Sarah Dodd
Sarah Dodd is a nursing major from Little Rock, Ark. She said she chose her career because her dad has had health problems for a long time, and his nurses were always a huge comfort and blessing to her family.
“I knew if I could give that same blessing to other people, I could really impact people’s lives just as it has impacted mine,” Dodd said.
Q: Why did you decide to run for Freshman SA Rep?
A: “I didn’t do this kind of thing in high school, and coming into Harding I really wanted to put myself out there. During my senior year I really gained a lot of confidence in who God made me, and I knew if I got it, it was in God’s plan and if I didn’t there was something better coming along.”
Q: How did you rise to the challenges of running as a freshman?
A: “During the first few weeks, I made a point to sit with people I didn’t know and introduce myself to new people. The real challenges I faced were doubts about being chosen over someone else. The doubts could really eat at me if I let them, so I had to make sure to sit myself down and pray about them.”
Q: What were your campaign strategies?
A: “One of the things they told us in the (interest) meeting was to have our close friends run our campaign. Letting my friends do that and seeing how much faith they had in me was my strategy.”
Q: How did you react when you heard that you were chosen?
A: “I literally jumped in the air.”
Q: What will your role in the SA be this year?
A: “I will be the head of the Alumni Relations Committee, improving all the things we do to celebrate the alumni. I’ll have a huge part in Say Thanks Day.”
Q: Do you plan to continue to be involved in the SA throughout college if possible?
A: “Yes. I feel like now that I’ve gotten it and it has given me a little confidence boost, I know that I can do well with reaching out to people and making them feel welcome because that is just part of who I love to be.”
Q: Why did you choose to come to Harding, and what is your favorite thing about it?
A: “I’m from Little Rock, so tons of people from my church went here and came back with loads of stories about how awesome it is. One of my older sisters went here, and I got to come up to campus and stay with her sometimes. I came here, and even though I was only 10 or 12, I could still feel the community aspect that Harding had.”
Braden Bowman
Braden Bowman is an English major from Nashville, Ark. He plans to change his major to broadcast journalism next semester because he loves media communication, but that hasn’t diminished his love for writing. Braden has written more than 100 poems and a novella prior to his arrival at Harding.
Q: Why did you decide to run for Freshman SA Rep?
A: “I’ve always been a part of student governing organizations in high school. It’s the best way to meet people, and I am definitely a people person.”
Q: How did you rise to the challenges of running as a freshman?
A: “I’ve never forgotten a name. People long for friendships and relationships, and it is my personal philosophy that the best way to start those friendships and relationships is by acknowledging people by their first name. I kind of take pride in the fact that I never forget people.”
Q: What were your campaign strategies?
A: “As far as campaign strategies, it was really just about knowing people. It just sort of spread through word of mouth. You’ve got to be a friend to have friends.”
Q: How did you react when you heard that you were chosen?
A: “I was relieved. It’s a position that I took seriously when I decided to run for it, and I am earnestly passionate about doing the job well.”
Q: What will your role in the SA be this year?
A: “Essentially I will be a liaison between the higher ups in the student body and the male freshman class of 2018. I’m also head of the Technology Committee. I’ll be doing my best to improve the technological experience for students. I haven’t talked this over yet with Phil (Habegger), but I would also like to pursue the dream of an all-campus Nerf battle.”
Q: Do you plan to continue to be involved in the SA throughout college if possible?
A: “I would like to, yes. I hope to one day have Phil Habegger’s position, that would be so much fun.”
Q: Why did you choose to come to Harding, and what is your favorite thing about it?
A: “I think Phil Habegger said it best: to find a wife. That’s something I hope to get out of this. But I knew I would have a topnotch education and a wonderful experience if I chose to come to Harding. I have friends everywhere I look. I don’t turn a corner without meeting two or three friendly high fives or hellos.”
