Written by Kylie Akins
Few are able to see their alma maters from their small beginnings to the flourishing future the founders of the institution could only envision.
Harding University came to Searcy, Ark., in 1934, and Dr. Joe Spaulding of the class of 1939 had the privilege of being in one of the first graduating classes on the new campus. Now, 70 years later, he is returning to Harding to celebrate his Diamond reunion anniversary as the first graduate to ever enter into this anniversary circle.
The Heritage Circle dinner is hosted annually during Homecoming to honor those who are celebrating their 50th reunion anniversary, whose members are included in the Golden Circle and upward, now including the 70th reunion Diamond Circle, which is in its first year to be represented.
“He’s got a lot of history,” Liz Howell, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, said. “He got to see the early start of Harding and the dreams that people had for a Christian education, and then the ability to look at Harding today and see that probably none of them could have imagined what kind of place we have today. The facilities and the opportunities for young people are really outstanding.”
Spaulding came to Harding in 1935 as a history major when tuition was barely $400 a year. Holding hands was not allowed, and dress clothes were worn to class daily. Spaulding said he doesn’t even remember a dress code being printed.
“Back then, times were hard, and we didn’t have much money,” Spaulding said. “So we dressed pretty carefully and simply.”
There was no problem with parking because there were only three or four cars on campus. On the weekends, it was normal for students to hitchhike to get to their destinations. Spaulding preached every weekend and would return on Monday, a class-free day created for the “preacher-boys,” as Spaulding called himself, to have time to get back to school after preaching on Sunday.
Spaulding recalled his most cherished moments as a student and member of Sub-T 16.
“Daily chapel was my favorite,” Spaulding said. “And Monday night meetings. Some of my favorite things I remember are Monday night meetings.”
Some of the rules may have changed, but he said he considers Harding to have stayed committed to its purpose through the years.
“I had a great time,” Spaulding said. “Those were the best years of my life. I’m proud of it. I’m glad to be a graduate of Harding.”
He returned to Harding in 1957 to teach as a history professor for seven years. He then went on to teach at Abilene Christian University for 18 years until he retired in 1982. He now lives in Romance, Ark., with his wife, Donna, where he continues his 74-year preaching career. He and his wife have two children, Joe Jr. and Francine, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Of the 16 surviving graduates of his class, he will be the only to attend the Heritage Circle dinner.
“We were real close,” Spaulding said. “I would love to see them. But I realize that most of them are gone. And of course all of my teachers are gone, naturally. I loved all of them. I had a great feeling for all of them.”
The dinner will be held on Thursday at Harding University, where Spaulding will be honored for entering into the Diamond Circle.
