FALL 2013
D e d i c at i o n
Profs mark 40-year milestone
Alum earns NASA top honor
Dedication reflects OBU values Dedication, by definition, means wholehearted commitment or devotion to one’s aims or vocation. Those are worthy ideals to pursue. Here at Ouachita, there are numerous faculty and staff members, both past and present, whose lives are clear testimonies to the lasting impact of dedication. The trio of faculty members honored recently for 40 years of service each to Ouachita are outstanding examples: Tom Auffenberg, Raouf Halaby and Johnny Wink. Representing the disciplines of history, art and English, the three colleagues reflect the commitment to academic excellence for which Ouachita is known. Their recent recognition was made all the more poignant by Dr. Auffenberg’s unanticipated death the day before the university banquet honoring their service milestones. In honor of Dr. Auffenberg’s unwavering dedication to Ouachita throughout his academic career, The Ouachita Circle features his “Last Lecture” delivered a few years ago as this issue’s “Dedication” theme interpretation. We will continue to learn from and be inspired by Dr. Auffenberg’s words of wisdom and insight for years to come. That stands as a tribute to his life of dedication, scholarship and service. Other renowned faculty members honored in this issue are Dr. Jim Berryman and Dr. Tom Greer who each taught 29 years at Ouachita prior to their deaths in 1993 and 2006 respectively. Special collections of their personal and academic papers recently were dedicated for scholarly research in the RileyHickingbotham Library Archives. Ouachita’s stated values of faith, scholarship, growth, character and community all reflect a commitment to dedication. That is seen in the lives of our faithful students, alumni, trustees and donors as well as our outstanding faculty and staff. It also is seen in campus programs and events ranging from the recent dedication of the remodeled facilities of the Grant Center for International Education to our students’ dedication to raising valued scholarship funds through their annual Tiger Tunes extravaganza. As we explore and pursue dedication, President Horne reminds us in his column, “Our dedication will make an impact today and touch eternity through the lives we influence.” Speaking of dedication, the alumni and communications staff remain dedicated to providing you a quality alumni publication that reflects Ouachita’s commitment to excellence. This issue of The Ouachita Circle has been expanded to 36 pages, providing more stories about Ouachitonians who are making a difference. Future issues of The Circle will be published twice per year – at the end of each spring and fall semester. Enjoy!
Trennis Henderson Vice President for Communications
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
Nelson Mandela
“Do all things with love, passion and dedication!”
Patrick Driessen
“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”
Vince Lombardi
“The dedicated life is worth living. You must give with your whole heart.”
Annie Dillard
“Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. That is the true worship that you should offer.”
Romans 12:1
President Rex M. Horne, Jr. Vice President for Communications and Editor Trennis Henderson Assistant Director of Communications and Associate Editor Brooke Zimny Assistant Director of Graphic Services René Zimny 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.
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8 Lessons from a Last Lecture
Dr. Tom Auffenberg, who taught for 40 years at Ouachita before his death in August, presented a series of timely and timeless insights in his “Last Lecture” delivered in 2007.
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Collections honor Berryman & Greer
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Tiger Tunes tradition
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Honoring the legacy of longtime professors Jim Berryman and Tom Greer, Riley-Hickingbotham Library recently dedicated special collections featuring the papers of the two former colleagues.
The Ouachita Student Foundation presented its 35th Tiger Tunes this fall. The annual Tunes production has helped OSF raise more than $1 million for student scholarships since 1979.
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Celebrating alumni milestones
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18 23 29 34 35 36
Ouachita’s annual Alumni Milestone Awards honor noted alumni. This year’s recognitions were presented to leading Ouachitonians from the classes of 1963, ’73, ’83, ’93 and 2003.
Tiger Steel: Musicians & mentors
The Tiger Steel drum ensemble, which debuted earlier this year, is Ouachita’s newest musical performance group. Ensemble members also mentor middle school musicians.
Sports Update: Cliff Harris Award named in honor of legendary Tiger football player Campus Update: The Ouachita Singers release new CD, Sing Me to Heaven Class Notes: OBU professor Johnny Wink writes limited edition book of poetry Faculty Profile: Mike Reynolds emphasizes impact of experiential education Staff Profile: IT’s Bill Phelps helps guide Ouachita’s connectivity to the world Closing Thoughts: President Horne notes that dedication requires intentional effort
Send address changes and class notes to alumni@obu.edu, (870) 245-5506 or: Ouachita Alumni Office 410 Ouachita St., OBU Box 3762 Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001 Contact the Office of Communications at newsbureau@obu.edu or (870) 245-5208. Printed by TCPrint Solutions in North Little Rock, Ark. Cover photo of Dr. Tom Auffenberg’s office by Kristen Barnard, a senior mass communications major from Hot Springs, Ark. Board of Trustees Gene Whisenhunt (Chair), Mary Pat Cook Anthony, Curtis Arnold, Steven Collier, Clay Conly, Susie Everett, Clay Hallmark, Jay Heflin, Taylor King, Larry Kircher, Richard Lusby, Terri Mardis, John McCallum, Mollie Morgan, Mark Roberts, Lloydine Seale, Ken Shaddox, Randall Sims, Scott Street, Buddy Sutton, Susan Wamble, Larry White, Gus Williamson, James Young, Jarrett Stephens (National Dir.) Chancellor Ben M. Elrod President Emeritus Daniel R. Grant Alumni Advisory Board Heather Brandon Spruill (President), Brent Black, Tyrone Blanks, Lannie Byrd, Chris Campbell, Donna Byers Carozza, Ronnie Clay, Kim Cole Darr, Shari Deaver Edwards, Joy Johnson Floyd, Joe Franz, Euodias Goza, Garrett Ham, Krisie Holmes, Wendy Wofford Johnson, Caroline Woodell Luck, Scott Meador, Carmela Hunt Mechling, Ralph Smith, Bob White, Amy Witherow, Brandi Byrd Womack Young Alumni Advisory Board Amy Witherow (Chair), Samantha Street Akers, Amy Bridges Babb, Mitchell Bolding, Paige Cate, Katie Kirkpatrick Choate, Brandon Cumba, Tim Dockery, Andrew Ford, Drew Harper, Justin Harper, Luke Hollingsworth, Jason Holsclaw, Brooke Harris Hudson, Kristen Porter Jackson, Ryan James, Jacob Lively, Molly Magee, Eric Marks, Whitney Martin Jones, Collier Moore, Brian Nutt, Erin Parker, Keisha Pittman, Kyle Proctor, Matt Ramsey, Klayton Seyler, Tara Reese Thornton, Corey Wallis, Adam Wheat, Bethany Whitfield, Jessica Winston
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My Last Lecture By Tom Auffenberg
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What Happens When You Teach Longer than Alexander the Great Lived? “My Last Lecture” was delivered by Dr. Tom Auffenberg to Ouachita faculty and staff in 2007. An abridged version is published below as this issue’s “Dedication” theme interpretation in honor and memory of Dr. Auffenberg and his many contributions to Ouachita during his 40 years of service here. The full version of his lecture is available at http://library.obu.edu/MyLastLectureTomAuffenberg.pdf
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f I can make it another seven and a half days, I will have completed 34 years as a college professor, all of them at Ouachita Baptist University. Regarding these 34 years, I won’t plagiarize Everett Slavens and pronounce them “marvelous,” but I will say without hesitation that they have been challenging, intellectually stimulating and lifechanging—certainly, far more than merely “satisfactory.” All things considered, I find myself among that lucky part of humanity that truly loves my job—most of the time. And now, a word about my title. First of all, let me assure you that I am by no means trying to compare myself to Alexander the Great. After all, I really don’t share much in common with that most famous of all Macedonians. Admittedly, I don’t particularly like the current regime in control of Persia/Iran, but I can assure you I have no intention of invading it. … No, the title basically is meant to convey the concept that it has truly been a privilege to be in the classroom for a long time. Indeed, I was almost tempted to title this lecture “From Filmstrip Projector to PowerPoint.” Having been privileged to spend 34 years at Ouachita, what is the biggest benefit Ouachita has provided to me? … Alas, I find this impossible to answer, as there are so many, but let me isolate four. Probably highest on the list would be the many lifelong friends that Ouachita has provided me—and here I wouldn’t dare begin a list for fear of leaving someone out—but you know who you are. Second, thanks to research grants, development grants, European summer study tours and sabbaticals, Ouachita has enabled me to see so many things I might well never have experienced had I not taken this job. As a result of being a Ouachita professor, I have been able to see Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights” and Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Children” in the Prado. I have seen the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square in China. I have walked the troubled streets of Derry and Belfast and heard Ian Paisley thunder about the pope as Antichrist during a worship service. I’ve seen Hamlet performed in a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe. I’ve had the opportunity to be taken to a secret location to hear a member of the IRA explain his party’s position. I’ve had the privilege of seeing students overwhelmed by the beauty of Notre Dame cathedral, the canals of Venice, a blessing by the pope and the delight of Italian gelato. And I’ve spent seemingly endless hours in the British Library reading highly partisan Irish newspapers and manuscripts. I daresay there are few universities that would have provided me with the same rich variety of experiences. Third, I would be terribly amiss if I didn’t mention the hundreds of students it has been my privilege to have in the classroom. The students, after all, are the reason we are here. And, yes, through the years there have been a handful of maddening ones I’ve encountered, but I’m happy to report it’s only been a handful. I realize that for the most part we don’t know what happens to the young men and women once they leave our classroom, but I have a special advantage.
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d e d i c at i o n I recently turned to the OBU catalog and discovered it had been my privilege to teach such a diverse group of people over the years as: Wesley Kluck, Trey Berry, Rebecca Jones, Mike Reynolds, Kathy Berry, Mary Beth Long, Lisa Hill, Tim Knight, Brian McKinney, David Sharp, Todd Knight, Johnny Wink, Bill Phelps, Jeff Root, Ian Cosh, Jay Curlin, Margaret Reed
have come to preoccupy me after teaching such a wide variety of courses over so many decades. I ultimately isolated two, both of which have obvious connections to my interest in Northern Ireland. First, I find myself persistently concerned about the issue of nationalism in the contemporary world. In the mid-1970s, when Contemporary World was still the
“It remains tremendously engaging to be intellectually involved with young people and sometimes even learn from them.” and Yvonne Cloud. And I’m sure there are others. If the caliber of these individuals is any indication, then what a privilege indeed it has been to be a Ouachita professor. And what is perhaps the greatest gift Ouachita students have given me? A fountain of youth. Even though my body continues to slowly but surely fall apart, I still feel young when I am in the classroom. It remains tremendously engaging to be intellectually involved with young people and sometimes even learn from them. One of them this semester, after all, is involved in an ongoing and marginally successful process to teach me how to use a cell phone properly. Fourth, teaching at a small liberal arts university has provided me with yet another benefit. I’m not here, of course, speaking about our salaries, but I am referring to the incredibly wide variety of courses I have found myself teaching as a result of my position as a history professor and participant in our former GNED and current CORE program. I arrived on the OBU campus a very narrowly trained British historian with a specialty in the 17th century. I even had a course at Vanderbilt that focused on the first five months of 1659. But since arriving at Ouachita, I have found myself teaching—or trying to teach—and I will admit with varying degrees of success 22 different courses in the History, CORE and Honors programs. … If anything else, teaching at Ouachita has most definitely forced me to expand my comfort zone beyond five months in 1659; and I’m eternally grateful it has. Finally, when I began thinking about preparing these remarks, I asked myself if there were any overarching intellectual themes that
very politically incorrect Man and Society, Newsweek provided us with a filmstrip that focused on the four main kinds of nationalism that characterized the contemporary world: traditional, striving, protective and imperialistic. Over three decades later that categorization remains eerily relevant. Second, the other theme that continues to preoccupy me is that of religion. It is a privilege to teach at a university where students, faculty and staff take religion seriously. It was not all
have numerous students who continue to insist that Judaism is one of the three main branches of Christianity. That’s why I’m glad we have two CORE courses taught in Christian Studies to provide our students with a more mature introduction into their faith, as well as our attempt in Contemporary World to provide them with at least a cursory introduction into other modern belief systems. I wish we could do more. And perhaps there is nothing more important that Ouachita Baptist University could do for the Christian faith than to graduate young men and women who emerge with a strong faith, but also an informed faith. Nothing would better validate Socrates’ maxim that “Knowledge produces virtue; ignorance produces vice.” One of my favorite Biblical passages concerns Christ’s injunction of “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” As I look at our contemporary world, I sadly see all too many stones being hurled. Some are verbal stones, promoting discrimination, bigotry, fear, ethnocentrism, xenophobia and a siege mentality of us against them. Some are deadly stones in the form of bombs and bullets and even genocide. Some are stones hurled from frighteningly soulless and dangerous regimes
“It is a privilege to teach at a university where students, faculty and staff take religion seriously.”
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that long ago that Marxists and other secularists were confidently predicting that religion would cease to be a significant force in the world. Any examination of the contemporary world clearly demonstrates the profound error of such predictions. My own faith has proved of great comfort to me at various difficult times in my life, and I’m sure all of you could provide similar testimony. Faith is indeed a powerful force that provides not only comfort, but also is capable of bringing out the best in our humanitarian instincts toward our fellow men and women. Yet, as history all too often demonstrates, religion can be perverted to evil ends as well—and this is what continues to grieve me. I am very proud of our students, but I am sure all of you could provide stories verifying that they often come to us with a sincere faith, but one not necessarily accompanied by profound knowledge of their own religion, much less that of others. Inevitably, on the Contemporary World pretest, for example, we
such as that which controls North Korea. But some come from mosques, some come from synagogues and some come from pulpits. I’m not particularly optimistic about it, but let me hope that as the 21st century progresses; we have fewer stones and more knowledge. Nearly 2,500 years later, it still seems true to me that “Knowledge produces virtue; ignorance produces vice.” Dr. Tom Auffenberg, who served as Ouachita’s R. Voyt Hill Professor of History and chair of the history department, held degrees from Texas Christian University and Vanderbilt University. He died Aug. 21 at age 65 after teaching history at Ouachita for 40 years.
