise awareness. Harding has a STUDENT GABRIELLA FIELDS PROMOTES transfers move in and complete families to campus to enjoy a taste of campus takes a day off to rejuvenate
great support office, but I don’t really know anyone who is
autistic here, and there has to be so many. One of my goals
is to create a community where we can all come together.”
AUTISM AWARENESS ON CAMPUS a weekend orientation to kick off
their college careers.
harding.edu/stampede
college life alongside their students.
harding.edu/familyweekend
SEPT. 26-29
and prepare for the remainder of fall.
OCT. 22-23 Listings
Homecoming College of Distinction
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
AUG. 23 Lectureship There will be no shortage of fun for by Colleges of Distinction
She is using social media as a way to visually express her feel-
ings and build awareness for the autisic community. Follow First day of classes Harding hosts a brilliant lineup of the whole family with “Elf” the musical, ·
The start of a new school year brings with speakers and classes for “Invincible! Homecoming parade, Class of ’71 Best Regional Colleges
Gabriella on Instagram: @i_am_from_another_planet Courageous Faith in Troubled Times” anniversary and more.
— Lane Gammel it anticipation of new knowledge, new in the Southeast
friendships and continued camaraderie. as the annual event studies harding.edu/homecoming
by Princeton Review
the book of Daniel. For a complete list of events,
harding.edu/lectureship visit harding.edu/calendar.
8 H A R D I N G | S UM M E R 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 9
Around Campus Around Campus
MY VIEW CHAD JOICE Fund teaches N E WS M AKE R S
students
Getting back to normal
During dead week, ACUE CERTIFICATES
stewardship Ryan Turley, Joshua Kelso
and Travis Turley participate
Dr. Scott Adair, Megan Adams, Amy Baker, Dr. Nick Boone,
Dr. Josh Brown, Dr. James Burk, Tessa Davidson, Dr. Laurie
in the Murph workout challenge
The magazine staff went to one of our assistant deans, Chad Joice, to find out his perspective on student life this THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Diles, Jessica Gardner, Karen Garner, Dr. Russell Keck, Dr.
as coordinator Antonio Montez, Chilo
past pandemic year as well as his hopes for the fall. Administration announced in Espinoza and Anna Beth Neely monitor. Melanie Meeker, Dr. Jesse Robertson, Dr. Patrick Ruhl, Nekia
May the establishment of a Shelton, Dr. Susan Smith, Dr. Kevin Stewart, Kim Swenson,
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN your position is thrown common for me to have face-to-face meetings with Dr. Jan Traughber, Jean Waldrop, April Watson, Dr. Anessa
Student Managed Investment
HU HEAL encourages active living
a curveball by a virus? How do you adapt to what 400 students during a typical semester. I quickly re- Westbrook and Dr. Jon White successfully completed an
Fund created to offer business
seems like an unadaptable situation? When can we alized this would not be the case; in fact, most of my Association of College and University Educators’ certificate in
students valuable experience effective college instruction endorsed by the American Council
get back to “normal?” I wrestled with these ques- student interactions in the fall were conversations
in investment analysis and HARDING UNIVERSITY HEALTHY EATING to invest in fitness and nutrition. During on Education. The certificates were earned over the course of
tions in March 2020 when the University asked our guiding students through the isolation and quar-
portfolio management. Active Living was introduced to students the 2020-21 school year HEAL offered 2020-21.
students not to return to campus after spring break. antine process. Delivering information of isolation
“The Student Managed on campus in 2019. Although activities were multiple events including a GLOW run,
To be honest, I still wrestle with these questions a from peers is difficult to give, but every student was ALPHA CHI
Investment Fund is a sig- slowed due to COVID-19, HU HEAL is now cooking competitions, events at a yoga stu-
year later even though we are closer to normal. gracious and accepting. While my face-to-face inter- Dr. Usenime Akpanudo, associate professor of education, and
nificant opportunity for our offering more opportunities for students to dio in Searcy, StartHer runs – a company Dr. Ginger Blackstone, associate professor of communication,
I came to work at Harding in Fall 2013 in the actions decreased, my ability to connect and sup-
student members to gain valu- focus on their nutrition and exercise. building community through running — were awarded the 2021 Alpha Chi Faculty Scholar Award
Office of Student Life. How do you work at a job that port students through difficult situations increased
able experience in investment Christy Swaid, founder and CEO of and fitness classes such as yoga, strength in April 2021. They each received $1,000 in professional
revolves around students when those students are the number of relationships I was able to cultivate. I
analysis and portfolio manage- HEAL Inc., founded the HEAL program in training and spin. Most, if not all, of these development funding.
