Written by Nicole Savage // Photo by Julianne Baker
Dr. Chris Jones, the Democratic candidate for governor of Arkansas, spoke to a room full of students, faculty and Searcy locals Sept. 23 in the Reynolds Recital Hall. The conversation touched on a variety of topics including his educational journey, his relationship with science and faith, his experience leading the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub non-profit, his vision for Arkansas and a reminder to persevere through trials.
When asked what advice he would give to college students looking for connections or community involvement, Jones advised that students take advantage of the opportunities that simply existing on a college campus can provide.
“Reach out to people,” Jones said. “You’d be surprised that if you just reach out to folks, how they will respond.”
He described college as a “golden ticket” for getting people’s attention.
“You all are the ones who are shifting and shaping and changing the future,” Jones said.
This tactic is exactly the one that senior and Black Student Association (BSA) Vice President Janae Bradshaw used to get Jones to visit Harding.
“I kind of went out on a whim and emailed his campaign manager,” Bradshaw said. “I really didn’t think I was going to get a response or that it would come into fruition.”
However, Bradshaw got a response within two days, and Jones was on Harding’s campus the next week. Bradshaw said the experience was inspiring, sending her on a “reaching out rampage” to see if other people would be interested in coming to campus.
“Reaching out to people who you don’t think are going to respond and then they do, I think it’s really inspiring,” Bradshaw said.
Junior Luke Ziegler said he was grateful for the opportunity to hear from Jones.
“I am glad the BSA hosted an event like this,” Ziegler said, “because Harding pulls students from all different parts of the country, for which I am grateful. It at times feels insulated from state and local politics and issues that face Searcy and Arkansas at large. Jones coming to speak reinforced how important local politics are and how Harding is part of the Searcy community.”
Senior BSA President Halle Miller said she also felt inspired by Jones’ visit.,
“It’s inspiring to see such an accomplished Black man and to have his voice amplified on our campus,” she said.
