Clifton L. Ganus Jr.

Clifton L. Ganus Jr. (April 7, 1922 – September 9, 2019) was an American theologian. He served as the third president of Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas from 1965–1987. He was professor of history, chair of the department of history and social science, dean of the School of American Studies, and vice president of the college.[1] Ganus died in Searcy, Arkansas in September 2019 at the age of 97.[2]

Early life

Ganus was born in Hillsboro, Texas in April 1922. He enrolled at Harding College in 1939, majoring in Bible and history. He graduated in May 1943 and went on to preach in Charleston, Mississippi, before going on to Tulane University where he earned his M.A. in 1946, followed by a Ph.D. in history from Tulane University from New Orleans, LA in 1953.[3]

Career

Ganus returned to Harding in 1946 to teach history and Bible, going on to become the chairman of the history department. From 1956–1965, he served as vice president of Harding. He became president of Harding in 1965 after the retirement of George S. Benson.[4]

He created the President's Development Council and Associated Women for Harding organizations to recruit students, raise money and serve as ambassadors for Harding. Under Ganus’ leadership, Harding attained university status in 1979. New programs were begun as well: a NASA research program, the social work program, the Christian Communication program for preacher training, the nursing program, the Doctor of Ministry degree at Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis (now Harding School of Theology), the study abroad program in Italy, and the Walton Scholars program.[5]

Ganus was a catalyst behind Harding's 1957 resumption of intercollegiate athletics and one of the biggest supporters of Bisons athletics. As such, the board of trustees named the physical education complex in honor of Ganus upon his retirement from University president in 1987, making it the Ganus Athletic Center.[6] In 1969 in response to pressure from student groups, Benson made plans to hire negro teachers, but continued the policy of informing students parents of any interracial dating.[7]

Ganus became the first chancellor of Harding in 1987.[5]

References
  1. McLarty, Bruce (2017). Embracing the Mission.
  2. Clifton L. Ganus Jr. obituary
  3. Van Zandt, Emily (23 September 2012). "Clifton Ganus Jr.: Harding chancellor recalls lifetime of adventure". Arkansas Online.
  4. "Harding Names New Distinguished Chair". 10 April 2017.
  5. "One Mission, 89 Years and Four Presidents". Harding magazine. Fall 2013.
  6. "Harding Names Building After Ganus". Arkansas Gazette. 8 May 1987.
  7. "Student stir at Searcy". Springfield Leader and Press. March 21, 1969. Retrieved 21 June 2020.



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