the same sex. The University further holds to the biblical principle that sexual relationships outside the context of marriage are unacceptable to God and immoral. Sexual immorality in any form will result in suspension from the University." Harding also forbids the “unwelcome or inappropriate emphasizing of sexual identity.” In 2017, it was then granted an exception to Title IX, which allows for legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ students on religious grounds. Harding has been listed among the "Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth" in the US by Campus Pride. People Notable alumni Academia Leonard Allen, historian and college administrator James Bales, professor and administrator Martin Doyle, ecologist at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions of Duke University E. H. Ijams, president of Lipscomb University Ed Madden, poet, gay rights activist, professor of English, and Director of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina Annie May Alston Lewis, theological librarian J. Stanley Marshall, college administrator, was president Florida State University Edward Granville Sewell, American mathematician and professor at University of Texas, El Paso Rubel Shelly, writer, minister, professor, and former president of Rochester College Richard Felix Staar, political scientist, historian, and fellow at Stanford Athletics Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, Olympian distance runner Tank Daniels, former NFL American football linebacker Scarborough Green, MLB outfielder Chad Marshall, an American Major League soccer player Bryce Mitchell, mixed martial arts fighter Jon Murray, university cross country coach Jim Nichols, football coach Ty Powell, professional football player Matt Riviera, professional wrestler Preacher Roe, Major League Baseball pitcher Arthur Hubert "Hubie" Smith, basketball coach Stephany Smith, women's basketball coach Business LaMar Baker, businessman and politician Michael Blue, billionaire entrepreneur and co-founder of Privateer Holdings Kathy Flynn, businesswoman Music, art, and entertainment Tamera Alexander, author Roxanne Beck, actress and screenwriter Stephen Mark Brown, American opera tenor David Ray Campbell, writer and producer Verna Howard, founder of the radio International Gospel Hour, originally based in Texarkana, Texas Jerry W. Mitchell, investigative reporter and recipient of a "genius grant" from the MacArthur Foundation Willie Robertson, star of A&E's Duck Dynasty as well as CEO of Duck Commander Korie Robertson, star of A&E's Duck Dynasty and wife of Willie Robertson W. Stephen Smith, voice teacher and author, Northwestern University Professor of Voice and Opera Ray Walker, singer with The Jordanaires Politics Tim Barnes, Democratic politician from Tennessee Mary Elizabeth Bentley, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives Jim R.