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2021 Esprit de Corps Award

Congratulations to our 2021 Esprit de Corps Award recipients, Paul and Vicki Goddard.

Esprit de Corps means a common spirit of enthusiasm and devotion to a cause among the members of a group. Over the years we have paid tribute to a person, couple, or business that has made extraordinary contributions to Harding Academy. This recipient, by nature, has exhibited a spirit of devotion and cooperation resulting in a positive and lasting impact upon Harding Academy.

Tonight’s award recipients are the perfect example of the kind of faithful, dedicated, and generous leaders we hope each of our students will become.

She grew up in Florida, graduated from Freed-Hardeman University, and has taught math at Harding Academy for 27 years. It’s no surprise given her aptitude for numbers that she is highly logical, detailed, and practical. What is more surprising is her great level of patience. She knows how to work one-on-one with struggling students to help them succeed. Her sincere heart for people who have had challenging background is evident in everything she does.

Just listen to what some of her students have to say about her:

“She was always so patient with me and willing to help me with whatever problem, big or small. She encouraged me to never let math get the best of me, and made sure I did my homework thoroughly. She helped me become honest, hardworking, and intentional.”

Here’s what another student had to say:

“I’m astounded by her belief in her students and her ability to deal with all of us. I know she genuinely cared about our progression and our future.”

And here’s one more:

“She is the best teacher I’ve had. She always believed in me and pushed me to always do my best. She was always there for me when I needed it the most, and for that, I will love her forever.”

We couldn’t have said it any better.

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He grew up in Oklahoma and earned degrees from Oklahoma Christian University and Harding School of Theology. He has worked at Harding for 38 years, serving as dean for 32 of those years. He has taught almost every social studies subject for grades 7–12 and has taught Bible subjects from the 6th grade up.

During his time as dean, he was once disciplining a student while wearing a full mascot costume. The chair he was sitting in broke, dumping him in the floor. As he pulled himself off the floor, he looked at the student and said, “Go ahead and laugh; I know you want to.” He is often remembered for telling jokes at the lunch table and rapping in his classes.

Listen to what his students have to say about him:

“One time I tried to skip school to hang out with a boy I liked. I got busted and called into his office, which was terrifying as a teen who had never broken the rules. I couldn’t look him in the face for many weeks after. Thank you for setting me straight and back to class. That boy wasn’t worth it.”

Here’s what another student had to say:

“My best memories of him are the way he befriended my daughter and son who came to Harding as a freshman and a seventh grader. We weren’t ‘Harding lifers’ as so many of the student body were. He found something to connect with them and helped them to feel at home.”

And here’s one more:

“He is one of the kindest and wisest men I have ever met. Harding blessed me with so many fill-in father figures, and to this day I am grateful for my time spent in his classroom. He made sure we knew the curriculum but also taught us SO much about life and the Lord. His anecdotes never failed to put smiles on our faces, and following him on Facebook to read his quirky tales was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my post high school career. I am so thankful for his heart, his patience, his storytelling ability, and his passion for teaching. Harding is better because of him.”

Once again, we couldn’t have said it any better.

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They met in Memphis and, this June, they will have been married to each other for 39 years. They are active members of the Park Avenue Church of Christ where they have both served as teachers and where he has served as an elder. Their lives of faithfulness have been and continue to be a testimony for the Lord to hundreds of Harding students, faculty, and staff.