NEA CHAIR JANE CHU VISITS ALMA MATER
|
SUSIE EVERETT HALL DEDICATED
|
VOLLEYBALL EARNS CONFERENCE TITLE
Fall 2016
i ntenti onal
E D I TOR’ S N O T ES
Intentional choices make major impact When it comes to being intentional, among Ouachita’s great strengths is fostering intentional relationships. Whether it’s deep personal friendships nurtured in residence halls, social clubs, ministry teams or on athletic fields, Ouachita students build authentic relationships that typically last decades beyond their time on campus. The same is true of students’ interactions with faculty and staff who serve as mentors and role models in classes, field trips, work study positions and elsewhere. And they aren’t one-way relationships. Our students also pour into our lives in memorable and meaningful ways. So what does it take to be intentional in those settings? How do individuals maintain a commitment to intentionality both during and after their Ouachita experience? This edition of The Ouachita Circle seeks to explore those issues from various perspectives. For starters, Dr. Rebecca Jones, associate professor of communications, addresses the topic of intentional spiritual development and growth on pages 8-9. Reflecting on spiritual questions posed by her young children and her ensuing research prompted by those questions, Dr. Jones notes that Ouachita’s educational environment “can point interested students toward fearless curiosity and wonder about God.” One key, of course, is being intentional in asking tough questions and pursuing sound answers. Other examples of intentional choices in life are reflected by two noted alumnae who made recent visits to campus. Sarah Harmeyer, founder of Neighbor’s Table, was the featured speaker for this year’s Homecoming chapel and Dr. Jane Chu, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, delivered this fall’s Birkett Williams Lecture. Both women demonstrate intentional efforts to make a positive difference through personal and professional choices. Many friends of Ouachita also are intentional in giving to benefit current and future generations of students. Dwight Everett endowing Susie Everett Hall in honor of his wife, Dr. Charles and Cindy Fuller providing funds to refurbish the Charles W. Wright Choir Room and Sen. Percy Malone donating to benefit the Tigers’ AllCare Field House are examples of intentional investment of resources. In the words of Ouachita President Ben Sells, we aspire “to intentionally prepare our graduates to impact their world in their generation for the Kingdom of God and the common good.” We value your intentional choice to join us on this journey. Trennis Henderson Vice President for Communications
Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us. Richie Norton
Change is inevitable. Growth is intentional. Glenda Cloud
Impact is never about knowing all the steps ahead, but about taking one intentional step after the other. Bidemi Mark-Mordi
The busier you are, the more intentional you must be. Michael Hyatt
Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philippians 2:2
INS IDE TH E CI R CL E
2
20
29
32
34
36
8
I N T E N T I O N A L E D U C AT I O N M A K E S L A S T I N G I M PAC T Dr. Rebecca Jones, associate professor of communications, explores faith-focused parenting.
Camp u s Up d ate
Ouachita wins national #MyTopCollege title
S p or ts Up d ate
Place kicker Cole Antley named All-American
12
Clas s Notes
NEA CHAIR JANE CHU DELIVERS FALL LECTURE Dr. Jane Chu, a noted lifelong daughter of Ouachita, presents Birkett Williams Lecture.
Faculty and staff honored for combined 685 years
Facu l ty P r ofi l e
Dr. Joe Jeffers marks 45 years as faculty member
S ta ff P r ofi l e
14
SUSIE EVERETT HALL: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Men’s residence hall endowed in honor of former student and current trustee Susie Everett.
Ashlee Giles aids students with undeclared majors
Clos i n g T h ou g h ts
Dr. Sells: Growth, impact require intentional efforts
19
TIGERS EARN SHARE OF 2016 VOLLEYBALL TITLE Coach Danny Prescott named Great American Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year.
FALL 2016 | 1
Fall 2016
PRESIDENT BEN R. SELLS VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS / EDITOR TRENNIS HENDERSON
CAMPUS NEWS
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING / ASSOCIATE EDITOR BROOKE ZIMNY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GRAPHIC SERVICES / CREATIVE DIRECTOR RENÉ ZIMNY DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR TYLER ROSENTHAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT KELDON HENLEY DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI JON MERRYMAN ALUMNI PROGRAM COORDINATOR HANNAH PILCHER The Ouachita Circle is a publication of Ouachita Baptist University’s alumni and communications offices. Printed by TCPrint Solutions in North Little Rock, Ark. © Copyright 2016 Cover photo by Tyler Rosenthal (’15). graphic courtesy of Forbes.com
SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES AND CLASS NOTES www.ouachitaalumni.org • alumni@obu.edu • (870) 245-5506 410 Ouachita St., OBU Box 3762 • Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001
FOLLOW US
@Ouachita
@OuachitaAlumni
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jay Heflin (Chair), Mary Pat Anthony, Millard Aud, Scott Carter, Steven Collier, Clay Conly, Julie Dodge, Susie Everett, Taylor King, Larry Kircher, Richard Lusby, John McCallum, Ginger Morgan, Beth Neeley, Mark Roberts, Randy Sims, Tom Thrash, Susan Wamble, John Ward, Bob White, Larry White, James E. Young, James S. Young. National Directors: Frank Hickingbotham, Jarrett Stephens, Scott Street
CHANCELLOR Ben M. Elrod PRESIDENT EMERITUS Daniel R. Grant ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD Lannie Byrd (President), Amy Wentz Burnside, Donna Byers Carozza, Andrew Curtis, Kim Cole Darr, Shari Deaver Edwards, David Goodman, Amy Witherow Landers, Jacob Lively, Keisha Pittman McKinney, Emily Watts Merryman, Heather Brandon Spruill, Jeff Stotts, John Tolbert
YOUNG ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD Jacob Lively (Chair), Samantha Street Akers, Nick Archer, Lindsey Fowler Catlett, Cliff Conine, Brandon Cumba, Jonathan Curry, Kelsi Bodine Daniell, Tim Dockery, Andrew Ford, Drew Harper, Justin Harper, Brad-Hunter Heird, Brooke Harris Hudson, Kristen Porter Jackson, Ryan James, Whitney Martin Jones, Logan Kuhn, Gracie Lundstrum Lively, Leslie Margis, Eric Marks, Collier Moore, Brian Nutt, Kyle Proctor, Matt Ramsey, Alex Ray, Klayton Seyler, Paige Cate Shepard, Molly Magee Shepherd, Lauren Snow, Tara Reese Thornton, Abby Turner, Corey Wallis, Adam Wheat, Bethany Whitfield, Jessica Winston 2 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
OUACHITA EARNS NATIONAL TITLE IN 2016 #MYTOPCOLLEGE COMPETITION What’s the top university in the nation in school spirit? The answer is Ouachita Baptist University, according to Forbes’ 2016 #MyTopCollege social media competition. Ouachita was named the nation’s No. 1 university in school spirit, outdistancing runners-up California State University in Fullerton and Michigan State University which have student enrollments of 40,000 and 50,000 respectively compared to Ouachita’s enrollment of 1,500. In a release titled “Small but Mighty: The Comeback College that Snagged the #MyTopCollege Crown,” Forbes wrote, “There’s a case to be made that the real stars of the 2016 #MyTopCollege competition are the students, alumni and faculty of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. The university not only won the small schools division by a landslide, but it also submitted by far the most posts overall.” The annual competition invites students, alumni, faculty and staff to post comments and photos on social media highlighting why their university is #MyTopCollege. This marks the third year in a row that Ouachita has earned a national Top 10 finish in the annual competition. A sampling of posts by Ouachitonians includes: • From the people to the places, @Ouachita is so beautiful. The light of Christ shines so brightly at #MyTopCollege! • @Ouachita is #MyTopCollege because of profs who invest deeply in students both in and out of the classroom. • Best 4 years of my life were spent at @Ouachita #MyTopCollege.
UPDATE photo by Andy Henderson
FESTIVAL RINGS IN CHRISTMAS Highlighting the theme, “The Spirit of Christmas,” Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts presented the university’s 25th annual A Festival of Christmas on Dec. 2 and 3 in Jones Performing Arts Center. Ouachita vocal ensembles Concert Choir, Ouachita Singers, Women’s Chorus and Ouachita Sounds were featured in the performance. Assisting Ouachita’s student performers were local children in the Ouachita Honor Choir as well as Ouachita’s Handbell Ringers and the Festival of Christmas Dancers. The pit band featured students from Ouachita’s instrumental program. “Festival of Christmas is the School of Fine Arts’ gift of Christmas to students, faculty, staff, patrons and friends of the Ouachita community,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of the School of Fine Arts. “We are excited each year to present this program, which for many begins their Christmas season.”
GIVING UNTIL IT FEELS GOOD BIOGRAPHY DETAILS SERVICE OF CHANCELLOR BEN ELROD Dr. Ben Elrod, who served as Ouachita Baptist University’s 13th president from 1988 to 1998, recently was honored with the release of a biography titled Giving Until It Feels Good – Ben M. Elrod: Arkansas Educator and Fundraiser. The 82-page biography, written by Rex Nelson and Ian Cosh, was published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. Dr. Elrod has served as OBU chancellor since his retirement in 1998. The Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community is named in his honor. Dr. Elrod and his wife, Betty Lou, also were honored in 2009 with the dedication of Ben and Betty Elrod Boulevard, the main entrance to Ouachita’s campus. The seven-chapter book, which features photographs from throughout Dr. Elrod’s life and career, focuses on his early years and education years as well as Elrod the president, the fundraiser, the economic developer and the passionate volunteer and a closing chapter titled “Final Thoughts.” Co-authors Rex Nelson and Ian Cosh both are Ouachita alumni. Nelson, a 1982 Ouachita graduate, is senior vice president and director of corporate communications for Simmons First National Corporation. Cosh, a 1987 Ouachita graduate, is OBU’s vice president for community and international engagement and director of the Elrod Center. Dr. Elrod said the book’s central message “is a reflection of my love for Ouachita.” He added that “my story is primarily a story of Ouachita and would not be complete without emphasis on that lifetime, life-changing relationship.” Copies of Giving Until It Feels Good are available for purchase at the Ouachita Campus Store, westbowpress.com and amazon.com.
OUACHITA EARNS TOP TIER RANKINGS FROM FORBES, U.S. NEWS AND USA TODAY Maintaining a longstanding tradition of academic excellence and value, Ouachita continues to be ranked among the top universities in the nation by Forbes magazine, U.S. News & World Report and USAToday/CollegeFactual.com. This year’s rankings mark the eighth consecutive year that Ouachita has been named among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes. It also is the sixth year in a row that Ouachita has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s top tier of “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.” U.S. News also ranked Ouachita among “A+ Schools for B Students” for the sixth consecutive year – the only national liberal arts college in the state to make the list. Ouachita also earned several top tier rankings from USAToday/CollegeFactual.com, including being ranked in the top 5 percent nationally among colleges cited as “Best for the Money.” “Ouachita’s consistent rankings among the nation’s top schools is a testimony to the dedication of our faculty, staff, trustees and students,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells. In this year’s USA Today and CollegeFactual.com rankings, Ouachita is in the top 5 percent among best universities for the money both nationally and in the Southeast. It also is ranked in the top 5 percent nationally for its biology and music programs and in the top 10 percent nationally for its biomedical sciences, communications and communication sciences programs as well as its NCAA Division II football and men’s basketball programs. Ouachita programs ranked in the top 15 percent nationally include dietetics, history, theatre arts and wrestling.
FALL 2016 | 3
C AM PU S U P DA T E
THREE STUDENTS HONORED FOR UNDERGRAD RESEARCH
photo by Haley WIlkerson
OUACHITA HOSTS CONSORTIUM FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION Launching the Consortium for Global Education’s 30th year, participants from across the nation and around the world gathered Sept. 14-16 on the Ouachita campus for the organization’s annual meeting. The consortium, which was established in 1987, supports the development and programs of international education between member Baptist colleges and universities and partner institutions of higher education overseas, especially in restricted countries. This year, CGE member schools from 44 campuses have been involved in academic opportunities in more than 90 nations and have hosted nearly 4,800 international students from more than 130 nations. During this year’s annual meeting, keynote speakers, international presenters and special guests traveled from nations ranging from Cambodia, China, Myanmar and Thailand to Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. Ian Cosh, Ouachita’s vice president for community and international engagement and director of the Grant Center for International Education, hosted this year’s CGE annual meeting. “Ouachita is one of the founding members of CGE so it is particularly meaningful for us to host the group,” Cosh noted. “Three of Ouachita’s former presidents have served as leaders of the organization. Dr. Daniel Grant served as CGE president for a decade after his retirement as president of Ouachita. Dr. Ben Elrod and Dr. Andy Westmoreland each served as chairmen of CGE.” Dr. Grant, president emeritus of Ouachita, was among founding members of the organization honored during the meeting.
