Harding is creating a new website that will tentatively launch on March 31. The last time a new website was launched was in 2007, with only minor updates being made since. Vice-President of Information Systems and Technology, Keith Cronk, and director of Public Relations, David Crouch, took action in planning the re-launch. Web Content Manager Bethany Aspey along with others have helped move this idea forward making the re-launch a reality.
“I really want the site to be not only modern and just look like a contemporary design, but also to feature everything that Harding really is,” Aspey said. “Harding is a unique place that offers a lot of things that other schools don’t and we have a lot of really exciting things going on around campus. I’m hoping that the site will eventually be able to accurately represent that, and to let our potential students know how great Harding really is.”
Aspey is creating engaging content for the website by interviewing students, faculty and alumni who have interesting stories or who are involved in their department. The interviewees are chosen by the department head then interviewed by a member of the public relations office. Senior psychology student Sam Acuff was interviewed for the psychology department webpage.
“Without a new website, our presence is outdated,” Acuff said. “Our campus covers a small amount of land in the middle of Arkansas. Surely the reach of our students and faculty is much greater.However, the school’s image is presented by the website to anyone who is interested in our mission. We have to develop an online personality that adequately represents who we are as a school and what it is we believe. This website is necessary to meet that need.”
Senior graphic design major and public relations intern Shelby Traughber said good design makes for better navigation. Acuff, Aspey and Traughber all agree that navigation is one thing the current website lacks. The new website is being designed out of Boston, Mass. at iFactory. After iFactory visited campus they created a website based off the campus’ energy and personality. Aspey said the website has received good feedback and the students who have tested the site are excited for this needed change.
“Our main goal for this site is to bring in potential students,” Aspey said. “I mean, in a way, that’s kind of their main source to find out what Harding is about initially and so hopefully it’s going to make it really easy for them to understand who we are right away and whether it’s a good fit for them.”
