For nine years, Harding University has held an annual Say Thanks Day, a time to appreciate and express gratitude for the University’s donors. In past years, colorfully chalked sidewalks led students to booths manned by volunteers around campus with cards for writing letters of gratitude and specific prompts for recording thank-you videos. This year, March 24 was scheduled for Say Thanks Day, but the coronavirus led to a change of plans.

Shelbi Bridges, Generation HU director, was in charge of planning and directing the Say Thanks Day event for the first time this year. With cards ordered, tables reserved and volunteers scheduled, Bridges had prepared for everything except students not returning. Though originally hopeful that school would resume in time for Say Thanks Day, Bridges said she contacted her supervisor to restructure the event when she realized the campus would not be reopening. 

“This is still an important day, whether students are on campus or not,” Bridges said. “The point of this is to make sure the donors understand that they’re appreciated.”

Bridges restructured by emailing Harding students and asking them to submit 15- to 30-second videos of gratitude that she would compile and send to donors. As an incentive, the students with the top 10 most creative video submissions would receive a $10 Chick-Fil-A gift card. 

Sophomore Rebecca Brackney had signed up as an on-campus Say Thanks Day volunteer prior to campus closure. When Brackney heard that all students had to do was create videos, she recorded a video and asked her friends to make several as well.

“My parents always taught me to be grateful for the things that people give, whether it be their time, love, money or whatever else,” Brackney said. “So that is what inspired me to show my thankfulness towards those that have given to Harding in any kind of way.”

 Junior Derek Nutt also recorded a simple video expressing his appreciation for the donors’ contributions. In the 2019-2020 academic year, Dr. Bryan Burks, vice president for advancement, said Harding received over $20 million in donor contributions. As a science major, Nutt said those donations allowed him to learn several different technologies under his professors’ supervision. 

“Simply being away from campus at this time has opened my eyes even more regarding what a gift it is to be able to go to Harding,” Nutt said. “It is a gift resulting from the sacrifices of many people, especially the donors.”

For nine years, Harding University has held an annual Say Thanks Day, a time to appreciate and express gratitude for the University’s donors. In past years, colorfully chalked sidewalks led students to booths manned by volunteers around campus with cards for writing letters of gratitude and specific prompts for recording thank-you videos. This year, March 24 was scheduled for Say Thanks Day, but the coronavirus led to a change of plans.

Shelbi Bridges, Generation HU director, was in charge of planning and directing the Say Thanks Day event for the first time this year. With cards ordered, tables reserved and volunteers scheduled, Bridges had prepared for everything except students not returning. Though originally hopeful that school would resume in time for Say Thanks Day, Bridges said she contacted her supervisor to restructure the event when she realized the campus would not be reopening. 

“This is still an important day, whether students are on campus or not,” Bridges said. “The point of this is to make sure the donors understand that they’re appreciated.”

Bridges restructured by emailing Harding students and asking them to submit 15- to 30-second videos of gratitude that she would compile and send to donors. As an incentive, the students with the top 10 most creative video submissions would receive a $10 Chick-Fil-A gift card. 

Sophomore Rebecca Brackney had signed up as an on-campus Say Thanks Day volunteer prior to campus closure. When Brackney heard that all students had to do was create videos, she recorded a video and asked her friends to make several as well.

“My parents always taught me to be grateful for the things that people give, whether it be their time, love, money or whatever else,” Brackney said. “So that is what inspired me to show my thankfulness towards those that have given to Harding in any kind of way.”

 Junior Derek Nutt also recorded a simple video expressing his appreciation for the donors’ contributions. In the 2019-2020 academic year, Dr. Bryan Burks, vice president for advancement, said Harding received over $20 million in donor contributions. As a science major, Nutt said those donations allowed him to learn several different technologies under his professors’ supervision. 

“Simply being away from campus at this time has opened my eyes even more regarding what a gift it is to be able to go to Harding,” Nutt said. “It is a gift resulting from the sacrifices of many people, especially the donors.”

Bridges said she hopes she will be able to do everything she planned next year, with a chapel presentation on the morning of Say Thanks Day and booths allowing everyone to be involved throughout the day. 

Bridges said she hopes she will be able to do everything she planned next year, with a chapel presentation on the morning of Say Thanks Day and booths allowing everyone to be involved throughout the day. 

For nine years, Harding University has held an annual Say Thanks Day, a time to appreciate and express gratitude for the University’s donors. In past years, colorfully chalked sidewalks led students to booths manned by volunteers around campus with cards for writing letters of gratitude and specific prompts for recording thank-you videos. This year, March 24 was scheduled for Say Thanks Day, but the coronavirus led to a change of plans.

Shelbi Bridges, Generation HU director, was in charge of planning and directing the Say Thanks Day event for the first time this year. With cards ordered, tables reserved and volunteers scheduled, Bridges had prepared for everything except students not returning. Though originally hopeful that school would resume in time for Say Thanks Day, Bridges said she contacted her supervisor to restructure the event when she realized the campus would not be reopening. 

“This is still an important day, whether students are on campus or not,” Bridges said. “The point of this is to make sure the donors understand that they’re appreciated.”

Bridges restructured by emailing Harding students and asking them to submit 15- to 30-second videos of gratitude that she would compile and send to donors. As an incentive, the students with the top 10 most creative video submissions would receive a $10 Chick-Fil-A gift card. 

Sophomore Rebecca Brackney had signed up as an on-campus Say Thanks Day volunteer prior to campus closure. When Brackney heard that all students had to do was create videos, she recorded a video and asked her friends to make several as well.

“My parents always taught me to be grateful for the things that people give, whether it be their time, love, money or whatever else,” Brackney said. “So that is what inspired me to show my thankfulness towards those that have given to Harding in any kind of way.”

 Junior Derek Nutt also recorded a simple video expressing his appreciation for the donors’ contributions. In the 2019-2020 academic year, Dr. Bryan Burks, vice president for advancement, said Harding received over $20 million in donor contributions. As a science major, Nutt said those donations allowed him to learn several different technologies under his professors’ supervision. 

“Simply being away from campus at this time has opened my eyes even more regarding what a gift it is to be able to go to Harding,” Nutt said. “It is a gift resulting from the sacrifices of many people, especially the donors.”

Bridges said she hopes she will be able to do everything she planned next year, with a chapel presentation on the morning of Say Thanks Day and booths allowing everyone to be involved throughout the day. 

Bridges said she hopes she will be able to do everything she planned next year, with a chapel presentation on the morning of Say Thanks Day and booths allowing everyone to be involved throughout the day.