Smith Endowment
Through the generosity of individuals who believe in Harding Academy's mission and vision, Harding can prepare for its future financial needs with endowed gifts. Gifts to our endowment fund will ensure that funding is available for years to come to carry out our mission to provide a quality Christian education to our students. Funding of our endowment program can be accomplished with planned gift vehicles, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, gifts with a retained life estate, or by naming Harding Academy as a beneficiary of your will or life insurance policy. The process is simple, and is beneficial to all involved.
If you have questions regarding planned giving, please contact Harding's Advancement Office at 901/767-1033.
The Dr. Gaylon and Mrs. Deanna Smith Endowment
In cooperation with Craig and Keith Smith, the Harding Board of Directors established the Dr. Gaylon and Mrs. Deanna Smith Endowment. This endowment is a lasting memorial to Gaylon and Deanna Smith and honors their life-long devotion to Christian education.
The Smiths' sons, Craig and Keith, requested that the funds from the memorial endow the Academy's annual seventh grade Bible presentation. Additional gifts to the endowment are to be directed to the Dr. Gaylon and Mrs. Deanna Smith Endowed Scholarship.
The tradition of presenting seventh grade students with leather-bound Bibles, engraved with their names and the Harding crest, began in the 2000-2001 academic year. The Bible ceremony signifies the importance of Harding's mission in a meaningful way, and all seventh grade students are encouraged and challenged to carry the Bibles they are given across the stage as they graduate in six years. The goal is that the Bible will be well worn from use.
Craig and Keith believe this ceremony demonstrates the spirit of their parents' commitment to young people and their desire to provide a strong spiritual foundation for students through Christian education. The Smiths' names are inscribed inside each Bible as a tribute to this outstanding couple.
Gaylon and Deanna Smith strongly believed in the value of Christian education, and throughout the years, their gifts to Harding made it possible for a number of students to attend the Academy. Every gift to this endowment, whether large or small, is important. The combined gifts create funds to endow the seventh grade Bible presentations and to offer financial aid to deserving Harding students.
Call Harding's Advancement Office at 901/767-1033 if you have any questions.