not on cam- still get text messages from many of these students
ment,” said Dr. Allen Frazier, 2002 after retiring from a career of ex- events were at no cost to students. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
pus? There or a fist bump from student-athletes when watch-
dean of the college. “Students treme sports. HU HEAL also provides opportunities Dr. Ginger Blackstone, associate professor of communication,
always are ing them practice. We are bonded by COVID-19.
will work with a contingent of “I began noticing how many children for students to request a personalized fit- along with two co-authors from Georgia Southern, received
times when Besides the loss of face-to-face interactions,
Harding’s board and COBA’s were not eating healthy food or moving ness plan or a workout buddy. Students are the BEA Diversity & Inclusion Research Award in April 2021. The
our campus I have missed Harding activities. I love Bison ath-
finance faculty to gain a adequately, and the consequence is early paired with a HEAL ambassador who does title of their paper is “Framing a Movement: Media Portrayals of
is empty dur- letics and am fortunate to be the public address the George Floyd Protests on Twitter.”
unique educational experience disease and obesity,” said Swaid. “This a workout with them, encourages them,
ing holidays announcer for several of our teams and keep the of-
in financial management and knowledge moved my spirit to design a and creates customized fitness guides to Dr. Dutch Hoggatt, professor of communication, was awarded
and between ficial book for others. It is hard to go several months the Broadcast Education Association 2021 Faculty Audio Radio
understand how to become rescue mission to save children from suf- meet their needs. Dr. Bryan Phillips, ex-
sessions. without watching our student-athletes compete Documentary Best of Competition Award in May 2021. The title
faithful stewards of money fering preventable diseases and put them ercise physiologist and exercise science
Even though in their chosen sport. For me, it does not stop with of his documentary was “Artist Spotlight – Billie Holiday.”
entrusted to them.” on a path of health and wellness.” professor, helps ambassadors personalize
it is nice to athletics. I’ll tell you a secret; I love musicals. I hated
The fund will be overseen Swaid said it was clear that the best these plans to individual students. COLLEGE OF BIBLE AND MINISTRY
recharge for not getting to watch our students share their gift
by a student manager team place to begin the HEAL mission would be In addition to growing HEAL on Har Dr. Jesse Robertson, associate professor, was appointed
a few days, of performance through the Homecoming musical. assistant dean of the College of Bible and Ministry May 1, 2021.
made up of 12 junior and in physical education classes in elemen- ding’s campus, Swaid hopes to see doors
or maybe a I missed the sound of instruments from the Thun-
senior COBA students. Under tary schools. Before HEAL came to Har open to continue sharing the love of Christ Mac Sandlin, assistant professor, successfully defended his dis-
week or two, dering Herd. Our campus started out void of these sertation, earning his doctorate in theology with honors at the
oversight of faculty, student ding, it was implemented across the state with others.
there comes extracurricular activities. However, that has now University of Dayton on May 11, 2021. The title of his disserta-
managers will research and of Alabama. “Heal provides an opportunity to show
a time when I am ready for students to return. Our changed. Our bands have given front lawn perfor- tion is “Help Us to Be Good: A Pneumatological Virtue Ethic for
analyze stocks to identify pro- When asked what motivated her to love to all people and tell them how valuable
students are our lifeblood. March to August was mances. Students joined social clubs. Spring Sing Churches of Christ.”
spective changes to the fund. bring HEAL to Harding, Swaid said it all they are. The HEAL lifestyle is for everyone
way too long to be without them, and I was tired of happened. Almost every sports team had a season COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Student managers will meet boils down to one word: love. no matter the age, race, gender, religion or
emails and phone calls from my recliner. I needed during the Spring semester. We have even been Dr. Clara Carroll, associate dean and professor, Dr. Carol
frequently to address board “I love my Harding family and the political stance. This conversation opens
face-to-face interactions. I entered a career in edu- able to worship together, in person, during chapel. Douglass, director of special education and professor, and
market movement and expec- beautiful students applying themselves to the door for powerful mission work. I hope
cation 17 years ago to make a difference in the lives Through it all, I have been there supporting, encour- Dr. Lisa Bryant, assistant professor, received a grant from the
tations, fund and sector higher education to be further equipped to see the HEAL movement well-embraced
of our youth, and, for me, that means interacting aging, elbow and fist-bumping, all while smiling Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary
performance, and discuss with skills to glorify the Lord. Health and understood across campus so we can and Secondary Education in April 2021. The grant award is
with students and developing relationships. That is through my mask.
prospective investments. At supports brain performance, mental and begin leading the path to implementing $559,817 and will serve Arkansas public school educators.
hard to do when no one is around. So, what do you do when your position is thrown
the end of each month, student emotional balance, and self-esteem. These HEAL in K-12 schools across Arkansas.”
