As part of its annual Homecoming events, Harding University held a ceremony Oct. 27 to dedicate the new Legacy Park complex to families who played a significant role in the growth and development of the school. The University honored the following 15 families at the ceremony.

Faculty and staff honored were Dr. J.D. and Mary Bales; S.A. and Thelma Dumas Bell; M.E. “Pinky”and Rheba Berryhill; Leslie and Corinne Burke; Annie May Alston Lewis; F.W. and Mildred Mattox; Erle and Mona Moore; Lonnie E. and Queetro Pryor; Andy and Kathryn Ritchie; Jack Wood and Mattie Sue Sears; and Buford and Ermal Tucker.

Long-time missionaries honored were Alvin and Georgia Hobby and Dow and Helen Merritt.

Major donors honored were Dale and Joan Coleman and former board member Roy Sawyer and his wife, Marj.

The University announced to students, staff and faculty the beginning of this $12 million housing project Sept. 22, 2011. Replacing the West Apartments constructed in 1974, Legacy Park was built in an urban town concept. Each building has its own distinctive look and exterior color scheme.

“My dream is that these apartment buildings will be used to the glory of God for decades and decades to come,” said President David B. Burks at the dedication ceremony. “This represents the beginning of what will be beautiful housing for faculty, staff and students to live right next to the campus, and it is a beautiful addition to Harding University.”

At the ceremony, President Burks also announced that beginning in November, construction would begin on phase two of Legacy Park. New structures will be built along the opposite side of Jimmy Carr Drive making 28 new apartments available to students. In total, phase one and phase two have 92 apartments available to students

“Even as we look back to those whose names these apartments bear, we also look ahead to those who through the years will pass through here,” Andy T. Ritchie III said on behalf of the 15 honored families. “May they, too, be blessed by the encounters they will have in this corner of Searcy, Arkansas.”

Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas with 6,815 students and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information visit www.harding.edu.