O UAC H I TA
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SIGNAL
05.04.18
Vol. 126, Issue 23
Ouachita Commencement 2018
LIFE AFTER COLLEGE Sarah Davis’ ministry in Utah
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Student Senate hosts 39th Academic Awards Banquet Ouachita Student Senate hosted the university’s 39th annual Academic Awards Banquet last night in Walker Conference Center. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., students from all schools and all graduating classes gathered to recognize the superior academic work performed by themselves and their peers. According to Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for Academic Affairs, this annual banquet is one that is set aside each year to honor the hard work of Ouachita’s high academic achievers. “It is sponsored by Student Senate. I think that’s neat that the students have taken ownership of it, in the sense of wanting to invest their time and even their resources to do this,” Poole said. “My office helps out and we coordinate with the different schools to get all of the different information in about who’s receiving awards.” Elaborating on the role of Senate, Poole said, “To me, it says something about our students that Student Senate would want to keep doing this as a tradition that they value, promote, and continue to invest in every year.”
Ethan Dial, a student senator and chair of the Student Senate Special Events Committee, said, “This fun dinner celebrates students and their achievements. Awards are given to those who are top in their classes. It is just a time to honor the best of the best. Here at Ouachita, everyone is so talented.” According to Dial, one of the primary roles of Senate in this yearly venture is the task of choosing a theme and decorating for the banquet. “This year’s theme was a simple elegancy. Tables were lined with gold chargers surrounded by greenery. There were also candle and purple flower petals. We wanted it to look classy and to make those who were invited feel special.” According to Poole, each academic school gives awards to its top-scoring academics. Honors societies for a variety of disciplines also recognized student membership. In addition to the school awards, the Carl Goodson Honors program recognized 38 graduating seniors who have completed their Honors education. They further recognized the recipients of the Ben Elrod Scholarship, the Carl Goodson Scholarship see Banquet z 2
Andy Henderson z Photo lab
Andy Henderson z Photo lab
By JULIA WILLIAMS
News editor
Andy Henderson z Photo lab OUACHITA COMMENCEMENT for the class of 2018 will take place next Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. on the ConeBottoms Lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Bill Vining Arena.
Piano Competition to be held in McBeth Recital Hall By VICTORIA ANDERSON Staff writer
The Virginia Queen Piano Competition, which was established more than 30 years ago, will be held in McBeth Recital Hall today at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The competition was put in place by former piano professor Virginia Queen to encourage students to excel in their piano studies. Guest Pianist Dr. Shao Xiao Ling will judge the students as they perform two pieces from memory. The students participating in the competition are Elizabeth Anderson, Sean Carney, Carli Copell, Isabel Dodds, Felicity Johnson, Melissa Lee, Zhanxiu Lu and Tyler Sanders. To prepare for the competition, the students have been spending several hours in a practice room and playing for others in different settings. “I have enjoyed the learning journey with my professor, the milestones—getting to play one of the pieces for Scholars Day—and the little victories I have celebrated along the way,” said Melissa Lee, a freshman worship arts major from Singapore. Lee will perform “La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin” by Debussy and “Notturno” by Grieg. For Tyler Sanders, a junior music industry major from Arkadelphia, Ark., this will be his third time to par-
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ticipate in the competition. He will play Brahms’ “Intermezzo Op.116 No.6” and Beethoven’s “Bagatelle Op.33 No.2.” To help him prepare, Sanders records himself and listens to it. Then he practices again. “The thing I’ve enjoyed the most in preparation for this competition is the learning of new pieces,” Sanders said. “I always enjoy creating my own interpretation of music.” Felicity Johnson, a freshman biblical languages major from Little Rock, Ark., will play “Träumerei, Op. 15, No. 7” by Robert Schumann and “Sonatine, Op. 55, No. 2, Movement 1” by Friedrich Kuhlau. “I’ve enjoyed our piano seminar sessions where all of us who will be competing get to perform our pieces for each other and provide constructive feedback,” Johnson said. Last year, Isabel Dodds, a junior piano performance major from Leslie, Ark. sustained an injury before the competition, so she was not able to practice and prepare as well as she would have liked. “Getting ready for the competition this year has been an emotional experience for me since it is the first time that I can really practice and put effort into preparing,” Dodds said. “I’m not a competitive person, so I think that the thing I enjoy most is trying to see Piano z 2
STUDENTS IN Ouachita’s J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences participate in labs. An upcomoing visit from the Higher Learning Commission will determine the approval of the school’s pending Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Higher Learning Commission visit could mean approval for nursing By KATIE KEMP Editor-in-chief The Higher Learning Commission will return to Ouachita’s campus to review the framework for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program on May 14 and 15. The development of the new program saw a major step forward when Ouachita’s Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Brenda Trigg as the director of nursing in their March 8 board meeting. Now, a visiting team from the Higher Learning Commission will visit campus to review the degree requirements, program curriculum and the program’s partnership with Baptist Health College Little Rock, as well as Ouachita’s resources and
