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Young resident puts people first as he spreads God’s love
  
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By ROYCELYN BASTIAN
From dribbling a basketball at 3 years old to reaching out in the community today, Vincent Harding knows what it takes to succeed in life.
Now at the age of 21, Harding, an Atascocita resident and a political science major, was recently crowned the University of Houston-Main Campus’ first black male homecoming king, making him the second minority student to win the title. The first was a student from Nigeria a few years ago.
“I was interested in the title because I thought it would be a great honor for myself, my family and to show people that nice guys finish first,” Harding said.
Aspiring to be homecoming king or queen in college is not a popularity contest. According to Harding, who was nominated by the Campus Crusade for Christ organization, contestants are judged based on their academic, social and community service accomplishments. Applications, letters of recommendation and essays are submitted to the panel and an interview is conducted. Once all the information is tallied, a winner is named.
“My first reaction when I won was, ‘God is good.’ It was an humbling experience,” he said.
Harding’s success started long before being crowned homecoming king. On the basketball team at Humble High School, the athlete and scholar excelled on and off the field. He was recognized as an all-district player, Scholar Athlete of the Week and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also involved in Student Council, yearbook staff, Christian Student Union and was named prom king.
Outside of school, he also played for Houston Hoops, an AAU basketball organization that promotes involvement in athletics as a medium to address youth-related problems.
Harding’s accomplishments in high school led to many scholarships and letters of intent from several colleges and universities around the state, but he chose to attend the University of Houston on his own merit at the age of 17.
“He was still a minor; I had to go and sign all of his papers and I was constantly on campus with him,” said Harding’s mother, Patricia. “We, his family, are extremely proud of him. He is a wonderful role model for his younger sister and to others around him.”
A small fish in a big pond, Harding adapted to his new surroundings at the university and quickly began making a name for himself. Involved in at least 32 different programs and organizations throughout his four years in college, Harding also founded the Our Love Project, an organization that teaches fellow students about love.
“I started the organization in January as a way to share God’s love in everyday life through community service, surveys and being peacemakers,” he said.
With his free time almost consumed, Harding feels his motivation to keep going and staying involved is his religious beliefs.
“My belief in Jesus Christ keeps me going each day. My goal is to help as many people as I can, which is why I want to be a public servant,” Harding said. “I believe the government has a lot of resources (funding) that can be used to help people.”
Currently, Harding is the president of Campus Crusade for Christ, a residential assistant, a coordinator in the Metropolitan Volunteer Program and a member of Men After God’s Own Heart. After graduating from the University of Houston in May 2009, he plans to attend law school. Harding is also a member of Lakewood Church and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
Now at the age of 21, Harding, an Atascocita resident and a political science major, was recently crowned the University of Houston-Main Campus’ first black male homecoming king, making him the second minority student to win the title. The first was a student from Nigeria a few years ago.
“I was interested in the title because I thought it would be a great honor for myself, my family and to show people that nice guys finish first,” Harding said.
Aspiring to be homecoming king or queen in college is not a popularity contest. According to Harding, who was nominated by the Campus Crusade for Christ organization, contestants are judged based on their academic, social and community service accomplishments. Applications, letters of recommendation and essays are submitted to the panel and an interview is conducted. Once all the information is tallied, a winner is named.
“My first reaction when I won was, ‘God is good.’ It was an humbling experience,” he said.
Harding’s success started long before being crowned homecoming king. On the basketball team at Humble High School, the athlete and scholar excelled on and off the field. He was recognized as an all-district player, Scholar Athlete of the Week and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also involved in Student Council, yearbook staff, Christian Student Union and was named prom king.
Outside of school, he also played for Houston Hoops, an AAU basketball organization that promotes involvement in athletics as a medium to address youth-related problems.
Harding’s accomplishments in high school led to many scholarships and letters of intent from several colleges and universities around the state, but he chose to attend the University of Houston on his own merit at the age of 17.
“He was still a minor; I had to go and sign all of his papers and I was constantly on campus with him,” said Harding’s mother, Patricia. “We, his family, are extremely proud of him. He is a wonderful role model for his younger sister and to others around him.”
A small fish in a big pond, Harding adapted to his new surroundings at the university and quickly began making a name for himself. Involved in at least 32 different programs and organizations throughout his four years in college, Harding also founded the Our Love Project, an organization that teaches fellow students about love.
“I started the organization in January as a way to share God’s love in everyday life through community service, surveys and being peacemakers,” he said.
With his free time almost consumed, Harding feels his motivation to keep going and staying involved is his religious beliefs.
“My belief in Jesus Christ keeps me going each day. My goal is to help as many people as I can, which is why I want to be a public servant,” Harding said. “I believe the government has a lot of resources (funding) that can be used to help people.”
Currently, Harding is the president of Campus Crusade for Christ, a residential assistant, a coordinator in the Metropolitan Volunteer Program and a member of Men After God’s Own Heart. After graduating from the University of Houston in May 2009, he plans to attend law school. Harding is also a member of Lakewood Church and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
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