Written by Tiane Davis // Photo provided by Jeff Montgomery
The American Studies Institute (ASI) Distinguished Lecture Series invited Admiral William C. McRaven to speak in the Benson Auditorium for a collaborative event with the Searcy Chamber of Commerce last week. The ASI hosted a dinner with select attendees to eat with McRaven before his presentation Jan. 11.
Tara Cathey, president and CEO of the Searcy Chamber of Commerce, said after the ASI asked to partner with the chamber, they were “thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate.”
“This was the first event in which the ASI and the Chamber of Commerce have collaborated,” Cathey said.
McRaven’s presentation had life lessons for anyone at any age, Cathey said. It had several useful takeaways.
“First is that we must dare greatly, for our own lives and the community in which we live,” Cathey said. “Second, to make anything happen, we must rise to the occasion. Life’s not fair. Even when we try, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and we must drive on. Finally, I believe all of us should strive to give hope to others.”
Cathey said the chamber was honored to collaborate with the ASI and the University to welcome McRaven to Searcy.
“To stand in the presence and learn from someone who was an instrumental part of many historical events in our lives is inspiring,” she said. “The American Studies Institute Lecture Series is an asset to our community and visitors. It’s one of the things that make Searcy unique from other communities.”
Dr. Shawn Fisher, chair of the department of history and political science, said approximately 40-50 local veterans attended the event, and the event itself was a good way to invite the community to campus.
“I commend Dr. J.R. Duke for bringing him in,” Fisher said. “I think it provided a great evening for the campus, and particularly helped campus integrate more closely with the community — particularly the veterans community.”
The ASI has a long history of reaching out to the veterans community, Fisher said, which brings multiple generations together.
Senior Trey Crow, who is second-in- command of the Harding ROTC program this semester, was able to attend the dinner with McRaven before his presentation. He said the presentation “left a great imprint” on him.
“Admiral McRaven has a strong command presence, which is something very important to have as an officer,” Crow said. “His speech gave me courage to be greater than myself. It inspired me to strive for greatness in my military career.”