ability to provide a new professional degree. The program will entail a dual enrollment with Baptist Health College Little Rock and will qualify as an RN to BSN completion program. The first talks of such a program began six years ago, but the process of making it into a reality did not start until three years ago. “Professional programs like this have extra hurdles to cross, especially with accrediting bodies and when working with a partner institution; things just take a bit longer,” said Dr. Tim Knight, dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences. “Many details have to be considered and we’re now at a point that the last big hurdle is the visit by the Higher Learning Commission.” Right now, students wishing to obtain of
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing may complete their first two years of course work at Ouachita, but there is no program available for them to complete their degree at Ouachita. If the program is approved by the HLC, the department hopes to start spreading the word and recruiting as soon as possible. The first full cohort of freshmen seeking a nursing degree would be those arriving during the Fall 2019 semester. “We’ve been careful to inform both current and prospective students about the process and that we cannot offer the degree or any of the nursing curriculum without the approval of the commission,” Knight said. “If all goes well in a few weeks, we could hear from the HLC see HLC z 2
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thisTweets weekzCALENDAR of the Week Danny Hays @Haysdanny 15 Apr I love my job. I get to study God’s word & then teach it to eager college students who love the Lord. It’s a great job. Even on Mondays.
C O M M E N C E M E N T REHEARSAL will be Friday, May 11 at 4 p.m on the lawn of Cone Bottoms.
SENIOR DINNER will be Thursday, May 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Walker Conference Center. For more information, contact Jon OBU @Ouachita Apr Merryman at 15 merrymanj@obu. So how do you use social media -- to affirm and encourage edu.
or to attack and tear doen? “Be ye kind to one another.” (Eph. 4:32). Hmmm... FINAL EXAMS will be Monday, 2018 COMMENCEMENT will be
May 7 through Friday, May 11. Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. For a full schedule of test times, on the lawn of Cone Bottoms. Young @JustinYoung072 16 Apr see Justin the Ouachita website. The Harley Davidson leather vest must be the key to memorizing the entire Bible.
The Signal @obusignal 04 May Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute updates on everything going on around Ouachita Baptist. Twitter: @obusignal Facebook: facebook.com/obusignal Instagram: @obusignal
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z Continued from Page 1 and the Garrett Ham Scholarship. Other university awards given were the Most Valuable Professor, the Rotary Club “Service Above Self” Award, the Mrs. J.R. Grant Endowed Awards (to a freshman and senior) and the Mrs. Betty Oliver Grant Endowed Awards (to a sophomore and junior). Academic achievers were named for each of the schools, and then the Overall Academic Achiever was chosen from that list. The final three awards will be given to the Senior Outstanding
Man, the Senior Outstanding Woman and the Lavell Cole Most Inspirational Professor. “It’s just a nice evening to celebrate what students have accomplished…After students have worked so hard throughout the year, it’s nice to be able to somehow celebrate what they’ve accomplished and affirm them. It’s a good way to bring the academic year to a close,” Poole said. For a complete list of awards given, contact Dr. Poole at pooles@obu.edu. An all-student, all-faculty and all-staff email will be sent to recognize those awarded in the coming days. n
NEWS BRIEFS Quick recaps of the biggest stories of the week Military cargo plane goes down in Georgia A C-130 belonging to the 156th Air Wing of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard crashed early Wednesday morning on a busy highway after leaving from Georgia’s Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport. According to Puerto Rico National Guard Spokesman Maj. Paul Dahlen, there were approximately five to nine Puerto Rico Guard members on board at the time of the crash. Authorite have confirmed five dead, but the cause of the crash is still unknown and under investigation. While there are no immediate details on the mission, National Guard spokespersons did say that the flight was headed for Arizona for a mission in the U.S. mainland. There was no damage done to surrounding homes or vehicles, and there are no reports of further casualties. n
Boy Scouts of America change name Earlier on Wednesday, the Boy Scouts of America announced a name change that would represent what they felt would be a more inclusive identity. Expected to take place in February, the organization for young people will be simply known as Scouts BSA. According to Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh, the parent organization and the Cub Scouts will keep its name, but the goal with renaming the Boy Scouts was to promote that “we’re here for both young men and young women.” While many organizations under the Scouts umbrella have been admitting girls in the last year, it has been met with some concern over political correctness that might be contraditory to the legacy of the Scouts. Girl Scouts have accordingly launched campaigns to retain membership. n