I was thrilled when our students returned to a pandemic curveball? You adapt to the situation FACULTY/STAFF AWARDS
managers will provide a writ- qualities make college life so much more HU HEAL resources — basic nutrition
campus this past August, but I knew things would and show students that you care and love them Faculty members Mike Allen, Dr. Tim Baird, Charles Bane,
ten and oral report on perfor- enjoyable and manageable.” information, workout plans, exercise prin-
not be normal. There were difficult decisions that through your actions. You scream that COVID-19 will Ben Jones, Dr. Travis McNeal, Rhonda Reely, Dr. Mac Sandlin,
mance of their investments and When Swaid introduced the program to ciples and more — are found in their new Dr. Melissa Shipp and Steve Warren are the 2020-21 Teacher
had to be made, guided by the CDC and the Ar- not win. I have learned more than I ever wanted to
recommend changes to faculty, Britney Finley, assistant professor of office located just inside the Ganus Activi- Achievement Award recipients. Staff members Bob Barnett,
kansas Department of Health, in order to keep our know about practices and guidelines related to this
the fund portfolio. kinesiology, immediately jumped on board. ties Complex. HU HEAL also has partnered
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
Tiffany Byers, Allison Case, Pam Celsor, Shane Fullerton,
community safe. While masks were becoming more virus, but one thing I know for certain is we are get-
A sum of $500,000 has “I loved it,” said Finley. “That’s where with student health services and Chartwells Paula Kirby, Deanna Nowakowski and Wayne Westerholm
commonplace in our lives, distancing was accepted, ting back to normal. It may not be what we remem- received the 2020-21 Distinguished Service Award.
been designated as an initial my heart is, is helping those kids, and that to offer a more comprehensive wellness
and elbow bumps were the norm for hello, our lives ber, but isn’t that the same with life? We adapt and
fund balance while another is exactly what she is doing.” approach on campus. This fall they hope to HARDING SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
on campus were anything but normal. overcome. We are Harding, and we will continue to
$500,000 will be invested Finley meets with a team of students have pop-ups in the cafeteria at least once a Jessica Holland was named library director effective July 1,
Due to the nature of my specific role, it is not un- move forward.
simultaneously in an S&P 500 each week to develop tools and resources month to allow students an opportunity to 2021. She previously served as the librarian for Harding
index fund. HU HEAL can use to encourage students taste and learn about new foods. Academy Memphis.
10 H A R D I N G | S UM MER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 11
Sports For the latest sports information, visit hardingsports.com.
Vaulting to the top BY THE NUMBERS
By SCOTT GOODE, assistant athletic director for sports information
.403 Hitting percentage of David
Butterfield, the 11th Bison baseball player to
9 Placing of the Lady Bisons women’s golf
team in the regional tournament, their first
RESHMAN POLE-VAULTER “When I got here, it was everything I ex- himself to be great. He still loves to pole vault. says. “But for me, it was not (too difficult).”
F
hit over .400 for a season and the first since NCAA postseason play since 2013.
Dorian Chaigneau (pronounced pected,” Chaigneau says. “My situation in He would practice every day if we would let him. The record might not have been too much
Jason Nappi hit .413 in 2010.
3
SHIN-yo) describes his arrival on France was not stable. Harding gave stability He is the perfect mix of athletic ability, competi- for him, but it had stood at Harding for 32
19.2
Harding’s campus as “eyes blind.” to my life. I was able to train and study at the tiveness and the drive to be technically perfect.” years. Harding Hall of Famer Jimmy Sloan set
Number of double-overtime games by men’s
Chaigneau is a native of same time. I was not able to do that in France.” Chaigneau’s impact on the track program the mark at 16-6 in 1989. Chaigneau won the
Career scoring average of two- soccer in its six-game abbreviated spring sched-
Fontenay-le-Comte, France, a town of 13,000 It also did not take long for coach Hood to was immediate. In his first collegiate indoor Arkansas Invitational on Jan. 16 by clearing
time honorable mention All-GAC basketball ule, winning one, losing one and tieing one.
located in west-central France less than 30 realize that Chaigneau was something special. meet, he broke Harding’s indoor school record. 16-8 3/4 inches (5.10 meters).
player Romio Harvey in 42 games as a Bison,
0.95
miles from the Bay of Biscay. “Dorian is super competitive,” Hood says. “It was cool. I knew it was the school re- His marks continued to improve throughout
good for third all-time.
