Photo by Josey Myers
Mark Prior began at Harding University working in video services 25 years ago. Currently, Prior is involved in University work such as producing sports media, live-streamed video, and producing the student-run television station HU-16. The legacy that Prior has built at Harding will continue to resonate for years.
Prior first started working for Harding in Dec. 1998. Over the years, he has become involved as the engineer for the sports productions. He also assists with the technical side of the HU16 Live at Five and manages the studio. Prior reflected how he has grown and evolved over his time at Harding.
“I can’t believe twenty five years is gone,” Prior said. “But that’s what happens. Life goes by quickly. I’ll say it this way, in the last two years I’ve lost my aunt and my father. It makes you realize that life’s short and you enjoy it when you can because someday you won’t be able to enjoy it.”
His daughter, senior integrated marketing and communications major Addyson Prior, has many memories from her childhood of Harding and helping her dad in the studio. She remembers when she was little, she would go into the studio and put the headsets on. Prior admires her dad’s work ethic and how much he cares about what he is doing.
“I would say my dad and my mom both have great work ethics and are just very creative too and that has shaped me quite a bit,” Prior said. “Being an IMC major, I definitely love to be creative in any way possible. Also both of them are extremely hard workers and so that has shaped me into being the same way. I put my heart and soul into everything I do, just like them, especially my dad.”
Prior’s colleague, chair of the communication department Charles Bane, has known him since 2018. They previously collaborated on the video production class, and now they assist each other with all theatrical productions.
“He doesn’t stop until the problem is resolved,” Bane said. “He also cares a lot about the students and making sure that they’re well trained so that when they can leave here, they can walk into a job and truly have real experience.”
