SEARCY, Ark. — More than 350 students from around the south will
gather for the 54th Annual National Leadership Forum at Harding
University June 6-11.
The program, designed for students in grades 9-12, develops leaders
and better acquaints youth with the American scene, motivating them to
an expression of pride in our nation’s traditions and ideals. The
event is cosponsored by Arkansas and Tennessee Farm Bureaus, Civitan
and other civic clubs, and Harding’s American Studies Institute.
Through lectures, films, research and discussion, students will
examine such issues as free enterprise, foreign policy, the
environment, family values, drug and alcohol abuse, and team
competition. Speakers will present a wide variety of lectures in the
American Heritage Auditorium on campus, allowing for
question-and-answer periods afterward. Scheduled presentations
include:
Monday, June 7
• Dean Sikes of the Spirit of America Foundation will present
“Discover Your Destiny” at 9:30 a.m.
• Princella Smith, a candidate in the Republican primary for Arkansas’
first congressional district, will present “The Power of One” at 3:30
p.m.
• Motivational speaker Rick Revel will discuss “God and Country” at 7
p.m.
Tuesday, June 8
• John Foppe will motivate students through “Life is an Attitude” at
8:30 a.m.
• Dr. Dee Carson will present “How You Learn” at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
and 3:30 p.m.
• B. Chris Simpson will present “Leaders Communicate” at 10:30 a.m.,
1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9
• Pat Socia, author of “Weaving Character into Sex Education” will
challenge teens in “Walk the Sexual Freedom Road” at 8:30 a.m.
• Melissa Burniston will present “Critical Issues Facing the
Environment and Agriculture” at 1:30 p.m.
• Nathan Mellor will discuss “Leadership and the Economy” at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 10
• Andrew Baker, director of the Institute for Church and Family, will
present “Leaders See People” at 8:30 a.m.
• Dr. Bob Reely, director of the National Leadership Forum and
associate executive director of the American Studies Institute, will
present “The American Economy” at 10:30 a.m.
Harding had a record enrollment this year of more than 6,600 students
from all 50 states and 49 foreign countries. It is the largest private
university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than
any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains
campuses in Australia, Chilé, England, France, Greece, Italy and
Zambia.
