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The American Studies Institute proudly presents Harding University’s National Leadership Forum in Searcy, Arkansas each year.

Through labs, lectures, films and discussion, participating youth become more prepared and confident and equipped with the necessary tools to preserve the traditions and ideals upon which America was founded. A wide variety of speakers present lectures and then allow for a question-and-answer periods and follow up labs.

Open to student leaders in grades 9,10, 11 and 12
Participants should be entering either the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12^th. They must have excellent character and demonstrate leadership ability.

Supervised university dorm life
Adult counselors will provide supervision for men's and women's residence halls at all times. Seminar participants should plan to arrive Sunday afternoon. Transportation and associated costs are to be arranged by each applicant and/or his sponsor.

Costs
The reasonable tuition for the seminar covers all costs directly related to the seminar, including housing, meals and materials.

Forum Outcomes

• Leadership Development
• Understanding Free Enterprise
• Examining Foreign Policy
• Understanding Our Environment
• Building Family Values
• Examining Leadership Issues, such as Sex Respect, Aids and Drug/Alcohol Abuse
• Intervarsity athletic Team Competition

More Information
Students interested in more information and/or a brochure may contact the Director of the National Leadership Forum, at 501-279-4497. If you would like to apply to attend the National Leadership Forum send an email request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Harding University National Leadership Forum

At the dawn of a new century, the United States has begun to look at the challenges it faces in the future. To meet these challenges American citizens must become more interested in the economic, political, and cultural principles that were the foundation of civilization in the Western Hemisphere. For more than two centuries these principles have brought to the United States the highest standard of living the world has ever known under any other political and economic system.

In this age of ideological conflict, educated citizens are indispensable. Thomas Jefferson said, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be." There must be a reaffirmation and redefinition of the American heritage for each oncoming generation if the blessings of our civilization are to continue.

53 Alabama-West Florida NLF 2010 delegates

America can preserve her freedom only by instilling her principles and ideals into the hearts of each oncoming generation. Unless youth are taught to love American freedom and ideals, these ideals and principles that have given us the highest standard of living and the greatest measure of personal freedom will disappear.

During the 1930s in the United States, emphasis was on vocational training; in the 40s and 50s, on science; in the 70s and 80s the emphasis was on the development of an enlightened citizenry; and from the challenging 90s to the present, the emphasis must be directed to a citizenry that is responsive to the principles of democracy and willing to contribute to America's cause of freedom.

As builders of good citizenship, Civitan Clubs in Alabama and West Florida in 1956 requested that a forum be developed for youth. Since that time the seminar has grown rapidly. Students have responded so favorably that 400 now come every year as sponsored by many civic clubs and state and county Farm Bureaus with the cooperation of Harding University's American Studies Institute.

Through the media of lectures, films, research, and association with internationally recognized authorities, we will collectively assist youth to become better acquainted with the American scene and motivated to a more forceful expression of pride in our traditions and ideals.