Harding College - Petit Jean Yearbook (Searcy, AR)

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. . . the Familiar buildings, walks and classes; the dedicated men and women - these combine f0 brm . . . THE COLLEGE 6

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President George S. Benson presents Dr. C. L. Genus, Sr.. Chairman of the Board of Trustees. the keys to the seven new bgildings being dedicated. Dr. Ganus pledged these buildings to the implementation of the high ideals of Christian education to which Harding is devoted. Progress, Achievement. Academic Growth Result June 2, 1954-, was a day of celebration for Harding College. She had just completed her thirtieth school year; she had seen the completion of a building program resulting in a six million dollar plant; a substantial start had been made toward a permanent endowment h and 011 March 26 she had received full accreditation by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. Friends of the school came fmm far and near to partake in the celebration In the group were many who could look back to 192+ when Harper College of Harper, Kansas, was consolidated with Arkansas Christian College at Murrilton to form 1939 Celebration - The first of a series of successes came when the mortgage representing $70,000 of debt was tossed on a bonfire by the late J. N. Armstrong, then president emeritus. ,.n K h, h- .-l 4 .u- h '6 554th .73-i-ls4 'Ir our own Harding College with J. N. Armstrong as her first president, A. S. Croom as vice-president, and Dr. L. C. Scars as dean. Dr. Scars has served as dean continuously through the thirty years. In 1934- the school moved to its present site in Searcy. At this time the plant consisted of six main build- ings two of which - Patti Cobb and the Science Hall - are still in use. During these difficult early years while the depression did its worst, only the faith and selfisacrifice of students and faculty alike kept the scheol alive. Upon the retirement of President Armstrong in 1936, Dr. George S. Benson returned from China, where he had boon a missionary for ten years. to Center of the Searcy campus until 1951 was Godden Hall. which also was once the main building of Gallo- way College.