At 6 years old, Chaigneau’s parents signed “He wants to be perfect every time. He wills cord, but it was not a crazy height,” Chaigneau the indoor season.
Team-best goals-against aver-
1,244
him up for a track and field club in France. The On Jan. 22, he cleared 16-10 (5.13 meters)
age by women’s soccer senior goalkeeper
only problem was he really, really hated running. at the Central Missouri meet. On Feb. 28,
Career point totals for se- Jenni Nadeau. She also placed second in the
Around the age of 10, he arrived at the club he became the first Harding athlete ever to
nior women’s basketball player Carissa Caples, javelin at the GAC Track and Field Champion-
and saw some older team members pole vault- clear 17 feet in the pole vault. At a meet in
who ranks 12th at Harding in career scoring, ship and played three seasons on the Lady
ing, and his life changed forever. Chaigneau Indianapolis, he soared over the bar at 17-1 3/4
with teammate senior Kellie Lampo ranking Bison basketball team.
“I am just too lazy to run,” Chaigneau says. “I inches (5.23 meters). That vault made him one
14th with 1,234.
1.58
saw those guys vaulting, and I went completely of the favorites at the NCAA Indoor National
1.76
crazy about it. I just wanted to jump and jump Championship.
ERA of sophomore Lily Tanski,
and jump. The guys made fun of me because I “Every week, I felt I was better. I used stron-
2021 GAC Pitcher of the Year and GAC Softball Pitcher of the Year, and only the
just kept jumping. The coach would get nervous ger poles and continued to go higher. It was
Berryhill Award winner Ryder Yakel’s ERA, the third Harding pitcher with a single-season ERA
at the end of practice because he wanted to go just the (culmination) of a lot of hard work,”
best in Harding baseball program history. lower than 2.00. She also set a school record
home. His wife was waiting. He would say, ‘last Chaigneau says.
with 0.87 walks per seven innings pitched.
one, last one,’ but I just kept jumping.” Chaigneau was his best on a national stage.
60
He continued with his club in France, twice “At nationals, it was really special because
finishing as high as third in competition. But I came in with the feeling that I was going to
Career wins by senior Morgan Salvan,
eventually, Chaigneau’s progress at the club win,” Chaigneau says. “I had no pressure. I was
the 15th Harding men’s tennis player with 60 or
began to stall, and he looked for somewhere just going to do my job.”
more career singles wins and the first to eclipse
else to continue his career. Chaigneau cleared 5.07 meters on his first
the mark since Leoncio Dominguez in 1996.
He hired a recruiting agency to help him attempt, then 5.17 meters also on his first at-
5
find a home at an American university. One tempt. When he cleared 5.27 meters (17-3 1/2
of the emails the agency sent out landed in inches) on his first try, the championship was
Number of times the Lady Bisons tennis
the inbox of Harding head coach Don Hood, a his. Tommy Ansiel of Cedarville also cleared
team has finished ranked in the NCAA’s top 40,
nationally respected pole vault coach. the same height, but Chaigneau won with
ending this season ranked No. 26.
“I reached out to him once and did not hear fewer misses.
52.42
back from him,” Hood says. “About a month later, “I was really happy. I had never finished Yakel
I heard back, and we set up a Zoom call. I told first at a national meet,” Chaigneau says. “I was
.794
400-meter hurdles time for
him about the strong group of vaulters we had really happy for coach Hood, too. I feel like, for
freshman Nikolasz Csokas in earning First Team
and about our facilities. It was what he wanted, him, it was a really big deal.” The fifth-best singles winning All-America honors at the NCAA Division II
and things moved pretty quickly from there.” Chaigneau’s success continued outdoors. percentage by Berryhill Award winner and Track and Field Championship.
“I came to Harding because the team had a Not surprisingly, he broke the Harding outdoor 2021 GAC Player of the Year Rylie Cox Evans in
153’, 1”
good group of pole vaulters,” Chaigneau says. record in his first meet, then set a personal best women’s tennis history.