For more reflections on Dr. Auffenberg, see Class Notes: In Memoriam (pg. 33)
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OBU milestones: Faculty and staff honored for combined 730 years of service
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athering for Ouachita’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, the university honored 37 faculty and staff members with a combined total of 730 years of service to Ouachita.The annual celebration was tempered by the death of Dr. Tom Auffenberg, one of three professors recognized for 40 years of service each. Dr. Auffenberg, the R. Voyt Hill Professor of History, passed away the day before the banquet following a brief illness. In addition to Dr. Auffenberg’s posthumous recognition, two of his longtime colleagues who also joined the faculty in 1973 were honored for 40-year milestones: Dr. Raouf Halaby, professor of visual arts and English, and Dr. Johnny Wink, the Betty Burton Peck Professor of English. “I am amazed at the commitment of those who have invested their lives here at Ouachita,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “It was especially humbling to recognize Raouf Halaby and Johnny Wink for their 40 years of service. They, in true Ouachita style, carried to the podium pictures of Tom Auffenberg. Tom was their colleague and dear friend who recently passed from this life. Tom, too, was remembered for his 40 years of service. In this ever-changing environment, the long commitment of people that these three represent will keep Ouachita strong.” Reflecting on his motivation to dedicate 40 years to teaching at Ouachita, Wink told The Ouachita Circle, “The civility, hunger for learning, generosity of spirit and wit of a good many of my colleagues and students down through the years would have been enough to motivate a slug.” Citing numerous Ouachita-related highlights over the years, Wink’s memories ranged from “dancing sonnets with my and Jay’s Shakespearean sonneteers” to “trying to teach freshmen—although not often succeeding—how to think straight about what’s going on in a sentence.” Concerning the recognition of his 40-year milestone, Wink said, “I was numb. Tom Auffenberg had died the night before. Thanks to Raouf Halaby’s having fashioned a couple of pictorial displays of young and old Tom, we were able to carry our fallen friend with us when we approached the dais.” “Johnny and I carried four 18x24 photographs of Tom (one for each decade of his tenure at OBU) and proceeded to the front,” Halaby noted. “While Tom was not with us in person, he was, and will continue to be, in our hearts and minds forever.” Halaby said his lengthy tenure at Ouachita “is not about me. Rather, it is about the thousands of students I have taught who have been at the front and center of my professional life. “I have been truly blessed to have had a host of friends and colleagues, too many to list, who’ve enriched my life, supported my scholarly efforts and affirmed my migration from English to art, a change that opened exciting possibilities, including my venturing into the creative world of sculpture,” he added. “Yet another highlight,” Halaby said, “has been my following in Tom and Fran Coulter’s footsteps to teach six European study classes and to take students to Rome, Sienna, Florence, Padua, Venice, Verona, Lucerne, Cologne, Paris, Canterbury, London and Beijing to experience and study firsthand other cultures by visiting temples, cathedrals, historic sites and to visually feast on great art in some of the world’s greatest museums.”
Ouachita President Rex Horne (center) congratulates Dr. Raouf Halaby (left) and Dr. Johnny Wink for 40 years of service each to Ouachita. The two honorees displayed photos of their longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Tom Auffenberg, who was honored posthumously for 40 years of service to the university. photo by Tyler Rosenthal
In addition to Auffenberg, Halaby and Wink, other faculty and staff members recognized for service milestones include: 30 Years: Daniel Bailey, facilities management; John Cloud, senior development officer for estate and legacy gifts; Philip Easley, facilities management; Dr. Craig Hamilton, the Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands; Luke Owens, facilities management; Bill Phelps, director of IT services. 25 Years: Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement; Dr. Bill Viser, associate professor of Christian ministries. 20 Years: Terrence Carter, director of Upward Bound; Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement; Bill Hulan, facilities management; Linda Purifoy, TRIO administrative assistant; Dr. Phil Rice, professor of business administration; Dr. Amy Sonheim, professor of English; Dr. Bob Webster, professor of accounting and holder of the George Young Chair of Business. 15 Years: Sharis Armstrong, financial aid counselor; Vickie Crossno, facilities management; Dr. Jay Curlin, the Kathryn Maddox Professor of English; Jay Derby, assistant football coach; Beverly Dickerson, bookstore retail manager; John Hill, IT services senior programmer/analyst; Todd Knight, football head coach; Marla Rigsby, IT services software specialist; Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music; Dr. Jim Taylor, professor of biology. 10 Years: Bill Barnes, facilities management; Lisa Berry, admissions counseling office manager; Rob Crockett, IT services computer network manager; Dr. Ray Franklin, associate professor of Christian missions; Tonya Magby, facilities management; Karen Matros, assistant to the dean of interdisciplinary studies; Angie May, facilities management; Dr. Doug Nykolaishen, associate professor of Biblical studies; Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs. fall 2013
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Grant Center dedication affirms international education
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elebrating the long-term impact of international education at Ouachita Baptist University, officials dedicated the newly renovated Daniel and Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education Sept. 12. Emphasizing that “the Grant Center is a place dedicated to educating the whole person,” Grant Center Director Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement, said, “It specializes in educational experiences that touch all our senses and all dimensions of our humanity. “The center is about developing new capacities of insight and understanding,” he added. “It is about seeing goodwill and understanding and about freeing us up to embrace the challenges to equip us with a wellfurnished mind and a well-tuned heart. The newly renovated center offers a new focus to our efforts to make international education a key element in each Ouachitonian’s journey.” Highlighting the mission of “bringing the world to Ouachita and taking Ouachita to the world,” the Grant Center is named in honor of Ouachita President Emeritus Daniel Grant and his wife, Betty Jo. Dr. Grant served as Ouachita’s 12th president from 1970 to 1988. This summer’s Grant Center renovation coincided with the recent celebration of Dr. Grant’s 90th birthday as well as the 90th anniversary of Ouachita’s international education efforts. Charles Pong of Kaifeng, China, enrolled as Ouachita’s first international student in 1923. Nine decades later, the Grant Center recruits international students and provides Ouachita students and faculty opportunities to experience international study, both on campus and abroad. Primary funding for the renovation project came from a lead gift by Dr. Charles L. and Cindy Fuller. Dr. Fuller is a former dean of the Ouachita School of Fine Arts and Mrs. Fuller is a former instructor of voice at the university. Affirming the Fullers for “the stewardship of their lives, their abilities, their gifts, their passion, their pain and their possessions,” Ouachita President Rex Horne said, “They are exemplary stewards to us in every aspect of life.” Also citing Dr. and Mrs. Grant’s impact on Ouachita over the years, Dr. Horne said they “continue to be a driving force for all that is good and noble about Ouachita and specifically when it relates to international education.” President Horne also emphasized the pivotal role of “our international students past, present and those yet to walk these beautiful grounds.” “You have added distinctiveness to our campus,” he said of Ouachita’s international students who hail from more than 30 nations. “Your presence,
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ideas and involvement have reminded us of the reality of this wide world and the responsibility we have to the citizens of the nations of the world.” Others who spoke at the dedication service include Zara John, a junior sociology major from India; Dr. Tim Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences; and Dr. Brett Powell, vice president for administrative services. Expressing appreciation for “all that the Grant Center has meant to me for the past three years,” John said, “Ouachita is truly a home away from home. The experiences we gain here are deep and meaningful.” Named spaces in the center include the Coulter Seminar Classroom. Dr. Ed Coulter is a former vice president for administrative services at Ouachita and his late wife, Dr. Fran Coulter, was a professor of history. Dr. Coulter and his wife, Lucretia, were among those present for the dedication service. The Palmer Classroom is named in honor of Gordon and Melbaree Palmer, lifelong friends of the Grants. The center’s English as a Second Language office will be named in honor of the David and Jimmie Joe Leech family of Stuttgart. The renovation features an expanded reception area, conference room and enlarged classroom, providing expanded space for such uses as ESL classes and study abroad interest meetings. The entire suite was updated with new finishes such as carpeting, ceiling tiles, lighting, paint and technology. Also added during the renovations was a “legacy wall” that combines photographs and text layered on an antique world map. Funding for the legacy wall was provided by one of the Grants’ daughters, Carolyn Walton, and her husband, Bill. In addition, other friends of the Grant Center provided general endowments and travel awards to assist future study abroad students. Shirley Hardin, assistant registrar and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Grant, said the legacy wall was created to honor the Grants, provide information about global education both past and present and inspire others to become a part of Ouachita’s legacy of international education. Reflecting on the newly renovated space, Dr. Grant said in an interview following the ceremony, “Ouachita has an impressive story to tell about its international involvement and achievements, even though its geographical location is not an international crossroads.” Noting that “Ouachita’s remarkable mix of academic and Christian excellence extends to its international accomplishments,” he said Ouachita “has been a strong pioneer in international exchange programs in most of the continents of the world. The new center will help the Ouachita community to become aware of these achievements.”
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Special guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony included Dr. Berryman’s daughter, Cathy, and wife, Mary Anne, and Dr. Greer’s wife, Angie. photo by Tyler Rosenthal
Berryman & Greer legacy: Riley-Hickingbotham Library dedicates two special collections H
onoring the legacy of longtime Ouachita professors, Dr. Jim Berryman and Dr. Tom Greer, Riley-Hickingbotham Library hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 7 to formally open special collections featuring the papers of the two former colleagues. Berryman and Greer each served 29 years at Ouachita, with Berryman serving from 1964 until his death in 1993 and Greer serving from 1977 until his death in 2006. Berryman’s wife, Mary Anne, and daughter, Cathy, and Greer ’s wife, Angie, were special guests for the ceremony. “We’re so pleased today to open these collections,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “It ensures that their impact and their teaching will continue on as long as Ouachita exists.” Citing both men’s lengthy tenure at Ouachita, he added, “It’s not just the number of years they served, but the way they served. … We realize that we are debtors to those who come before us and those who serve so effectively.” Berryman was a professor of religion and philosophy and served as chair of the Department of Philosophy. He also was active in the community, was instrumental in founding Arkadelphia’s Festival of Two Rivers and was a charter member of the local Civitan Club. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ouachita and his Doctor of Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Greer was the Clarence and Bennie Sue Anthony Professor of Bible and the Humanities and also served as the chair of the division of humanities. He played a significant role in establishing Ouachita’s academic exchange program with China. Greer also was active in the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, Civitan International and the Arkansas Humanities Council. He was a graduate of Louisiana College, University of Evansville and New Orleans Theological Seminary. Dr. Byron Eubanks, professor of philosophy, was a student and colleague of both Berryman and Greer. “They both played a very significant
role in my life as a student and as a teacher here,” he reflected. Citing Berryman’s influence and impact, Eubanks added, “When we would walk from Berry Bible Building over to the student center, Jim Berryman Tom Greer it would take us forever to cross campus. … Jim was talking with students, loving on students all the way over. He was a hard, rigorous teacher, but one who was asking for your best and encouraging you at the same time.” Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, shared brief reflections about Greer, citing their shared heritage as Louisiana College alumni. Noting that Greer “came to prize education and the world it opened up to him,” Poole added that Greer “never lost touch with his roots and the values of family and faith.” Affirming Greer’s influence in Ouachita’s educational partnerships in China, Poole said, “He created opportunities for Ouachita faculty and students to have extraordinary opportunities to open up the world in a different way.” Overall, Poole added, “Tom urged us to view the local and the global in light of the eternal.” Dr. Ray Granade, OBU’s director of library services and professor of history, expressed appreciation to those who helped prepare the collections and to those attending the ceremony. Referencing displays with samples from the collections, Granade said, “The significance of these tangible memories that we have here will live on for future generations.” He also expressed “thanks to Jim and Tom because they embody for all of us to see Ouachita as a place of Christian and academic excellence.” fall 2013
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photos by Kristen Barnard, Wesley Kluck & Tyler Rosenthal EEE shEEEp: First Place & OSF Award
Kappa Chi Paperboys: Second Place
tiger tunes has grown From 4 clubs to
10 clubs
the Ouachita Student Foundation has raised
$1,053,860 in scholarships in the last 35 years
Over 10,000 people have put in a combined total of more than
400,000 hrs preparing for 35 tiger tunes shows. That’s over 45.5 years!
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Eta Alpha Omega Wild Wild West: Third Place
Beta Beta Chickens
Campus Activities North Pole
Tri Chi Under the Sea: Fourth Place & People’s Choice Award
Tiger Blast
Chi Delta Puppets
Campus Ministries Prom
Rho Sigma Plumbers
Hosts & Hostesses
Chi Rho Phi ChiRhopractors: Spirit of Tunes Award
fall 2013
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1 The Ouachita Tiger football team earned a 45-21 win over the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers in the Homecoming football matchup on Saturday, Oct. 12. 2 The OBU Marching Band supported the Tigers throughout the rainy afternoon football game. 3 The Tiger Cheer Squad performed at a pre-game pep rally during OcTiger Fest, held in Walker Conference Center. 4 “Tiger Alley,” 5th Street between JPAC and Jones Science Center, was decked out for events throughout the weekend. 5 Kelsey Frink (center), a senior early childhood education major from Marion, Mass., was crowned Ouachita’s 2013 Homecoming Queen during the pre-game ceremony. The 2013 Homecoming Court included first through fourth runners-up (from right) Carli Sasser, Lindsey Fowler, Molly Bowman and Kristen Barnard. 5 Alumni and current students enjoyed a variety of reunion and spirit events, coordinated by the Alumni Office and Student Senate, throughout the week leading up to the Homecoming football game. photos by Kristen Barnard, Wesley Kluck & Tyler Rosenthal
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photo by Kristen Barnard
Ouachita honors five Alumni Milestone recipients H
onoring the influence and impact of five Ouachita Baptist University alumni, university officials recognized the 2013 Alumni Milestone recipients during Homecoming festivities on campus. This year’s honorees are Dr. Larry Taylor (’63), School of Humanities with a major in English; Judge Bobby E. Shepherd (’73), Sutton School of Social Sciences with majors in political science and history; Gene Whisenhunt (’83), Hickingbotham School of Business with a major in accounting; Jay Heflin (’93), Hickingbotham School of Business with a major in business administration; and Dr. Kristen (Rickett) Nelson (’03), Patterson School of Natural Sciences with a major in biology. Noting that “Ouachita’s commitment to excellence in education and life is proven in the lives of our alumni,” President Rex Horne said, “This year’s Alumni Milestone recipients are representative of hundreds of difference makers.” This year’s honorees’ educational and professional achievements include: Dr. Larry Taylor (’63): While at Ouachita, Taylor was a member of Student Senate, Sigma Tau Delta, Blue Key, Who’s Who and Beta Beta men’s social club. After graduation, he studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1966 and a Doctor of Theology degree in 1971. Taylor retired in 2006 after a 49-year ministry career in Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana. He retired as pastor emeritus after serving 21 years as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Alexandria, La. Since retirement, he has served as assistant professor of theology and Biblical studies at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. Taylor and his wife, Dr. Lynda (Strother) Taylor (’63), live in Murfreesboro, Tenn. They are the parents of two adult children, Leslie (’89) and Lynn (’90). Judge Bobby E. Shepherd (’73) serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in El Dorado, Ark. While at Ouachita, he was a member of Student Senate, Blue Key, the Carl Goodson Honors Program, Who’s Who and the Ouachita Cadet Corps. He was commissioned as an ROTC officer and was honored as the Distinguished Military Graduate. After earning his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1975, he joined a law firm in El Dorado, practicing there for 14 years. In 1990, he was elected Circuit-Chancery Judge in the 13th Judicial District and in 1993 was appointed Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. President George W. Bush nominated him
as U.S. Circuit Judge on the Eighth Circuit. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and began serving in 2006. Judge Shepherd and his wife, Bobbi (Beeson) Shepherd (‘72), have three children, State Rep. Matthew Shepherd (’98) who lives and practices law in El Dorado; Sarah (Shepherd) Rainwater (’03) an RN in Little Rock; and John Thomas Shepherd, who practices law in El Dorado with his brother Matthew. Gene Whisenhunt (’83) is executive vice president and chief financial officer for Hickingbotham Investments, Inc., in Little Rock. As a student at Ouachita, Whisenhunt was a member of Alpha Chi, BSU, Blue Key, Who’s Who, Beta Beta men’s social club and was named Outstanding Senior Man. After graduation, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Louisiana Tech University and worked in public accounting. After five years, he joined TCBY Enterprises, Inc., eventually serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He is chairman of the Ouachita Board of Trustees. Whisenhunt and his wife, Kathy, have three children, Haley (’12), Mary (’13) and Jared (’15). Jay Heflin (’93) is vice president for administration of Legacy Termite & Pest Control, Inc., in Little Rock. At Ouachita, Heflin was a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation, Alpha Chi, Phi Beta Lambda, Blue Key, Student Senate, Beta Beta men’s social club, played on the Ouachita tennis team and was named Outstanding Senior Man. After graduation, he earned his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Heflin, a former member of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, has worked in various capacities for Heflin family businesses including Terminix and Legacy Termite and Pest. He and his brother Marc (’95) co-founded Bird and Bear Medical, Inc., a medical equipment company they operated until August 2013. Heflin, his wife, Andrea (Holt) Heflin (’94), have two children, Ben, age 11, and Anna, age 9. Dr. Kristen (Rickett) Nelson (’03) is a pediatrician at Millard Henry Clinic and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville, Ark. As a student at Ouachita, she was a member of Concert Choir, Student Senate, College Republicans, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Who’s Who, American Chemical Society and Tri Chi women’s social club as well as the Carl Goodson Honors Program. After graduation, she married David Nelson (’03) and earned her medical degree at UAMS in Little Rock. She and her husband, a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, have two sons, Jonathan and Jack. fall 2013
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NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., (right) and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori B. Garver present the NASA Distinguished Service Medal to Ouachita alumnus Dr. James F. Spann, Jr.
