Harding College - Petit Jean Yearbook (Searcy, AR)

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gamut: . h ,w u 2 M 2 1,63 WM, ', ' ' W22: ' h ' h M ; .- .. ' Fm . . . . ' w 533mg ,3. .. , the hIgh-lme. 4;,b1rd50ye mew of t a , ' ardmg University canipus shows vlmrly the place uvhirh many students called home throughout their yearh at the University. From the tall, straight pillars of the administration lluilding to tho sideulks which outlined the i x front lawn to tho rows of flmners and trms, the , ; campus,59t thv precedent for the individuals ht 2 Hunting, standing Uin line with exryllcnrgh . photo 7y Waynn Hanmy, Aerial burvcys.

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S W i n g i n g Sentiments r a 1 1 1 F 1 1 J IIEIIIAHIIIYIH urlu HIIIIIIJIAV I I J 'llllrlll III HIIIIIIJ J l. I 1 IIVIII VIII, Ill'll V I I I xtend the first two fingers from each fist and cross them at the fingertips. Then point them downward and swing them. This action creates the sign for Har- ding University that is used by deaf com- municators in the Arkansas area. It depicts a characteristic of Harding that has become well known. The swings that adorn the front lawn are a Harding trademark, but there is much more involved in the tradition than simply romance. History, friendship and spending time alone are also important to the tradition of the swings. When you're down and you go sit in a swing, you can't help but smile. You can't help but be at peace. But the tradition of the swings dates back to before the time couples were even allowed on campus. They were first built in the early 1920's when the campus still belonged to Galloway, an all female school. I Miss Ellen Key, a 1917 graduate of Galloway who lived in Searcy as a teacher and county librarian for many years, said the swings weren't there when she was a student, but appeared soon after. The girls didn't have the freedom to get around town, she said, so the swings were built as a part of Galloway to give them some place to relax. When Harding acquired the campus in 1934, the swings were included. Harve Dykes, grandfather of Latina Dykes, secretary to the vice president of finance, continued the tradition of the swings at Harding. He was the superintendent of construction on the campus and in charge of maintenance. He was the one responsi- ble for the present design of the swings; once they had triangular sides. Dykes' son, J.L. began making the miniature swings that are available for sale in the bookstore. When he quit, Don England, professor of chemistry, con- tinued the tradition. There were always people in the swing, Mrs. LL. Dykes said. The only problem was there wasn't enough of them, since the kids didn't have much else to do. Meeting people and making friends is a special part of the swing tradition to senior Charlene Smith. l'It's a sign of opening up. Some people may think you are upset and they come to talk to you. It's not like datey-datey. It 5 nothing to do with love, it's just friendship. When you're down and you go sit in a swing, you can't help but smile, said sophomore Skye McCleod. The campus is gorgeous and when you swing you can't help but notice. You can't help but be at peace. Studying and praying are other ac- tivities that seem to be popular in a swing. Graduate student Eddie Madden said, Especially during intercession, when it was hot, it was my favorite place to study and read. Junior Laverne Epps said, I sit in a swing to pray because at night you can feel alone with God. Some people even sit in a swing to swing. l'I swing to relax and get away, said senior Todd Wilson. l'l swing, I don't just sit. I can sit in the Student Center. I like to get myself going and then put my feet up. Perhaps a common feeling about the swings was summed up by sophomore Shelly Evans, Sit in the swings? I just don't do it often enough. - Marti H inds Love is in the air. Sophomore Lawrence Underwood and his fiancee, Kim Fisher, are amused by a playful squirrel on the front lawn during a swing-sit. e photo by John Radcliffe. Crushing the swing. Wearing the famous orange-crush jersies, severaltmembers of Shantih social club rush a swing during womens' clubs open house. - photo by Iohn Radcliffe. 10 Swinging