Five of Harding’s top 10 pole vaulters of all of 5.30 meters (17-4 1/2) in finishing second at
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
P H OTO B Y J E F F M O N TG O M E R Y
1
Length of the school-
time are currently on the team. “I knew noth- the prestigious Texas Relays. Chaigneau won
record javelin throw by freshman Anna Kay
ing else about the school. I had only seen pic- the Great American Conference championship Harding’s first recorded hole-in-one in tour- Clark in placing fifth and earning First Team
tures. But I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’” with a conference-record height and was a Sec- nament play by junior Jacob Hefley on the sixth All-America at the NCAA Division II Track and
Chaigneau knew early on in his time at ond Team All-American at outdoor nationals. hole at Greystone Country Club, a 205-yard, par 3. Field Championship.
Harding that his decision to come to America Although Chaigneau came to Harding “blind,”
would lead to changes he had hoped for. his success has definitely opened people’s eyes.
12 H A R D I N G | S UM MER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 13
PT
Emily ENOCH
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE FIELD OF
sit y phy PHYSICAL THERAPY?
er s
v i
I love the idea of working in a medical field
i
c
n that allows me to make such a significant im-
al
ding u
pact on a patient’s overall quality of life. Physi-
ther a
cal therapists get to spend a significant amount
of time with patients, which allows us to build
ar
strong relationships with them.
p
h
y
EST. 2 011
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED AFTER
GRADUATION?
I will be specializing in pelvic floor physical
therapy and working at a local outpatient clinic
in Little Rock.
REWARDING. GIVE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR
PHYSICAL THERAPY EXPERIENCE AT HARDING.
Rewarding.
RELATIONSHIPS. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF
THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM?
WORTHWHILE.
I learned that by having good friendships with
my peers and professors I am able to handle a
lot more stress than I initially thought I could.
H
By JANTZEN HALEY, photography by JEFF MONTGOMERY
WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW
ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY?
arding’s physical therapy program Physical therapy doesn’t only offer rehab for
sat its first class in 2011 and for the sports injuries and orthopedic issues. There
are a number of different fields physical thera-
past 10 years has trained students to pists can help with including things like pelvic
be leaders and innovators in physical floor, pediatrics and vestibular impairments.
therapy, providing their communities WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE
and the profession with Christian ser- EXPERIENCE AT HARDING?
My husband and I are both in the Harding
vice. The eight-semester program seats a cohort of around
physical therapy program. Getting to learn
35 students each fall. While year one focuses on didactic and grow together during this time has been
classroom instruction, and year two combines classroom very fulfilling.
teaching with real-world experience, the final year of WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE
Harding’s physical therapy program is devoted completely MOMENT DURING A CLINICAL ROTATION?
This past rotation I have had the opportunity
to clinical rotations. At the time of this writing, these three to treat many pediatric patients with pelvic
students are concluding their final clinical placements, floor dysfunction. Being able to help them
return to the activities they love to do and
preparing to graduate and take the national licensing exam make such a big impact on their daily lives has
to enter the field as certified physical therapists. been the most gratifying experience so far.
14 H A R D I N G | S UM MER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 15
sit y phy
er s
v i
i
c
n
al
ding u
Nelson BORCHARDT
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED
ther a
AFTER GRADUATION?
ar
My husband and I are going
p
h
y
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY? GIVE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR EST. 2 011
to spend a week at the beach,
Initially, I was interested in physical therapy because of my PHYSICAL THERAPY EXPERIENCE AT HARDING. and then I will spend most of
own experiences as a patient. Throughout my teen years, I Relationships. the summer preparing for our
spent a lot of time in physical therapy as I recovered from national exam. After that, I plan
several different injuries. As I became more interested in WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF on going into women’s health
being a physical therapist, I saw it as an opportunity for me THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM? physical therapy.
to serve and love on others who are hurting. Physical therapy school has definitely taught me to have
discipline. I had to learn how to focus my energy on the GIVE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED AFTER GRADUATION? task at hand instead of worrying about the number of YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY
My wife and I currently live in Fort Worth, Texas, as I fin- other things I had to accomplish. This is a great skill that I EXPERIENCE AT HARDING.
ish up my clinical rotations. I will have the summer to study will carry with me throughout life. Worthwhile.
for my upcoming board exam at the end of July, and I hope
to find a job working in a hospital setting in the DFW area. WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED
PHYSICAL THERAPY? ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH-
Working as a physical therapist OUT THE PROGRAM?
is a great opportunity to show My brain is capable of storing
love and compassion to indi- a lot more information than
viduals who are experiencing a I imagined prior to physical
low point in life. I really enjoy therapy school, but also I really
and take pride in helping my love sleep.
patients feel better and improve
their ability to be independent WHAT DO YOU WANT
and in control of their lives. PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT
PHYSICAL THERAPY?