Ouachita alum Jim Spann receives NASA top honor
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
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iting “sustained exemplary service and leadership over almost 30 years,” NASA officials recently presented the Distinguished Service Medal to Ouachita alumnus Dr. James F. “Jim” Spann, Jr. NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal is its highest recognition awarded to a government employee who, “by distinguished service, ability or vision, has personally contributed to NASA’s advancement of United States’ interests.” Spann, a 1979 Ouachita graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and math, was honored for “contributing to NASA’s scientific understanding of the Earth and the Universe in which we live.” “I was, and continue to be, amazed that I was the recipient of this award. It was a complete surprise,” Spann noted. “I am honored and very mindful of the many people who have helped me along the way, including the guiding role that my OBU family, the physics department and Mr. Glenn Good (OBU professor emeritus of physics) have played.” Spann serves as head of the Science Research Office at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala. He previously was awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and was among noted alumni guest speakers invited to campus during Ouachita’s 125th anniversary celebration in 2011. Spann grew up in Recife, Brazil, where his parents, Dr. Fred and Bettye Spann, served as Southern Baptist international missionaries. He said his parents’ background as Ouachita alumni and his experience as an MK led him to Ouachita “but I stayed because OBU was the ideal place for me to be.” “Ouachita played a major role in my life, even beyond any success I may have,” Spann said. “As a missionary kid, I had lived basically my entire life in Brazil, only coming to the U.S. three times since the age of 5. So, I came to college not really understanding the American culture. “OBU provided a safe place for an outsider like me to begin to learn how to live in the U.S. Having other MKs around and playing on the soccer team was a tremendous benefit. I made lasting relationships with some very patient friends who lived out their faith before me and who really helped me,” he added. “I often think of my teammates and dorm mates, thanking God for their role in my life. “The liberal arts education I received was second to none and broadened my horizons,” Spann reflected. “My natural aptitude for science and math was fostered by the faculty in such a way that presented no conflict between my
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faith and science. This aspect is huge for my success.” After graduating from Ouachita, Spann earned his PhD in physics from the University of Arkansas. While working as an Oak Ridge Associated Universities Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy facility in Morgantown, W.Va., he applied for a position at the NASA MSFC in Huntsville. “I did not know anything about NASA or Huntsville, but I had laboratory skills with very clean high-vacuum systems and expertise that matched their needs. So they hired me,” he recalled. “Over the years I have worked with NASA HQ and the science community to advance the science of space,” Spann said. “I oversee science that ranges across the spectrum; from high energy astrophysics, to planetary geochronology, to applied Earth science, to solar and space physics including space weather. This position has offered me the opportunity to interact with a large group of scientists and institutions nationally and internationally.” Reflecting on various career highlights, Spann said, “Being on console to receive and operate the Polar UVI camera when it was first turned on was one of those. When you spend many years designing, assembling, testing and calibrating an instrument, and then to see it finally operate in space, is amazing. “Another highlight was the opportunity to spend two years at NASA HQ serving as a discipline scientist. During that time I was instrumental in getting a mission called the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission started. To see that this very important mission is progressing toward launch in 20142015 is a highlight. It will be an even greater highlight to see it operating, and discovering the fundamental mechanism of magnetic reconnection.” Spann also established and developed the MSFC Dusty Plasma Laboratory which he describes as “a unique laboratory to investigate the microphysics of micron-sized dust grains as they interact with the simulated space environment,” including lunar dust samples from the Apollo missions. In addition to his NASA career, Spann has stayed involved in youth ministry over the years. He and his wife, Diane (Denney ’78*) Spann, have two children, Hannah and Ben, and one grandchild, Lyla. Amid his many achievements and recognitions, Spann is still quick to credit his alma mater. “Ouachita played a major role in any success that may have come my way,” he affirmed, “and continues to be near and dear to my heart.”
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At age 99, Claudia Mason cherishes Ouachita memories
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
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hen Claudia Mann Mason enrolled at Ouachita, the Great Depression was raging, Cone-Bottoms ladies’ dormitory was just 10 years old and the Tiger statue didn’t exist yet. Claudia, who graduated from Ouachita in 1936, will celebrate her 100th birthday in May. As a home economics teacher, vocalist, Bible study leader and accomplished artist over the years, she continues to lead a rich, rewarding life. She still lives in the comfortable brick home in Malvern that she and her husband built 70 years ago. It features dozens of pieces of exquisite artwork she has painted over the years. While she has witnessed countless changes in life during the past several decades, she still has fond memories of her years at Ouachita. According to the 1936 Ouachitonian, Claudia was president of the Home Ec Club, Student Council vice president and Scholarship Society secretary and sang in the Treble Clef women’s choir. Before she enrolled at Ouachita, however, Claudia recalled that her father had her tuition money in an area bank that failed. As the editor of the Malvern newspaper for several years, he negotiated with Ouachita officials to do all the school’s printing jobs to help cover tuition costs. Once at Ouachita, her music teacher asked if she would be interested in taking voice lessons. “I didn’t know if Daddy could afford it,” she recalled, “but he somehow managed.” The musical training paid off. In addition to singing in a trio on campus, she was invited to sing a solo at Ouachita’s 50th anniversary baccalaureate service. As a resident of Cone-Bottoms, she said, “I can remember Miss Emily Blake. She was in charge of Cone-Bottoms Hall and she supervised our dates” in the first-floor parlor. When her fiancé, J.R. Mason, would come to visit, “we sat in the parlor or walked to the movies,” she recalled. “I don’t remember anybody having a car. “The big thing was after dinner at night, we gathered around ConeBottoms Hall and leaned on the fence and visited.” While “the campus was beautiful” during her years as a student, she added, “When I drive through the campus now, I just marvel at the beauty of it. The main thing is they have improved so much on the campus and buildings. It really is a different place from when I went. It’s just a lovely place.” After graduating cum laude from Ouachita, Claudia taught home
economics for two years in Malvern before she and J.R. got married. Anna Boyd Lindvall, one of Claudia’s longtime friends, recalls being one of her first home ec students. “I can’t begin to tell you what she means to me,” Anna said. “She’s like my mother really.” Citing Claudia’s “dependability and sweetness of character,” Anna added, “She’s always thinking of other people. She’s just an inspiration to everyone.” Claudia went on to teach for 20 years, including the “two long years” J.R. was overseas during World War II as a meteorologist with the Eighth Air Force stationed in England. He was responsible for predicting weather for fighter planes. Claudia’s darkest days came in 1982 when J.R. died after 44 years of marriage. They were driving home from Little Rock when a tornado hit and debris shattered the windshield. J.R. leaned over to shield Claudia and a piece of debris severed his jugular vein. “He saved my life,” she reflected. “He died in my arms. “That was 30 years ago and I’ve lived alone ever since,” she explained. Acknowledging that her “best life” ended that day, she declared, “Now you have to go to work to have a second-best life.” Noting that “my church and my friends have brought me through it,” she said china painting, leading a Bible study for young women “who are grandmothers now” and other activities have helped her achieve “a full, second happy life.” Continuing to embrace life at age 99, she said she has read 84 books in the past two years on her Kindle. Her positive outlook “is due to the things I was able to do,” Claudia said. “God gave me those blessings.” She continues to share those blessings with others. As a member of Ouachita’s Second Century Club, she has included her alma mater in her estate plans as an investment in future generations of Ouachita students. Affirming Ouachita’s spiritual impact on her life, Claudia said, “I’ve always been a spiritual person; I’m deeply spiritual.” Her time at Ouachita “just added to it.” “I know that Ouachita has a lot to do with the depth of my spiritual being,” she said. “I’m just thankful that I was in the position to go to college. For a young woman to have that exposure, it develops her in many ways. If she goes to a spiritual college like Ouachita, it’s going to make a different person of her.” fall 2013
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Tiger Steel drum ensemble blends music & mentoring
By Taylor Tomlinson
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ith a strong focus on service, Ouachita continually pursues ways to impact the Arkadelphia community. Combining academics, mentoring and a love for music, OBU’s steel drum ensemble, Tiger Steel, is taking community service to a new level. “I was the director of the Florida State University Steel Band and knew it was something I wanted to bring to campus,” said Dr. Ryan Lewis, assistant professor of music since 2009 and director of Tiger Steel. After introducing the idea to Ouachita’s campus last semester, Lewis began searching for ways to fund the program. “I met with various people on campus and around the community about the idea and how to fund it,” Lewis noted. “Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for student services, suggested that the new Boys and Girls Club of Clark County might be a willing partner.” Since the Boys and Girls Club was searching for ways to provide middle school students with new and creative programs, Lewis said the partnership was a “win-win idea.” As a result, the Boys and Girls Club formed their own steel ensemble: Club Steel. The group is mentored by members of Tiger Steel and is directed by Aaron Seel, assistant band director and percussion teacher at Arkadelphia High School. “Club Steel provides the Boys and Girls Club a unique program that incorporates the arts and world cultures into a fun and worthwhile activity for themselves and their community,” Lewis said. In addition to students learning a new style of music, the partnership provides participants the opportunity to be involved in a mentoring program. Members of Tiger Steel are assigned a “little brother or sister” from Club Steel who play the same form of steel drum and meet together each week. “Most often, Ouachita students go to Goza Middle School in the afternoons and help the Club Steel members learn their music,” Lewis said. Most of the practice time is geared toward the groups’ joint concert, “Panorama,” held each spring on Ouachita’s campus. In addition, both ensembles perform various concerts throughout the year. However, the mentorship involves more than just practicing music. “If my little sis doesn’t feel like practicing, we do whatever she wants to do,” said Kristen Liles, a freshman biology major from Whitehouse, Texas. “We sit and talk, I help her with homework or we just hang out and be girls!” “I think the kids will take away from this a greater benefit,” added Victoria Clark, a sophomore choral music education major from Bonnerdale, Ark. “Through this, their eyes are opened to a whole other side of music – the making of it and all the teamwork and dedication it takes to do so.” Participating in Tiger Steel is not exclusive to music majors, but is open to all students. “I am a biology major, but I joined Tiger Steel because it was a college goal of mine to learn something new,” said Liles. “The atmosphere is so different than any other type of ensemble, and the fact that we have a few non-music majors makes it even more unique,” added Chris Hogan, a junior instrumental music education major from Bartlesville, Okla. Hogan also serves as Lewis’ assistant director. “Being in this group has impacted my life,” Clark said. “Being able to play in such a unique and fun group as a steel drum band will be something that these kids can carry with them for the rest of their lives.” For more information about Tiger Steel or Club Steel, contact Dr. Ryan Lewis at lewisr@obu.edu or (870) 245-5421. Taylor Tomlinson, a student writer in the OBU News Bureau, is a senior mass communications major from Carrollton, Texas.
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Former members of the Ouachi-Tones gather with honoree Mary Shambarger (center, with corsage) at the Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon. photo by Donna Evans Photography
Stepping Up luncheon celebrates the sparkle of Mary Shambarger and all Ouachita women
By Brooke Zimny, Assistant Director of Communications
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e are here today to celebrate women, to celebrate Ouachita women, to celebrate what makes the Ouachita woman what she is,” said Stepping Up for Ouachita Chair Shari Edwards. She addressed a crowd of 320 who gathered at Chenal Country Club on Nov. 8. “To celebrate generations of women whose voices still echo in the halls, whose legacies have led to life-changing impressions and whose lives have continues to touch untold numbers of people for over 125 years.” In addition to raising money for women’s scholarships at Ouachita, the fourth annual Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon celebrated one Ouachita woman in particular, Mary Shambarger. Shambarger served on the music faculty at Ouachita for more than 30 years. She founded and directed two of Ouachita’s most well-known choral ensembles, the Ouachi-Tones and Ouachita Sounds. “When you think of Mary, you think of someone who has passion for what she does, a woman who has great principles,” said President Rex Horne. “One who is committed to the cause and who is proud of her young women and proud of the institution that she served for more than 30 years. “Mary, thank you for stepping up for Ouachita throughout the years, and thank you for allowing us to honor you today,” he said. “I also want to thank Ouachita for giving me the opportunity to teach there for 35 years,” Shambarger responded. “I think of all the young women who will benefit from scholarships raised today. Ouachita, with its emphasis on academic excellence and Christian focus as well as having a dedicated faculty, will gather all those bits and pieces of time, talent, ambition, influence and energy and weave them into lives of goodness, of usefulness and rare value.” Additionally, the program featured a performance by current members of Ouachita Sounds, under the direction of Mary Worthen, and reflections
from former Ouachi-Tones. Speakers included Edwards; Melinda Mayo, current KATV meteorologist and emcee for the luncheon; Susan Goss, Shambarger’s daughter and event co-sponsor; Terry Peeples, OBU vice president for development; and Terry Jones, recording artist. Ouachi-Tones alumni joined Jones to perform a closing song in Shambarger’s honor. “I loved those girls, and they knew it,” Shambarger said. “We worked hard. We practiced long. Right girls? But we had a lot of fun.” Shambarger “instilled in all of us to find what we loved, to do that and to give it our all,” Mayo said. “A daughter could not be more proud of her mother,” Goss added. “You are very beloved, and you are a woman of excellence, and I am so proud that you are my mom.” Shambarger’s mantra of Trust, Adjust, Good Attitude, Love and Sparkle – also known as TAGALS – surfaced in many reflections throughout the program. These TAGALS qualities extend to all of Ouachita’s students, Peeples noted. “If you believe in educating students with a love of God and a love of learning that possess the TAGALS qualities, please invest in OBU today.” These investments support students like Student Senate President Lindsey Fowler, who shared about the importance of such gifts in her life. “Because of women who are further along in their lives than I am, had a heart for Ouachita and felt led to give at that particular moment, I have been able to receive a world-class education, develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships and learn every day from Christ-like mentors and professors,” she said. “Because of you, countless female students are being impacted. Thank you so much.” This year’s luncheon has raised more than $80,000 to date. To make a contribution to women’s scholarships at OBU, visit www.obu.edu/give. fall 2013
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d e d i c at i o n
Architect’s rendering of the Elrod Center
Mabee Foundation challenge grant helps fund new Elrod Center facility at Ouachita O
uachita’s Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community has been awarded a $210,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The grant will help the center reach its fundraising goal of $1.05 million for the construction of a new facility to replace the Elrod Center’s current offices. Donors already have provided gifts of more than $700,000 toward the project. Ouachita officials will finalize plans to move forward with construction once fundraising for the project is complete. The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, a private charitable foundation established in 1948, aids Christian religious organizations, charitable organizations, institutions of higher learning, hospitals and other charitable organizations. “The Mabee Foundation assists the work of so many colleges and universities,” said Ouachita President Rex M. Horne, Jr. “Ouachita is fortunate once again to have a gift from this noble foundation. “There could be no better expenditure of funds than to build a new building for the Elrod Center,” he added. “This center reaches out as our leader in service to our community and families. I am especially proud that this center of excellence bears the name of Dr. Elrod whose service to Ouachita is legendary and whose continued devotion is exemplary.” Dr. Elrod, who served as president of Ouachita in 1988-98, helped guide the establishment of the Center for Family and Community, which trustees named in his honor upon his retirement. Operating costs for the new building will be provided through the Elrod Center endowment set up by Dr. Elrod and his family. Describing the Elrod Center as “a hub of service,” President Horne said, “Service is a cornerstone of Ouachita. This is a hallmark of who we are as a university.” One of the Elrod Center’s signature ministry efforts is the semi-annual Tiger Serve Day community service project. Since its start in 1997, Tiger Serve Day volunteers have donated more than 60,000 hours of service in the Arkadelphia area. Other Elrod Center initiatives include such efforts as America
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Reads and America Counts tutoring, ElderServe, Backyard Bible Clubs and Big Brother/Big Sister programs. According to Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement, “The plans to construct a new Elrod Center are evidence of the strong institutional commitment at OBU to prepare our students to become engaged members of society. The work of preparing students to serve society in transforming ways will be reinvigorated through the provision of a beautiful new building that will serve Ouachita students well into the 21st century and beyond. “The Mabee Foundation has again demonstrated their generosity and unfailing support for the mission of Ouachita by providing a matching grant that allowed us to know with certainty that the project’s financial goal would be reached,” Cosh said. “It is a compliment to the Mabee Foundation that they will be supporting a structure on campus that will be a doorway to community service. As a foundation, they represent what it means to serve generously and sacrificially in order to empower others to serve in like manner.” Preliminary plans for the two-story, 6,300 sq. ft. facility include two large meeting rooms for campus and community programs, conference room, observation room for applied research activities and six staff offices as well as a reception area and kitchen facilities. Project costs also will include furnishings, parking lot and landscaping.
