Honors College Alumni of the Year 2026 — Candice Ortbals-Wiser (’97) and James Wiser (’00)

Candice Ortbals-Wiser earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, history and Spanish from Harding, and master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Indiana University Bloomington. James Wiser earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Harding, a Master of Library Science from Indiana University Bloomington, and MBA from Pepperdine University and a Doctor of Education from The University of Texas at Austin. They currently live in Manhattan, Kansas, and James serves as dean of libraries at Kansas State University where Candice is also a professor of political science. James has been named a Fulbright Specialist of library services by the U.S. State Department, and Candice received the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for Political Science Research from Iowa State University. They live in Manhattan, Kansas, and have two children, Etta and Marian.

How have you been involved in your community?

James: Up until this year, I was board chair for the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, a trustee for St. John’s Episcopal School and a trustee for The Grace Museum. I previously served as campaign co-chair for the Bicentennial Campaign for Indiana University (2016-2020) and as president of the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science Alumni Association (2007-2011). Candice and I are both currently members at the Highland Church of Christ.

Candice: I serve as chair for the National Women’s Caucus for Political Science with the American Political Science Association.

Who in the Harding community has influenced you?

Here are some members of the Harding community who influenced us: Larry Long (preached at our wedding), Jack Shock (read Scripture at our wedding), Jeff Hopper (played piano at our wedding), Fred Jewell, Ross Cochran, Monte Cox, Mark Elrod, Kevin Klein, Lori Klein and Tom Howard.

How are you living your Inspired Purpose?

James: I thought I wanted to be an attorney when I came to Harding, but what I found was that I liked connecting people and information — and that information can be books, but it can also be people or music or art. As an academic administrator, I try to create a culture where everyone can feel loved and cared for, for I think that's how most people thrive and live into the best versions of themselves and their calling.

Candice: I decided as a kid that I wanted to write textbooks, and I have been fortunate enough to have done that now. I have had the chance to pay forward what so many people at Harding did for me, and I see my primary responsibility as one who prepares students for their lives and all the wonder, joy and abundance they will hopefully find.

What makes your field rewarding?

James: I love the idea that I get to help fuel so much of the guts of what higher education does. Whether it's teaching or research or personal transformation, what we do in libraries is critical to the success of our institutions.

Candice: I love seeing my students learn how to do research and then seeing them sparkle when they discover and present new knowledge. It is the best feeling I can have as a professor.

How do you get to serve God and others through the work that you do?

James: It was in Ross Cochran's Life of Christ class that I learned what living incarnationally could mean, and since then I've tried to be salt and light wherever I might find myself. As an administrator, I have the ability to make peoples' lives better … or worse. I try to interact with people and see and treat them as Christ saw them.

Candice: I serve students and help them with their schoolwork, and inevitably those conversations become mentoring conversations where I get to provide a listening ear and help them become better individuals, not just students.