Sand, live music and Hawaiian leis on a sunny April evening not only left students with a taste of summer, but also gave them a chance to say thank you to two iconic Harding couples.
Students and faculty joined to celebrate the service Dr. Cliff and Louise Ganus and Dr. David and Leah Burks have given to Harding with a luau on the front lawn on April 16.
The Student Association and the transition committee have been planning the luau since Spring Break. The event’s theme was “Honoring Our Presidents,” a message that is displayed on the green luau T-shirts that the SA sold for $10 at the event.
SA president junior Will Waldron said once the idea of having a luau emerged from brainstorming, he thought it would be perfect.
“I said, ‘if we do a luau, that is great, but we have to have a roasted pig there,'” Waldron said.
Over the course of the evening, students signed a banner for Burks and wrote thank you cards for Ganus. Aramark provided a traditional Hawaiian dinner complete with roasted pig, chicken, coconut rice, sweet potatoes and pineapple.
The luau entertainment included concerts from the Belles and Beaux and the Good News Singers. Students took turns posing with their friends in a photo booth that included a sandbox, grass skirts and pool toys.
Earlier that year, Waldron came across all of the letters written between former Harding president Dr. George Benson and Burks when he was SA president. At 6:30 p.m., Waldron presented to Burks a bound-book that included all of the collected correspondence. The Student Association also presented Leah Burks and Louise Ganus with hibiscus plants.
Junior Lydia Foutch serves on the transition committee, a group of students that plans events to honor Burks and finds ways for students to build connections with President-elect McLarty. Foutch said she believes events like the luau are important because they teach students to remember to say thanks for all the things people have done for Harding.
“If we don’t appreciate the people who have come before us, how can we appreciate those who come after us?” Foutch said. “How will we expect appreciation from future generations if we don’t give it now?”
Harding students showed their appreciation at the luau and Waldron said he was happy to see so many students come.
When he was asked about how he felt about having a luau thrown in his honor, Dr. Ganus said the event was unexpected and maybe undeserved, but much appreciated.
He added, “I’m looking forward to getting a hold of some of that roast pig.”
Burks said he agreed with Ganus, the luau was unanticipated, but an honor. Burks said he used to invite incoming freshmen to a luau at his home, but he stopped hosting it there when he moved off campus. Nonetheless, Burks said he appreciated the gratitude the students showed by coming out for the evening.
“I always enjoy being with students,” Burks said.