Three Ouachita students were among those honored at the fifth annual Central Arkansas Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The symposium attracted a total of 114 undergraduate researchers from 15 colleges and universities across Arkansas as well as 18 colleges and universities from 14 other states. Ouachita had the largest undergraduate representation with 22 students. Tyler White, a senior biology major from Biscoe, Ark., won second place among 92 posters presented. He worked with Dr. Tim Hayes, associate professor of chemistry and holder of the E.A. Provine Chair of Chemistry. Camden Dwelle, a senior biology, chemistry and mathematics major from Arkadelphia, Ark., and Brett James, a senior biology major from Camden, Ark., were among 12 participants selected to make oral presentations based on their research abstract submissions. Dwelle worked on his project with faculty mentor Dr. Lori Hensley, the J.D. Patterson Professor of Biology, and James worked with Dr. Marty Perry, formerly the Nell I. Mondy Professor of Chemistry. According to Dr. Perry, “Our students’ strong communication skills and passion for research are a testament to their own individual talents as well as the collective efforts of all Ouachita faculty who mentor and instruct them.”
OUACHITA ACCREDITED AS ARKANSAS’ ONLY “EXERCISE IS MEDICINE” CAMPUS Ouachita recently was named an Exercise is Medicine Silver Level Campus for its commitment to creating a culture of wellness on campus. It is the only university in the state and one of only 15 universities in the nation to achieve this honor for 2016. Ouachita’s Exercise is Medicine efforts are coordinated through its Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies. Dr. Terry DeWitt, chair of the department, accepted OBU’s recognition at the annual EIM meeting in Boston. “Ouachita was one of the first universities to receive this accreditation through the American College of Sports Medicine,” DeWitt noted. “It reflects great credit on our faculty, students, administrators and supporters of our academic program.” Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative that seeks to highlight the scientific benefits of physical activity for public health through integration into the health care field and public awareness.
4 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
C A M P U S U P DA T E
OUACHITA MUSICAL GROUPS RELEASE TWO NEW CDs Two new CDs have been released by Ouachita musical groups. “City Called Heaven” features the Ouachita Singers and Women’s Chorus. “Simple Gifts” features the Ouachita Wind Ensemble. The CDs are $15 each. All proceeds from “City Called Heaven” will go toward the Ouachita Singers’ choir tour of Italy over spring break. All proceeds for “Simple Gifts” will go toward the Wind Ensemble recording project. The title track for “City Called Heaven” features soloist Kayla Walker, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark. Other songs on the CD performed by the Ouachita Singers under the direction of Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of the OBU School of Fine Arts, include “O Clap Your Hands,” “Ave Maria,” “Song of Exaltation,” “Adoramus te, Christe,” “God of the Deep,” “Lullaby” and “Dwijavanthi.” Women’s Chorus, conducted by Dr. Becky Morrison, performs three songs, “In the Sweet By and By,” “Your Masterpiece,” and “Bring Me Little Water, Silvy.” The CD also includes recordings of the 2014 Ouachita Singers in concert at the Southwestern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association. “Simple Gifts” is conducted by Dr. Craig Hamilton, Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands. It features selections from both the 2012 and 2016 Ouachita Wind Ensemble. The CD includes a collection of four Shaker songs, a short symphony for wind ensemble and a sacred suite of three songs as well as other selections. The CDs are available for purchase in the OBU Campus Store or in the School of Fine Arts dean’s suite in Mabee Fine Arts Center. For more information, contact Dr. Gary Gerber at gerberg@obu.edu or (870) 245-5128.
photo courtesy of Stephen Watson
“EMANATE: A FRAGRANT INSTALLATION”: VISUAL ARTS HOSTS AROMATIC EXHIBIT The Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts hosted Stephen Watson in a guest exhibit, “Emanate: A Fragrant Installation,” Sept. 12-Oct. 17 in Moses-Provine Hall’s Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery. Watson, a sculptor, creates aromatic installations that are site-specific. He uses herbs and spices in his floor installations to communicate his conceptual art. “Materially speaking, creating art using spices and herbs is visually, texturally and aromatically enthralling,” Watson said in his artist statement. “The resulting installations are delicious, decorative and alluring; however, they are fragile.” Citing 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 about Christians being “the aroma of Christ” as an inspiration for his artwork, Watson explained, “If you can imagine that Jesus was a burnt offering, we would be the smoke emanating from His sacrifice, pluming up and out, filling the air, spreading the news of the fire.” Watson’s art is displayed in contemporary art galleries, public spaces and churches. In addition to his personal art and exhibits, Watson is an assistant professor of art at Samford University.
ENACTUS HOSTS COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE Ouachita’s Enactus chapter hosted a community-wide canned food drive this fall through a new project called Mission 58:10 designed to benefit people locally and internationally. Students and members of the community were invited to participate by donating food or monetary gifts at a dozen different sites on campus and throughout the community. The food was donated to the Clark County Ecumenical Food Pantry and Lighthouse Ministries, and financial gifts were forwarded to Feed My Starving Children. Mission 58:10 is a project based on Isaiah 58:10, which states, “and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.” Mission 58:10’s goal is to strengthen the local and international prevention of hunger alongside the organizations it is helping to support. “Through this canned food drive, Mission 58:10 and the community of Arkadelphia are able to help those in need on an even greater scale,” explained Victoria White, the chair of the project and a junior accounting major from Paris, Texas. “With stronger food pantries, fewer people go hungry. The heart of Mission 58:10 is to glorify God through serving others.”
FALL 2016 | 5
C AM PU S U P DA T E
OUACHITA HOSTS NATS EVENT; 13 STUDENTS NAMED FINALISTS Ouachita recently hosted the 41st annual Southern Region NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Conference and Student Auditions on campus. Approximately 25 schools were represented from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Thirteen Ouachita students were named finalists in the event, the largest number of finalists for any school in the competition. The finalists included two Ouachita students who were honored in two separate categories each for a total of 15 finalist recognitions. Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program and Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, is completing his final year as governor for Southern Region NATS. In addition to the student auditions, the threeday conference featured lectures and master classes as well as a guest artist recital by Metropolitan Opera tenor Arnold Rawls. Ouachita students who earned first place honors include Esther Atkinson of Rogers, Ark., a student of David Stanley, first place in Junior Women; Clay Mobley of Wylie, Texas, a student of Dr. Jon Secrest, first place in Freshman Men and first place in Lower College Music Theatre Men; Kenzie Osborn of Rockwall, Texas, a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, first place in Lower College Music Theatre Women; and Kayla Walker of North Little Rock, Ark., a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, first place in Upper College Music Theatre Women.
photo by Andy Henderson
TIGER SERVE DAY MARKS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE A total of 745 volunteers served in Arkadelphia Sept. 24 as part of Ouachita’s 39th Tiger Serve Day. The semi-annual community service event is hosted by the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community. Tiger Serve Day began in the spring of 1997 in the aftermath of a devastating tornado that hit Arkadelphia. This fall’s Tiger Serve Day projects, kicking off the event’s 20th anniversary, celebrated its beginnings with the retro theme of “Into the Streets.” Ninety-five teams of students, faculty, staff and alumni completed 111 service projects this semester. Volunteers raked leaves, mowed lawns, cleaned gutters, painted porches and more for their assigned projects. Collin Battaglia, a senior Christian studies and Biblical languages double major from Bryant, Ark., has been involved in Tiger Serve Day since his freshman year. “My favorite part is that it provides an opportunity for students to help out people in our community that have no other source of help,” he said. “We get to model the love and servanthood of Christ.” “It’s been fun working with students to help someone who needed the help we could provide,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells, participating in his first Tiger Serve Day. “I was so encouraged to see students streaming out of their residence halls toward the Elrod Center on a Saturday morning to come serve.”
CERAMICS EXHIBIT EXPLORES “WHAT REMAINS” Ouachita’s Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts hosted Aaron Calvert in a guest ceramics exhibit, “What Remains,” in Moses-Provine Hall’s Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery. Calvert is a professor of art and director of the Russell Fine Arts Gallery at Henderson State University. “My focus turned toward the concepts that offer me personal meaning and joy,” Calvert said about the art in his exhibit. “Words such as soul, reverence, honesty, integrity, quietness, primal and craft come in and out of consciousness during the construction of my forms.” Calvert’s art has been shown internationally, including some of his work that is in a permanent collection at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen, China. His work also has been featured in national magazines including Ceramics Monthly and in several books.
6 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
photo by Haley Martin
C A M P U S U P DA T E
OUACHITA AND HENDERSON PARTNER TO STAGE CLASSIC, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD The Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University theatre programs partnered to produce and perform To Kill a Mockingbird. The play is adapted by Christopher Sergel from the classic novel by Harper Lee. The show was performed in OBU’s Verser Theatre and HSU’s Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre. The two universities combined both performing and technical resources to produce the gripping story of a young girl, Scout, and her brother, Jem, in Maycomb, Ala., who witness their father, Atticus, deal with racial prejudices. The siblings learn about social injustice through their father and experience the cruelty and kindness of the world for themselves. “As an OBU student, working with the HSU theatre department has been such a special experience,” said Emma Pitts, a freshman musical theatre major from Clarksville, Ark., who portrayed Scout Finch in the play. “We all come from different theatre backgrounds and we can all learn something from each other.” Graham Garrison, a freshman Ouachita theatre arts and education major from Rowlett, Texas, played Jem Finch, and Koty Mansfield, a senior Henderson theatre major from Benton, Ark., played Atticus Finch. Dr. Claudia Beach, HSU director of theatre, served as the show’s director, and Eric Phillips, chair of OBU’s Department of Theatre Arts, was the scenic designer for the show.
17 th CENTURY FRENCH COMEDY OFFERS STUDENTS UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE The Learned Ladies, a French comedy by Molière, was this year’s fall play presented by Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts. The satire, written in the late 17th century, featured an English translation by Richard Wilbur. The play follows the story of two young lovers who must overcome the conflicting views of the young girl’s parents in order to be married. Director Drew Hampton, assistant professor of theatre arts, said, “My main goal for the acting in this production is to balance being believable and entertaining.” For many Ouachita theatre students, this genre of play was a new experience. “This is the first comedy of manners I’ve ever done,” said Anna Valdez, a junior musical theatre major from Terrell, Texas. “The nature of the play encourages me to make bigger, more comedic choices.” Valdez played the role of Henriette, the female love interest. Michael Perè, a junior musical theatre major from Roland, Ark., played the role of Clitandre, the male love interest. Dallas Sleeman, a senior theatre arts major from Kentwood, Mich., was the production’s stage manager.
photo by Wesley Kluck
OUACHITA ALUMNAE COLLABORATE ON MODERN FOLK OPERA BILLY BLYTHE Ouachita’s Division of Music presented Billy Blythe, a modern folk opera featuring music written by Bonnie Montgomery and libretto by Britt Barber, both Ouachita alumnae. The opera, which was performed Nov. 17-20 in Jones Performing Arts Center, focuses on the early life of Bill Clinton during his growing-up years in Arkansas in the 1950s. “It’s the story of a young man’s formative years in our state,” explained David Stanley, instructor of music and the show’s faculty director. “The opera examines his relationship with his community and family, particularly with his mother, Virginia.” The composer of Billy Blythe is 2002 Ouachita alumna and Arkansas native Bonnie Montgomery. She graduated from Ouachita with a bachelor’s degree in music education and earned her Master of Arts in Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. The opera reflects her music style, which draws its roots from country and traditional Ozark folk song. Barber earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Ouachita in 2001 and went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Georgia, where she still lives. The pair’s work in Billy Blythe has earned coverage in publications such as The New Yorker, Huffington Post and Time magazine. Featured roles included Will Stotts, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., who portrayed Bill “Billy” Clinton; Esther Atkinson, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark., as Virginia; and Scotty Scott, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., as Roger. Opera theatre directors were Stanley and John Alec Briggs, adjunct lecturer in music.
FALL 2016 | 7
I NTE NT IO N A L
By Rebecca Jones
Faith-based discussions spark fearless curiosity and wonder By Rebecca Jones
“D
oes my food hit Jesus on the way down?” In 2008, my then 4-year-old son asked this question of me one Saturday as he ate lunch sitting at our kitchen counter. “Huh?” I thought, as I focused on loading the dishwasher with my back to him. I turned toward him as he repeated the question, motioning from his mouth toward his abdomen. I realized he was thinking of language he’d heard in our family or faith context about “asking Jesus into your heart.” He envisioned a tiny, physical Jesus in his heart and worried that Jesus was going to be coated with Cheetos. After understanding the question, I struggled to respond and found I didn’t really know how to convey the idea of trusting Jesus in a more age-appropriate way. I did the best I could in the moment but wondered why I was having such a hard time articulating this foundational concept in a way that would make sense to my young son. Months later, my younger son surprised me with another challenging comment. “I’m mad at God,” he said emphatically. “I prayed to him to take away the mosquitoes, but they’re still biting me.” Again, I was caught wondering how to respond to my 3-year-old as he contemplated the evils of mosquitoes and questioned God’s care for him.
