Expanding horizons
Variety of higher-learning opportunities offered in White County
When it comes to higher education, opportunities in White County are as diverse as the students themselves. In addition to Harding University, a faith-based liberal-arts college, the county is home to Arkansas State University-Beebe, which offers communitycollege programs on two campuses.
HARDING UNIVERSITY
Students looking for a Christian-based education with traditional campus life can check out Harding University in Searcy, the largest private university in Arkansas. “Harding is a place that nurtures, encourages and strengthens,” said Jonathan Murphy, director of news services. “It’s a place that challenges students to reach their fullest academic potential in an environment that allows them to learn more about God and strengthen their faith.” He added that the university considers spiritual growth to be just as important as academic growth. Faculty members teach classes from a Christian perspective, which allows students to learn not only about their fields but also about integrating faith into their professional lives. This faith-based approach to university life is most evident when the students come together for chapel, a tradition dating back to the university’s beginning in 1924. “Daily chapel is a unique and special time when everyone in the Harding community comes together to sing, pray and learn something from God’s word,” Murphy said. “A treasured time by many, it’s the one time per day that we all fellowship together for a shared spiritual purpose.” About 5,500 students attend the university, hailing from all 50 states, as well as 54 nations and territories, he said. The university offers 10 undergraduate degrees in more than 100 majors, as well as 14 preprofessional programs and several master’s degrees and doctorate programs. The College of Pharmacy is one of two accredited programs in Arkansas offering a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, he said, and this fall, the Carr College of Nursing will become one of two schools in the state to offer an accelerated second-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The campus also provides plenty of entertainment for students and community members. In addition to concerts, movies and theatrical performances throughout the year, Harding offers an annual homecoming musical, the Arts and
Life concert series and Spring Sing, an annual student music-and-dance production. The university also offers a number of intercollegiate sports, and Harding students receive free admission to cheer on the Bisons at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House or First Security Stadium. Students can also work out at the Ganus Activities Complex. “It’s a community of mission where higher education and higher purpose go hand in hand,” Murphy said. “Harding is where students find their passions and meet the people who will be their friends for the rest of their lives.”
ASU-BEEBE
Everyone, from nontraditional students hoping to further their careers to high school students preparing for college, can pursue educational opportunities at Arkansas State University-Beebe, an operationally separate two-year institution of the Arkansas State University System. In addition to its campuses in Beebe and Searcy, ASUB offers programs in Heber Springs, at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville and online. The institution offers associate degrees, technical certificates, concurrent credit for high school students, and noncredit training for businesses and industries. “There is really only one way to describe the atmosphere at ASUB, and that is student-centered,” said Jennifer Methvin, chancellor. “No matter what campus, building or office our students or guests visit, they find faculty and staff waiting to provide information, guidance, support and acceptance.” At 91 years old, ASUB is the oldest twoyear college in Arkansas and the state’s only two-year college with residence halls. The university offers unique programs such as the only veterinary technology and John Deere agricultural technology programs in Arkansas, she said. She added that ASUB is also the only two-year college in the state to offer an Associate of Fine Arts degree, which is designed to transfer toward a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She added that ASUB partners with ASU in Jonesboro to allow students to earn bachelor’s degrees by taking coursework through the A-State Degree Center on the Beebe campus. The Searcy campus focuses on technical and occupational programs that can be completed in about a year, she said, adding that those who wish to continue their education can apply the credits to an Associate of Applied Science in General Technology degree. Students can also complete the entire emergency medical services program at ASUB-Searcy, she said. In addition, the Searcy campus offers the Regional Career Center, which allows high school students in White County and surrounding places to earn college credit. “Though ASUB is a traditional, multi-campus, comprehensive community college offering both work-ready and baccalaureate-transfer programs, we provide our students with a number of handson learning experiences,” Methvin said. The institution is the only two-year college in Arkansas with a working farm where students can study, she said, adding that students in honors and leadership programs can get involved in university governance through the Student Government Association. In addition, students can participate in various off-campus adventures.