Courtney Book, a graduate student in the college of education, died early last Friday morning from injuries sustained from being struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle on Booth Road in Searcy.
During the past week, the Harding campus and community has mourned Book’s death with a chapel service in her honor and visitation and a celebration of her life at the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy.
Book was working toward a Master of Arts in teaching. She was a member of Regina social club and worked as a student assistant for lectureship.
“Courtney had a beautiful heart, she radiated joy and she always seemed to find deep fulfillment in serving others,” President Bruce McLarty said.
Book began her time at Harding in August 2008 as an undergraduate in the history department.
“Courtney was more than just a history major,” said Julie Harris, associate professor of history and one of Book’s former professors. “She was fearless and joyous and passionate. She pursued a history degree, with a minor in ancient languages. … She was a bright presence in our department, who in a thousand little ways wove herself into the fabric of our lives and hearts.”
In an autobiographical essay written for one of her graduate education courses, Book said she was inspired to study history and education “to help history come alive for others” like a former junior high and high school teacher had done for her.
“She loved the Lord, people and knowledge,” Harris said.
Former Regina club sponsor Ginger Howell also shared fond memories of Book’s kindness. Howell said she was a club sponsor during the time Book was in the club, but quit a couple of years later.
“But any time Courtney would see me on campus, she would instantly come over and hug me,” Howell said. “It made me feel like she would never forget me. I know that I will never forget her.”
During chapel on Tuesday, Kevin Klein, the chair of the department of history and social sciences, shared memories several faculty members and friends had of Book. He closed the chapel service with the following:
“Courtney did not wait to take to the work before her as a follower of Christ. She did not wait until financial independence, or terminal degree, or marriage, or children, or career goals, or empty nest or retirement, before she took to the work. She just dove in. And she did so much so quickly. Courtney was my fellow worker. She was, and remains, my sister. But her labor here is now through, and her good deeds follow after her.”