8 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
IN T EN T IO N A L Pondering these and many other conversations with my sons eventually led me to a research project that considered parent-child communication about Christian faith and spirituality. My own experiences as a mother seeking (often struggling) to parent with wisdom, grace and intentionality served as a catalyst for research on ways parents and children interact on matters of Christian faith. The project allowed me to interview 19 parents and 23 children from 10 Arkansas families while seeking to understand their experiences. Their stories led me to a number of findings. First, I found that the parents I met cared deeply about the spiritual directions of their children’s lives. They told stories about ways they hoped to nurture faith development, open communication and trust within their families. These parents believed they had a responsibility to teach, lead and model faithful examples for their children. They hoped their children would adopt their beliefs and that proactive measures such as prayer, Biblical teaching, scripture memory and church attendance would influence them. The parents also noted the value they placed on reacting to questions or circumstances that came up in the course of daily life in light of their faith. Despite their depth of caring for their children’s spiritual nurture, I learned that parents often found speaking with their children on matters of faith challenging. Moms and dads regularly noted feelings of fear or inadequacy; many questioned themselves and doubted the way they guided their children spiritually, particularly in reference to difficult questions children asked. Interestingly, I found that children approached interactions about spiritual topics with much less hesitation. Their attitudes overwhelmingly reflected positive feelings; they said they enjoyed conversations that centered on the things of God, including those that involved asking questions. Several children said they thought they were doing what they should be doing when speaking with family members about God, and they used words like “fun,” “safe” and “comfortable” to describe their experiences. While children enjoyed speaking about spiritual topics within their families, I learned that they sometimes sought to understand God in other ways. In one interview question, I asked children to tell me who they would go to with questions about God. I was trying to understand roles family members played in spiritual communication, and I expected kids to say they asked their parents or another family member. Some of them did, but six of the 23 children responded to my question by saying that when they had questions about God, they simply asked God. I’d ask the question a couple of ways, but these six children were firm in their responses. They chose to go directly to God through prayer as they sought to know Him more fully. The children I met had valuable and transferrable lessons to share with me and perhaps with others. Their fearless curiosity and sense of wonder offer a model for seekers of any age. Their desire to speak about theological concepts and to apply their beliefs tangibly rejects an approach to faith that separates mental assent from embodied application. Their willingness to go to God with questions about God reminded me that Jesus welcomes little children (and those who are not so little). Arguably, the lessons gleaned from these children may not reflect “intentionality” on their part but rather the best of childhood spirituality. However, applying these characteristics at later stages of life, in my view, does reflect an intentional approach to faith-filled communication.
My work at Ouachita gives me the opportunity to share my research with students in classes or other contexts. It’s a humbling experience to get to interact with students on these topics and to hear stories of their experiences from childhood or from more recent times in their lives. My students challenge and teach me, and I hope I am able to do the same for them. Beyond this, it is my hope that life at Ouachita cultivates attitudes among students that are compatible with those I perceived in the children I met through this research. I believe the educational environment at Ouachita can point interested students toward fearless curiosity and wonder about God and that they often develop skills and practices
“My sons ... continue to surprise me. I hope my
responses reflect wisdom, intentionality and grace.” useful in seeking to know God more fully. I hope students feel invited to speak about their beliefs, and that they are willing to hear the beliefs of others. I pray students are encouraged to see that which is spiritual as connected to all parts of their lives and that they benefit from an environment intent on nurturing a love of God and a love of learning. I have felt these attitudes nurtured in my life as a part of the Ouachita community, and I am grateful. I am grateful for many reasons. Among them is the fact that my sons are now 13 and 10 years old, and their challenging and fearless questions and comments continue to surprise me. I hope my responses reflect wisdom, intentionality and grace. If they do, it’s in part because of Ouachita’s influence on me.
Dr. Rebecca Jones, associate professor of communications, is a 1996 Ouachita graduate. She also holds degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Regent University.
FALL 2016 | 9
I NTE NT IO N A L
A PEOPLE GATHERER’S LOVE MISSION By Brooke Zimny, OBU Director of Communications and Marketing
S
arah Harmeyer describes herself as “a vulnerable and kind of upside down kid” when she entered Ouachita in 1995. However, she may have had more clarity than most 18-year-olds – or even 80-yearolds – could hope for. Sarah told her academic advisor that first year, “I don’t really know what I want to do, but this is what I do know – I just want to love people. I wish I could major in love.” It has been that intentional focus on loving people that has been a guiding force in Sarah’s life, especially as she launched Neighbor’s Table a few years ago. Neighbor’s Table is less a business than it is a movement – a love mission. It started as a personal effort for Sarah to rest in her identity in Christ when she was overwhelmed with the busyness of life. Sarah ended up majoring in health and physical education/recreation at Ouachita and held jobs in education and youth ministry before landing a fundraising job at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She still serves St. Jude/ALSAC as philanthropic advisor. “I would work and work and work,” she said. “When you get out of college, it’s an easy thing to start finding your identity in the things that you do.” As Sarah sought to reestablish her identity in Christ, she focused on being more than doing. She remembered a passion project, serving lunches out of her home as the “Red Porch Café” during grad school, as well as holding dinner parties for friends in Dallas, as highlights of her life. “Something locked in my heart that felt like I was loving people. I got to prepare something for them,” Sarah said. “Something was happening then that made it feel like all boosters were firing, when I was doing the thing God made me to do.” So Sarah asked her dad to build a farmhouse-style table with benches for her backyard – 20 seats under an oak tree with chandeliers above. “I wanted to lean into the way God made me as a people gatherer,” she said. And she set a goal to serve 500 people around her table that year, starting with a party for her neighborhood. It was a hit. Ninety-one neighbors came to that first dinner party. “People just want to be invited,” Sarah said. “Just as God sets the table for us, prepares a place for us, I started to do that.
10 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
“That year, we had football parties, we had crawfish boils, we celebrated birthdays and new marriages and babies. I gathered neighbors between a funeral and a burial with just sandwiches. You know how down at the football field sometimes we’ll put red Solo cups in the chain link fence to spell things? I put Alicia that day. That’s our friend who had passed. “It wasn’t elaborate. I’m not a chef. I cook as a means to create an experience for people to experience Jesus,” Sarah emphasized. “I don’t know about you but when we love Jesus, it kind of leaks out of us. It kind of spills out in our conversations. That’s what’s happening at my table. “Martha Stewart has wrecked us a little because she makes everything look so perfect. I tell everyone: ‘This isn’t a perfect night. None of us are perfect either, so be yourself here tonight. I hope we’ll do more listening than talking.’” Sarah hit her goal of serving 500 people that year. And the next. That’s when a friend invited her to think about looking beyond her own backyard to a larger purpose. “I started thinking about being a leader and, as a people gatherer, what I could do with that. And then I remember that there are other people wired just like me,” Sarah said. “There are other people gatherers in the world. What if I could cheer them on to gather their community and love their neighbors? What if people just need a table like I did to call home base?” So that’s what she did. Sarah and her dad build and deliver custom tables around the nation and help people host their own Neighbor’s Table experience. She has built a community through social media, cheering others on in her role as chief people gatherer. “God is moving in people’s hearts to love their neighbors, to love their neighborhoods, to love their communities. There are so many moments like that that I’m reminded, as believers, how loved we are and how much love we have to offer,” Sarah said. “Life gets really exciting when we get intentional about things that matter. “Life might seem crazy for you right now. But life is meant to be spent together. And we’ve got to start doing that together. If you find yourself in an office, I want you to think about yourself as an ambassador. I want you to think, as you go and get married, as you start a family – or don’t, like me: What will you do with this one life?”
JOIN THE NEIGHBOR’S TA B L E M O V E M E N T
Life gets really exciting when we get intentional about things that matter.
As Sarah builds a Neighbor’s Table family that is on a love mission together, her goal is to have tables in all 50 states by 2020. Sarah’s dad makes hand-crafted tables in their family barn in Texas, and Sarah personally delivers the tables all over the country. She also helps those clients host their first Neighbor’s Table experience. To order a table or receive more details, email Hello@NeighborsTable.com. Follow along with the @NeighborsTable love mission on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and connect on NeighborsTable.com.
Sarah shared her story with Ouachita students during the Homecoming chapel this fall. Watch the full speech at vimeo.com/obu/table.
FALL 2016 | 11
I NTE NT IO N A L
FROM OUACHITA TO NATIONAL STAGE NEA Chair Jane Chu returns to campus to present fall Birkett Williams Lecture By Haley Martin
Dr. Jane Chu, a lifelong daughter of Ouachita Baptist University, returned to her alma mater Sept. 27 to present the fall semester’s Birkett Williams Lecture. Dr. Chu, a 1979 OBU alumna and chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, addressed the issue of “National Endowment for the Arts: Supporting the Arts and Creativity in American Communities.” The Birkett Williams Lecture Series, endowed by 1910 Ouachita alumnus Birkett L. Williams, is held each semester on the Ouachita campus. The lecture series, which rotates among Ouachita’s seven academic schools, was hosted this semester by the School of Fine Arts. More than 480 people attended the event, filling McBeth Recital Hall and an overflow room that provided a livestream feed of the lecture. The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Dr. Chu was raised on the Ouachita campus. Her father, Dr. Finley Chu, taught economics, and her mother, Rosemary “Mom” Chu, served as a hall director for more than 40 years. Dr. Chu earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ouachita in 1979. Reflecting on her time at Ouachita during her visit to campus, Dr. Chu said, “Ouachita has held a deep and meaningful place in my heart. The thing that really hits home for me about Ouachita is that they care not only about what you learn but they care about you as a person.” After graduating from Ouachita, Dr. Chu went on to earn a master’s degree in piano pedagogy from Southern Methodist University,
12 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
photo by Andy Henderson
IN T EN T IO N A L
The arts can instill our lives with value and connection and creativity and innovation. an MBA from Rockhurst University and a PhD in philanthropic studies from Indiana University. Dr. Chu was nominated in 2014 as NEA chair by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Prior to her current role, she served as president and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. “It was great to have such a distinguished person in the arts at Ouachita, but on top of that what made it special was that Dr. Chu is an alumna,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts. “She is one of us and always will be.” During the lecture, Dr. Chu described the goals of the NEA as an independent federal agency, how it operates and the importance of society engaging with the arts. The NEA seeks to provide equal access to the arts and arts participation in communities across the nation. Since its establishment in 1965, the NEA has awarded more than 145,000 grants totaling $5 billion to organizations and groups in all 50 states and U.S. territories. “At the heart of the work of the National Endowment for the Arts is this mission that the arts belong to all of us,” she explained. “When it comes to the arts, there is no such thing as a marginalized population,” she added. “We are very committed to making sure that there are ways for every individual from child to grandparent and everybody in between to have an opportunity to find their creative voice through the arts and live in a community where creativity can thrive.
“We believe the arts can instill our lives with value and connection and creativity and innovation,” Dr. Chu said. “They make our world a richer and more rewarding place to be.” She discussed the grant decision-making process of the NEA and its efforts to keep up with how society evolves in order to give more people the opportunity to engage with and benefit from the arts. “Art is found on museum walls and it’s also found on stage, but it is not removed from the rest of society, and it is not isolated in an ivory tower because the arts are all around us and they touch every aspect of our world, whether we are aware of it or not,” she emphasized. “It was good to hear her speak of how the arts can impact not only a community, but all of the aspects of a community from businesses to education,” Gerber noted. From helping impoverished neighborhoods flourish with art to helping veterans with invisible wounds cope with stress to connecting nonEnglish speaking families to their communities, Dr. Chu highlighted the impact that the arts continue to have on society. “Art for art’s sake and art for the sake of celebrating beauty in our lives and art for the transformational power of connecting us to so many other aspects of our lives,” Dr. Chu said, “it all counts.” Haley Martin, a senior mass communications major from Little Rock, is a student news writer in the Office of Communications news bureau.
FALL 2016 | 13
H OM E CO M IN G photo by Wesley Kluck
photo by Kelsey Bond
Abby Root was crowned Ouachita’s 2016 Homecoming Queen. Members of her court included first runner-up Mari Bednar, second runner-up Damaris Garcia, third runner-up Gail Lange-Smith and fourth runners-up Hannah Bunch, Staci Gore and Estefanie Perez.
photo by Gary Gerber
Ouachitonian Barrett Baber, a finalist on The Voice, returned home to perform a post-Tunes concert in Jones Performing Arts Center.
photo by Wesley Kluck
The Ouachita Tigers won a classic 40-37 four-overtime Homecoming victory over Southern Arkansas University. photo by Nathan Gerber
Jamie Barker, 2015 senior class president, cut the ribbon for the dedication of the Class of 2015 Senior Walk during Homecoming.
16 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
The Kappa Chi Kappa Express won Ouachita’s 38th annual Tiger Tunes. Other award winners included EEE Toy Soldiers, second place; Campus Ministries Stars, third place; and Tri Chi Tumbleweeds, fourth place and People’s Choice Award.
