This semester, Dr. Bruce McLarty began his first year as president of Harding. Throughout the semester, McLarty has talked of being a “freshman president,” learning and experiencing aspects of Harding for the very first time as president.

“Just like a freshman, there have been so many firsts this 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, McLarty said he has focused on listening to students, faculty and the different constituencies of Harding. Despite his personal fingerprint on aspects of his job, McLarty said the majority of his plans and actions have been a continuation of Dr. David Burks’ last year of presidency.

One thing that has changed 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.