If you would like to contribute to the Elrod Center construction project, visit www.obu.edu/give, contact the Office of Development at (870) 245-5169 or return a gift in the attached envelope.
Two Ouachita alums earn Arkansas Business awards T
wo Ouachita alumni were among Arkansas financial leaders honored at the recent 2013 Arkansas Business CFO of the Year Awards luncheon. Gene Whisenhunt of Hickingbotham Investments in Little Rock received the Arkansas Business CFO Lifetime Achievement Award and Kristi Maxwell-Prince of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring of Monticello was honored in the small private company category. Whisenhunt, chairman of Ouachita’s Board of Trustees, developed an interest in business while growing up in Glenwood. That interest culminated in his work with the Frank Hickingbotham family, a relationship that began at Little Rock’s TCBY Enterprises and continues today with Hickingbotham Investments, Inc. “Accounting led me to Mr. Hickingbotham,” Whisenhunt said. “He gave me ownership opportunities. I enjoy the relationship with him and his family. We became the closest of friends.” Whisenhunt had a bookkeeping class his senior year in high school that sparked an interest in business and accounting. A football recruiting trip to Ouachita led to an influential meeting with Margaret Wright, who chaired the department of accounting at the time. “I was really drawn to her leadership,” Whisenhunt said. “That caused me to focus on accounting, and when I started down that path, it was a fit.” Whisenhunt graduated summa cum laude from Ouachita in 1983 with a major in accounting. He then earned a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. After working with Ernst & Whinney which became Ernst & Young, Whisenhunt started with TCBY Enterprises as vice president of finance and later was promoted to senior vice president of finance. In 1995, he was named executive vice president and chief financial officer of the frozen yogurt concern. He now serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Hickingbotham Investments, Inc. Kristi Prince had her eyes set on the accounting industry since high school. “I had always been pretty good with numbers,” she said. “It felt like something I could enjoy.” Prince spent her childhood in Warren and Dallas, moving to Monticello at age 14. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita in 1997 with a major in accounting as well as a master’s degree from Louisiana State University. After graduating from LSU in 1999, she worked in Fort Worth, Texas, as an internal auditor at Lockheed Martin and as a senior auditor at Radio Shack. At both companies she gained experience in business development, human resources and insurance. In 2002, she returned to her hometown of Monticello. “My family and my husband’s family are both in Arkansas,” she said. “We wanted to raise our family in familiar areas where we knew a lot of people.” Her diverse experiences helped her join Maxwell Hardwood Flooring, a longtime business in Monticello, as CFO. Since then, she has helped the company grow and thrive even amid years of recession. Prince also is a board member of the Monticello Economic Development Commission, a life member of Monticello’s Junior Auxiliary and serves on the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries’ membership committee. Based on reporting by Arkansas Business; reprinted with permission
Arkansas Business photos by Michael Pirnique fall 2013
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Football earns sixth straight winning season By Kyle Parris, OBU Sports Information Director
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photo by Gary Gerber
he Ouachita Tigers football team finished the 2013 season with a record of 7-3 and an invitation to play in the Heart of Texas Bowl on in Copperas Cove, Texas. The bowl game was later cancelled due to winer weather. It was a season highlighted by big plays, individual honors and arguably one of the greatest games ever played at A.U. Williams Field. The Tigers began the 2013 season ranked fourth in the Great American Conference preseason poll and quickly established themselves as a conference title contender after jumping out to a 5-0 start that included three tough conference road wins. The Tigers went 2-2 over their next four games. In their two victories, the Tigers outscored their opponents by an average margin of victory of 17.5 points. The season culminated in the 87th Battle of Ravine against archrival Henderson State University. In a battle for the ages, both teams exchanged scores and big plays and after three overtime periods the Tigers simply ran out of downs, falling short by a score 60-52. This marked the sixth consecutive winning season for head coach Todd Knight and the Tigers. Coach Knight said he was especially proud of the leadership his seniors provided in 2013.
“This group of seniors has been a part of a GAC championship, national and regional rankings and kept the program streak going with six consecutive winning seasons,” Coach Knight emphasized. “The team played through some difficult situations but was still able to bring home a 7-3 record that was one of the best in the GAC.” The 2013 season saw four Tigers receive GAC Player of the Week honors, including two-time recipients senior defensive end and Cliff Harris Award nominee Antwion Patterson and senior return specialist Etauj Allen as well as senior running back Chris Rycraw and junior running back and kick returner Steven Kehner. Rycraw was also named the BCSN National Offensive Player of the Week. Fifteen Tigers earned All-GAC honors, including All-GAC First Team members Allen, Rycraw and junior offensive lineman Aaron Sprinkle. All-GAC Second Team honors went to Kehner, Patterson, senior linebackers Rickey Brown and Augustine Une-Ezeoke, senior cornerback Greg Williams, junior fullback Spencer Knight, sophomore tight end Johnathan Powell and sophomore special teams player Kyle Vorster. All-GAC Honorable Mention went to junior wide receiver Drew White, senior punter Clark Gaddis, junior place kicker Matthew Ehasz and junior safety Zack Mitchell.
Prestigious award honors Tiger football standout Cliff Harris
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uachita officials joined the Little Rock Touchdown Club at halftime of last month’s Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine to honor Tiger football legend Cliff Harris. Touchdown Club President David Bazzel unveiled the trophy for the organization’s Cliff Harris Award, to be presented to the premier small college defensive player at the end of each season. Nominees for the annual award are chosen from Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities. Ouachita Tiger senior defensive end Antwione Patterson, a two-time Great American Conference Player of the Week this season, is among the nominees for the inaugural Cliff Harris Award. Finalists from all three divisions and an overall winner will be chosen by head coaches and a prestigious selection committee of college and pro football greats. The winner will be announced in December and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet in February featuring guest speaker Lou Holtz. The winner will receive the Cliff Harris Award Trophy. Harris, a 1970 Ouachita graduate and an inaugural member of the OBU Athletic Hall of Fame, was an All-Pro safety in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. He played in five Super Bowls, 18 • the ouachita circle
six Pro Bowls and was named to the elite Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. Harris, an All-AIC and All-America safety for the Tigers, said he is excited to be associated with the award. “As a small college player myself, I always understood that recognition and respect for outstanding play was more difficult to attain compared to players from larger schools,” Harris said. “Because of this I relied on perseverance and mental toughness to help me play my best even when it wasn’t recognized. This enabled me to succeed at every level including the NFL and five Super Bowls. “I’m honored that this award looks to recognize those players who may not receive the acknowledgement and accolades deserved because they represent small colleges,” he added. “My hope is that the award will provide these players with added confidence and the appropriate distinction of being one of the best defensive players in the country regardless of the level of football they play.” Ouachita Athletic Director David Sharp said the award is a testament to Harris’ outstanding football career. “I’m really happy for Cliff. This is a great honor that reflects his hard work and effort, both as a collegiate player at
photo by Kristen Barnard
Ouachita and on the professional level with the Dallas Cowboys. Cliff is very deserving to have his name associated with this award.” In addition to the Cliff Harris Award, other awards to be presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club on both the high school and collegiate levels will include the Dan Hampton Defensive Lineman of the Year, the Willie Roaf Offensive Lineman of the Year and the Sully Award for Best Broadcast Call of the Year.
photo courtesy Great American Conference
Volleyball team reaches conference semifinals
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he Ouachita Tigers volleyball team, picked seventh in the Great American Conference preseason poll, defied critics in 2013 by advancing to the semifinals of the GAC tournaments and coming within a few points of pulling off the biggest volleyball upset in conference history. The Tigers jumped out to a quick start, going 8-1 in their first nine matches, including their first two conference matches against Southern Arkansas University and the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Junior libero Chelsey Hess and junior setter Tara Wait were both named GAC Players of the Week during the eight-game winning streak. 2013 was a season of streaks for the Tigers. After winning eight straight, the team lost its next six matches. The young squad then won seven of its last 11 matches, including a sweep of rival Henderson State University. Head Coach Danny Prescott affirmed his team’s perseverance throughout the season. “It’s great to coach a team with heart,” he noted. “We faced every possible adversity you can face as a team and we conquered it. We’re a young team, so I’m looking forward to the years to come.” The Tigers were named the fourth seed in the GAC tournament. Down 0-2 in their opening match against Southwestern Oklahoma State, the Tigers rallied to take three straight sets, advancing to the semifinals with a 3-2 win. The Tigers faced top-seeded Harding in the semifinals. Once again the Tigers were down 0-2 and facing elimination. Ouachita took the next two sets and forced a game five against a Harding team that had been taken to five sets only four times since 2011 by a GAC team. The Tigers’ season ended with a 3-2 loss to Harding. The Tigers finished with a record of 16-12 overall. Junior setter Tara Wait was named to the GAC All-Tournament team. Wait and sophomore outside hitter Abby Pickett were named All-Conference Honorable Mention.
photo by Jeremy Dixon
Lady Tigers compete in GAC soccer tournament
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he OBU Lady Tigers soccer team closed out their season with an overall record of 11-6-1 and a conference record of 6-3-1. The men’s soccer team finished at 5-9-1 overall. The Lady Tigers started regular season play with a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 17-6. Ouachita finished the regular season winning three of four matches. All three wins during the period were shutout victories, with the Lady Tigers outscoring their opponents 14-1 during the four matches. The Lady Tigers earned the second seed in the Great American Conference tournament but lost a heartbreaker to Harding in the first round. Ouachita finished as the highest scoring team in the GAC, scoring 41 goals. The team also finished first in assists with 18, and first in goals allowed with 18. The Lady Tigers averaged 2.28 goals, one assist and one goal allowed per game. Sophomore Haley Hatcher was honored as the GAC Offensive Player of the Year. She finished the year as the GAC’s leading scorer with 19 goals which also ranked fifth nationally in Division II. Ouachita placed the most players on the AllGAC teams with seven honorees. All-GAC First Team members from Ouachita include Hatcher, senior Morgan Pitchford and freshman Tessa Woodcock. Lady Tigers named to the All-GAC Second Team were senior Sarah Broyles, sophomore Morgan
Allen, and freshmen Dina Harper and Kaitlin Asher. Kevin Wright, head men’s and women’s soccer coach, said he feels positive about the season but knows there is room for improvement. “The season was a step in the right direction, but we definitely felt we left some games out there,” he said. “I am very confident in this group and feel like they have many successes in front of them.” The men’s soccer team finished their tough season with five wins. Key wins in the season included a 5-2 victory over Dallas Baptist and a 1-0 shutout over Southern Nazarene. Senior Nathan Gay finished the season as the team’s leading scorer, followed by senior Taylor Heinsohn and freshmen Brandon Hom and Ryan Trayner. Starting every game for the Tigers were Gay, Hom, sophomore Taylor Christian and freshman Colton Huie. Junior keeper David Henley recorded over 100 saves, finishing with a save percentage of 82.5 percent. Seniors on this season’s squad were A.J. Bauckman, Jared Carlin, Nathan Gay, Bry Goss, Taylor Heinsohn, Wayne Smith and Kevin Tello. “When you bring in a class of 17 freshmen, you expect a few challenging stretches,” Wright said. “I feel that we have brought in a group that fits the way we want to play. … I think we are a couple of pieces away from being extremely competitive.”
fall 2013
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photo by Wesley Kluck
U.S. flag presentation honors fallen soldiers
Honoring “students, faculty and fallen comrades of Ouachita Baptist University” who have served in the U.S. military, U.S. Army Maj. Johnpaul Arnold presented an American flag flown in Afghanistan to Ouachita’s School of Humanities during an outdoor ceremony on campus this past summer. Maj. Arnold , a 1994 Ouachita graduate with a major in mass communications, is a U.S. Army public affairs officer stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash. During his military service, Maj. Arnold has been awarded two Bronze Star Medals, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a NATO Medal and a Combat Action Badge. Noting that he “always wanted to give something back” to his alma mater, Maj. Arnold said he was presenting the flag “not just for the current, active duty service members, but for the veterans and also our fallen comrades.” He specifically referenced Capt. Christopher D. Dunaway and 1st Lt. Pryor L. Wheat, Ouachita graduates who died in military service. During the ceremony held at Ouachita’s International Flag Plaza, Arnold was joined by his father, Bill Arnold, a Vietnam veteran, and Maj. Duane Green, a training officer with the Ouachita Baptist University-Henderson State University ROTC, in raising the flag over campus. Maj. Arnold’s mother, Sharon Arnold, played “The Star-Spangled Banner” as members of the military, ROTC and guests saluted the flag.