HOC OMMECMOUMN IN IT GY
Alumni Milestone winners honored at Homecoming Honoring the seventh class of Ouachita Alumni Milestone Awards recipients, Ouachita officials recognized outstanding graduates from the classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006 at halftime of the Homecoming football game Oct. 15. This year’s Homecoming festivities also included the presentation of a Worthy Ouachitonian Award. Ouachita’s 2016 Alumni Milestone recipients included: Dr. Tom Elliff (’66): After graduating from Ouachita, Elliff married fellow Ouachitonian Jeannie Thomas. He also holds degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Elliff served as a pastor for 42 years. He and his wife were missionaries to Zimbabwe through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and he later served as IMB president. He also served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Elliff is a thirdgeneration Ouachitonian. He and his late wife are the parents of four children and have 25 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Carol Miller Gresham (’76): While a student at Ouachita, Gresham was part of a core group that established the Ouachita Student Foundation. Her work helped shape the organization, which has provided more than $1.3 million in scholarships to help students complete their education at Ouachita. After majoring in choral music education at Ouachita, Gresham earned her MBA degree at Capella University in Minnesota. Working in real estate, she served as vice president for Landmark Properties in Tulsa and as founder and owner of both CMP Market Research and Relocation Services of Arkansas – the state’s first and only nationally recognized apartment referral company. She also was the founder and executive director of the Arkansas Apartment Association. Gresham
photo by Andy Henderson
also has served as vice chancellor for development at Arkansas State University, Mountain Home, and most recently has focused on helping families move out of poverty through the North Central Arkansas Poverty Consortium and her own consulting company, Cornerstones for Success. She and her husband, John, live in Rogers, Ark. Steve Bowman (’86): After graduating from Ouachita, Bowman became the outdoor editor for the Arkansas Democrat, now the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. His column on hunting, fishing and the outdoors of Arkansas became one of the most-read columns in the state. In 1987, he co-authored the Arkansas Duck Hunter’s Almanac, which has become one of the most-sold duck hunting books of all time. In 2001, Bowman was hired to create ESPNOutdoors.com. In 2010, he became the content director for JM Associates in Little Rock, serving as managing editor for Redfish Nation and Boat US Angler magazines and managing Bassmaster.com. He has helped produce numerous Emmy award-winning television shows for ESPN and the Outdoor Network. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Little Rock. Dr. Tom Phelan (’96): After graduating from Ouachita, Phelan attended dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2000, he received his Master of Science degree in oral biology and certificate in orthodontics in 2002. He began practicing orthodontics in Little Rock with his father, Jim, a 1968 Ouachita alumnus. Phelan has served as president of
the Arkansas Association of Orthodontists. In 2005, he joined the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard as a dental officer. Phelan and his wife, Wendy, live in Little Rock and have three children. Katherine (Jenkins) Grant (’06): After graduating from Ouachita, Grant married fellow alumnus Gary Grant and they moved to North Little Rock, where she enrolled in cosmetology school. In 2008, she opened Katherine Grant Salon and Spa in North Little Rock. The salon has moved into a new location and now has 12 stylists. In 2015, she joined Usborne Books & More as an independent consultant selling children’s books. She became director in under a year and now manages a team of more than 650 consultants. Grant and her husband live in Sherwood, Ark., and have three children. Candace (Sharp) Payne (Worthy Ouachitonian Award): Payne was a member of Theta Alpha Phi, Concert Choir and Ouachita Singers; performed in musical and theatre productions; and was 1999 Homecoming Queen. Earlier this year, Payne became known around the world as Chewbacca Mom as her joyful video with her new Chewbacca mask went viral and became the most viewed Facebook Live video to date with more than 164 million views. Since the viral video, Payne has shared her message of simple joys on Good Morning America and The Late Late Show with James Corden among others. She sang with fellow Ouachitonian Barrett Baber as part of this year’s Homecoming festivities. Payne, her husband, Chris, and their two children live in Grand Prairie, Texas.
FALL 2016 | 17
I NTE NT IO N A L
OUACHITA TAKES ACTION ON NEW MAJORS, HORNE CENTER DESIGN PLANS As Ouachita pursues its efforts to “dream a larger dream” for the future, 2016 has seen several new programs and other campus initiatives unveiled. On the academic front, faculty members have approved seven new degree programs that were launched this past fall as well as an additional degree program and a new minor that will be introduced in the fall of 2017. Ouachita trustees also have approved a resolution authorizing university administrators to develop and offer “a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to be granted by the university, pending approval of the appropriate accrediting agencies.” Among the new degree programs, Ouachita is offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in music business in the School of Fine Arts; finance in the Hickingbotham School of Business; public history and social justice studies in the Sutton School of Social Sciences; applied physics and physics/mathematics with a teaching emphasis in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences; and a Bachelor of Science degree in biophysics in the Patterson School. Programs approved for fall 2017 include a Bachelor of Arts in community and family services in the Pruet School of Christian Studies and a minor in legal studies in the Sutton School. The community and family services major “is designed to prepare graduates for a wide range of vocations in areas of community, family and social services or for graduate education in social work, counseling, law or ministry.” The legal studies minor “is designed to provide a greater understanding of law and legal institutions as well as develop analytical and writing skills.” Concerning the nursing program, university officials will seek approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Higher Learning Commission in preparation for finalizing the proposed degree. The trustee resolution noted that university constituents have expressed strong interest in Ouachita establishing a baccalaureate degree program in nursing and that “recent studies indicate an ongoing need for preparation of bachelor’s level Registered Nurses in the state of Arkansas, the region and the nation.” In other areas of growth, trustees have approved the exterior design and budget for renovations to Berry Bible Building and the addition of the Horne Center for Biblical Preaching. Berry Bible Building, constructed in 1962, houses classrooms and offices for the Pruet School of Christian Studies. The Horne Center, which will feature a state-of-the-art preaching lab, is named in honor of 18 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
former Ouachita President Rex Horne. Once fundraising efforts are completed, trustees will take action on a proposal to authorize renovation and construction. During their summer meeting, board members received a report that Ouachita’s “Defining the Difference” capital campaign, which was launched in 2010 in conjunction with the university’s 125th anniversary celebration, had been successfully completed. The campaign included a base goal of $25 million and a challenge goal of $35 million. University officials announced that total giving during the six-year campaign exceeded $48 million, surpassing the campaign’s challenge goal by 37 percent.
Architect’s rendering of proposed Berry Bible Building renovation and Horne Center for Biblical Preaching construction project.
Trustees also received a report on a name change for the Office of Student Services to the Office of Student Development. The new name is designed to better reflect the mission and work of the division, which seeks “to foster student development within the context of the university’s Vision, Mission and Values Statement.” In conjunction with that change, the Office of Campus Activities was renamed the Office of Student Life. Trustees approved a proposal naming Dr. Scott Jackson as the first holder of the endowed Dr. O.L. and Frances Bayless Chair of Christian Communication. Dr. Jackson, associate professor of Christian ministries, is a 1985 Ouachita graduate. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.
“
“D R E A M I N G A LARGER DREAM
S P O RT S U P DA T E
photo by Wesley Kluck
T I G E R S W I N VO L L E Y BA L L C H A M P I O N S H I P; P R ES C OT T N A M E D C OAC H O F T H E Y E A R
T
“Obviously from volleyball’s standpoint, we’re just really happy he Ouachita Tigers volleyball team defeated Arkansas for our volleyball program and for Coach Prescott,” said Athletic Tech in straight sets (26-24, 25-11, 25-19) Nov. 10 to Director David Sharp. “It’s the first championship in volleyball since clinch a share of the 2016 Great American Conference we made the move to Division II 20 years ago.” regular season title, their first-ever conference title under The championship season was “a real accomplishment on Head Coach Danny Prescott. Coach Prescott’s part,” Sharp added. “As for the Coach of the It was the fifth straight win for Ouachita, which finished Year recognition, there’s no one more deserving. His experience in the regular season with a conference-high 22 wins. Junior Kori coaching and the chemistry with the players led to the team’s first Bullard led the Tigers with 10 kills and six blocks. As a team, GAC championship.” Ouachita finished the match with a .342 attack percentage. After Ouachita placed three players on the All-GAC the match, the team recognized its four seniors: First Team, including setter Stormi Leonard, middle Emily Alderson, Anna LeTourneau, Jayme Shell and Ashley Wake. blocker Kori Bullard and libero Ashley Wake. Bullard ranked in the top 10 in blocks, kills and points per set The win secured the No. 2 seed in the and Wake placed third in digs per set. Adrianna Nolly GAC Tournament for the Tigers. They defeated earned a spot on the All-GAC Second Team. the University of Arkansas-Monticello in the The conference also honored the winners of tournament quarterfinals before falling to the Crafton Tull Elite Scholar and Distinguished Southern Nazarene University in the semifinals. Scholar awards. Kori Bullard, with a 4.0 grade The Tigers finished the year 23-7 after advancing point average in biology, earned the Elite Scholar to the tournament semifinals for the second time Award. A total of 12 GAC players received the in four years. Volleyball Coach Danny Prescott Distinguished Scholar Award, including Ouachita’s During the GAC’s annual awards banquet, Emily Alderson, Jayme Shell and Ashley Wake. Ouachita’s Stormi Leonard was named Setter of the Year, Adrianna Nolly was named Freshman of the Year and Danny Prescott was On the regional level, the 2016 Division II Conference named Coach of the Year. Commissioners Association All-Central Region Team included Leonard led the GAC in assists per set and tied for third with Wake being named to the second team. Wake, a senior 14 double-doubles. Nolly ranked in the top 10 in attack percentage communications sciences and disorders major from Benton, Ark., and blocks per set. Her .282 attack percentage ranks as the fifth-best is the first Ouachita volleyball player to be selected to an all-region mark for a freshman in GAC history. Prescott led the Tigers to their team since the Tigers joined the GAC. She finished her career with 1,859 digs, averaging 16.7 per contest. first 20-win season in his 13 years as head coach.
FALL 2016 | 19
SPO R TS U P DA T E
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN TI GE RS PL ACE K I CKER COLE ANT LEY EARNS N ATIONAL H ONOR
O
uachita Tigers place kicker Cole Antley made history this season as the first Ouachita football player to be named a First Team All-American since the Tigers began competing in Division II. Antley was named to the First Team of the 2016 American Football Coaches Association D-II Coaches’ All-America Teams. He set a Great American Conference single-season record with 19 field goals and finished the season ranked third in Division II with an average of 1.73 field goals per game. Antley, a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga., also was named a Fred Mitchell All-American and was a Top 10 finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award. He also earned All-GAC and All-Super Region 3 Second Team honors for his performance this year. The Fred Mitchell Award is presented to the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA or NJCAA place kicker who excels on the field and in the community. Antley was one of 28 kickers nominated for the award and one of three NCAA D-II kickers among the Top 10 finalists. For the season, Antley went 19 of 24 on field goal attempts and 46 of 47 on extra points. His 49-yard game-tying field goal at the end of regulation in the Tigers’ fourovertime Homecoming win over Southern Arkansas University was the longest field goal made in the GAC this season. In two seasons with the Tigers, he is 31 of 38 on photos by Wesley Kluck field goal attempts and 90 of 92 on extra points. “Cole Antley has been an impact player in his two short years at Ouachita,” said Head Coach Todd Knight. “Many times special teams and specialists are taken for granted. Cole has been a big part of our success at Ouachita. His work ethic and dedication to his trade are second to none. “Making All-American and All-Conference is no surprise to the staff and team,” he added. “We’re proud of Cole on and off the field and excited about two more years with such a quality young man.” A total of 12 Ouachita players were named to the 2016 All-GAC Football Teams and wide receiver/return specialist Allie Freeman was named the 2016 GAC Freshman of the Year.
20 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Freeman, a freshman from Little Rock, Ark., ranked third among all freshmen in Division II in all-purpose yards at 1,416 and finished fifth overall in the conference, averaging 128.7 per game. He led the GAC in punt returns (19.7-yard average) and was fourth in kickoff returns (24.6-yard average). His 87-yard return for a touchdown was the longest in the GAC this season. Brannon Kotch, a senior offensive lineman from Conway, Ark, was the Tigers’ lone representative on the All-GAC First Team. He started all 11 games this season and helped the offense gain 434.5 yards per game. The Tigers rushed for an average of 263 yard per game and scored 30 rushing touchdowns behind Kotch and the offensive line.
Joining Antley and Freeman on the All-GAC Second Team were senior offensive lineman Jed Beach of West Fork, Ark, and senior linebacker Kendrick Henderson of Hooks, Texas. This year’s All-GAC Honorable Mention selections included sophomore running back Kris Oliver of Arkadelphia, Ark.; sophomore wide receiver Drew Harris of Benton, Ark.; freshman offensive lineman Justin Gooseberry of Little Rock, Ark.; junior defensive end Demetric Jennings of Commerce, Texas; sophomore defensive tackle Ernest Reed of El Dorado, Ark.; junior linebacker Elijah Jones of Coffeyville, Kan.; and senior cornerback Jordan Jones of Colleyville, Texas.
