This series, including "Make Mine Freedom" (1948) as well as "Meet King Joe" (1949), were all produced by John Sutherland Productions as part of a concerted campaign to fight against the threats of communism at the beginning of the Cold War using popular media.

[9] The initiative represented a central concern of Harding president George S. Benson, who believed that fighting socialism was a moral imperative.

The NEP coordinated speaking engagements and produced and distributed reprints of Benson's speeches and newspaper columns, short films by a former Walt Disney employee, and other media.

NEP materials were used nationwide by groups such as the U.S. armed forces, public schools, colleges and universities, chapters of the American Legion, and local chambers of commerce.

Some uses became controversial: Some companies required their employees to attend NEP-sponsored seminars and enclosed copies of Benson's lectures with their paychecks in hopes of addressing perceived restlessness.

He went further, stating that Black people were far better off in the US than in other countries, and that integration would result in destruction of property, the spread of venereal diseases, and increased pregnancies.

[12] In a 2012 article, it was suggested that this decision was motivated by expectation that the coming Civil Rights Act would require "Harding to desegregate to continue receiving federal funds",[12] but contemporary sources make no mention of this as a consideration: The Gazette applauded Harding's "voluntary action" as an "example" for other Arkansas church-related colleges and deserving an "ovation...for the grace with which they have undertaken this social change".

Under his leadership, the Harding administration allowed students to enter into interracial relationships, but made it policy to caution them against it and informed their parents in writing.

Upon review, but against the wishes of the Black Student Association, the university, under the leadership of Bruce McLarty, defended Benson and chose to retain the name.

[19][20] Facing this controversy and a 23% decline in enrollment over 5 years, the board dismissed McLarty, with former president David Burks resuming control.

additions have included several dormitories; expansions of the cafeteria, student center, art department, and the David B. Burks American Heritage Building.

The McInteer Bible and World Missions Center, was built in a project that included closing a road and creating a pedestrian mall.

After competing in the Ganus Athletic Center from 1976 until 2006, Harding's volleyball and basketball teams moved back to the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

The field house is a round-topped airplane hangar built for France in WWII, and purchased as war surplus by George S. Benson.

[28] In 1953, Harding established the School of American Studies as an extension of President Benson's National Education Program in order to teach and train students in the founding principles of the United States Constitution.

"[29] In doing so, the ASI exhibits a generally conservative political stance, focused on going "back to the fundamental values that made this country great.

"[7] Harding supports a chapter of Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honor society for colleges and universities with a strong humanities program.

Men's sports include Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, and Track and Field.

Women's sports include Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball.

Spring Sing also typically features two hosts, two hostesses, and a general song and choreography ensemble, with these roles chosen by audition.

Alongside publications of the university itself, such as the alumni newsletter Harding Magazine and the yearbook The Petit Jean, students produce their own periodical during the academic year called The Bison.

In 2011 a group of LGBTQ students at Harding, known as "HU Queer Press", produced a Zine called State of the Gay whose website was blocked by the university.

[44][45][46] As a result of this decision by the administration, the controversy received attention from national newspapers like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and online platforms like Jezebel and The Huffington Post.

[51][52] In April 2022, HU Queer Press 3.0 was announced, with members releasing a zine titled Look Around, requesting "that Harding University fully acknowledge, affirm, and protect its LGBT students".

Once a student is accepted into the club, they attend biweekly meetings and can participate in club-sponsored sports, service projects, and Spring Sing.

[58] Students at Harding University are expected to maintain the highest standards of Christian morality, integrity, orderliness and personal honor.

Chapel programs are "designed to stimulate intellectual, religious, social or aesthetic development," in accordance with the university's mission of combining " faith, learning and living."

The university requires students and faculty to dress professionally when attending class, chapel, lyceum, and American Studies programs.

Visiting in the residence of a single member of the opposite sex, even though others are present, without permission from a student life dean, is prohibited.

Staying overnight in a residence, motel, hotel, or any such arrangement with a member of the opposite sex, without permission from a student life dean, will result in suspension, although explicit sexual immorality may not have been observed.