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOR- It’s a great profession with a lot
ITE EXPERIENCE AT HARDING? of opportunity. There are a lot
My experiences during my of things physical therapy can
clinical rotations have been my resolve that I wasn’t aware of
favorite part. I was blessed with before starting physical therapy
several great clinical instructors school — our bodies are pretty
who allowed me to learn and resilient, and movement heals.
grow as a therapist.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST FAVORITE EXPERIENCE
MEMORABLE MOMENT AT HARDING?
DURING A CLINICAL ROTATION? I really enjoyed the cadaver lab.
Seeing the progress that a young It was neat to see how intri-
man about my age made during cately detailed the human body
his stay at an inpatient rehab is, plus we all bonded pretty
hospital. He was recovering quick in the lab.
from the negative effects of
Hailey JACKSON
COVID-19 and was initially WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
unable to get out of bed. How- DURING A CLINICAL ROTATION?
ever, in a matter of weeks he Not one specific moment, but watching people’s confi-
was able to walk independently. WHAT DREW YOU TO THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY? dence grow as they return to their hobby or sport or regain
We became good friends during I am very passionate about exercise, and I believe our bod- functional independence is really rewarding. The transi-
his stay, and I enjoyed getting to ies were designed to heal. Physical therapy uses exercise as tion from feeling like a student to feeling like an actual
work with him. a means of healing, and I love it! physical therapist was pretty cool, too.
16 H A R D I N G | S UM M ER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 17COVER STORY
Helping people
UNDERSTAND
who they are
Engineering and Honors
College faculty fellow wins
National Science Foundation
award for research
By JIM MILLER
A
Photography by JEFF MONTGOMERY
At age 4, Dr. James Huff, associate pro-
fessor of engineering and Honors Col-
lege faculty fellow, was diagnosed with
mild cerebral palsy. The motor disabil-
ity played a significant role in his youth.
He was reminded of his athletic limita-
tions. He was bullied. He felt singled
out and isolated from others.
18 H A R D I N G | S UM M ER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 19Helping people
UNDERSTAND
who they are
“For the first 12 years of my life, that was a very visible part of who institutions, including church of Christ-affiliated universities. doing at work. Who we are involves our well-being. It involves our professional shame? How do they personally encounter the emo-
I was,” Huff said. “There were a lot of ways my mild cerebral palsy The grant will help Huff advance his psychological research on whole selves. It involves our souls.” tional experience? The CAREER grant will allow Huff to explore
showed up, and I spent much of my childhood being on the outside. shame, identity and well-being in engineering education settings Prior to winning the CAREER award, Huff worked as the prin- these questions and more.
Those experiences helped me to develop a sense of observing the through a nationwide qualitative investigation of engineering fac- cipal investigator with collaborators from Harding and University “By understanding this experience in engineering faculty, we can
world around me and grappling with my own questions of identity.” ulty. The grant also will facilitate in-depth training for engineering of Georgia on a different NSF grant studying the lived experience of help give faculty tools to advance their own well-being in the engi-
Huff said by the grace of God, a supportive family, and physical faculty to cope with their experiences of shame. professional shame in engineering students. Huff and his colleagues neering space,” he said. “Also, if we can help develop secure, whole
therapy, he overcame many of the physical symptoms of the condi- “I am a qualitative researcher of identity, the central question of published their theory of professional shame in the Journal of Engi- faculty who are in tune with their emotion regulation, that gives us
tion and went on to become a starting player for his high school how people understand who they are,” Huff said. “In this project, I neering Education. a great chance for facilitating a strong, inclusive environment for all
varsity basketball team in his hometown of Haskell, Texas. will help transform the very essence of how we define engineering “Professional shame is the very deep, visceral emotion we often students in their domain.”