WILSON JONES NAMED 2016 GAC MEN’S SOCCER COACH OF THE YEAR Ouachita men’s soccer Head Coach Wilson Jones earned his second Great American Conference Coach of the Year award after guiding his team to a 10-7 record and reaching a ranking of No. 3 in the NCAA Division II Central Region rankings. “Wilson Jones continues to build a soccer program at Ouachita that we can all be very proud of,” said Athletic Director David Sharp. “Even with the team finishing second in the GAC this year, Coach Jones being named Coach of the Year is a real testament to the job he is doing and how respected he is among his peers.” Jones’ players also were honored by the GAC with Nelson Pacheco winning his second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honor and Tyler Mouton claiming the Defender of the Year award. Ouachita also produced five Men’s Soccer Coach Wilson Jones First-Team All-GAC selections. Forward Tinashe Chigede and midfielder Brandon Hom joined Mouton and Pacheco as two-time First-Team selections. Hector Duron joined Mouton as First Team defenders. Ouachita’s Noa Cuellar was named to the Second Team. The GAC honored Logan Hampton as the Crafton Tull Elite Scholar Athlete, an award given to the student athlete with the highest GPA among championship participants. Mouton and Hom were named Crafton Tull Distinguished Scholar Athletes. Mouton also earned All-America Honorable Mention awarded by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association. He is the first men’s soccer player at Ouachita to earn All-America honors. Mouton also was named to the 2016 NCAA Division II All-Central Region First Team. Nelson Pacheco and Tinashe Chigede were named to the All-Central Region Second Team. Women’s soccer, led by Head Coach Kevin Wright, also was honored. Tessa Woodcock was named to the All-Central Region First Team and is the program’s first four-time All-GAC First Team selection. The 2016 GAC Defensive Player of the Year, Woodcock played for a Ouachita defense that produced seven shutouts. The Tigers’ women’s soccer team placed eight players on 2016 All-GAC teams. In addition to Woodcock being named Defensive Player of the Year, Erin Webster was named Goalkeeper of the Year. She led the conference in save percentage, goals against average and shutouts and was named GAC Goalkeeper of the Week three times. Joining Woodcock and Webster on the All-GAC First Team was Dina Harper, who finished the season with three goals and three assists. Marley Zochert was the Tigers’ lone selection on the All-GAC Second Team. She made 13 starts for the Tigers at the midfielder position. Natalia Arteaga, Barbara Pascale, Kasey Smith and Bryson Thomas were named All-GAC Honorable Mention. Jessica McCauley and Kasey Smith were named Crafton Tull Distinguished Scholar Athletes.
photo by Wesley Kluck
ALLCARE FIELD HOUSE HONORS SEN. MALONE’S SUPPORT OF OBU FOOTBALL Honoring Arkansas Sen. Percy Malone for his contributions to the Ouachita Tigers football program, university officials unveiled signage for AllCare Field House during a Dec. 12 dedication service. Sen. Malone, a longtime supporter of Ouachita Baptist University and Tiger athletics, is an Arkadelphia pharmacist and businessman. He has served in both the Arkansas Senate and Arkansas House of Representatives. Expressing appreciation to Sen. Malone for providing a generous lead gift for renovations to the field house, Head Coach Todd Knight said recent gifts have provided for improvements to the field house’s team meeting room, weight room, locker room, offices and related projects. “Every dime that goes into this building will be well spent,” Knight emphasized, “not just for these kids and these coaches, but for kids for many years to come who walk into this field house. Thank you from our coaches and our players and a bunch of players to come. It’s going to make a difference.” Athletic Director David Sharp noted that Coach Knight’s vision and leadership, combined with the gifts of Sen. Malone and other donors, “will impact so many young men’s lives across this university and across this state and that’s what’s important.” “Sen. Malone has been impacting this football program for 50 years,” Sharp added. “This gift will influence for many, many years the lives of football players and student-athletes here.” Describing Sen. Malone as “a man of genuine Christian commitment” and “holy grit,” Ouachita President Ben Sells said Sen. Malone and his wife, Donna, are committed to children and making a positive difference in their lives. He expressed appreciation for Sen. Malone’s deep ties to Ouachita and his example as a successful businessman and community leader. Citing the Ouachita coaching staff’s commitment to teaching their players “to feel proud of who they play with and to have the pride to help each other and use that energy for good,” Sen. Malone responded. “I’ve always admired that about Ouachita. “It’s been a wonderful relationship, and I wish Godspeed and God bless all of you,” he concluded. “I’m honored and gratified that you have honored me this way.”
FALL 2016 | 21
CLASS NOTES connecting the circle
1950s Jim Gill (’56) married Joyce (Pannell ’59) Buckner on Aug. 26 in Lewisville, Texas.
1960s Danny Bufford (’67) retired after 44 years of practicing law at Laser Law Firm in Little Rock. Dr. David Rickard (’67) retired from Israel Chemicals Ltd., where he was vice president of regulatory affairs. He and his wife, Mary Lu, will move to western Michigan to live near their daughter and granddaughters. He plans to golf, hunt, fish and travel with his wife in Michigan, their 13th state of residence. Ray Vardaman (’67) retired after 42 years as a band director. He performs with his church orchestra and two local bands and will continue his recording business.
1970s Miles Kelly (’73) retired from the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office in Lexington, Va., after 25 years of service. He and his wife, Susan (King ’75*), celebrated his retirement with a trip to Estes Park, Colo. They live in Lexington and have two daughters and three grandsons. Mary Ben (Smith ’74) Newton retired in June after 38 years in Arkansas public education. She taught home economics at Humnoke public schools, was a counselor at Pulaski Technical College and then served as a high school counselor at England public schools for 24 years. She and her husband 22 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
have been married for 43 years. They have two sons, Bill Newton, III (’00) and Britt Newton, and four grandchildren. Debbie (Jones ’76) Johnson has published a devotional book, A Pocketful of Seeds: When We Sow, Life Happens, a daily inspirational book about making a difference in the world. It is based on her experiences with employment ministry in urban Denver and with the Dalits of India.
1980s Cindy (Huby ’83) Klatt was named vice president of strategic client relationships for Kemmons Wilson Companies in Memphis, Tenn. She also was honored by the Memphis Business Journal as a 2016 Super Women in Business honoree. Jim Yates (’83) was named dean of liberal arts at South Arkansas Community College. He previously served as vice president of academic affairs at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Okla., and chair of the department of English, foreign language and humanities at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla. Sharla (Whitworth ’84) Dunigan retired after 28 years in education as a teacher and school counselor at Sheridan Elementary School. Bill Conine (’85) was elected as chairman of the board of directors of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and is the past chairman of Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc. He and his wife, Kristal (Johnson ’84), live in Bee Branch, Ark., where she retired and sold her CPA practice. They have three children, Cliff Conine (’08), Morgan and Matt; and three grandchildren Jeff Hogg (’88) was named principal of Chapel Hill High School in Tyler, Texas. He
has served with the district for 14 years as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. Dr. Mike Hurst (’88) has been inducted into the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor. Dr. Lisa Speer (’88) was elected to a three-year term on the Council of State Archivists (CoSA) board of directors. She is the director of the Arkansas State Archives and state historian and also will serve as co-chair of the program committee for the 2017 CoSA annual meeting in Boise, Idaho. She also is a member of the CoSA education and training committee. Jennifer (Nix ’89) Mooney is serving as the co-director of the James 127 Foundation which provides free sewing training to widows in Kenya. She and her children have visited Nairobi, Kenya, to serve orphans, widows and prisoners. Their main fundraiser is a women’s resale shop she manages in Little Rock.
1990s Bruce Guthrie (’90*) married Dana Hubbard (’98) on April 16 in Cabot, Ark. They now live in Searcy, Ark., where he is the sports editor of The Daily Citizen and she is the senior staff reporter. Lamona Lawrence (’91) married Tim Gunter on June 4. They now live in North Little Rock where she is an administrative supervisor at Southwest Power Pool and he is director of bands at Central Baptist College and is a worship pastor at Baring Cross Baptist Church.
C LA S S N O T ES Dawn (Martin ’93) Clower has published a new children’s book series titled Beach Chicken. Darren Michael (’93) has written a fulllength play, Scarecrows Will Never See the Sunset, published this past spring by Steele Spring Stage Rights. The play is about a southern Arkansas farming family dealing with the oil boom in the early 20th century. Brett Chumley (’96) was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to serve on the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ State Institutional System Board. The board oversees the Arkansas State Hospital, Arkansas Health Center and all of the Division of Youth Services facilities throughout the state. Daniel and Laurie (Leggett) Cox (’97) are both working at the new Baptist Health Medical Center in Conway, Ark., where he is a patient representative and she is a chaplain. Chad (’97) and Jennifer (Reece ’98) Fielding recently moved to Waldron, Ark. He is the vice president for student affairs at Rich Mountain Community College and she is a fifth grade social studies teacher. They have four children, Caleb (16), Ethan (15), Logan (12) and Avery (9). Cari Martin (’97) is serving as the head band director at Teague High School in Teague, Texas. Her students earned 12th place in the 3A state marching competition, performed in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and earned consecutive sweepstakes for University Interscholastic League marching, concert and sight-reading contests in the state of Texas. Liz (Smith ’98) Evan is pursuing criminal law certification at Belmont Law School in Nashville, Tenn. Sarah (Stanley ’98) Henry and her husband, Patrick, have moved to Conway, Ark., where he is the associate pastor of administration at Second Baptist Church. She is the founder/ owner/artist at Redeemed Home Goods that creates unique art from reclaimed materials. The proceeds go to individuals and organizations who fight for justice for women and children locally and around the world. They have two children, Max (11) and Molly (7).
2000s Donnie and Laranda (Massey) Burrow (’00) moved to Cabot, Ark., where is serving as the next generation pastor at First Baptist Church. Edward (’02) and Christy (Launius ’01) Deneke live in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he is a faculty member in the department of psychiatry at the University of Michigan and she enjoys her time at home with their children, in addition to serving as a travel consultant specializing in Disney and family destinations. They have two children, Alexandra (10) and Westley (2). Jane (Schaffner ’01) Hill and her husband, Daymond, live in Winter Garden, Fla. He works at Disney and she homeschools their four children, DJ (14), Lily (12), Bella Rose (10) and Emelia Jane (9). Elise Turner (’02) has been promoted to assistant manager for Honda Sales Training at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in Torrance, Calif. Hall Reynolds (’03) and his wife, Natalie, live in Seattle, Wash., where he is a senior accountant at T-Mobile Corporate. They have three children, Everett (6), Adelaide (4) and Salem (1). John Chase (’05) was promoted to the rank of Major in the 217th Brigade Support Battalion in Bonneville, Ark. He also has served as the battalion executive officer. Lauren (Blackburn ’05) Harter and her husband, Jason, recently moved to Benton, Ark. After nine years with the Boeing Company, she accepted a position with Weyerhaeuser in Hot Springs, Ark., where she serves as the business IT manager for the South. He is a chaplaincy resident with Baptist Health Systems in Little Rock.
Carl and Claire (Bauer) Miller (’06) live in the Philippines and serve with TeachBeyond where he teaches high school Bible at Faith Academy, an international Christian school. They have three children and expect their fourth child in May. Shay (Garner ’09) Morgan and her husband, Mark, were named 2016 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. They operate Peach Pickin’ Paradise in Clarksville, Ark.
2010s Garland Butram (’10) married Emma Swayne on May 4, 2013. They have two daughters, Evelyn and Gwenevere.
Barry McCaskill (’10) married Haley Whisenhunt (’12) on June 11 at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock. They now live in Little Rock where he teaches engineering and physics and coaches soccer at Little Rock Christian Academy and she is a speech therapist at Pediatrics Plus. Ramsi Richey (’11) married Stuart Duke on June 25 at First Baptist Church of Benton, Ark.
Jacob Lively (’12) was named an associate at the law firm of Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP in Little Rock. His practice will focus on commercial litigation issues including breach of contract, banking and commercial lending, creditors’ rights and collections and bankruptcy. FALL 2016 | 23
C L ASS N O T ES
FACULTY & STAFF PRUET FACULTY PUBLISH BOOKS Three faculty members in Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies have had several books published in 2016. Dr. J. Scott Duvall, the J.C. and Mae Fuller Professor of Biblical Studies, released The Heart of Revelation: Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible’s Final Book (Baker Books). Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School and professor of Biblical studies, is the author of Jeremiah and Lamentations (part of the Teach the Text Commentary Series by Baker) and The Temple and the Tabernacle (Baker), which examines God’s dwelling places throughout history. Hays and Duvall also co-authored The Baker Illustrated Guide to the Bible (Baker). Dr. Marvin Pate, the Elma Cobb Professor of Christian Theology, has written Interpreting Revelation and Other Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook (Kregel).
WEBSTER EARNS NATIONAL AWARD Ouachita Professor Emeritus Robert L. “Bob” Webster received the American Accounting Association’s 2016 KPMG Best Paper Award from the Gender Issues & Work-Life Balance (GIWB) Section of the AAA. The AAA, an organization of more than 7,000 members, honored Webster with a plaque and a $1,000 cash prize for his research at the annual meeting in New York City. Webster and his coauthor, Kevin Hammond of the University of Tennessee at Martin, wrote a paper titled “The Role of Gender in Judging the Consequences of Market Orientation toward Students: A Study of Accounting Department Leaders.”
PEMBERTON SHARES HONORS PAPER Dr. Barbara Pemberton, director of Ouachita’s Carl Goodson Honors Program and professor of Christian missions, presented at the National Collegiate Honors Council’s annual conference held Oct. 12-16 in Seattle, Wash. The conference attracts nearly 2,000 honors students and administrators from all 50 states and several other nations. Pemberton presented a session titled “Turning Interdisciplinary Seminars into International Travel: Creative Travel Options.” 24 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Jesse Pruett (’12) recently graduated with a master’s degree in Jewish studies from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is now starting a PhD program in Hebrew Bible at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the classics and ancient Near Eastern studies department. Rachel Spencer (’12) married Michael Calder on Sept. 4. They now live in Carrollton, Texas, and she works at The Village Church. Hannah West (’12) married Vince Penick on May 7 in Rockwall, Texas. She recently published her debut young adult fantasy novel, Kingdom of Ash and Briars. Josh Fink (’13) married Kelsey Finney (’13) on Sept. 10 at Cypress Meadows Plantation in Howell, Ark.
