Local News
Harding University mourn the crash-killed student
Searcy, Arkansas – Harding University students returning from fall break started the school week in sadness following the death of a classmate in an accident over the weekend.
Avery Martin, a senior majoring in Bible and family ministry from Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with three other students, were heading back to school on Sunday, October 6. Martin was killed after the car flipped in Colorado early in the morning when many of them were exhausted.
The other three injured students are international business major Lloyd Stenglein from Apache Junction, Arizona; interdisciplinary studies major Ben Sheppard from Boise, Idaho; and integrated marketing communication major Bradley Cole from Richardson, Texas.
As a Christian university, Harding University starts each day with a chapel assembly where teachers, staff, and students gather for worship and share the same teachings and announcements. The chapel on Monday was devoted to prayer and recovery following the tragic accident.
Mike Williams, the president of Harding University, gave a speech to the students prior to the hymns.
“There is really only one path—the path that leads to God—when tragedies of this magnitude occur,” Williams stated.
The songs of unison in grief were praise songs as well. Mason Smith, a sophomore, is one of Martin’s acquaintances who claims that their “brother” has advanced to his reward.
Smith stated, “We have much greater hope knowing he’s in a much better place because he was really able to connect with God, which also helped him connect with others, and he was really there for people.”
Through TNT, their social organization, and Campus Ministries Connections, Smith and Martin became acquainted.
Smith remarked, “Yesterday was difficult for me and many others, but I also got to see the positive aspects of the community that Avery has blessed us with.”
Avery was set to tie the knot the following summer. A youth pastor is what he would have done. The leadership of Harding University is committed to providing assistance to students in understanding how uncertain the future can be.
In the wake of Avery’s passing, Vice President Jean-Noel Thompson said that while in-person therapy sessions on campus are already fully booked, online counseling services remain accessible around the clock.
“Our goal is to spread that message without creating any stigma,” Thompson stated. “This is the moment to seek assistance. Our goal is to support and guide them through this, meeting them where they are. The amount of time doesn’t matter. That is the purpose of the community.
There are students from more than 60 nations and all 50 states enrolled this year.
On Thursday, October 10, at 8 p.m., there will be a candlelight service for Martin on the steps of Benson Auditorium.
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