OBU hosts world-renowned organist in concert
Ouachita Baptist University and the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosted world-renowned organist James David Christie in concert Oct. 15. The concert honored former Ouachita faculty member Russell Hodges and the 25th anniversary of the installation of the Reuter Organ featured in McBeth Recital Hall. Christie has performed throughout the world in solo concerts and
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with symphonies and is known as one of the most talented organists of his generation. He has performed throughout Europe, Australia and North America and has served as organist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1978. “We are so fortunate to be able to have an artist of his caliber on our campus,” said Dr. Ouida Keck, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music and coordinator of OBU’s keyboard studies program. “While he has played concerts all over the world, this is his first time to play in Arkansas.” The concert honored former Ouachita faculty member Russell Hodges, who recently retired as associate professor of music after 35 years at Ouachita. In addition to his duties teaching organ, piano, church music, music theory and general education courses, Hodges served as music librarian and was instrumental in the installation of Ouachita’s Reuter Organ.
Signal gains national accolades from CSPA
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded Ouachita’s student newspaper, The Signal, three Gold Circle Awards for 2013. “It is a great honor for Tanner Ward and The Signal staff to come away with three Gold Circle awards, “ said Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the School of Humanities. “They competed against college journalists nationwide regardless of the size of the university. It says a lot about the quality of our students at Ouachita.” Tanner Ward, student editor of The Signal, earned a second place award in News Page Design (Broadsheet Format) for “Blue vs. Red.” Ward is a senior mass communications and business administration/finance and management major from Bryant, Ark. The Signal staff also received second place in Single Subject News or Feature Package for “Ouachita Ripples” and a certificate of merit in Editorial Writing for “It’s time for equal rights.” The Signal was recognized alongside student publications from such universities as Ball State University, Texas Tech University and Iowa State University.
photo by Kristen Barnard
Opera Theatre stages The Revenge of the Bat
Ouachita’s Division of Music/Opera Theatre presented Johann Strauss’ comedic opera Die Fledermaus, or “The Revenge of the Bat,” on Oct. 31-Nov. 3. “Our cast is one of the best we have ever assembled for an operatic production at OBU,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, music director and conductor of the opera and coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program. He added that the opera contains “beautiful soaring melodies” and familiar tunes. As a comedy set in Vienna during the Victorian Era, Die Fledermaus offered audience members “an evening of fun and laughter,” said Dr. Glenda Secrest, stage director of the opera and professor of music at Ouachita. Cast members included: Chad Burris, a junior musical theatre major, as Alfredo; Tara Clem, a sophomore musical theatre major, as Ida; Todd McNeel, a junior mass communications and speech communication major, as Frogg; Victoria Mantooth, a senior vocal performance major, as Orlofsky (this role also was covered by Sarah Talley, a junior vocal performance major); Joel Rogier, a senior vocal performance major, as Eisenstein; Seth Russell, a sophomore vocal performance major, as Dr. Falke; Caitlin Secrest, a senior vocal performance major, as Rosalinda; Jillian Turner, a junior vocal performance and music major, as Adele; Josh Wayne, a junior choral music education major, as Frank; and Jalin Wesley, a sophomore musical theatre major, as Dr. Blind.
Theatre Arts presents By the Bog of Cats
Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts presented By the Bog of Cats in Verser Theatre on Nov. 7-12. By the Bog of Cats, a play written by Marina Carr, “is a modern representation of the ancient Greek tragedy Medea by Euripides,” said Kathleen Suit, a sophomore theatre arts major, who played Caroline Cassidy. “It is centered around a small community in Ireland called The Bog of Cats and takes a look deep into the lives of some of its very troubled residents.” Director Garrett Whitehead, a senior musical theatre major, said the
production has “a great moral lesson about sacrifices and how gossip, greed, hearsay and lies can push an individual beyond human endurance.” In addition to Whitehead, Natalie Williams, a sophomore music theory and composition major, served as music director. Jillian Kaniss, a senior psychology and theatre arts major, served as stage manager, and Aaron Pinion, a sophomore theatre arts major, served as assistant stage manager. In addition to Suit, the primary cast included: Sara Cat Williams, a sophomore biology major, as Hester Swane; Joe Ochterbeck, a senior theatre arts major, as Carthage Killbride; Kayla Esmond, a senior musical theatre major, as Mrs. Killbride; Sarah Davis, a senior theatre arts and Christian studies major, as Monica Murray; Kayla Walker, a freshman musical theatre major, as Catwoman; Timothy Drennan, a senior musical theatre major, as Joseph Swane; Jacob Sturgeon, a senior musical theatre major, as Xavier Cassidy; and Lacey Johnson, a senior history and theatre arts major, as Ghost Fancier.
Children’s musical brings Frog and Toad to life
Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts and Division of Music presented A Year with Frog and Toad in Ouachita’s Verser Theatre on Sept. 19-24. A Year with Frog and Toad is a Tony Award-nominated children’s musical based on Arnold Lobel’s award-winning Frog and Toad children’s books. Composer Robert Reale and lyricist Willie Reale bring Lobel’s stories “Spring,” “A Swim,” “Shivers,” “Cookies” and others to life with a jazzy score. A Year with Frog and Toad “truly epitomizes the meaning of friendship,” said Kenderick Scorza, a sophomore musical theatre major, who played Toad. Young audience members “love the characters and laugh at their antics, while older patrons connect well to the meaningfulness of the Frog and Toad friendship,” said Director Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theatre arts. The play also portrays “imperative life values” such as patience and trust, said Garrett Sayers, a sophomore musical theatre major, who played Frog. fall 2013
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OUACHITA HAS GONE MOBILE! The Ouachita Baptist University app is your source for essential Ouachita information. It features guides for campus events such as Homecoming, Battle of the Ravine, fine arts and more! The OBU app is available on most mobile devices, including Apple and Android products.
D O W N L O A D I T T O D AY ! Apple: www.tinyurl.com/OuachitaApp Android: www.tinyurl.com/OBUAndroid
Ouachita goes mobile with new university app
Ouachita Baptist University has gone mobile. The university’s new mobile app launched this past summer features essential information for campus residents and guests. It includes guides for hallmark campus events such as Welcome to Ouachita’s World new student orientation and Homecoming. According to Trennis Henderson, vice president for communications, “The new Ouachita app is a quick and easy way for prospective students, current students, alumni and others to get up-to-date information about a variety of campus events. It also provides a helpful overview of campus life, ranging from a handy faculty/staff directory and campus maps to Ouachita traditions and current news.” The app was developed by several campus offices in partnership with Guidebook, an app development firm based in California. It is available for Apple, Android and Windows mobile devices such as the iPhone, Kindle Fire, iPad and Windows Phone.
Class receives Governor’s Leadership Award
The Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness presented Ouachita Baptist University’s Adaptive Physical Education Methods class with the 2013 Group Leadership in Fitness Award. According to the council’s website, the Leadership Award is given to an outstanding individual or organization that promotes physical activity and health, while serving as a role model to personal health, fitness, activity and sportsmanship. Adaptive Physical Education Methods is a junior level course in Ouachita’s Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies. The class is taught by Dr. Terry DeWitt, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, who said the class focuses “on people with disabilities, limitations and things that need to be adapted so that everyone can be active.” With that in mind, DeWitt came up with an idea for his students to take
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what they were learning in class and apply it in a practical setting. Partnering with Central Primary School in Arkadelphia, DeWitt and his class met with second grade students during their recess period and encouraged them to engage in healthy activities. The statewide recognition “highlighted the outstanding students and faculty we have in the Department of Kinesiology,” said Dr. Mike Reynolds, chair of OBU’s Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies.
Ouachita continues to earn national rankings
Ouachita continues to be recognized among the top universities in the nation based on the recent release of annual college rankings by major publications. This year’s ranking marks the third consecutive year that Ouachita has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s top tier of “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.” It also is the fifth year in a row that Ouachita has been named among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine. Ouachita, which moved into U.S. News’ national rankings in 2011, previously was ranked for four years as the No. 1 Regional College in the South. Among this year’s best national liberal arts colleges, Ouachita is one of only three schools in Arkansas ranked by U.S. News. “Consistency and excellence are two characteristics of Ouachita Baptist University,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “These were the first words to come to my mind when I saw that we were once again nationally ranked as a top tier university by Forbes magazine and U.S. News & World Report.” The university’s national rankings “are a testament to the work of our faculty, students and staff,” Dr. Horne added. “Congratulations, Ouachita.” In addition to naming Ouachita among “America’s Top Colleges,” Forbes ranked Ouachita’s financial health in the top 30 percent among more than 900 universities and colleges evaluated on several variables to determine financial strength and operational soundness.
photo by Kristen Barnard
OBU presents 22nd annual Festival of Christmas
Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts presented its 22nd annual production of A Festival of Christmas on Nov. 22-23. While the production typically is held in early December, this year’s event was performed before Thanksgiving due to a shorter time between Thanksgiving break and finals this year. “A Festival of Christmas is one of our biggest productions and reaches one of the largest audiences for the School of Fine Arts,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, musical director of A Festival of Christmas and chair of the Division of Music. A Festival of Christmas began in 1992 following the opening of Jones Performing Arts Center. “The president at the time, Dr. Ben Elrod, wanted to have a big showcase event,” said Gerber. “Dr. Charles Wright, who was dean of OBU’s School of Fine Arts at the time, came up with an idea of doing a big Christmas production.” With that, A Festival of Christmas was born and has been an annual event ever since. Highlighting the theme, “Celebrate the Season,” five performing groups made up this year’s production: Ouachita Singers and Concert Choir, both directed by Gerber; Ouachita Sounds, directed by Mary Worthen, assistant professor emerita of music; Women’s Chorus, directed by Becky Morrison, assistant professor of music; and the Ouachita Pit Band, which featured the division’s instrumental students.
Singers release new CD: Sing Me to Heaven
The Ouachita Singers, the university’s premier choral ensemble, released their new CD, Sing Me to Heaven, at their fall concert in October. The album is the sixth CD released by the Ouachita Singers in the past 20 years, with the most recent previous CD recorded in 2010. Part of Sing Me to Heaven was recorded at the choir’s 2013 spring concert with other selections completed in a recording session; 46 students sang in the recording of the CD. “This recording is unique because it features music that Ouachita Singers have performed over the past three years,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, professor of
music and director of choral activities. “When you have a new set of singers, you want to preserve their time in the group, and a recording is a great way of doing just that.” “Singing together in Ouachita Singers has always been a very touching and emotional experience with a lot of hard work involved,” said Carli Sasser, a music education major from Crossett, Ark. “Listening to the songs we recorded makes me realize how well our hard work has paid off.” To purchase a CD, visit the OBU Bookstore in Evans Student Center or call the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.
Eight students named regional NATS finalists
Eight Ouachita students were named finalists at the 38th annual Southern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference held recently at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. “We choose to participate in the Southern Region NATS conference and auditions because it is one of the most viable education opportunities available for young singers in our region,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of OBU’s vocal studies program and professor of music. “I am most proud of the fact that Ouachita students realize the incredible opportunity that exists for continued enlightenment and development of their understanding of the singing art.” More than 300 students from colleges throughout Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana participated in the competition, including 40 Ouachita students. Students auditioned in classical or music theatre divisions and had the opportunity to attend recitals, master classes and workshops. Finalists from Ouachita included Victoria Clark of Bonnerdale, Ark.; Gemma Guiomard of DeSoto, Texas; Aaron Jones of Little Rock; Alexis Morgan of Frisco, Texas; Joel Rogier of Glen Carbon, Ill.; Seth Russell of Crossett, Ark.; Caitlin Secrest of Arkadelphia, Ark.; and Josh Wayne of Nixa, Mo. Faculty members who worked with students included John Briggs, Dr. Maggie Garrett, Dr. Glenda Secrest, Dr. Jon Secrest and Robin Williams. fall 2013
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c on nec t i ng t h e c i rc l e
1940s
Dean, Jr. (’49) and Jeanne (Hampton ’49) Newberry took an Alaskan cruise with family to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on June 13. He is a retired Baptist minister and volunteer hospital chaplain and she is a retired music teacher from Rogers Elementary School. They live in Rogers, Ark., and have three sons, Gary, Richard and Phillip Newberry; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
1950s
Curtis (’62) and Sara (Brown ’63) Moore celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 3, with an Alaskan tour and a family trip to Frisco, Colo. They now live in Waco, Texas, where Curtis is retired as a life insurance administrator and Sara retired as an elementary music teacher. They have two children, Melanie Domke and Mike Moore, and four grandchildren. Wayne Haver (’64) was named Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals in July. He is only the second Arkansas educator to receive the national honor. He has worked for Southside High School for 43 years in Fort Smith, Ark. He started as a teacher, became assistant principal and accepted the position of principal in 1982, where he has been serving for 31 years. Van (’65) and Julie (Lowry ’65) Barrett celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 16 at Petit Jean State Park. They have three children, Sloan (Barrett ’92) Hedrick, Kaleb Barrett (’97) and the late Marnie Barrett (’95).
Robert (’50) and Bettie (Franks ’49*) Mayes celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on Aug. 25, with a pizza party and an afternoon of games. They live in Sun City, Ariz., and have two sons, Daniel and Carl. Fred (’53) and Peggy (Bull ’53) Davis celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 6. Fred is a retired minister and teacher, and Peggy is a retired licensed practical nurse. They have four children, Dr. Ronnie Davis (’83), Rhonda Davis, Stephen Davis and Shirley Davis; seven grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.
1960s
Wanda (McCloy ’62) Fitzpatrick and her husband, Armand, took a Caribbean cruise in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16. They have three children, Brent Fitzpatrick, Chad Fitzpatrick and Dawn Hazlewood, and six grandchildren. 24 • the ouachita circle
Charles (’66) and Bobbye (’78) Gordon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 8. Charles is retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard. Bobbye is a retired schoolteacher. They have two sons, Larry Gordon and Greg Gordon, and three grandchildren. Pat (Turpin ’66) Pollard of O’Fallon, Mo., retired in July 2012, after 37 years in education, including the past 24 years as an elementary counselor. Following her husband in several relocations, she is certified to teach in eight states: Arkansas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Michigan, Iowa, Louisiana and Missouri. After graduating from Ouachita, Pat was a flight attendant for American Airlines for three years based in Boston, Mass., and Washington, D.C. She and her husband of 44 years, Garvis, are enjoying retirement and travel. Jay S. Miller (’69) retired on May 31 as Chief of Interpretation for Arkansas State Parks where he worked for 37 years. He plans to remain active in the interpretation profession, training and
motivational speaking through his consulting company, Interpretive Communications.
1970s
Eugenia “Gin” (Rogers ’70) Brown retired in June from the Arkansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. She was selected by her peers as the 2013 Outstanding Staff Member. Margo (Harris ’75) Green retired as superintendent of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center on Nov. 30 after 20 years of service. She served with the Human Development Center for 39 years. She plans to travel and pursue her hobby of working with horses. Rhonda (Wiley ’75) Jones celebrated her 60th birthday this year and self-published her first book, At Home in the World: Travel Stories of Growing Up and Growing Away. Forrest (’76) and Becky (Foard ’76) Bohlen have been serving with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board for almost 25 years. They served in Venezuela for 20 years and moved to Santiago, Chile, in 2009, where they serve in member care to the missionaries in the Americas. They have two daughters, Rachel (Bohlen ’01) Johnson and Sarah (Bohlen ’05) Parker, and three grandchildren.