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think of something special to share through my music.” Dodds will play Franz Schubert’s “Impromptu in Ab, Op. 90, No. 4” and Brahms’ “Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118, No. 2.” Elizabeth Anderson, a senior music education major from Salem, Ark., has competed in this competition for the last three years. This year, she will perform the “Raindrop Prelude” and Debussy’s Preludes Book 2, No. 6 “General Lavine.” “I have enjoyed the anticipation of getting to share my progress with the other pianists, the judge and the audience,” Anderson said. n
later this summer and at that point we will have a big announcement and officially begin recruiting.” In preparation for the Commission team’s visit, newly appointed director of nursing Dr. Brenda Trigg has been helping Ouachita in coordinating the course syllabi and develop the program’s framework. Ouachita hopes to add the program as there is a rising need for nurses across the country. Over the next four years it’s estimated that there will be 150,000 jobs for nurses in Arkansas and Texas alone, and Ouachita hopes to help meet this need.
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“This also fits nicely with our strong tradition in preparing students for professional programs in health care. One of the most helpful things is the partnership with Baptist Health College Little Rock because our institutional missions are so similar,” Knight said. Following the Commission team’s visit to campus, the university should hear later this summer about the program’s approval. The Commission previously visited Ouachita’s campus earlier in the semester to renew the university’s accreditation. For more information on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, contact Dr. Tim Knight at knightt@obu. edu. n
Ouachita Enactus team named regional champions, will advance to national competition this month By KATIE SMITH News bureau
Ouachita’s Enactus team was recently named Regional Champion during its annual regional competition in Dallas, Texas. The team will move on to compete at the Enactus National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo., May 2022. The competition includes a detailed, scripted presentation highlighting the various projects conducted by Ouachita’s Enactus organization. “The faculty at Ouachita, especially in the Hickingbotham School of Business, support Enactus wholeheartedly,” said Ouachita Enactus President Victoria White, a senior accounting major from Powderly, Texas. “Our success at regional competition is a direct result of their guidance and encouragement as we work to have one of the best student-led organizations on campus. “Bryan McKinney is our faculty advisor who has laid the foundational work for
OBU Enactus’ success,” she added. “Without his leadership and expertise, student leaders like myself, our project leaders and our active members would not be able to impact as many people through our projects.” Enactus is a global entrepreneurship-focused program with a presence in 36 countries on more than 1,700 college campuses. Enactus challenges students to use business to help solve social issues locally and globally. Members create and run various programs through university Enactus chapters and then present their work at regional and national competitions. Winners of each national competition present at the Enactus World Cup Competition. The next step for the Ouachita team is the Enactus U.S. National Exposition May 20-22 in Kansas City. “Our team wants to use entrepreneurial skills to make life better for others,” said Bryan McKinney, dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and faculty sponsor of Enactus. “Enactus is a sec-
ular organization, with teams found literally across the globe. Yet, the mission of Enactus globally is so similar to our mission as a faith-based university. We, too, want to use the gifts God has given us in order to make life better for others. That’s really our goal. We also want to compete well and represent OBU with distinction.” This year, Ouachita’s Enactus team presented several projects at the regional competition, including Dr. Jack’s Coffee, Generation-U, Mission 58:10 and Bridges. Enactus is a program in Ouachita’s Hickingbotham School of Business, but students of all majors are invited to become members. “We had multiple students from various majors outside of the business school join us for the regional competition,” McKinney explained. “Students learn to work on a team. They do good for others. And they have an opportunity to network with other very bright students and some of the best companies in the world.” n
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Life after college: A desire to minister to Mormons in Utah By WILL JOHNSON Sports editor
Sarah Davis understands her purpose after college. She also recognizes the challenges that await her at every turn. Sarah grew up in a Christian home abundant with religious influence. Her father, a pastor, encouraged her growth in faith, while her mom took on the support role as a valuable friend and influence. Both of Sarah’s parents taught her a love for service and people, discipling her throughout her life. Sarah always possessed a heart for God, but it wasn’t until her ninth grade Sunday School class when she began a study on prevalent religions. After learning about several religions and comparing them to her own beliefs, Sarah identified one religion that caught her attention: Mormonism. The idea that Mormons believe in becoming a god of their own world alarmed her. “That bit of knowledge and realizing that these people aren’t Christians really shook me,” Sarah said. Sarah’s desire to know more about Mormonism led her to independent research, while also investigating movies about their belief system. A television series was released called “Escaping Polygamy” that Sarah viewed extensively. The show centered around sisters who had already escaped polygamy but went into various communities to save others burdened by the same custom. One interview featured a teenage girl who was told she would go to hell if she escaped. She responded by stating she’d rather go to hell than live in heaven with the people she was surrounded