Emory Clayborn (’14) earned her Master of Arts degree in speech-language pathology from Louisiana Tech University in May. She now works in Camden, Ark., at Speech Pathology Associates. Kelsey Frink (’14) married Peter Nwokoro on July 8 at New Life Church in North Little Rock. They now live in Maumelle, Ark., where she teaches Pre-K at Little Rock Christian Academy and is pursuing her master’s degree in reading and dyslexia therapy at the University of Central Arkansas. He is the production executive at Pediatrics Plus and they both serve with youth at the Arkansas Dream Center.
Tayler Koller (’14) married Scott Brickell on Dec. 19, 2015. They live in Hot Springs, Ark., where she is pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at John Brown University and he coowns Big Splash Car Wash and Mr. Speedy’s Lube Center. Clay McKinney (’14) married Emily Harris (’16) on Oct. 22 at First Baptist Church of Benton, Ark. They now live in Little Rock where he is a financial advisor at Edward Jones and she is in the process of applying for a physician assistant program in Arkansas while working as a nursing assistant at Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute. Landon Moore (’14) married Laney Lucas on Oct. 16 at the Bella Terra Estate in Cabot, Ark. They now live in Jonesboro, Ark., where he is head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Westside High School and she is pursuing a degree in occupational therapy at Arkansas State University. Chris Ross (’14) married Rebekah Dindak (’14) on June 10 at Berry Chapel. They now live in Wynne, Ark.
Ken See (’14) has accepted a new position at High Point, an organization that helps churches and ministries with travel logistics and airfare for short-term mission trips.
C LA S S N O T ES Jordan Burt (’15) married Katie Theriot (’15) on April 16 at Berry Chapel. They now live in Little Rock where he is attending medical school at University of Arkansas for Medical Science and she is attending graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas. David Winkler (’15) married Caroline Poole (’17) on Aug. 6 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. They now live in Arkadelphia where he is the Cornerstone Fund coordinator at Ouachita and she will graduate in May with majors in Christian studies and mass communications. They plan to pursue master’s degrees at Dallas Theological Seminary in the fall. John Givler (’16) married Kenzie Lionberger (’16) on Oct. 8 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroe, La. They now live in Bryant, Ark., where they both work at The Manor of Little Rock. He is applying to medical school and she is applying for a master’s program in public history. Anna Kumpuris (’16) married Andrew Russell on June 26 at Cold Springs Events in Paron, Ark. They now live in Birmingham, Ala., where they both attend Beeson Divinity School.
Lauren Powers (’16) married Dale SmithGilleran on Aug. 1, 2015, in Rogers, Ark. They live in Arkadelphia where she is working at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Henderson State University and he is a teacher and coach.
Faculty & Staff Courtney Kemp, Gosser Hall resident director, married Jordan Clark on May 21.
FUTURE TIGERS 2000s Blake Powell (’00) and his wife, Kelly, welcomed son Truman Campbell on Jan. 10. He joins big sister Harper (4). They live in Shreveport, La., where he is a sales manager at Chevyland and she is a photographer and avid volunteer. Kim (Ward ’01) Embry and her husband, Marshall, welcomed daughter Cora Anne on June 7.
Tim (’04) and Katy (Burnett ’07) Remington welcomed son William Andrew on March 8. He joins big brother Luke.
Clay and Lydia (Farmer) Steelman (’04) welcomed daughter Naomi in August 2015. She joins big sister Kylie (4). They recently moved to Denton, Texas, where Lydia is a physician at Family Medicine. Matt (’05) and Molly (Watts ’11) Banks welcomed daughter Olivia Paige on April 19.
Ali (’06) and Jamie (Griffin ’03) Chong welcomed daughter Abigail Jane on April 10. She joins big sister Grace (2).
Michelle (Carney ’07) Dewitt and her husband, Dennis, welcomed son Rowan Craig on July 20. He joins big sister Connley Jane. Nicole (Daye ’07) Horne and her husband, Truett, welcomed son Rex Edward on June 16. He was named in honor of his grandfather and former Ouachita President Dr. Rex Horne. Brooke (Harris ’07) Hudson and her husband, Taylor, welcomed daughter Caroline Nicole on Aug. 24.
FALL 2016 | 25
C L ASS N O T ES
STEPPING UP FOR OUACHITA HONORS MARIANNE GOSSER
M
arianne Gosser, a 1955 Ouachita graduate, was honored at this fall’s Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon. She and her husband, the late Dr. Bob Gosser (’56), sent all five of their children to Ouachita, and the tradition continues with many of their grandchildren. Gosser Hall is named in their honor. “It’s a privilege for me, as someone who’s new, to honor you,” said President Ben Sells. “The question I’ve been thinking about this Marianne Gosser week is, ‘What compels a family to be involved over 60 years and three generations?’” Sells noted. “When I think about watching Ouachita alumni continue to step up the way that so many in this room do, ... I want to suggest that the reason you do that is not just because of loyalty and not just giving back, but it’s something around faith, hope and love.” Mrs. Gosser earned B.A. and B.M.E. degrees from Ouachita and taught school in Hot Springs and Little Rock following graduation. She is an active member of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock and served as president of the North Little Rock School Board and Junior League of North Little Rock, among many other volunteer efforts. “She spent a lot of her life as a volunteer, not only striving to make our lives better as children but to make other children’s lives better in the community,” said Bobby Gosser, her son. “That tradition has moved through our family.” “As you get older, you have more time to reminisce and think about the past, and then you realize how God directed you through all of your phases of life,” Mrs. Gosser responded. “I’m so grateful to Ouachita for giving me and my family a home away from home. I thank Ouachita for giving us a Christian education with Christian administrators and Christian teachers who really had our best interest at heart and really knew each of us personally. Thank you, Ouachita, for this honor.”
26 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Kim (Hull ’08) Granich and her husband, Will, welcomed daughter Kathryn Grace on July 3.
Jennifer (Kluck ’08) Hopkins and her husband, Seth, welcomed daughter Carli Marie on Sept. 2.
Evan (’08) and Carly (Hayes ’09) Secrest welcomed daughter Evie Ophelia on Aug. 26. She joins big sister Hayes Avery. Erin (Murphy ’08) Sutton and her husband, Ryan, welcomed daughter Spencer Rose on May 1. Michael (’08) and Elizabeth (Sturm ’09) Truss welcomed daughter Lillian Jean on April 25.
Labin Duke (’09) and his wife, Mallory, welcomed daughter Junia Laine on Sept. 11. She joins siblings Shiloh (6), Moriah (5), Lazarus (3) and Hosea (1). Nicole (Stuart ’09) Porchia and her husband, Reggie, welcomed son Bennett Crit on June 5.
Lane (’09) and Sara (Pevey ’08) Stroud welcomed daughter Kate Emmarene on Aug. 25. She is the granddaughter of Mac (’74) and Cindy (Elrod ’76) Stroud and the great-granddaughter of chancellor and former president Dr. Ben and Betty Lou Elrod (’52).
2010s David and Brittany (Luper) Armstrong (’10) welcomed son William David on July 28.
Garland Butram (’10) and his wife, Emma, welcomed daughter Gwenevere Minerva on Aug. 18. She joins big sister Evelyn. Chris (’10) and Morgan (Butler ’09) Hardman welcomed daughter Anna Claire on May 17.
Lindsay (Shotzman ’10) Lee and her husband, Ryan, welcomed daughter Norah Kate on Sept. 4. Dr. Lauren (Nelson ’10) Morden and her husband, Justin, welcomed son Jacob Thomas on Oct. 25. The Mordens live in Russellville, Ark., where they both are optometrists at Scott Eye Clinic.
C LA S S N O T ES Devin (’10) and Leanne (Cushman ’11) Waters welcomed son Emerson Christopher on April 25. They live in Frisco, Texas, where he works as a communications consultant for Ministry Consultants and she works as a 7th grade English teacher for Frisco Independent School District.
Justin and Kristen (Barnard) Young (’14) welcomed son Brecken Lee on May 26.
Casie (Neal ’11) Rayes and her husband, Nate, welcomed daughter Addison Rae on July 24.
Nicole Herndon, grants and events development officer in the Office of Development, and her husband, Matt, welcomed daughter Marleigh on Nov. 10. She joins big sister Addie.
Kevin (’12) and Erin (Grammer ’13) Coleman welcomed daughter Caitlin Sophia on Aug. 26. They live in Katy, Texas, where he serves as the spiritual and community life coordinator for adults with special needs at Brookwood Community and is pursuing a master’s degree through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Oliver (’12) and Bethany (Elliff ’10) Thomas welcomed daughter Elsie Ruth on Jan. 5. They live in Fort Worth, Texas, where he serves as a youth pastor and is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Katelyn (Bell ’13) Skarda and her husband, Adam, welcomed son Holden Evett on Oct. 12.
Faculty & Staff
IN MEMORIAM 1940s Lurline (Stewart ’40) Birkhead of Little Rock passed away on Aug. 4. She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Clark and Vada Hopper; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Frances (Overton ’42*) Royston of Little Rock passed away on June 13. She is survived by her sisters, Dola Hensley and Helen (Overton ’55) Presswood; three children, Sharon Hankins, Arthur Royston, Jr. and Chris Royston; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Ernest Clark “E.C.” Benton, Jr. (’43*) of Little Rock passed away on Oct. 27. He is survived by his son, Clark Benton, and five grandchildren.
Joyce (Thomas ’43*) Stiffler of Gurdon, Ark., passed away on July 16. She is survived by her siblings, Iris (Thomas ’45*) Toombs, Mary Newton, Ruth Barham, Annette Dunn and Ira Thomas, Jr.; two children, Deborah (Stiffler ’76) Nolan and Fred Stiffler, Jr.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mary (Wesson ’44*) Sawyer of North Little Rock passed away on Jan. 31. She is survived by Susan Estell and Teri Sawyer. Dorothy “Dot” (Campbell ’46*) Gatling of Morrilton, Ark., passed away on May 10. She is survived by her sons, Mark, Jim, Lance and Craig Gatling; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Sarah (Purvis ’46*) Woolsey of Little Rock passed away on Sept 4. She is survived by her children, Virginia Robinson, John Woolsey and Ben Woolsey; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Helen (Mundie ’47) Bennett of Pineville, La., passed away on Oct. 4. She is survived by her daughters, Ruth Buckalew and Lynn Randall; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Chaplain Dean Newberry, Jr. (’49) of Rogers, Ark., passed away on Oct. 11. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Hampton ’49) Newberry; three sons, Gary, Richard and Phillip Newberry; seven grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
1950s Ruth (Jordan ’50*) Baxter of West Carrollton, Ohio, passed away on April 23. She is survived by her sister, Patsy Lunda; two children, Lt. Col. Roger Baxter III and Rebecca Lucas; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Clyta (Agee ’43*) Gentry of Germantown, Tenn., passed away on Sept. 9. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn McVeigh; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Alton Butler (’50) of Pensacola, Fla., passed away on July 9. He is survived by his wife, Nelle Butler; three children, Jerry Butler, Mike Butler and Melinda Mayo; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
David Moore (’43) of Liberty, Mo., passed away on Oct. 28. He is survived by his wife, Loreta Moore; three children, Shera Farnham, Kathy Dunn and Cliff Moore; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jack Lowman (’51) of Cabot, Ark., passed away on Oct. 26. He is survived by his wife, Patsy (Duke ’51) Lowman; brother, Dr. James Lowman (’55); three children, Mitchell Lowman (’74*), Mark Lowman (’77) and FALL 2016 | 27
C L ASS N O T ES Jacque (Lowman ’80) Schwartz; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Gilbert Nichols (’53) of Cabot, Ark., passed away on July 9. He is survived by his wife, Deanie (Marshall ’53) Nichols; four children, Becky (Nichols ’76) Smith, Amy (Nichols ’79) Thompson, Jon Nichols (’80) and Susy (Nichols ’86) Britton; and seven grandchildren. Dottie (Whitsel ’53) Wood of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on July 25. Don Byrum (’54) of Benton, Ark., passed away on July 1. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Byrum; siblings, Rev. James Byrum (’58) and Sue (Byrum ’71) Stewart; two children, Curtis Byrum and Amy (Byrum ’84) Golden; and five grandchildren. Wanda (Beeson ’55*) Mills of Lawrenceville, Ga., passed away on June 15. She is survived by her husband, Col. Freddie Mills, Sr. (’57); four children, Donna (Mills ’73*) Morgan, LTC Freddie Mills, Jr., Karen Mills and Robert Mills (’82); four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Alfred Reynolds (’55) of Camden, Ark., passed away on May 26. He is survived by his sister, Jane Mancuso; three sons, Robert, William and John Reynolds; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. James Seale (’55*) of Arkadelphia passed away on Oct. 11. He is survived by his wife, Velma (Conant ’54*) Seale; three children, Philip Seale, Stephen Seale and Sharon Strahan; seven grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Patricia (Seery ’55) Sisk of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on Sept. 26. She is survived by her sisters, Peggy Wilkins and Nancy Pollard; daughter, Deborah Hill; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Hugh Brown (’56) of Hope, Ark., passed away on Oct. 2. He is survived by his siblings, Don Brown and Mary Olive; two children, Lisa Thomas and Nick Brown; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Sondra (Sullivan ’56*) Koonce of Conway, Ark., passed away on Nov. 9. She is survived by her sister, Maryon Wood; daughter, Vanessa Powell; and three grandchildren. 28 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
June (Schallenberg ’56) Tillmon of Bay City, Texas, passed away on June 21. She is survived by her husband, Jay Tillmon; and brother, Bernie Schallenberg. Jerry (Carter ’57*) Pope of Little Rock passed away on Oct. 5. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Norton Pope (’59); two sisters, Shirley (Carter ’57) Henderson and Mary (Carter ’62*) Keeton; five children, Dr. David Pope (’84), Deborah Huff, Beth Laughlin, Jonathan Pope and Bill Pope; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Rev. Milburn Hill (’58) of Ward, Ark., passed away on Nov. 11. He is survived by his wife, Mary Hill; four children, Kathy Skidmore, Vickey Jackson, Pam Griffin and Jerry Hill; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
1960s Jimmy Peacock (’60) of Sapulpa, Okla., passed away on Sept. 28. He is survived by his wife, Marion (Williams ’65) Peacock; two sons, Sean and Keiron Peacock; and two grandchildren. Harry Woodall (’60) of Glenwood, Ark., passed away on July 27. He is survived by his brother, Craig Woodall; two daughters, June Smith and Jane (Woodall ’84) Smith; and six grandchildren. Edgar Morris “Johnny” Collier (’61) of Ozark, Ala., passed away on Sept 5. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Collier; four children, Angel Ham, John Collier, Daniel Collier and David Collier; and 10 grandchildren. James Duncan, Jr. (’62) of Whitehouse, Texas, passed away on March 3. He is survived by his brother, John Duncan; three children, Melissa Strickland, Paul Duncan and Patricia Rayford; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. James Virgil “J.V.” McKinney (’63) of North Little Rock passed away on Sept. 19. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Thornton ’65) McKinney; brother, Thearon McKinney (’68); two sons, Dr. J. Blake McKinney (’91) and Bryan McKinney (’93); and five grandchildren.