Looking back, Huff said he values the benefits of growing up as we discover what it means to be human within the engineering feel and seek to hide in professional contexts when we think we Huff’s trajectory of conducting qualitative, psychological studies
with mild cerebral palsy, which motivated him to relate to the world profession. Specifically, I will examine the ways that engineering don’t meet expectations related to our professional identity,” Huff is highly regarded within the international engineering education
around him with humor, compassion and curiosity. The physical faculty experience professional shame when they fail to achieve said. “Through extensive interviewing and a qualitative method research community. Dr. Julie Martin, associate professor of engi-
limitations he experienced because of the condition diminished what they feel is expected of them.” called interpretative phenomenological analysis, we found this phe- neering education at The Ohio State University, was Huff’s mentor
H
with time, but his interest in identity and well-being have never nomenon is a very real and painful experience for students.” when writing the CAREER grant proposal. She said Huff’s research
been stronger. UFF SAID MOST PRIOR RESEARCH investigates engineering Huff and his colleagues researched white male students, a social is critically important to the future of the engineering profession.
In fact, that interest has become the focus of a nationally recog- faculty as static fixtures of student outcomes. His goal is to group that is well-known to comprise the majority of students in “His groundbreaking work will provide the field with important
nized research agenda. develop a holistic understanding of how faculty regulate engineering disciplines. Their research found that when experienc- new insights that will help faculty better understand their own
In April, The National Science Foundation awarded Huff a emotion in moments of shame that are often hidden. The ing professional shame, these students often responded in ways that, professional experiences and better educate the engineers of the
$575,000 grant for his research titled “CAREER: Advancing Aca- findings, he said, will help equip faculty with strategies to live out of regardless of their intention, likely perpetuated the professional future,” Martin said. “Dr. Huff is a well-respected scholar in engi-
demic Cultures of Well-being by Understanding Professional Expe- a mindset of care toward themselves and their students. shame experience for other students. However, when these students neering education and is uniquely qualified to carry out this ambi-
riences of Engineering Faculty.” This grant is the most prestigious “When people think about research on professions, they often recovered from their shame experience in a healthy way, they devel- tious project. I am confident that it will lay the foundation for his
individual award given to an early-career faculty member at Har think about getting people into a profession and helping them to be oped a social bond with other students through vulnerability. long-term career contributions.”
ding. It is the 59th CAREER grant awarded in the state of Arkansas better at that profession,” Huff said. “In my research, I take a step His past research on professional shame in engineering students Dr. Shane Brown, professor of civil engineering at Oregon State
and only the sixth at an institution other than the University of back and ask, ‘How does being in this profession help this person inspired Huff to consider investigating engineering faculty — the University and editor of two engineering education research journals,
Arkansas since NSF’s inception in 1994. answer the deeper questions of who they are?’ That’s important source of professional expectations that give rise to instances of is collaborating with Huff on a different grant proposal that examines
This is the first CAREER award given among Harding’s peer because who we are is much bigger than what and how well we’re shame in students. How do faculty create environments that lead to engagement in capstone design courses. He said Huff’s work is im-
20 H A R D I N G | S UM MER 2021 S UMME R 2021 | H A R D I N G 21Helping people
UNDERSTAND
who they are
ond time in 2014 and quickly established the Beyond Professional gating people holistically is in line with the mission of the university.
Identity (BPI) lab. The name of the lab, Huff said, is derived from the The biggest asset of Harding is that faculty care deeply about stu-
central focus of his career research, which is to advance well-being in dents. I see this every day in my role with Honors. I get to work with
individuals beyond the concerns of their professional identities. faculty across campus to help shape students into investigators. By
Through the BPI lab, Huff has mentored 14 Harding students the time they graduate, these students have not only performed well
from 13 academic disciplines as co-investigators on ongoing qualita- in their classes, they have a deep sense of knowing who they are and
tive research projects. These projects have ranged from studying the knowing the questions they want to ask of the world.”
experience of frustration in STEM courses to examining the experi- Dr. Brad Miller, chair of the department of engineering and phys-
ence of identity amid chronic homelessness to investigating social ics, said winning the CAREER award puts Huff on par with the top
connection amid physical distancing regulations during COVID-19. junior academicians from prestigious universities nationwide.
“Part of my work as faculty involves going alongside students “We have terrific faculty in our department, and this recogni-
and having them think not as performers of knowledge, that they tion for Dr. Huff is one more piece of evidence for the outstanding
can perform well by getting the right grades on exams, but rather as overall quality of our faculty,” Miller said. “We are very proud of the
investigators and inquirers of knowledge,” Huff said. research Dr. Huff is performing studying professional shame in the
H
context of engineering education. We look forward to participating
UFF MENTORS THE STUDENTS to pursue their original with him in the research and learning ways we can improve the
research questions that are broadly related to investigating learning environment and create a healthier sense of well-being
identity. Active BPI students include Grant Countess, ac- among the engineering students and faculty in our program.”
counting major; Mary Grace Golden, double major in public Huff, who comes from four generations of ministers in churches
administration and communication studies; Kyle Shanachilubwa, of Christ, said he enrolled at Harding as a first-year student in 2001
computer science major; Mackenzie Beckmon Sharbine, psychology wanting to orient his career with the mindset of a minister while not
alumna; John Lim, interdisciplinary studies alumnus; and Laura getting paid for full-time ministry. He believes his research and the
Faye Weber, medical humanities alumna. NSF CAREER award that will fund his research for at least six more
“Dr. Huff and the BPI lab were like a family to me while I was at years are his ministry.
