New president's goal: Prop up PBAU
But in August 2008, Hardin resigned following controversy surrounding a $300,000 bonus awarded by trustees during a private meeting earlier than his contract called for.
He returned the bonus. But then a memo surfaced recommending monetary awards to Hardin and outlining how they could be given outside public purview. The memo was attributed to three UCA administrators. It later was revealed that although the administrators were researching a compensation package for Hardin, it was Hardin who wrote the memo.
All that seemed ancient history on Thursday as Hardin walked PBAU's sunny campus.
"I wanted to tell you we really appreciated you taking time to help students move in," Jordan Shafer, 20, told Hardin. "It says a lot about your character and means a lot to the students."
Hardin sees PBAU growing to 4,000 students from its current 3,235.
As with most private universities, PBAU's books are closed. Hardin maneuvers around questions about how much money is needed to complete the ball fields promised on the former Hillcrest neighborhood property, and if there are specific plans to sell any campus buildings.
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