Harding University announced Junior Braden Bowman and Sophomore Hallie Hite as the 2017 Student Impact co-directors.
Student Impact is the orientation program for incoming freshman at the beginning of each school year. The Student Impact co-directors also coordinate the three Stampede sessions, which are summer orientation programs for freshmen and transfer students that help them prepare for their college careers.
“I love people and being a part of people’s lives,” said Bowman. “I thought that this summer would give me a good opportunity to make a lasting impression on the freshman class of 2017.”
Bowman said his Impact co-directors, Hayley and Harrison Waldron, made an impression on him through their commitment and high energy levels, and he recalled how they made the freshman class want to be a part of Harding.
“Hallie and I are both borrowing from Impacts of the past and blending our own creative ideas into the mix for this year’s Impact weekend,” Bowman said.
Hite said she found that activities like “throm,” or throwback prom, during her own Impact experience taught her to take herself less seriously.
“I really wanted to try and do something where I could be creative and also really help people to feel enveloped into Harding, and I think this is really good way for me to show love to a lot of people who I can’t necessarily talk to face to face,” Hite said.
Both Bowman and Hite expressed interest in helping the freshman class make the transition from high school to college as well as aiding them in forming meaningful relationships.
The responsibilities of an Impact co-director include directing the energy group leaders, peer guides and volunteers. Bowman and Hite will also organize activities for the freshmen, create a theme and merchandise for the new year, and work directly with other departments and vendors who come to Stampede Sessions.
“I think both of them have a lot of potential to continue what Stampede and Impact are,” Communications and Event Coordinator Amanda Hall said. “We’re excited to see what ideas they have.”
Bowman’s and Hite’s jobs officially begin on May 29 and span 10 weeks in the summer, but they will meet several times during the rest of the semester to brainstorm and keep everyone informed.
“It’s really important to me that Harding continues to do for people what I know it’s done for me personally — academically and socially and spiritually,” Hite said. “I just think Impact is a really good way to start off people’s year and make them feel comfortable here.”
Bowman agrees that this is an important event for all incoming freshmen and hopes to help them begin their journey.
“Ideally, I want every freshman to know that this is where they belong and that this will be their home for the next four years,” Bowman said.