1980s
Rhonda (Saunders ’83) Sanders was recently named the CEO of the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock. In this position, she oversees the warehouse and distribution of food each year. The foodbank currently serves 33 counties. Dr. Margo (Bearden ’86) Turner, a professor of education at John Brown University, was recently elected to serve on the board of directors for All Children’s Academy, Inc.
Alice (Hickerson ’87) Fuller is a director and vice president of Heartland Tax Service based in North Little Rock, Ark. Pat Ponder (’88) was named the Women’s Coach of the Year in the Lone Star Conference for the fourth time. He is in his eighth year as head coach for women’s track and field/ cross country at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Robin (Vermeer ’89) Bobo is currently the host of KTSS Talks, a talk show filmed in Hope, Ark. She also is a first grade teacher. Robin and her husband, Greg, have been living in Hope for 10 years and have three children, Trey (20), Matthew (15) and Molly Ann (14).
1990s
Gary (’90) and Javonna (Cogbill ’88) Johnson live in Hope, Ark., where Gary is serving as youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. He has served there for four years and was ordained in April. Javonna is the reading recovery teacher in the Hope Public School District and has served there for 25 years. They have one son, Davis. Kristin (Garner ’94) Hodge has been appointed to a three-year term on the Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children.
Lane Smith (’97) was named director of student financial services at Samford University in July. Kate (Bailey ’98) Smith is teaching kindergarten at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., where she previously taught pre-kindergarten. She also created the new kindergarten program which is in its first academic year of implementation. Bert Spann (’98) recently was called as pastor of First Baptist Church of Hohenwald, Tenn. He and his wife, Amanda, have one son, Cole.
Gindi (Eckel ’95) Vincent joined ExxonMobil as counsel in February. She also was elected to the Women’s Energy Network Board of Directors and her first book, Learning to Lead, was released in August. Don Hoover (’97) was named Arkansas Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He has served for eight years as principal of George Junior High School in Springdale, Ark.
Staci (Robertson ’02) Huber, who works for the Clark County District Court, recently completed a workshop in designing and presenting programs effectively. The workshops are offered by the National Judicial College and Staci is now certified to teach at future clerk certification classes.
Christine (Brown ’99) Jones was named the recipient of Carson-Newman University’s Teaching Excellence and Leadership Award. The honor is presented to creative and effective professors and is an indicator of future promise and recognition of ability and student response. She joined Carson-Newman’s faculty in 2008 and is an assistant professor of religion.
2000s
Steven Lewis (’00) recently started the nontraditional license program through the Arkansas Department of Education and has accepted a teaching position as an eighth grade social studies teacher at Jack Robey Junior High in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Naomi Mercer (’94) completed her doctorate in English literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May. She is resuming her position as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. She moved back to New York this summer with her daughter, Rory (9). Nikki (Northern ’95) Chumley was named the director of the Benton Convention Center which opened in October. She is marketing the center and the city in this new position.
Kyle Spooner (’01) and his wife, Heather, live in Baton Rouge, La., where he sells medical devices for Bard Peripheral Vascular. They have two children, Isabella (5) and Ryker (3).
Jane (Schaffner ’01) Hill and her husband, Daymond, live in Winter Garden, Fla., where he works for Disney and she is a stay-at-home mom. They have four children, DJ, Lily, Bella and Emmy. Nathan and Marla (Hemingway) Livers (’01) are moving to Springfield, Mo., where Nathan has accepted a job as an OB/GYN with Cox Hospital and Marla is a stay-at-home mom. They have three children, Shepherd (7), Owen (5) and Marley (3).
The EEE pledge class of 2000 gathered for lunch during Ouachita Homecoming festivities at the president’s home to celebrate their 10year reunion. Standing (from left): Kathryn (Stewart ’03) Jones, Holly (Horne ’02) Carlisle, Kristen (Porter ’03) Jackson, Caryn (Bridges ’03) Bunch, Hannah (Hays ’03) McMillan, Holly (Willett ’03) Walker, Brandi (Dodson ’03) Gutierrez, Amanda (Wiley ’03) Hurst. Seated (from left): Sara (Bridges ’03) Rectenwald, LeAnn (Arnold ’03) Smith, Brooke (Honnell ’03) Cobourn, Jill (Davis ’03) Wait, Sarah (Shepherd ’03) Rainwater, Tara (Loyd ’03) Kear and Laurin Jones (’03). Kendra (Scattergood ’04) Thomas completed her master’s degree from Lamar University in May and currently is pursuing her doctorate. Her book, Noblehart, was released in August as the third book in her Christian young adult fantasy series. Nathan (’05) and Christina (Overton ’03) Parker and their son, Levi, visited the Tiger statue during Homecoming festivities. James A. Overton (’35), Christina’s greatgrandfather, is among the Class of 1935 graduates listed on the Tiger plaque. fall 2013
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Benefiting OUACHIta ATHLETIC scholarships 2014 Tournament Chairman: Steve Tipton, Dreamline Bedding www.obu.edu/fore
Jennifer Kluck (’08) married Seth Hopkins on June 29 in Berry Chapel. They now live in Bryant, Ark., where she is a kindergarten teacher and he is a police officer. Allison Signaigo (’08) married Cory Weatter on June 8 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock.
Lisa Cromer (’06) married Eric Whitmire on Dec. 10, 2011, in Cabot, Ark. The couple now lives in Alexander, Ark., and Lisa works at Baptist Health Schools in Little Rock.
Kara Rainey (’07) married Wesley Street on Oct. 13, 2012, at Grant Avenue Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. The couple recently moved to Tulsa, Okla., where Kara is a music and drama teacher at Rejoice Christian Schools and the musical theatre director for Midtown School of Performing Arts.
Vicki Utterback (’08) married Zachary Wilson on July 27. They now live in Garland, Texas.
Jared Selby (’07) married Samantha Burrow on June 8 at Lonoke Baptist Church. Christy Averill (’07) graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Samford University in May. She was named the recipient of the 2013 Pastoral Ministry Award from Beeson Divinity School. Garrett Ham (’07) recently launched his own law firm, The Law Office of Garrett Ham, PLC. The office is based in Bentonville, Ark. Brooke Harris (’07) married Taylor Hudson on Oct. 5. They now live in Maumelle, Ark., where he is a police officer and she is a speech therapist at Easter Seals Arkansas. 26 • the ouachita circle
Erica Dierich (’08) has joined Mangan Holcomb Partners as an account executive in Little Rock. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Alan Greenwood (’08) married Laura Sikes (’12) on May 25 at Greene Chapel at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. They live in Little Rock where she is pursuing her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Arkansas and he works at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.
Alicia Whitaker (’08) married Zac Harrison on July 4 in Waynesville, Mo. They live in Waynesville, where Zac is a paraprofessional at a middle school and Alicia is working on her master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and recently accepted a position as a K-5 English as a Second Language teacher.
Sara McDonald (’09) married Joshua Gering on March 16 in Bellingham, Wash.
John and Catherine (Raines) Sims (’09) have recently moved to Rochester, Minn. John graduated from UAMS in Little Rock and will be a resident at Mayo Clinic for five years.
2010s
Daniel Collier (’10) married Angela Bloodworth (’08) on Nov. 24, 2012, at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Camp in Cedar Hill, Texas. They now live in Atlanta, Ga.
Breandan Conyers (’10) was hired in 2011 by KTHV-11 as a photojournalist. He also received the AAP Broadcasters Association Class A Documentary first place award for his filming and editing of the series “A Place to Call Home.” He now lives in England, Ark. Amy Wentz (’10) married Brandon Burnside on May 4 at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. They now live in Bossier City, La.
Philip Williamson (’10) received his Juris Doctorate degree in May from the University of Virginia School of Law. He was selected as a 2013 Marshall Fellow by the Claremont Institute. He now lives in Little Rock and is a clerk for Judge Lavenski R. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Cheyenne Flemister (’12) married Ben McNeer on June 16, 2012, in Monticello, Ark. They now live in Winona, Miss.
Josh Fink (’13) has accepted a position as the communications director at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Sherwood, Ark.
Lindsey Hackett (’12) married Caleb Watson on July 27, 2012, in Genoa, Ark. They now live in Texarkana, Texas.
Bubby Harrell (’13) married Mary Whisenhunt (’13) on June 22 at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock. They now live in Conway, Ark., where they are both pursuing master’s degrees at the University of Central Arkansas.
Andrew Sweatman (’12) married Allison Grigsby (’12) on Dec. 30, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Cabot, Ark. Allison serves as a hall director at Ouachita.
Nathan Wade (’12) married Elizabeth Quick (’12) on April 27 at Degray Lake in Arkadelphia, Ark. They now live in Little Rock.
Christian Ichter (’13) married Abbey Jamieson (’13) on June 7 at New Life Church in Little Rock, where he serves on staff. They now live in Conway, Ark.
Have you been in contact with us lately? Take time to send us your current email address and other contact information in preparation for this spring’s Ouachita Alumni Survey.
Let us hear from you now so we can hear from you later! Update your information at www.ouachitaalumni.org under Contact Us or call (870) 245-5111.
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Taylor Lamb (’13) married Jessica Scoggins (’13) on Aug. 10, 2012, in Dallas, Texas. They now live in Littleton, Colo., where they are both pursuing master’s degrees at Denver Seminary. Jordan Neal (’13) married Audrey Melson (’13) on June 1 in Berry Chapel. They now live in Mesa, Ariz., where he is teaching and coaching volleyball at Gilbert High School and she is pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at A.T. Still University.
Samantha Street (’13) married Caleb Akers on Oct. 5 at Horton Farms. They now live in Bentonville, Ark., where he works for Arvest Asset Management and she works for BKD accounting firm. Emily Treadway (’13) married Kyle McLarty on June 14 in Panama City Beach, Fla. They now live in Memphis, Tenn.
Shauna (Bauer ’94) Leicht and her husband, Keith, welcomed daughter Natalie Erin on April 21, 2012. She joins big brothers Nathan (11) and Slade (8); and big sister Tara (4).
2000s
Laura (Waycaster ’00) Austin and her husband, Howard, welcomed daughter Emzey Mae on July 26. Allison (Ray ’00) Brake and her husband, Peter, welcomed son Owen Peter on Jan. 9. He joins big sisters Ava (6) and Lily (4). They now live in Trumbull, Conn.
1990s
Stephen Raines (’13) married Lauren Jackson (’13) on June 22 at Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock. They now live in Memphis, Tenn., where he is in dental school at the University of Tennessee and she works as a dental assistant.
Chris Dixon (’92) and his wife, Misti, welcomed son Sawyer Ellis-Leo on Aug. 10. Michael and Melissa (Adams) Carozza (’98) welcomed son Charlie Adams on June 9. He joins big sisters Mallorie, Cassie and Emorie.
Lauren (Fraser ’01) and Daniel Andrews (’03*) welcomed son Titus Daniel on March 12. He joins big brother Zeke (6).
OUACHITA Alumni, current students & prospective students are invited to join us for regional receptions this winter.
COMES TO YOU
DALLAS / FORT WORTH // JAN. 5 ROGERS, ARK. // JAN. 7 LITTLE ROCK, ARK. // JAN. 9 Details: www.obu.edu/admissions/receptions 28 • the ouachita circle
Ariane (Franklin ’03) Raines and her husband, Daniel, welcomed son Kayson Mitchell on July 1. Kayson is the grandson of Ray Franklin, associate professor of missions in the Pruet School of Christian Studies, and his wife, Ardith. Sarah (Shepherd ’03) Rainwater and her husband, John, welcomed daughter Rebecca Caroline on Sept. 13. She joins big brother Shepherd.
Lauren (Brown ’04) Huckabee and her husband, David, welcomed daughter Caroline Grace on Aug. 24. She is the granddaughter of Mike and Janet (McCain) Huckabee (’76). Chason and Cassie (Androes) Laing (’04) welcomed daughter Shiloh Kathleen on Feb. 16. She joins big brothers Kohen (5) and Judah (3).
Audra (Burkhart ’05) Savage and her husband, David, welcomed son Judah Burke on April 2. He joins big sister Elysen (2).
OBU professor Johnny Wink writes limited edition book of poetry By Brooke Zimny, OBU Assistant Director of Communications
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r. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck Professor of English at Ouachita, has released a new poetry collection, Seven Ways to Prune a Grapefruit, with European publisher Unsettling Wonder, an imprint of Papaveria Press. The book of lyric poems was edited by one of Wink’s former students, Dr. Joshua Richards (’07). “I’m happy to say it’s as funny and wise and thoughtful and intelligent as anything Dr. Wink’s written,” said Dr. John Patrick Pazdziora, general editor at Unsettling Wonder. “It’s a tremendous collection by a truly unique and special poet.” “Dr. Wink has been a campus treasure for many years as a teacher and poet,” added Dr. Jeff Root, dean of Ouachita’s School of Humanities. “He has been a major influence on countless students through the years, and this new collection will be a notable addition to his legacy.” Wink previously published another volume of poetry, Haunting the Winerunner, through August House Press in Little Rock, Ark., in the 1980s, but it has been out of print for some time. “Having for the most part lost interest in publishing, I have contented myself for many years now with writing poems for the sheer fun of it,” Wink said. “Every once in a blue moon I’ll try my luck by sending a poem to a magazine. I have, however, had no thought of trying to get another book out.” It was Wink’s correspondence with Richards that led to the contract with Unsettling Wonder. Since graduating from Ouachita, Richards completed graduate studies at the University of St.
Andrews in Scotland, where he connected with the publisher. He currently serves as assistant professor of English at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “Once Dr. Pazdziora brought me on to serve as poetry editor for Unsettling Wonder, I immediately sought one of my favorite poems by him for inclusion in our inaugural issue,” Richards said. “It was received so positively that we decided to commission a full volume of Dr. Wink’s work. The process of selecting and editing poems, especially with an author as good-natured as Dr. Wink, was a truly delightful experience.” This connection to his students is one reason Wink is so beloved among Ouachitonians. “Friend and colleague, Johnny Wink delights his students and fellow teachers at OBU with stories, jokes, daily words, nicknames and poems,” said Dr. Doug Sonheim, chair of Ouachita’s Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages. “My colleagues, my students, my classroom experiences, the books I read in connection with my work—all these have been my muses,” Wink added. “I can’t imagine that there’s ever been a person luckier in his profession than I. Working at Ouachita for nigh on to 40 years now has been a profoundly pleasant experience.” “Reading a Johnny Wink poem, you are delighted, tickled, puzzled, moved, thankful and made wiser,” Sonheim added. “You read a poem, blink your eyes and scratch your head, grin and ponder. With Seven Ways to Prune a Grapefruit, the world is a livelier, better place.”
Jay (’07) and Christa (Bennett ’08) Neal welcomed daughter Georgia Faye on Nov. 25. They live in Arkadelphia, Ark.
Labin Duke (’09) and his wife, Mallory, welcomed son Lazarus Lemuel on July 26. He joins big sisters Shiloh (3) and Moriah (2).