by. “This was the reaching point of when my heart was tugged on,” Sarah said. “Right then, I just lost it. I broke down and was crying. I realized that they’re not going to heaven, they’re going to hell.” Seven years later, as a senior in college, Sarah looks forward to the next big step in her life. As a Christian studies and mass communications double major, she understands the importance of communication on many levels, especially in her evangelizing position; however, coming into college, she was not sure what she wanted to pursue. Growing up, Sarah enjoyed creating videos as well as serving others. In college, she admired Dr. Rebecca Jones’ interest in film and theology, who also recommended that she attend the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Sarah’s love for videography and ministry and Dr. Jones’ influential passion for film led her to these two fields of study. Though she has travelled to many places across the world, including New York and Israel, Utah found a special place in Sarah’s heart. While attending Sundance, she admired the state’s natural beauty, but also understood the serious impact of Mormonism throughout the state. “No other place spoke to me like Utah did,” Sarah said. “To this day, I still think Utah is where I want to go.” Sarah plans to leave for Utah once she completes her post-college three-year strategy. The first year involves staying in Little Rock with her family while paying off college loans. Sarah will focus on saving up for a house in year two, and the third year will include searching for a house and job. She plans to
Sarah Davis z Courtesy SARAH DAVIS poses on Ouachita’s campus. The senior Christian studies and mass communications double major hopes to pursue ministry among the Mormon populations of Utah.
bring her videography skills to Utah, where she hopes to reach Mormon audiences. Although Utah is home to numerous Mormons, Sarah looks forward to the special evangelism opportunity. She contemplates moving to Salt Lake City but prefers to live in Provo, which is conveniently near heavily-populated Mormon communities. Both cities would likely have many job opportunities. No matter the location, her full trust is in God to lead her to the right home. “I want to be in the heart of the Mormons,” Sarah said. “My job is to allow God to work through me to minister to the Mormons.” Sarah is enthusiastic about the opportunity, but she knows there will be challenges along the way. Situations may be difficult to plan for because no matter how much
preparation and studying goes into it, ministry heavily depends on the individual and environment. By staying close to God and trusting in Him through any feelings of fear, she believes opportunities will open up during her time in Utah. “I don’t think you can ever actually have a plan when it comes to ministering to somebody,” Sarah said. “You can be prepared and have all the answers. You can study the Bible and still not have a plan of what’s going to happen. The best I can do is be prepared by praying and studying about their religion.” Sarah has participated in service projects throughout college that have encouraged her to confidently spread God’s Word. A few of those short-service events she contributed to include help-
ing feed the homeless and being involved in the Tiger Serve Day leadership team. Though she has yet to minister to someone over a long period of time, she has certainly experienced assisting those in need. Dr. Barbara Pemberton has also influenced Sarah, as she learned about Sarah’s heart for Mormons while supporting her directed study. Sarah understands the opportunity she has to make an impact on the Mormon community. Challenges will occur, but her passion for studying Mormonism and relentless desire to learn from experiences should benefit her during the upcoming journey. “The biggest thing is to love them with no alternative motive,” Sarah said. “I want them to know that I love these people and God loves these people.” n
Shark bite doesn’t equal a red light for this OBU baseball player By BEN SWANGER Guest writer
Jake Peterman arrived at Ouachita with a rocket arm and a memory that plagues him. When Jake shows up at the ballpark, he knows to never take the opportunity he has for granted. Not many people have a chance to play college baseball, but Jake’s chances were close to zero his sophomore year in high school. A dream family vacation turned into a nightmare and it still haunts Jake to this day. It was a hot, sunny summer day off the coast of Florida at St. George Island. The Petermans were on their annual family vacation to the beach. Two normal days passed by. They spent all day at the beach, basking in the sun and playing in the clear, blue waves. They spent their nights eating as a family and watching the sun set from the balcony of their hotel. Jake woke up on the third day of their vacation with an urge to find his sister, who couldn’t make the trip, the most beautiful sea shell. He had heard the island had unique shells and he wanted to find out for himself. His parents, uncle and three cousins took their normal walk to the beach. By the time they reached the sand, you would’ve thought they had been swimming already by the way they were sweating.
