University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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THEPHESIIIE Student, professor, administrator, and President of the University of Arkansas --that is the record of Arthur M. Harding. He is a native-born Arkansan, and his connection with the University has extended over forty-seven years. Only a year after his graduation from the University of Arkansas, Dr. Hard- ing joined. the faculty as an instructor of mathematics in 1905. During World Wfar I, Dr. Harding served as Registrar of the University. His most outstanding achievement prior to becoming president was his work in the Extension Depart- ment. Becoming head of the department in 1919, he enlarged its scope until it had students doing work in every state, Alaska, Nlexico, and Puerto Rico. Dr. I-Iarding's presidency has probably been more diliicult than any previous one, for he has had to put the University on a war-time basis and keep it running smoothly. Another factor making it difiicult is the post-war 'increase in enrollment that occurred this year. The University went back to its peace-time basis of two semesters this year. For the two years previous it was on a twelve months basis, four quarters to the year. Popular astronomy is the hobby of the president. Before he became president and the demands of his oHice occupied all his time, he was in demand all over the nation as a lecturer on the subject. In the course of delivering two thousand lec- tures, he has traveled in the forty-eight states and in several provinces of Canada. President Harding received his doctor's degree from the University of Chicago. In a letter dated February 13, 1946, to Herbert L. Thomas, chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Harding announced his resignation to become effective at the end of june, 1946. In the letter Dr. Harding said, The University of Arkan- sas has just completed several years of war work. The strain and burden occa- sioned by shortages, personnel loss, and war-caused dilliculties have imposed a terrific burden on the administrative head of the University. The University has before it an opportunity for educational service never before existent in its history. If this opportunity is accepted and met, there is in the future a great deal of work incident to the expansion of physical facilities and personnel that must, because of its nature, fall largely upon the administrative head of the University .... Be- cause of my physician's advice I must slow down. It would be to my own best interest and also to the University's that I should retire as presidentf' Page 21

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If se- M. , , , svn EUVER UH BE ANEY The Laney family came to Arkansas in 1847 and settled in the southern part of the state. On the same farm that his grandfather settled, our present governor was born in 1896. Governor Laney was educated at Hendrix College until his country called him during the first WVorld lVar. After returning from the War he attended State Teachers College at Conway, where he received his A.B. degree. Since then he has served as a member of the Board of Trustees there. Governor Laney has always been very civic minded, holding many oflices in civic organizations in Camden. He was practically unknown in Arkansas' politics until his election as governor in 1944. He has stated that every native of Arkansas has every right to be proud that he is an Arkansan. Page 22 v- , . 114. , lg -. ,. ,. V4 ' ,- ,--.- 'M' ' ,. -1:34 Xi . , i, .f '-SQ