Written by Randi Tubbs // Photo provided by Brady Kraner
Every year, Harding takes a series of tours where receptions are held to engage with prospective students as well as parents, alumni and donors across the country. Although Admissions holds additional receptions, these tours often accompany President Mike Williams, Harding Ambassador Lisa Williams, Vice President of Enrollment Steve Lake, Senior Director of Admissions Scott Hannigan, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Heather Kemper, Director of Donor Relations Emily Roberts, the regional admissions counselor and gift officer based on the tour location, and a faculty and student representative. This year, the Centennial Tours are named in honor of Harding’s 100th year.
Locations for the tours are chosen based on concentrations of prospective students, alumni and donors. In the last 18 months, the tours have taken place in Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia/D.C., Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana and Oregon. This year, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to every student that attended a tour event and also visited campus.
Hannigan serves on a committee of five members made up of representatives from Undergraduate Admissions, Alumni and Parent Relations and Advancement. Hannigan attends most events put on by the committee and serves as master of ceremonies.
“It is important that we bring the Harding culture and community to prospective students and their parents in order for them to understand and witness what makes Harding a unique and attractive college option,” Hannigan said. “It’s our desire that these events will result in students coming to campus for an official visit.”
Another member of the Centennial Tours planning committee, Teresa Castleman, is the director of Abundant Living and works with alumni offices for outreach to retirement age alumni.
“It’s really helpful to bring alumni together with prospective students because a prospective student gets a really unique experience talking to someone who has already had a Harding experience,” Castleman said. “The value is providing a good opportunity for alumni to connect with prospective students. It’s also for people who are thinking about Harding either as a student or they have been a donor to Harding to be able to engage with Harding administration and leadership.”
Senior Brady Kraner started working for admissions at the end of his sophomore year. He said he wanted to give back to the University and that working as a student ambassador was a great way to do that. He was asked to go on a Centennial Tour in his hometown, Houston, Texas. After that, Kraner went on a handful of other tours across the South.
“It is always great to reconnect with campus visitors, meet new prospective students and get to know some of the greatest alumni in the world,” Kraner said. “Whether it be in a one-on-one conversation or in front of a group of 200 people like most of the Centennial Tours, telling the story of Harding is something I really enjoy doing.”
Harding held a Centennial Tour Feb. 27, in Conway, Arkansas, hosted by Scott and Amy Westjohn. Typically, once the tour team arrives in a city, they divide up to host different events. Williams and an Advancement gift officer engage with various donors over coffee, and a lunch is held for President’s Council members in the area. Undergraduate Admissions visits high schools, along with a faculty and student ambassador, and teach classes, speak in chapel, provide lunch to juniors and seniors and meet with school leaders and guidance counselors. Alumni and Parent Relations engages with local alumni and works with the hosts to prepare for the upcoming reception.
“I believe the Centennial Tours are a great way for us to demonstrate what the Harding community is all about,” Kraner said. “We bring our leadership, professors and admissions team all over the country to get to know prospective students and visit with alumni. When the Harding community comes together in these homes all across the country, something really special takes place. I believe getting to show just how special the Harding community is to prospective students and their families is what these Centennial Tours are all about.”