Marco (’09) and Rachel (Licklider ’08) Ferraro welcomed daughter Phoebe Grace on July 24 in Basel, Switzerland.
Lindsey (Dawson ’08) Haire and her husband, Justin, welcomed son Jackson Patrick on July 21. They now live in Buies Creek, N.C.
Casey and Sarah (Hillyer) Bushman (’09) welcomed daughter Hattie Sophia on June 9.
Dillon and Brittany (Cosh) McClain (’09) welcomed daughter Perri Rian on Sept. 25. Perri is the tenth grandchild of Ian (’87) and Sharon (Fitt ’96) Cosh.
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Faculty & Staff Update 2010s Eric and Blair (Phelps) Varner (’10) welcomed Keck accepts Sigma Alpha Iota role
Dr. Ouida Keck, the Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, was recently appointed by the president of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity to serve as the Mu B Province Officer. Dr. Keck’s role involves coordinating the work of five collegiate and two alumnae chapters in Arkansas. Sigma Alpha Iota promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music.
son Mason Everett on July 13. Mason is the grandson of Bill and Sherri (Greer) Phelps (’81).
Floy (Taylor ’42) Barrow of Hedley, Texas, passed away on July 29. She is survived by four daughters, Sarah Chapman, Louise Wilson, Lee Foster and Carolyn Bacon; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and two greatgreat-grandchildren.
Pintado presents paper at Tulane Dr. Margarita Pintado, assistant professor of Spanish, recently presented a paper at a Tulane University conference on “Radical Caribbeans/Los Caribes Radicales: Repositioning Caribbean Life.” Dr. Pintado specializes in poetry and minor literature. She participated in a panel of scholars focusing on poetry, prose and politics in 20th century Puerto Rico. The conference was hosted in New Orleans by Tulane’s Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute.
Isenhour joins Symphony Orchestra Dr. Justin Isenhour, assistant professor of music, has been named second trombonist for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Isenhour teaches Fundamentals of Music Theory, Brass Methods, Applied Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba, Trombone Choir and other music courses.
Ian and Cara (Tyhurst) Deetz (’11) welcomed son Ivan on June 13. Ian serves as a hall director at Ouachita. Mason (’12) and Hayley (Nolan ’10) Hayes welcomed daughter Ellie Kate on Oct. 2. They now live in Fayetteville, Ark.
Lindsey (Hackett ’12) Watson and her husband, Caleb, welcomed daughter Lily Jean on May 17.
Trustees elect new staff members Ouachita trustees approved three new staff members during their fall meeting: Margaret McGraw was named assistant athletic director. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University and has served the past four years as assistant to the vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M. Alison Johnson and Brittany Vick were named admissions counselors. Johnson is a 2013 Ouachita graduate with a major in musical theatre. Vick, a 2010 Ouachita alumna, graduated cum laude with majors in Christian studies/Biblical studies and mass communications.
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Gwen (Herndon ’43) Daniel of West Lafayette, Ind., passed away in September 2012. She is survived by her sister, Genida Johnson; children, Donald Daniel and Sue Eiler; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Andrew “Andy” Hall (’43) of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on Sept. 30. He is survived by his children, Andrea Savage and Grant Hall; three grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. John Hickerson (’43*) of Bentonville, Ark., passed away on May 21. He is survived by his children, Dr. Thomas Hickerson, Lois Weaver and Joanie Stump. Rosemary (Rhodes ’44) Bowlin of Pocahontas, Ark., passed away on Nov. 1. She is survived by her children, Paula Huntley, David Bowlin and Robert Bowlin; and sister, Marguerite Brown.
Peeples joins Miss Ark. Hall of Fame Terry Peeples, vice president for development, was named to the Miss Arkansas Hall of Fame in July. The Hall of Fame is designed to recognize former pageant participants for their success as personal and professional role models. Peeples, who competed as Miss OBU in the 1983 Miss Arkansas Pageant, was honored for her business achievements.
Harold Baldwin (’42) of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on April 27. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Baldwin; three daughters, Annette Windham, Kay Sammons and Jane Baldwin; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Dr. William “Bill” Flynt (’44*) of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away on July 13. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Simmons ’44) Flynt; children, Kay Flynt, Rick Flynt and Dale Flynt; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Neville Saylor (’44) of Baton Rouge, La., passed away on June 12. Ellouise (Scruggs ’44) Way of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., passed away on Dec. 29, 2012. She is survived by her son, Bradford Way; stepson, Henry Louis Way, Jr.; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
1940s
Rev. Charles Duncan (’41) of Shreveport, La., passed away on Aug. 3. He is survived by his nine children, 27 grandchildren and 33 greatgrandchildren.
Phyllis (Daily ’44) Young of North Little Rock passed away on May 16. She is survived by her children, Kay Young, Brock Young and Jon Young; and two grandchildren.
Maggie (Herron ’46*) Beene of Curtis, Ark., passed away on Sept. 16. She is survived by her brother, Clifford Herron (’47); three sons, Allen, Ray and Rodney Beene; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Carolyn (Blenden ’47) Curry of Little Rock passed away on Nov. 13. She is survived by her children, Caran and Brian; and four grandchildren. James Virgil Waggoner (’48) of Houston, Texas, passed away Nov. 27 at age 86. Waggoner, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, founded Sterling Chemicals, Inc., which grew into a Fortune 500 company. He and his family made a generous gift to Ouachita to help fund construction of the Sturgis Physical Education Center. SPEC’s Waggoner Pool was named in his honor in 1988. Waggoner is survived by his wife, Jane (Howell ’48) Waggoner; daughter, Liz Quisenberry; and three grandchildren.
1950s
Velda (Pogue ’50) Barnard of Little Rock passed away on May 16. She is survived by her husband, Paul Barnard; siblings, Dorcie Caldwell, Dale Pogue (’54) and Powell Pogue (’60); children, Paul Barnard and Beverly (Barnard ’78) Wait; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
four children, Chuck Ragland, Jim Ragland, Jeannine Nordstrom and Mary Stadius; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Delbert Rogers (’54) of Springdale, Ark., passed away on Oct. 17. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Rogers; son, Bill Rogers; and one grandchild.
Gladys (Peeples ’51) Davis of Malvern, Ark., passed away on Oct. 18. She is survived by her children, Linda Hoffman and Dr. Paul Davis; and brothers, Dr. Raymond Peeples (’43*) and Dr. George Peeples (’44).
William Brock (’54) of Little Rock passed away on May 16. He is survived by his wife, Emma Brock; two sons, Tom Brock (’67) and Hank Brock; four grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren.
Robert McCollum (’53) of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on May 31. He is survived by his wife, Darlene McCollum; three siblings, Naoma Furrow, Irma Phillips and Glenn McCollum; three sons, Keith, Randy and Gary McCollum; and four grandchildren.
Max Bryant (’58) of Little Rock passed away on Oct. 10. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Bryant; and children, Rodney Bryant, Gail Lien and Lisa Akridge.
Carolyn (Meador ’53*) Ragland of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on Nov. 25, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Charles Ragland (’53);
Elsie (Shimaura ’58) Wood of Wahiawa, Hawaii, passed away on Aug. 15. She worked with Frances Crawford in the registrar’s office during her time at Ouachita. She was also active with the International Mission Board.
New Testament scholar affirms reliability of Scripture O uachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies hosted Dr. Daniel B. Wallace on Sept. 12 as part of the university’s Birkett Williams Lecture Series. Wallace’s lecture titled “How Much Did the Scribes Corrupt the New Testament?” highlighted the reliability of the New Testament based on textual criticism of manuscripts. Wallace is a professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary where he has taught for more than 25 years. He also serves as executive director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. Wallace is an internationally known Greek New Testament scholar, a consultant for many Bible translations and the author of several books. Describing Wallace as “a friend, a gentleman and an outstanding scholar,” Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School, said Wallace “is one of the country’s top experts on New Testament manuscripts.” He added that Wallace “has been one of the strong voices for historical Christianity, establishing that the gospels are reliable.” In his lecture, Wallace affirmed his belief in the reliability of the New Testament based on his years of experience analyzing ancient manuscripts and studying them using textual criticism. “Textual criticism is the science that tries to determine the exact wording of an ancient
document that no longer exists, but it has copies,” Wallace explained. “It gets down to a very, very precise level, right down to the very letters.” Noting that more than 5,800 Greek manuscripts have been discovered dating to as early as the second century, Wallace said, “As time goes by, we are getting closer and closer to the original text.” The older the manuscripts are, the more reliability they have, he added. Compared to other ancient writings, the manuscripts of the New Testament are much more numerous and are dated much closer to their original completion dates, he explained. “One hundred and twenty five years after the New Testament was completed, we had over 43 percent of the verses already found. The average amount of text from classical authors after 125 years was zero percent,” Wallace said. Most classical texts were not discovered for over half a millennium after their completion, giving the New Testament manuscripts much greater historical credibility by comparison. Wallace then addressed the large number of variations among manuscripts and the nature of the variations. The number of variants in the manuscripts is primarily a result of the large number of manuscripts that have been found written by various scribes. Citing an example of a sentence in Greek, the language of the manuscripts, Wallace
noted how a single sentence can be written in Greek hundreds and sometimes thousands of different ways using different word orders and still maintain the same message and meaning. The nature of these variants is also important, Wallace added. “Ninety-nine percent of the variants make virtually no difference at all,” he emphasized. They are spelling variants that do not alter the meaning of the text. “In all essential respects, we have the Word of God in our hands today,” Wallace concluded. “No essential Christian belief is jeopardized by any viable variant.” Ouachita’s Birkett Williams Lecture Series was established in 1977 through a gift from the late Birkett L. Williams, a 1910 Ouachita graduate. His generous endowment established the lectures as an opportunity to extend the concepts of a liberal arts education beyond the classroom by bringing outstanding scholars and public figures to Ouachita’s campus. Jessica Stewart, a student writer in the OBU News Bureau, is a senior Christian media/communications and mass communications major from Mansfield, Texas.
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1960s
Rev. James Hickman (’60*) of Little Rock passed away on Aug. 22. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Hartness ’59) Hickman; sister, Jean (Hickman ’56*) Stevens; and his daughter, Denyce Frisco.
OBU alum Terry Jones releases solo album
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uachita alumna Terry Lang Jones (’92), former national platinum recording artist with Point of Grace, recently released her first solo album, “I Will Speak.” An official release party was held Oct. 26 at her home in Little Rock to introduce family and friends to a sneak peek performance and the meaning behind the music and lyrics. “This record is my honest effort to be who I am, to honor God and to make great music that connects people in our humanness,” Jones said. “I am deeply determined to be vulnerable in my music, to create, for that is where I find life at its fullest—being loved and loving well, creating and finding God there.” Jones, a former Miss OBU, earned seven Dove Awards and two Grammy nominations with Point of Grace and was inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2005. She retired from Point of Grace in 2004. After two years of writing her own songs, Jones collaborated with guitar player Aaron Williams, a 2008 Ouachita graduate, preparing acoustic versions for Atlanta producer Nathan Nockels to preview. After about six months of preparation, recording and editing, “I Will Speak” premiered on iTunes, her first major recording project since recording 27 No. 1 singles with Point of Grace. “Getting to make a record with this caliber of musicians and production has been such a gift,” she said. “I only want to create the most excellent music that I can. Everyone involved with this record truly enhanced what I brought to the table.” Jones, a contributing essayist to Ouachita Voices, the university’s 125th anniversary book, continues to look back on her Ouachita experience as pivotal in her life journey. “God truly used my days at Ouachita to shape who I am today,” she wrote. “From the beginning of our Point of Grace days … Ouachita blood has run through me, always grounding me and reminding me where I came from and where I was going.”
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James “Jimmy” White III (’61*) of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on June 16. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline White; four sons, Matt, Mark, Tim and Rodger White; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Nancy (Perry ’62) Chisum of Tulsa, Okla., passed away on Aug. 15. She is survived by her husband, Larry Chisum; sister, Carole Perry; children, Marla Chisum (’88) and Craig Chisum; and one grandchild. Gerald Congleton (’62) of North Little Rock passed away on May 17. He is survived by his siblings, Albert Congleton and Eloise Thompson. Dean Paul (’62*) of Malvern, Ark., passed away on Oct. 21. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Paul; siblings, Roger Paul, Bobbie Wright, Shirley Cooper and Jeanne Vaughn; two sons, Blake and Roger Paul; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Kenneth Hodnett (’63) of Plano, Texas, passed away on Aug. 31. He is survived by his wife, Faye (Bradshaw ’63*) Hodnett; sons, Kevin and Derrick Hodnett; and three grandchildren. Rev. Bill Milam (’68) of Springdale, Ark., passed away on Jan. 29. He is survived by his wife, June Milam; three children, Billy Milam, Kim Hamilton and Ditzi Cameron; three sisters, Vida Frazier, Lahoma Edwards and Jane Robinson; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
1970s
George “Fred” Attwood (’73) of Mountain Home, Ark., passed away on Sept. 17. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Attwood; children, Tony Attwood, Chase Attwood and Kerri Gross; sister, Cheri (Attwood ’70*) Price; and two grandchildren. Pamela Sockwell (’75) of Chidester, Ark., passed away on May 14. She is survived by her children, Tiffany, Timothy and Randall Sockwell; and two sisters, Gail Cooper and Flora Smith.
LTC James Harvill, Jr. (’76*) of Madison, Ala., passed away on May 15. He is survived by his father, Rev. J.T. Harvill; two daughters, Olivia Waldrop and Valerie Harvill; two sisters, Mary (Harvill ’71*) Buie and Annette (Harvill ’76*) Maxwell; and stepsister, Jan Fletchinger.
1990s
Richard Meyer (’96) of Paducah, Ky., passed away on Aug. 3, 2011. He is survived by his father, Robert John Meyer, Sr.; and his brother, Robert John Meyer, Jr.