Glen Swigert (’64) of Ash Flat, Ark., passed away on May 27. He is survived by his special friend, Jean Finley. Virgina (Pasley ’65) Greenway of Paron, Ark., passed away on June 2. She is survived by her husband, Rogie Greenway; son, David Greenway; and two grandchildren. Tommy Keller (’65) of Burke, Va., passed away on Feb. 1. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Keller; mother, Mildred Keller; brother, Rick Keller; son, James Keller; and two grandchildren. Ellajane (Inman ’65) Sutley of Arkadelphia passed away on Nov. 25. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Cecil Sutley, professor emeritus of religion; five children, Marie (Sutley ’65*) Dallas, Jeanne Hanson, Susan (Sutley ’70) Reed, Jacque (Sutley ’79) Goble and Bill Sutley (’77); 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Patricia (Jameson ’65) Wood of Maumelle, Ark., passed away on May 19. She is survived by her husband, Rev. John Wood (’64); two daughters, Keli (Wood ’91) Edwards and Robin (Wood ’93) Nuss; and four grandchildren. Damaras (Whitson ’66) Hough of Little Rock passed away on July 5. She is survived by her husband, Aubrey Hough; two brothers, William Whitson III and David Whitson; two children, Rebecca Lane and William Coker; two step-sons, Charles and Robert Hough; five grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. Linda (Jester ’66*) Willis of Hope, Ark., passed away on Oct. 23. She is survived by her husband, Bob Willis (’66); siblings, Dr. Gene Jester (’67), Michael Jester and Rhonda (Willis ’84*) Thweatt; two daughters, Dawn (Willis ’94*) Drewitz and Staci Willis; and two grandchildren. Cheryl (Ellis ’67*) Fox of Pine Bluff, Ark., passed away on Nov. 19. She is survived by her husband, Bill Fox, Jr.; two children, Elizabeth Simpson and William “Will” Fox III; and eight grandchildren. Gary House (’67) of Canton, Texas, passed away on Feb. 11, 2015. He is survived by his
C LA S S N O T ES wife, Lola (Clayton ’67) House; and son, Mike House (’91).
David and Lenet Guidry; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
’70) Combs; two daughters, Susan Maddox and Sarah (Maddox ’98*) Holt; and one grandchild.
Ruth (Johnston ’67*) McMillan of Conway, Ark., passed away on May 6. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jim McMillan (’67*); brother, Buddy Johnston; two children, Andy McMillan and Jennifer Felio; and five grandchildren.
Edwin Johnson (’69) of Crossett, Ark., passed away on June 25. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Sheppard ’67) Johnson; sister, Patsie Hartness; two children, Greg Johnson and Leigh Ann (Johnson ’97) Hasley; and six grandchildren.
Charles Reynolds (’69) of Little Rock passed away on Sept. 10. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Reynolds; two children, Chuck Reynolds and Ashley Osburn; and two grandchildren.
Janice (Grandberry ’68) Guidry of Lafayette, La., passed away on June 17. She is survived by her husband, Lenet Guidry; two brothers, Ray and Dr. William Granberry; two sons,
John Maddox (’69) of Keller, Texas, passed away on Sept. 15. He is survived by his wife, Beth (Massey ’68) Maddox; sister, Nancy (Maddox
Kathy (McBride ’69) Spraggins of Heber Springs, Ark., passed away on Nov. 14. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Spraggins (’68); mother, Veda McBride; sons, Michael (’93) and Alan Spraggins; and three grandchildren.
FACULTY, STAFF HONORED FOR COMBINED 685 YEARS OF SERVICE
G
athering for Ouachita’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, the university honored 35 faculty and staff members who have served a combined total of 685 years at Ouachita. Among the longtime faculty and staff members honored, Dr. Ray Granade and Dr. Joe Jeffers were recognized for 45 years of service each. “Congratulations to our 35 faculty and staff members who were honored for major service milestones,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells. “Most of what gets done for the Lord at Ouachita is accomplished through our dedicated faculty and staff. “Thanks especially to Dr. Ray Granade and Dr. Joe Jeffers, who each have served at Ouachita for 45 years,” Dr. Sells added. “Their outstanding service to Ouachita will continue to impact our students and alumni for many years to come.” Dr. Granade serves as director of library services and professor of history. He holds degrees from Samford University, Florida State University and Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Jeffers is the Charles S. and Elma Grey Goodwin Holt Professor of Chemistry and Pre-Medical Studies in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences. A 1966 Ouachita graduate, he holds his Ph.D. from Purdue University. “It’s been a blessing to teach and work alongside people who believe in serving God with their minds and in helping others develop their facility in that endeavor,” Dr. Granade reflected. “I’ve enjoyed this time in a place where people matter more than buildings, where relationships with colleagues and with students demonstrate the best that this world has to offer. “Each morning I think, ‘I get to go to work
today!’” he added. “I can conceive of no other undertaking for which I would have that same joy and anticipation.” Emphasizing that “Ouachita is home to me,” Dr. Jeffers said, “Add four years as a student and 45 as a faculty member and it has defined my life. “I love teaching. There is nothing better than seeing the light bulbs go off as students grasp a concept,” he noted. “Faculty camaraderie at Ouachita is second to none. My colleagues are fun to be with.” In addition to Dr. Granade and Dr. Jeffers, 33 other faculty and staff members were recognized for service milestones, including: 40 Years of Service – Dr. Hal Bass, professor emeritus of political science, Sutton School of Social Sciences. 35 Years of Service – Jim Rothwell, assistant dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and assistant professor of accounting. 30 Years of Service – Dr. Randall Wight, dean of the Sutton School of Social Sciences. 25 Years of Service – Harrell Beckwith, laboratory assistant, Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Dr. Terry Carter, associate dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies and W.O. Vaught Professor of Christian Ministries; Teresa Jones, support staff, TRIO programs; Carol Morgan, associate professor of communication disorders, Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the School of Humanities and interim dean of the Huckabee School of Education. 20 Years of Service – Darin Buscher, assistant professor of mathematics, Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Jacque Cash, Post Office support staff; Stacy Freeman,
associate professor of dietetics, Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Dr. Patrick Houlihan, professor of music, School of Fine Arts; Dr. Wendy Richter, professor and archivist, Riley-Hickingbotham Library; Anping Wu, professor and catalog librarian, RileyHickingbotham Library. 15 Years of Service – Dr. Lei Cai, professor of music, School of Fine Arts; Karen Clark, facilities management; Dr. John Cox, associate professor of marketing and holder of the Harvey Jones Chair of Marketing, Hickingbotham School of Business; Daren Crow, facilities management; Del Hancock, facilities management; Dr. Tim Hayes, E.A. Provine Professor of Chemistry, Patterson School of Natural Sciences; Dr. Rob Hewell, professor of music and director of the worship studies program, School of Fine Arts; Julia Jones, instructor of Spanish, School of Humanities; Dr. Marvin Pate, Elma Cobb Professor of Christian Theology, Pruet School of Christian Studies; Dr. Barbara Pemberton, professor of Christian missions, Pruet School of Christian Studies; Marsha Whalen, administrative assistant, School of Humanities. 10 Years of Service – Gail Hennagin, archival assistant, Riley-Hickingbotham Library; Dr. Marshall Horton, Regions Bank Professor of Economics and Finance, Hickingbotham School of Business; Servanda Jacinto-Lopez, facilities management; Culley Majors; facilities management; Dr. Kevin “Casey” Motl, associate professor of history and holder of the R. Voyt Hill Chair of History, Sutton School of Social Sciences; Coleman Rogers, facilities management; Brett Shockley, assistant football coach; James Taylor, Campus Ministries director. FALL 2016 | 29
C L ASS N O T ES
1970s Eugene Porter, Jr. (’71) of Little Rock passed away on May 27. He is survived by his sons, Sean, Wilfred and Jerry Porter, and two grandchildren. Belinda (Davis ’72) Moore of Alexander, Ark., passed away on Nov. 12. She is survived by her parents, Elmer and Juanita Davis; her children’s father, Ray Moore; siblings, Cathy
(Davis ’74) Girard, Jerry Davis (’70) and Jeff Davis (’80); two children, Leah Black and Richard Moore; and five grandchildren. Randy Cross (’74) of Fort Smith, Ark., passed away on May 23. He is survived by his wife, Carol Cross; mother, Pat Cross; five children, Hannah (Cross ’07*) Osborne, Cheryl Ware, Ruth Cross, Sam Cross (’03) and Robert Edmonson; and 11 grandchildren.
BRUNING RESIGNS AS DEAN OF EDUCATION; ROOT NAMED TO INTERIM LEADERSHIP ROLE
D
r. Merribeth Bruning, dean of Ouachita’s Michael D. Huckabee School of Education since 2006, resigned effective Aug. 1 to accept a similar position as dean of education at Anderson University in Indiana. Dr. Jeff Root, dean of Ouachita’s School of Humanities, was named interim dean of the Huckabee School of Education for the 2016-17 academic year in addition to his other responsibilities, according to Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs. “I’m very grateful for the 10 years I have served at Ouachita,” said Dr. Bruning. “I’ve seen a lot of positive change and believe the School of Education is in good hands with the leadership of Interim Dean Jeff Root and the excellent colleagues I have worked with over the years” in the departments of education and kinesiology & leisure studies. Dr. Bruning holds her Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts in Education and Doctor of Education degrees in elementary education from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. New programs established at Ouachita under her leadership include a minor in education and public policy and a travel abroad program in the United Kingdom for education students. “Dr. Bruning has served as dean for the past decade, a period when the school has experienced growth in majors, a successful accreditation visit, updated curricula and improved facilities,” said Dr. Poole. “We’re grateful for her leadership and congratulate her on this new opportunity.” According to Dr. Jeff Root, “It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Bruning as a
30 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Gary English (’74) of Little Rock passed away on Sept. 26. He is survived by his wife, HsiuYu “Tina” English; three children, Jonathan English, Rebekah English-Wall and Alexandria Barclay; and five grandchildren. Noel “Gene” Ferguson (’75) of Watauga, Texas, passed away on May 20. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Ferguson; mother, Jo Ferguson; siblings, Robyn Fullhart and Mike Ferguson (’77); and two children, Lucas and Olivia Ferguson. Alfred Bradford III (’76) of Benton, Ark., passed away on Sept. 18. He is survived by his wife, Sherrie Bradford; three children, Alfred Bradford IV, William Bradford and Courtney Bradford-Mbaye; and six grandchildren. Jim Horton (’76) of Las Cruces, N.M., passed away on March 26. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Horton; siblings, Rosemary Griffin and Lynn Horton; two sons, Chris and Todd Horton; and four grandchildren.
Merribeth Bruning
Jeff Root
fellow dean for the past decade. She is a true professional, always working to stay current with the ever-changing world of education.” Noting that “it is an honor to serve as interim dean of the Huckabee School of Education,” Dr. Root added, “The faculty is outstanding and covers a wide range of majors, from teacher education to kinesiology & leisure studies emphases in pre-professional studies, recreation, fitness and recreation and sports ministry. These are strong programs, and I look forward to working with the faculty and students in each one.” Dr. Root has served as dean of the School of Humanities since 2002. He previously was Ouachita’s director of public relations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita as well as a Master of Arts in history from the University of Arkansas and a Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University. “Dr. Root’s love of students, his commitment to Ouachita and his contributions to quality education at every level are apparent to all who know him,” said Dr. Poole. “With strong programs and personnel, and with Dr. Root’s seasoned leadership, we’re confident that this will be a productive and successful year for the Huckabee School of Education.”