Harding,” said Taylor Brown, a 2019 alumnus and Rhodes Scholar “This work is a way for me to live out my mission as a disciple of
Finalist. “Dr. Huff mentored me during my first foray into research, Christ,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunity God has given me
sparked a career in social science research, and lived out what it to investigate ways that we engage our whole persons, our souls, in
meant to glorify God through research. We remain close friends, men- the things that we do in our professions.”
toring burgeoning scholars and exploring people’s lived experiences.”
Huff said the University is the perfect environment to advance
this scholarship. DR. JIM MILLER is an associate professor of communication in the
Dr. James Huff works with Laura Faye Weber, a
medical humanities major who graduated in May. “I have always been captivated by Harding’s mission to integrate College of Arts and Humanities. He and Dr. Huff are the first two-year
faith, learning and living,” he said. “This research agenda of investi- appointees as Honors College faculty fellows.
portant because there is little research on well-being in engineering. focus with his current research agenda on facilitating social connec-
“Engineers spend significant effort on learning, retention and
other more common topics but often ignore the fact that we are still
tion in professional environments.
After graduating from Harding, Huff earned a master’s degree in
National Science Foundation fellowships go to three alumni
human beings living in a complex and challenging environment,” electrical and computer engineering from Purdue while working as THREE ALUMNI HAVE WON the prestigious man Ronald “Ronnie” Clements, Kanembe engineering at Penn State University. He
Brown said. “[Dr. Huff ] is deeply rooted in complex, in-depth quali- a technical lead engineer at a human simulation software develop- Graduate Research Fellowship from the Na- Shanachilubwa and Amanda Coleman Walls. also was a member of the BPI research lab
tative methodologies and has an extremely positive reputation in ment company. He returned to Harding in 2008 as an instructor and tional Science Foundation, which recognizes Clements graduated in 2019 with a and a McNair Scholar while at Harding. Engi-
our field for his exceptional work. He is very good at what he does noticed a troubling trend in engineering education. Engineering and supports outstanding graduate students Bachelor of Science in psychology and is neering education research is the field of his
and has an amazing understanding and awareness of the literature courses are historically designed to emphasize mathematics and in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing a doctorate in engineering educa- NSF GRF.
and methodologies. He also is kind, generous, compassionate, and a scientific principles that can be applied to social problems, but they pursuing research-based master’s and doc- tion research at Purdue University. While at Walls graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor
very good colleague and friend.” often overlook the complexity of the social problems themselves. toral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Harding, he was a member of the Beyond of Science in biomedical engineering and
Huff graduated from Harding in 2005 with a degree in computer This compartmentalized approach to education concerned him Typically considered the most prestigious Professional Identity research lab and was a is pursuing a doctorate in the same field at
engineering as an Honors College Graduate with Distinction. As an because it reinforced a narrative that being an engineer required award for graduate students in scientific McNair Scholar. His NSF GRF was awarded in University of Arkansas. While at Harding, she
undergraduate student, Huff was well known for his role as Student students to disengage from who they were as whole people. disciplines, the five-year fellowship includes the field of engineering education research. was a member of Dr. Jeff Massey’s research
Association president in 2004-05. He frequently promoted student- Ultimately, his experiences as an instructor led him to pursue a three years of financial support including an Shanachilubwa earned a Bachelor of lab and was connected to the Arkansas Space
led events through creative chapel announcements, including song Ph.D. in the field of engineering education at Purdue, where his re- annual stipend of $34,000. Science in mechanical engineering in 2019 Grant Consortium. Her NSF GRF was awarded
duets with President David Burks. His theme for the year focused search agenda in identity, well-being and professional shame was born. The 2021 NSF GRF awardees are Her- and is pursuing a doctorate in mechanical in the field of biomedical engineering.
on building bridges within the University’s student body, a resonant After earning his doctorate, Huff returned to Harding for a sec-
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