Jake and his cousins took off to find his younger sister a one-of-a-kind shell. “There were no shells on the main beach area, so my cousins and I decided to swim out to
said. “I asked my cousins if they felt any brush, but they said they didn’t.” Jake was already nervous because he couldn’t feel or see the bottom of the ocean floor. He im-
At the moment, Jake thought he was destined to go see Jesus, “I felt a godly tug on my body and my dad was there to fend off the shark and pull me out from under the wa-
OUACHITA’S BASEBALL team looks on during a game earlier in the season. Jake Peterman, a freshman on the team, overcame a shark bite to return to the sport.
the first sand bar,” Jake said. When they reached the first sand bar, they surprisingly found no shells. They dug around the sand searching for these famous shells, but nothing was there. Jake was getting frustrated. So, having no luck, Jake convinced his cousins they needed to swim out to the next sand bar. The swim was only about 15 yards. “As we were swimming out to the second sand bar, I thought I felt something brush against my leg,” Jake
mediately regretted his decision. “The next thing I knew I was sucked under the water, I could hear my cousins screaming as I panicked for my life,” Jake said. It wasn’t a whirlpool that sucked Jake under, it was a shark. The shark had a deadly grip on Jake’s left foot, he said, “It felt like a million needles were just shot into my foot.” Jake started throwing punches at the shark, but his grip was not relinquished. “I felt like I was under the water for an eternity,” Jake said.
ter,” Jake said. Jake recalls coming up from the water crying, yelling and gasping for air. “As soon as I saw all the blood in the water, I passed out,” Jake said. His dad knew he had to hurry to shore because the possibility of more sharks coming was great. They made it back to shore and the next thing Jake remembers is waking up in a helicopter. “The man on board told me to remain calm as we were headed to a hospital on the mainland,” Jake said, “When I looked down
at my ankle and foot, it was covered in bandages that had been dyed red due to my blood loss. I immediately fell back into a swoon.” The helicopter arrived at the nearest hospital and rushed Jake into the emergency room. With his parents on either side of the stretcher, he was rolled away into surgery. “I woke up a day later to find my sister sitting by my side,” Jake said, “My entire family was in the room and I didn’t even think about my foot. I was just so excited to see the people I loved.” Finally, Jake looked down at his left foot. It was still there. It was a true miracle that the shark didn’t eat Jake’s foot off like beef jerky, but God had different plans. Jake returned home and missed his junior year of baseball due to the injury. The determination and love for baseball Jake possesses didn’t stop him; he was hungry to return to the diamond. Jake put together an incredible senior season on the mound and at the plate. He earned himself an opportunity to play at Ouachita. Today, Jake doesn’t like to show others the scar he possesses, but he uses it as his motivation to keep working. “It would be hard to pitch without a left foot, but I love baseball so much, I could probably find a way,” Jake said. The tenacity of that shark is the type of tenacity Jake pitches with on the mound. n
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“Infinity War” one for the books By MICHAEL RICHARDSON Staff writer The release of “Avengers: Infinity War“ marks the culmination of the last 10 years of movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU. Now holding the records for the biggest domestic and worldwide opening of all time with its latest installment, it is fascinating to look back to where it all began in 2008. With the famous line in Jon Favreau’s “Iron Man” that launched the universe, “I am Iron Man,” Marvel Studios launched moviegoers into uncharted waters with the creation of a cinematic universe, the likes of which studios worldwide have been scrambling to recreate ever since. We would then be introduced to the original Avengers line up over the course of the next four years, leading up to 2012’s “Avengers.” It was here that in a post-credits scene, Marvel Studios introduced audiences to Thanos, the Mad Titan. Fans of the comics immediately knew that this meant we were beginning a march to the Infinity War. After six more years of introducing new characters and revealing more Infinity
Marvel Studios z Courtesy
Stones with almost every installment, it all culminates with “Infinity War.” Until recently, the MCU has had issues with villains. For the most part, they have all been very shallow, lacking much development due to a locked-in focus on the heroes. Many of the villains were evil for the sake of being evil. Many of their motives were undefined, and if they were,