Faculty & Staff
Natille (Lindsey ’49) Harvey of Atlanta, Texas, a former Ouachita English professor, passed away on Dec. 6, 2012. She is survived by her children, John Lindsey (’71), Mark Lindsey and Denise Peek; two brothers, James Pierce and William Pierce; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Deborah (Richardson) Paxton (’02), a former OBU librarian and admissions counselor, passed away on Sept. 12. She is survived by her husband, Ray Paxton. Eugenia “Jean” (Bragg ’61) Raybon, a former OBU assistant librarian and an assistant professor emerita, passed away on Oct. 2. She is survived by her children, Michael Raybon and Elaine White. Wallace Joiner, a former OBU safety officer, passed away on Sept. 19. He is survived by his wife, Clara Joiner; three children; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Clinton Sanders of Malvern, Ark., passed away on Sept. 30. He is survived by his wife, Agga Mae Sanders; son, David Sanders; and five grandchildren. Clinton and Agga Mae served as hall directors at Ouachita for 15 years. Opal Shepherd, a former Ouachita education faculty member, passed away on Aug. 7. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Winders and Bettye Jo Binns; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. * denotes former student
Dr. Bob Gosser, longtime OBU supporter, remembered for life of devoted service
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r. Bobby Leon “Bob” Gosser, one of the namesakes of Ouachita Baptist University’s Gosser Hall, passed away Aug. 14 at age 80. “Dr. Bob Gosser and his dear wife, Marianne, embody the best of Ouachita,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “Their love and legacy has a strong Ouachita theme. Their devotion is reflected in the lives of their children and grandchildren. “We are a better university because of the Gosser family,” Dr. Horne added. “With the homegoing of Dr. Gosser, our gratitude and prayers are offered for the family. They will never forget this good man and neither will we.” According to Terry Peeples, Ouachita’s vice president for development, “There are some families that are pillars of OBU and the Gosser family is one of those. Dr. Gosser would always say his children could go anywhere to college but he would pay for them to attend Ouachita.” Peeples described Dr. Gosser as “an authentic follower of Christ and a witness and leader for his family, church, community and the Ouachita family.” Dr. Gosser, a 1956 graduate of Ouachita, and his wife, Marianne, a 1955 Ouachita alumna, have been longtime supporters of Ouachita. The university’s Student Village, dedicated in 2009, includes Gosser Hall which was named in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Gosser. Five of Gosser Hall’s seven houses are named in honor of their five children, all of whom are Ouachita graduates: Jenny Gosser (’82), Bobby Gosser (’83), John M. Gosser (’84), Leigh Anna Gosser Askins (’89) and April Gosser Cook (’94). In his distinguished medical career, Dr. Gosser served in private practice in North Little Rock, as medical director of Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and as chief of staff and chief of medical affairs at Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock. In addition to Marianne, his wife of 58 years, and their five adult children, Dr. Gosser is survived by 15 grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be made to Ouachita Baptist University.
Jackson leaves legacy of ministry, service
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ohnny J. Jackson Sr., a 1951 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University who served 18 years as a Ouachita trustee, died Oct. 15 at age 85. Jackson served as president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention in 1978-79 and was heavily involved in Arkansas Baptist life, serving on various committees and as pastor and interim pastor for a number of churches. “Johnny Jackson was a faithful man: husband, father, grandfather, pastor and committed to his alma mater, Ouachita Baptist University,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “Johnny served our state and university for many years. Each time I would see Johnny he would remark, ‘I prayed for Ouachita and you today.’ We thank God for Johnny and the Jackson family.” Jackson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carleene, and four sons: Johnny Jr., Paul, Brent and Timothy. The family grew to include four daughtersin-law, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Johnny Jackson, Jr. (’77) is special assistant to Ouachita’s general manager of Sodexo Dining Services. In addition to his family, Jackson loved preaching and being a pastor, serving in the offices and institutions of the Southern Baptist Convention, playing golf and cheering for his favorite sports teams. As a student and following his graduation from Ouachita and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Jackson was pastor of churches in Arkansas and Texas, including Forest Highlands Baptist Church in Little Rock from 1966 to 1986. He was a former chairman of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and led 21 Holy Land tours for Dehoney Travel. During semiretirement, Jackson served 17 churches in Arkansas as interim pastor. Memorial gifts may be made to Ouachita Baptist University.
‘Teacher extraordinaire’
Tom Auffenberg invested his life in service to students and colleagues
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
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r. Thomas Lynn “Tom” Auffenberg, a longtime professor of history at Ouachita Baptist University, passed away Aug. 21 at age 65, one day before he was to be honored for 40 years of service at Ouachita. Dr. Auffenberg, the R. Voyt Hill Professor of History and chair of the history department, began teaching at Ouachita in 1973. It was his first and only teaching position throughout his distinguished career. “Tom Auffenberg literally invested his adult life in his students and colleagues at Ouachita,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “For 40 years we benefitted from his love of teaching. “While he spoke with me about how Ouachita had blessed him, we have always known of our debt to Tom,” he added. “I, like hundreds of others, have been encouraged by his kindness, a timely word, his smile and sense of humor. Tom will be deeply missed but not forgotten.” Dr. Randall Wight, dean of the Sutton School of Social Sciences, was among Dr. Auffenberg’s longtime friends and colleagues. Describing Dr. Auffenberg as “a teacher extraordinaire, mentor and friend,” he added, “He’s been a Ouachita institution for 40 years. In many ways he was the social center and beating heart of the Sutton School.” Born in Missouri in 1947 as the only son of Thomas and LaVelle Auffenberg, his family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, when he was an infant. He lived there until age 21, graduating summa cum laude from Texas Christian University with majors in history and political science. Dr. Auffenberg held Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Vanderbilt University, with a specialization in British history. He was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship to complete his doctoral studies in England, studying at the Institute of Historical Research in London. During his four decades at Ouachita, he was honored by the Student Senate as Outstanding Faculty Member and served as a sponsor of the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. He was a contributor to Ouachita Voices, the university’s 125th anniversary history, and also had articles published in several publications including Great Lives from History: British and Commonwealth, the Journal of Church and State and the Red River Valley Journal of History. According to Dr. Raouf Halaby, professor of visual arts and English, “Tom was, without a doubt, one of the gentlest, kindest and most loving human beings I have had the privilege of meeting. He was an intellectual powerhouse; he was an outstanding teacher loved and admired by his students and colleagues. He was a scholar par excellence, and he never allowed his scholarly accomplishments to go to his head.” A memorial service was held on the Ouachita campus on Aug. 24 in McBeth Recital Hall. Memorial gifts to Ouachita may be designated for the European Study Tour or scholarships to benefit history majors. fall 2013
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MIKE REYNOLDS
Chair, Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies By Jon Merryman, OBU Director of Alumni
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fter lots of calls and words of encouragement from longtime Ouachita Head Basketball Coach Bill Vining, Mike Reynolds chose to attend Ouachita 40 years ago this fall. After earning his degree from Ouachita, Reynolds coached basketball in Gurdon and Arkadelphia until Vining once again called, this time inviting Reynolds to serve as Ouachita’s assistant basketball coach, which he did for five years, before serving as head coach until 2001. “People ask me all the time why I left coaching to head to the classroom full-time,” Reynolds noted. “First, coaching is a young man’s sport! The other driving force was impact. As a coach, I impacted the lives of 12 players. As a teacher I can teach, help and encourage many more students.” Reynolds says he most enjoys interaction with upperclassman students as they consider their career options. “I believe firmly in experiential education, and our students learn by doing,” he said. “One of my mentors, Dr. Lavell Cole, and Dr. Tom Greer used to call it ‘the classroom without walls.’ That has stuck with me and is how I teach today. It’s a little sneaky – while working with children with special needs through the Special Olympics, leading outdoor activities or leading guided tours of the DeSoto Bluff, our students and the children we work with are learning outside of the classroom and having fun doing it! “It’s great to see that our students are not only receiving an outstanding education here but they are able to have research experiences that are usually available only on the master’s level and leave here with great jobs as high school and university coaches, recreation ministers in churches and physical therapists,” he added. “Most Ouachitonians see Dr. Reynolds in the weight room, at the climbing wall or riding his bike,” said Dr. Terry DeWitt, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies. “He is an avid fitness guru and loves to take students on nature hikes exploring our regional and local wildlife. In a few shorts years he has brought well over 1,000 elementary children to our 34 • the ouachita circle
photo by Tyler Rosenthal
campus to explore the neighboring Ouachita River DeSoto Bluff where our students have the opportunity to teach lessons on ‘Leave No Trace,’ ‘The Ouachita River Watershed,’ ‘The Hunter & Dunbar Exploration of the Ouachita River’ and ‘Map Reading.’” Reynolds “is dedicated to God, his family and his work,” DeWitt noted. “He has, on many occasions, gone the extra mile to meet with prospective students, advise current students and teach his classes all in the same day.” During his sabbatical in the fall of 2012, Reynolds traveled to Vermont to study experiential education and attended workshops on grant writing to pursue grants on such issues as fighting obesity and getting kids and others moving and active. He also traveled to California to Summit Adventure, an outdoor recreation/camp program that uses service, adventure and experiential education as tools to strengthen relationships with God and one another. Ouachita students can now enroll in an immersion semester with Summit Adventure and travel with them to Ecuador to lead activities with children there. Under Reynolds’ leadership, the Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies is growing and expanding its courses and offerings. The department’s area in the Sturgis Physical Education Center has recently been remodeled with new furniture, equipment and technology thanks to a grant from the Sturgis Foundation. Through another recent grant, the department received a BioSway machine, making Ouachita one of a small number of universities in the country with this equipment to check athletes for concussions and the elderly for balance issues. Health and wellness course options have been expanded to take advantage of the beautiful Arkadelphia area, including SCUBA, cycling, canoeing, camping and soon fly fishing. Mike and his wife, Donna (Cox ’79) Reynolds, who works with Ouachita’s Foster Grandparents Program, have three daughters who also attended Ouachita: Lauren (’07 *), Lindsey (’09) and Leslie (’11).
Bill Phelps
Director of Information Technology Services By Jon Merryman, OBU Director of Alumni
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rkadelphia is 3,976 miles from Bill Phelps’ childhood dream of living in Alaska. Thankfully for Ouachita, Bill’s parents told him he could move to Alaska but only after he earned his college degree. With Bill’s best friend already enrolled at Ouachita, he proceeded to enroll as well. During his four years as a student at Ouachita, Phelps not only fell in love with his wife, Sherri (Greer) Phelps (’81), but he fell in love with Ouachita too. And today, there’s no place else he’d rather be – not even “the last frontier.” “While I love the challenges of and constant changes in the IT field, it’s my love for the people at Ouachita that has kept me here all these years,” Phelps said. “Sometimes it is a challenge to balance not changing too quickly … and keeping up with the changes that students expect. “There are also considerable costs associated with what we do that most people never see or think about like keeping our data secure and backed up, products to keep the network running, etc.,” he noted. “But the people in our department are creative and impressive. When we can’t afford a certain solution, they’ll create one! Every time someone new joins our team I think, ‘This is the best team we’ve ever had.’ I’m blessed to work with such great people.” For 30 years, Phelps has been shaping Ouachita’s connectivity to the world, first as a computer programmer in data processing, then as director of computer services in 1999 and today as Ouachita’s director of IT Services. “Bill Phelps is a tremendous asset to Ouachita,” said Dr. Brett Powell, vice president for administrative services. “I am constantly amazed at the level of innovation and quality of results the IT Services office is able to achieve and they do it with a fraction of the resources of many universities. “More importantly,” Powell added, “I don’t think you will find better camaraderie among a staff anywhere on the Ouachita campus.” He said those efforts clearly reflect “Bill’s leadership and his desire to make Ouachita a better place.” With all the change and growth Ouachita has seen in IT services over the past 30 years, Phelps has witnessed quite a few milestones. He also knows that before he reaches 40 years of service at Ouachita, he will see more milestones added to this list, noting that “we are looking forward to using the talents and abilities of our IT Services team to assist in providing these opportunities.” Bill and his wife, Sherri, Ouachita’s director of human resources, have one daughter, Blair (Phelps ’10) Varner who lives in Little Rock with husband, Eric Varner (’10), and their 5-month-old future tiger Mason.
photo by Tyler Rosenthal
IT milestones at Ouachita 1981 Bill Phelps joins the OBU Data Processing staff. There is one computer with eight terminals.
1982 Ouachita’s first PCs, four DEC Rainbows, are
installed in the Computer Science Department.
1983 The university’s first IBM PC is delivered to the Data Processing Office.
1984 A computer lab, with IBM PCs, is installed in
partnership with Computer Science and Business Department in Lile Hall.
1986 Data Processing is renamed Computer Services. 1987 A campus network is launched, connecting computers in the Business Department with Computer Services.
1992-93 Network and Internet access expands throughout the megastructure.
1994 Fiber optic cabling is run, providing Internet access throughout campus classroom buildings.
1995 Ouachita officially joins the World Wide Web by publishing its first web pages.
1996-97 Students are issued campus e-mail accounts; residence halls wired for network access.
2003 Wireless Internet access available in all residence halls.
2006 Computer Services is renamed Information Technology Services.
2006-Present New services continue to be launched and others are upgraded significantly including Ouachita Emergency Notification Service; digital signage in residence halls and other campus buildings; the Ouachita mobile app; online registration and check-in; and increased bandwidth/connectivity to the Internet.
fall 2013
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Intentional acts build dedication into life The theme of this edition of The Ouachita Circle could not be more appropriate. Of all the attributes that mark Ouachita, there is none more fitting than dedication. One of my privileges as president is attending events that recognize an individual’s service to Ouachita or a gathering where a room, building or collection is dedicated. These opportunities to recognize significant people and moments are most meaningful. Dedication is often thought of as an event. It is observed in churches particularly in celebrating the birth of a baby or for those serving in strategic ministries. Dedicated people flash across my mind today as I write. These dedicated people are wholly, earnestly committed to their task and calling. The length of service of some honored in this edition is cause for celebration. You have likely heard the old adage that some people have 40 years of experience while others have one year of experience repeated 40 times. Fortunately for Ouachita, our people continue to add to their understanding, knowledge and application of life’s experiences with each passing year. Our professors are students for life just as they encourage the rest of us to be lifelong learners. Ouachita has richly benefited from men and women who came to serve for a while and found their professional home here. Dedication, however, is more than a matter of time. When one studies world or Ouachita history, it becomes evident that some difference makers were not around too long. As Peter Marshall, chaplain of the U.S. Senate many years ago, once said, “The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” I know this is true for Ouachita. We have had young men and young women to pass from this earth too soon, but not before they left an enduring legacy. Even a long life is a short life. When our professors like Dr. Tom Auffenberg pass into eternal life, they do so with our gratitude for service, friendships and their dedication.
36 • the ouachita circle
The Scripture is clear that our days are numbered. Our challenge is that we do not know the number! Since we do not know how many days we have, we should concentrate on how best to use each one. I am convinced that our best is given when we are intentional. It is so easy to speak in generalities and do nothing. For our purpose today I would surmise that most of you readers care about Ouachita. You may even express a love for this institution. How does one best show this devotion? You do so by living in a focused, intentional manner. You know a family
“I am convinced that our best is given when we are intentional.” member or a student in your community who should come to Ouachita. Recruit them. You know of a professor or staff member whose investment in you means so much to this very day. Tell them. All would know that Ouachita is worthy of our financial gifts. Give them. The intentional acts build dedication into our lives. As Christmas fast approaches, let us thank the Lord for salvation and the privilege of leading lives of meaningful service. There is work for us all. Our dedication will make an impact today and touch eternity through the lives we influence.
What’s the Ouachita difference? OBU is a leading liberal arts university with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio in a Christ-centered learning community. Come discover the Ouachita difference for yourself – academically, spiritually and personally.
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OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
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Architect’s concept of Cliff Harris Stadium
“ Meeting this challenge grant is our No. 1 priority for the next 120 days.”
- President Rex Horne
Join Ouachita baptist university Football’s
100 -Yard Campaign
Honoring the Past Building for the Future
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$1 million matching challenge grant to fund stadium improvements
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Cliff Harris Stadium to be dedicated in honor of legendary Tiger football star Cliff Harris
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120-day fundraising blitz aimed at beginning facility upgrades in spring 2014
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Scott Street (’87), former Tiger quarterback, is chairing the 100-Yard Campaign
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Improvements to stadium bleachers, press box, parking and related facilities
For more information about Ouachita Football’s 100-Yard Campaign, contact: Ouachita Office of Development at 870-245-5169 or www.obu.edu/give