Written by Holland Chupek.
Harding faculty enjoyed their snow days in many different ways, from playing in the snow with their children, to enjoying time inside with pets or connecting with students online.
Noah Darnell, instructor of communication, said he spent time teaching his dog new tricks.
“I think the biggest challenge that [I] had to deal with [was] teaching my dog to take a walk like normal in a foot of snow,” Darnell said. “My dog and I discovered socks seem to work to avoid frozen feet. Carrying a 60-pound dog is not a great experience, but carrying her in ice? Even less so.”
Other professors found a way to connect with students and talk theology.
“I had some great meetings with students,” assistant professor of Bible and ministry Mac Sandlin said. “I made some great food, played board games with friends and had a great time with my kids. I love teaching face-to-face, so the online classes [were] a struggle for me, but we got some good work done.”
Students did not have to meet in person for class, although this did not necessarily mean there was less work for the week.
“Snow days are not off days for faculty, and they really aren’t for students either,” assistant professor of Bible and ministry Anessa Westbrook said. “I know my students have been very faithful in attending class and many have been using their time to write papers and work on projects. Due to my busy schedule, other than looking out the window and checking on the pretty white snow I have not done much. I have enjoyed seeing it, though, and seeing the birds that have flocked our yard.”
While the snow days kept faculty and students from being together, some faculty were thankful to spend the days with family.
“I love snow,” Sandlin said. “I love playing with my wife and kids in the snow, though I’d have preferred one or two days instead [of] five.”
