Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Harding University
915 E. MARKET AVE. | SEARCY | HARDING.EDU | 800-477-4407
OVERVIEW
Harding University was founded on Christian principles and a liberal-arts tradition. Since 1924, Harding has challenged its students to pursue scholarship, service, teamwork, excellence and commitment. The largest private university in Arkansas, Harding is ranked by
U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review as one of the top liberal-arts universities in the South. The university attracts exceptional high school students representing every U.S. state and more than 50 countries and territories.
CAMPUS LIFE
The campus occupies 350 acres near the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Searcy and offers students a hometown feeling. Nearly all students live in one of the six men’s and eight women’s residence halls and five student apartment complexes. With several meal plans to choose from, students have access to Harding’s dining services, which are managed by a team of world-class culinarians and registered dietitians who create innovative menus. In addition to the dining hall, the team also oversees the operation of a Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Java City, COP-PA Kettle, two Provisions on Demand markets and Classic Fare Catering.
Students can cultivate friendships and interests with more than 120 academic and professional organizations. Ranging from the arts, music, politics and business to diversity, missions, service and the environment, there are a variety of interests to explore. Students can also participate in one of 31 social clubs, a tradition that dates back to the beginning of the university. With social functions, service projects and club sports throughout the school year, social clubs are another way students find family and belonging.
A member of the NCAA Division II, Harding has more than 375 student athletes playing on 18 teams that compete in the Great American Conference. In addition to intercollegiate sports, students have a variety of intramural and recreational activities available. Recently renovated, the Ganus Activities Complex offers racquetball and swimming, as well as free-play spaces for basketball, volleyball, soccer and more. A two-story weight room and a suspended track lets students jog, work out or weight-train in spacious areas dedicated to those activities.
ACADEMICS
Harding is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and maintains specialized accreditation for its programs as appropriate to their educational purpose. Students have opportunities for hands-on learning, whether they are engineering majors developing the concept, design and construction of an off-road vehicle; journalism majors managing, writing and editing the student newspaper; or nursing majors conducting exam simulations on high-fidelity mannequins. With a student-teacher ratio of 14-1, strong relationships are built in and out of the classroom.
Housed within nine colleges, Harding students have the opportunity to pursue more than 100 undergraduate majors, 14 preprofessional programs, 21 graduate programs, two specialist degrees and four doctoral-level programs.
STUDY ABROAD
Harding offers multiple study-abroad programs in locations such as Australasia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia that help expand cultural awareness and understanding among students. Nearly 30 percent of each graduating class takes advantage of Harding’s international experiences. At each location, students are accompanied and taught by university faculty.
MISSION
As “A Community of Mission,” Harding University is particularly devoted to preparing students for lives of Christian service. Students respond to and initiate multiple service opportunities — on campus, in the community and around the world. From community service to international missions, Harding students are making an impact.
Provided with a Christian perspective through which to appreciate various disciplines, students excel as scholars and develop leadership skills. As a result, Harding alumni display character, conviction and a competitive edge, and they are prepared for success at prestigious graduate schools and companies throughout the nation.