Harding University President David B. Burks met with local journalists at his annual media luncheon on Tuesday to review the previous academic year and outline events and changes for theClasses begin Aug. 23, and the University projects a record enrollment for the 24th consecutive year this fall with approximately 6,700 students, including 4,100 undergraduates and 2,600 enrolled in graduate programs. Nearly 1,300 undergraduates will be brand new to Harding, either as freshmen or transfers. Students are projected to represent all 50 states and more than 50 foreign countries. A record number of Chinese students will be welcomed to campus with 125 enrolled so far. Official enrollment figures will be announced after classes begin.
The College of Pharmacy will seat its third cohort this fall, adding another 60 students. Burks also mentioned the newest development in health sciences, a physical therapy doctoral program, which was announced last month. The program plans to enroll students in fall 2011, and Dr. Mike McGalliard of Texas Tech University School of Allied Health Sciences has been hired as program director. Harding houses the state’s only physician assistant program, which began in 2005, and will welcome 36 new students this fall.
Campus construction has been booming with projects totaling $11 million taking place during the past few months alone. Sears Hall, the University’s largest dorm, began renovations in May and is currently wrapping up. The $4.5 million project is the largest ever on campus in such a short period of time. Renovations also began on the Mabee Business Center in July. Construction will be done in two phases with the first and largest phase scheduled for completion in May 2011. The second phase will begin that same month and wrap up in August 2011.
Benson Auditorium, the state’s largest auditorium, has undergone a $1 million makeover this summer. Bison black and gold run throughout, including newly upholstered seats and carpet. Additional seats and a new state-of-the-art digital sound system were installed as well.
Construction at Harding Academy has been in progress since January and was completed just this week. A new auditorium has been added for both the elementary and high school students in addition to a new high school wing with a chorus room, band room, art room, science lab and three general classrooms.
The Searcy campus is not the only one experiencing changes. The Mid-South Professional Center will open in Memphis, Tenn., this fall on campus at the Harding University Graduate School of Religion.
Classes will be offered toward three graduate degrees in education.
The center anticipates 100 students in August.
Burks also announced two events in the American Studies Institute Distinguished Lecture Series. The 2010-11 line-up will include a debate Oct. 5, 2010, between conservative columnist, author and radio commentator Cal Thomas and political commentator and liberal analyst Bob Beckel. Both appear regularly on Fox News. Texas Tech University Head Football Coach Tommy Tuberville will speak on campus Feb. 17, 2011. Both events will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Benson Auditorium.
Speakers for September and April will be announced in the coming weeks.
In athletics, Burks recapped the recent decision of the University, along with eight other colleges, to join together in forming a new conference. Arkansas Tech University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University, and University of Arkansas at Monticello, along with Harding, will withdraw from the Gulf South Conference after the 2010-11 season.
Oklahoma schools confirmed at this time include East Central University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The new conference will significantly lower travel costs for the universities and missed classroom time for athletes.
— Harding University President David B. Burks met with local journalists at his annual media luncheon on Tuesday to review the previous academic year and outline events and changes for the