Summer movie lineup: “Christopher Robin” By CATHERINE LYP Staff writer
This summer there are several well-awaited movies that are being released. From the second “Deadpool” and “The Incredibles 2” to “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” this summer is sure to be one of great movies. While there will be several good options throughout the summer, the movie I, along with many other Disney fans, are looking forward to is “Christopher Robin.” Disney’s “Christopher Robin” is set to release August 3. “Christopher Robin” is based upon the books written by A. A. Milne. The books, the first of which is “Winnie the Pooh,” are based on the pretend adventures of A. A. Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne. Christopher Robin would make believe that his stuffed animals lived in a place called the Hundred Acre Wood and went on adventures. As Milne watched his son play, he wrote the stories that today are seen as some of the best children’s stories. With all the new live action reboots of classic stories that Disney has been producing over the past few years, it was inevitable that they would choose to redo this childhood classic. From the trailer, it can be seen that Christopher Robin is going to take place in the later years of Christopher Robin’s life, when he has a wife and child. Christopher Robin is planning to spend some time with his family by taking them out of the city for a weekend away. However, their plans are ruined when he appears to be threat-
ened with losing his job if he doesn't do what is best for the company. From this point in the trailer, his wife and daughter are sent away in a car, which I am assuming is Christopher Robin telling them to go on the trip without him. Christopher Robin seems conflicted as he feels obligated to provide for his family, but in order to do so, he has to be away from them and view a strict and structured job as a priority. The latter half of the trailer begins with Christopher Robin returning home and sitting on a bench in his garden, unsure of what to do, but in the midst of his worry, he is interrupted by Winnie the Pooh. He appears as a walking and talking stuffed animal, with wonderful added scruffiness, which portrays the years of wear and tear that have taken their toll. Throughout the film, if they are to show flashbacks, which I hope they do, the audience will be able to see the original look of the stuffed animals and what has changed in the years since they were forgotten. Based on what is shown in the trailer, the story will most likely showcase a troubled and conflicted Christopher Robin as he struggles to balance caring for his family and being with his family. Through rediscovering his childhood friends, Christopher Robin will most likely learn to view the world with the simplicity of a child, and in the process, gain the clarity necessary to repair his family. The movie will most likely conclude with Christopher Robin introducing his young daughter to Winnie the Pooh and the rest of his friends so that their story and adventures can live on. n
they were simplistic to say the least. It was not until Loki that the MCU seemingly had a decent villain that the audience could enjoy and actually, in many ways, be fond of. Then with “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” viewers met an understandable and relatable villain in Adrian Tombs, the Vulture. This villain had layers and was well developed. This marked a change
as Marvel began to respond to fans’ desires for deeper and stronger villains. 2018’s “Black Panther” continued this trend of great villains with Michael B. Jordan’s character, Killmonger. And in “Infinity War,” though it is not our first introduction to the character, Thanos steals the show. As we learned through the promotional trailers, Thanos
is on a war path to destroy half of all life in the universe through the use of the Infinity Gauntlet and the six Infinity Stones. With such a large cast of characters, screen time with all the characters is limited to what is necessary for the story, with much of the focus truly being on Thanos himself. He is the main character of this film, and it works. The stakes are high, and the audience is held in suspense throughout the course of the movie. The viewers feel the same urgency and gravity the characters are feeling as they face their biggest threat yet. On top of breaking record after record, the movie is a technical masterpiece. “Avengers: Infinity War” is the first movie in history to be filmed 100 percent on IMAX cameras. That means the film is meant to be seen in the 1.90:1 IMAX display aspect ratio of IMAX theaters compared to the 2.35:1 widescreen look we are used to in most films now. The movie is a cinematic experience that is all around unprecedented. There is nothing like it to compare to in its scope. It is a fun and fantastic experience. The story is incredible, and the characters are a joy to watch, as always. Not only is this movie worth your viewing, it is worth enjoying again and again. n
