Written by Monique Y Jacques
April brings more than just showers to Harding University’s campus. The flood of emotions over the few short weeks approaching graduation permeates the conversations of students as a significant portion of the school prepares to begin a new chapter in the book of life.
Harding begins the last month of each spring semester by devoting a week ofchapelto graduating seniors. From April 12-17 graduating seniors Paul Habegger, Mary Kyle Walker, Ashley Townsend, Noah Darnell and Sky Vanderburg led the audience incollective reflectionsupon what college has meant to them.
Nate Copeland, assistant to the president, said a week of chapel devoted to seniors is refreshing because it is a time when the Harding experience is portrayed through the students immersed in it daily.
The speakers are first nominated by the Student Association or a faculty member and ultimately decided on by President David Burks and Copeland.
“We choose students who have had an outstanding college career, not just academically, but those who have really been involved and shown leadership in all facets,” Copeland said. “The seniors who encompass the Harding student.”
Copeland said one purpose behind the week is to allow a few prominent seniors to bestow the wisdom they have gained through their experiences to the underclassmen.
“They had really good things to say,” said freshman Barrett Bingham. “I hadn’t really looked into overseas programs, but since each of them had serious stories about it, and it seemed like a life-altering experience, it made me want to look into that option.”
This week celebrates not only their journeys, but the journey of every student. Townsend talked about her experiences living in the dorm, which most students can relate to.
“I don’t really know A-Town (Townsend), but her stories just reminded me of stuff my suite would do,” freshman Kendra Isenberg said. “It made me excited about my senior year and looking back at all of my memories.”
While the topics for each speech were nominally different, each emphasized a common theme: the importance of relationship. Copeland said this happens every year.
“I feel prepared to leave because I took the time to invest,” graduating senior Josh Bakke said. “While I will miss the people I’m closest with, there is a peace in knowing that although I’m leaving this place, I’m not leaving those people who helped me grow out of the insecurities we all have as freshmen by giving me support to go out and do something.”
Graduating senior Caroline Damron said that, if given the opportunity, she would emphasize to underclassmen the value of taking advantage of Harding’s spiritual community and the opportunities that come with it.
“Paul stressed developing your relationship with the Lord, and Sky stressed the idea of showing priorities through how you spend your time,” Bakke said. “This is such a valuable lesson for us all because we have a tendency to focus on the small things that confuse and bog us down. All that really matters is Jesus, our relationship with Him and how that manifests in our own lives.”
More than 700 seniors will graduate in the Ganus Athletic Center on Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m.