Dorothy (Lee ’78) Ruffin of North Little Rock passed away on July 1. She is survived by her brothers, Albert and Theodore Lee; five children, Billy Ruffin, Kenneth Ruffin, Cheryl Phillips, Angela Boykin and Eleanor Cummings; 12 grandchildren; 34 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
1980s Charles Crownover (’80) of Clinton, Ark., passed away on Nov. 12. He is survived by his wife, Golddean (Davis ’80*) Crownover; siblings, James Crownover, Melton Crownover, Randall Crownover and Myra “Ginger” (Crownover ’74*) Spendly; three daughters, Nicole Crownover, Ryan Huffman and Sydney Crownover; and eight grandchildren. Lenora (Merritt ’81) Roberson of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on Sept. 26. She is survived by her siblings, Lucille Clay and Frank Merritt; three children, Sherry, Carol and Gene Roberson, Sr.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
C LA S S N O T ES Shirley (Allen ’82) Cooper of Hope, Ark., passed away on May 28. She is survived by her husband, Edward Cooper (’81); three children, Lesha Cooper, Sharyla (Cooper ’88) Thompson and Jonathan Cooper; and two grandchildren. Keith Everett (’83) of Arkadelphia passed away on Nov. 16. He is survived by his mother, Nell (Kuhn ’72) Everett; and brother, Greg Everett (’79). Ann Hurd (’83) of Little Rock passed away on Sept. 11. She is survived by her sister, Shirlene Joyner; two daughters, Gigi Hunt and Khristi Maxwell; and three grandchildren.
1990s
2000s
Lori (Williams ’95) Partridge of North Little Rock passed away on Sept. 28. She is survived by her husband, Clay Partridge (’96); parents, Mary and Andy Williams; sister, Jamie Burnett; and two daughters, Mary Kate and Emerson Partridge.
Ben Farmer (’09) of Bryant, Ark., passed away on June 6. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Cheryl Farmer; two brothers, Josh (’05) and Tadd Farmer; and grandparents, Conrad and Ann Wilson.
Preston Harris (’99) of Elmore City, Okla., passed away on Aug. 16. He is survived by his wife, Julie (Pierce ’99) Harris; parents, Wayland and Wanda Harris; brother, Paul Harris; and two daughters, Kaili and Madison Harris.
2010s Antwion Patterson (’15) of Little Rock passed away on Sept 1. While at Ouachita, he played four years for the Tigers football team. He is survived by his mother, Toya Patterson; daughter, Aubree; three brothers and two sisters. * denotes former student
NOTED FACULTY, STAFF & PHILANTHROPIST LEFT LEGACY OF COMMITMENT
S
everal longtime faculty and staff retirees as well as a noted benefactor passed away in recent months. Among retired faculty members were Dr. Herman Sandford, Professor Emeritus of English, who passed away July 11; Dr. Edwina Thedford, former professor of music, who passed away Sept. 1; and Dr. W. Wayne Everett, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, who passed away Oct. 31. Longtime staff members included Shirley Callaway Malcolm, former bookkeeper in the business office, who passed away June 22, and Kenneth Miles, Jr., former assistant to the dean of students, who passed away Nov. 25. Pat Walker, one of the benefactors of Ouachita’s Pat and Willard Walker Conference Center, passed away Sept. 2 at age 97. Dr. Sandford taught in the English department at Ouachita for 30 years as well as serving as English department chair. He served in the Army Air Corps and earned degrees from Baylor University and the University of Arkansas. He also taught at Wayland Baptist College, served as pastor and interim pastor of several churches in Arkansas and was a founding member of the OBU Faculty Quartet. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Sandford; three children, Susan McMillan, Linda (Sandford ’73) Wells and Dr. Mary Sandford (’74*); six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Dr. Thedford held degrees in music from Northwestern State University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Louisiana State University. In addition to teaching music at Ouachita from 1992 until her retirement in 2004, she previously taught at North Greenville University, Union College, Southwest Baptist University, Campbellsville University, Clarke College and Tift College and also served as minister of music at First Baptist Church of Forsythe, Ga. She was elected in 2000 as the Arkansas state president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is survived by her sister, Anita Thedford, and nephew, Charles “Chuck” Poche. Dr. Everett, a 1954 Ouachita graduate, served on the Ouachita faculty for 40 years until his retirement in 2001. He held a Ph.D. degree from Purdue University. In addition to serving as a chemistry professor, he was chair of the Division of Natural Science and acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He is survived by his wife, Nell (Kuhn ’72) Everett; son, Greg Everett (’79); and three grandchildren. Shirley Malcolm served 16 years as a bookkeeper in the business office from 1969 to 1985. She is survived by two step-daughters, Nancy Jo Jolley and Ann Waters, and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ken Miles served as a residence hall director and assistant to the dean of students at Ouachita from 1985 to 2009. He was a
graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as a minister of music, youth and education at churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas and was a member of the Music Men of Arkansas choral group. Miles received the Arkansas State Humanitarian Award in 1979 for his work directing a handbell choir for adults with disabilities. He is survived by his wife, Betsy (Ray ’85) Miles; four children, Shelli (Miles ’90) Conrad, SuLyn (Miles ’90) Wine, Kayla (Miles ’93) Abernathy and Johnathan Miles (’20); and 10 grandchildren. Pat Walker and her husband established the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, which provided a generous donation to Ouachita that resulted in the completion of the Walker Conference Center on the lower level of the Ouachita Commons in 2006. The foundation provided additional gifts to the university, including the Willard and Pat Walker PreMedical Studies Scholarship Fund. Mrs. Walker was known throughout Arkansas and the region for her philanthropic efforts that supported a variety of educational, civic and ministry causes. She was a lifetime board member of both the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and the Walker Charitable Foundation and was inducted into the 2016 Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame. She is survived by two children, Johnny Mike Walker and Patricia Walker; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. FALL 2016 | 31
32 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
photo by Tyler Rosenthal
FA C U LT Y P RO FILE
Joe Jeffers
Charles S. and Elma Grey Goodwin Holt Professor of Chemistry and Pre-Medical Studies By Jon Merryman, OBU Director of Alumni
Joe Jeffers fell in love with Ouachita on his first visit to campus – the day his family moved his older brother, Bob, into the dorm. Applying only to Ouachita, Jeffers put himself through school by working each summer. After graduating from Ouachita in 1966, he earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Purdue University in 1972 and immediately returned to Ouachita where he has served for 45 years. Dr. Jeffers served Ouachita as chair of the chemistry department, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences before returning full-time to the classroom for his last five years on campus so he could go out “doing the fun part” before he retires in May. “I love students and I love teaching Organic Chemistry,” he explained. “I have taught organic my entire career. The most important part of organic is teaching students how to study. It’s logical pattern recognition, more than memory, which serves them well throughout their careers. “What I enjoy most is seeing the light bulbs go off, when students understand the concepts,” he added. “It starts about November. If there’s no light bulb by February, it’s probably not going to happen. I also enjoy teaching biochemistry and the non-science majors’ courses like Life Science and Scientific Inquiry. My goal with the non-majors is to turn them on to science and to help them see its importance in their everyday lives.” Over the past 45 years, Dr. Jeffers has seen the natural sciences change and grow with biology now the largest major at Ouachita. Thirty-five percent of incoming students at Ouachita major in the natural sciences. Dr. Jeffers is most proud of two of his ideas that grew into successful programs on campus during his tenure – Faculty Colloquium and Scholars Day. Faculty Colloquium, a bi-weekly gathering of faculty to hear about research and sabbaticals, grew out of a conversation with history professor Everett Slavens in 1974. It is now in its 43rd year. Scholars Day began when Dr. Jeffers and Dr. Tim Knight sought a way for the students in the newly created summer undergraduate research program (now the J.D. Patterson Summer Undergraduate Research Program) to share their enthusiasm with the campus. It began in 2001. After coordinating Scholars Day for two years, Dr. Jeffers offered it to the Carl Goodson Honors Program as the appropriate home for its coordination. “If you have an idea, put it out there! You won’t know whether it works or fails until you put it in play,” he emphasized. “It has been great to see Faculty Colloquium grow from just a few of us gathering once a month to 40 to 50 gathering every other week. I’ve also enjoyed watching the growth of Scholars Day from a few students, mostly in the sciences, sharing research to a campus-wide celebration of scholarship, creativity and performance.” “I can’t think of another person on this campus who better exemplifies intentional investment in students than Joe Jeffers,” said President Ben Sells. “In my alumni gatherings this summer and fall, I continually heard students mention professors who invested in their lives and Joe’s name was one of those I heard time and time again. Thousands of students have been challenged, encouraged and well prepared for their professions over Joe’s 45 years of service to Ouachita. We wish Joe well in retirement and are thankful for his faithful service to his alma mater.” “We will miss Joe, not only because he’s a great teacher but he’s also a great colleague,” said Dr. Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences. “He’s been instrumental in so many things we do here in the natural sciences.” Dr. Jeffers and his wife, Charlotte, live in Arkadelphia where they are active members of First Baptist Church. They have two children, Teri Jeffers Vancil, an allergy, immunology and asthma specialist in Little Rock, and Charlie Jeffers, an internal medicine resident at UAMS in Little Rock, as well as two grandchildren.
“If you have an idea, put it out there! You won’t know whether it works or fails until you put it in play.”
FALL 2016 | 33
34 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
photo by Tyler Rosenthal
S T A FF P RO FILE
Ashlee Giles Director of Enrollment Initiatives
By Jon Merryman, OBU Director of Alumni
It was pouring rain the day Ashlee Giles pulled onto Ouachita’s campus for the first time, interviewing for a job in Admissions Counseling. Seeing that Giles didn’t have an umbrella, a student walked up to her car and asked if she could walk Giles to wherever she was going. As the two walked up the steps of Cone-Bottoms Hall, the student asked, “Do you work here?” Giles explained that she didn’t, but she was here to interview. The student then asked, “Can I pray for you?” And that was it. Giles knew she was home. “Ouachita is a special place. It’s the real deal. I love the way Ouachita has invested in me, allowing me to invest my life in the lives of students,” Giles reflected. “Serving at Ouachita has helped grow me into a better friend, wife, mother and just a better person. I’ve personally benefited from all the things I tell students about every day.” After five years of working in Admissions Counseling, Giles was tapped to coordinate Ouachita Online in 2014. This fall, President Ben Sells saw an opportunity to take advantage of Giles’ love for admissions counseling and working one-on-one with students and families, naming her Director of Enrollment Initiatives. While still recruiting students for Ouachita Online, operation of the online program has shifted to Dr. Rob Hewell and Giles now assists prospective students with undeclared majors through the new Discover Program. “There is no better place than Ouachita for the student who is undecided and there is no one better to guide students through the process of discovering their passions, potential majors and career paths than Ashlee Giles,” said Dr. Sells. “Ashlee loves working with students and families and is a wonderful asset to Ouachita. We know many students will find the Christian, liberal arts environment at Ouachita the perfect place to discover what God has for their future.” The Discover Program is unique to Ouachita. Instead of pressuring students to choose a major before they arrive, Giles comes alongside undeclared students offering them the Focus2 assessment, which helps identify possible career paths, and a Summer Summit, which connects students with others on the same path to discovering the major that’s the best fit for them. She also connects each student with one-on-one faculty advisors, the Office of Career Services and with Ouachita alumni who started as undeclared majors and found their way to successful careers. “As I’ve met with families this fall, what has been most affirming of my new role and the Discover Program has been the point at which there is an audible exhale from the student and the parents,” Giles explained. “There is so much pressure on a high school senior and I feel like we can say, ‘It’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out – and there are others like you! Enjoy senior year and we’ll help you discover how your gifts, talents and passions connect to courses and a major that will prepare you for life after college.’” “Ashlee brings many years of experience in working with prospective students to her new role focusing on those who are unsure of a major or career path,” said Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement. “The Discover Program, under Ashlee’s leadership, will help high school students recognize that Ouachita is a terrific environment to explore their interests and strengths and, hopefully, experience a sense of calling and purpose in their lives.” Giles, her husband, Robert, and children, Shelby, age 8, and JT, age 6, live at White Oak State Park where Robert serves as assistant superintendent. They are active members of Chidester Baptist Church. In addition to her work in enrollment, Giles has volunteered with the Miss OBU Pageant since 2009.
“I love the way Ouachita has invested in me, allowing me to invest my life in the lives of students.”
FALL 2016 | 35
OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ALUMNI OFFICE
410 Ouachita Street • Box 3762 Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998-0001
YO U R S P A R E C H A N G E CAN MAKE A CHANGE obu.edu/MustardSeed
Ouachita Baptist University is partnering with MustardSeed to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders. Just download the MustardSeed app to round up your credit and debit purchases to the nearest dollar. MustardSeed sends your change to Ouachita. Multiplied with other MustardSeed donors, your spare change can make a big change for Ouachita. So whether you’re getting coffee or buying groceries, you’re also preparing men and women to change the world.