“Solo” appears promising By WILL BLASE Features editor
Star Wars fans, rejoice! In less than a month, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” will be hitting theaters. Everyone’s favorite scoundrel, Han Solo, played by Alden Ehrenreich, will be getting a standalone Star Wars installment. The story will focus on the legendary smuggler’s past life. Woody Harrelson plays Han’s mentor of sorts, Tobias Beckett. In what can only be explained as a “space western,” it looks like we’re going to see a massive heist in which Han teams up with Qi’Ra (Emilia Clarke), Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and everyone’s favorite furball, Chewbacca. Two trailers have been released, only giving us a tease of the adventure to come, but the movie looks extremely promising. Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Without Harrison Ford, this movie might be weird. It might be downright awful for all I know. Ford’s iconic role has left an impact on longtime fans of the movies as well as newer fans. He just played the part so well. When Steven Spielberg was working on “Indiana Jones: The Crystal Skull,” he faced the same predicament the creators of “Solo” faced… “Do we get rid of Ford?” After casting Ford for the fourth time as the archeological adventurer, Spielberg said the franchise just wouldn’t be the same without him. The same can be said for Star Wars. Solo saw a snag during production when Phil Lord and Christopher Miller left the director’s seat after they ran into “creative differences” with writers and producers. These guys aren’t new to the game. The director duo had previously been in charge of the hilarious, animated “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” films, the wellreceived “Lego Movie” and
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both “21 Jump Street” and “22 Jump Street.” Both directors have worked with large budget productions and, ultimately, succeeded. After the duo was ousted, the production team mulled over a few candidates they wanted to direct “Solo.” They quickly decided that Ron Howard, Oscar winner for directing the 2001 biographical drama about John Nash, would be perfect for the job. Howard had rejected a proposal to direct “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” in 1999, calling the task, “too daunting.” Now, 19 years later, Howard’s Star Wars film is just a few weeks away. For fans of the series, this is a big deal. Ron Howard, THE Ron Howard is directing Star Wars. Personally, I’m eagerly anticipating what Howard has in store for us. According to multiple sources, Howard re-shot more than 80 percent of what Lord and Miller had already filmed. I’m choosing to be optimistic in saying this is a good thing. More than likely, the 80 percent he had to reshoot was sub-par. In Howard’s mind, it just didn’t do Han Solo the justice he deserved and we as an audience should be thankful.
Alden Ehrenreich, our current rendition of the smug rogue, comes to us as an understanding fan of the original movies. Ehrenreich wants to play Solo his way, while still giving credit to the iconic role. Many, and I mean many, actors auditioned for the role of Han Solo. Ehrenreich was the first actor to audition when Lord and Miller were still in the director’s chair, and doggone it, he got the role. Ehrenreich looks the part. I can tell that he’s done extensive research on Harrison Ford and Han Solo just from the trailers alone. I’m rooting for the guy. I can’t imagine how much scrutiny he’s going to undergo. There could be serious setbacks if he screws this up. This man’s career could get unraveled by one bad portrayal. Prove ‘em wrong, Ehrenreich. I know you’ve got it in you. With the success of “Rogue One,” I think that audiences are more open to spin-off Star Wars movies. “Solo” will draw in a huge crowd for Disney/Lucasfilm. I mean, who hasn’t heard of Han Solo? “Solo: A Star Wars Story” hits theaters May 25. n
OPINIONS
Friday, May 4, 2018 u page 5
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Passing the torch, saying goodbye By KATIE KEMP Editor-in-chief
This is it—the end of the line. After four years, several dozen issues and even more late nights in the newsroom, I’m writing for my last issue of the Signal. I remember sitting in the freshman welcome session with my parents the day I moved into my room in Francis Crawford, and the speaker told us to mark our calendars for our graduation date: May 12, 2018. At that point, 2018 didn’t even sound like a real year, but here we are. Even when I was sitting in that meeting, I already had intentions to join the Signal staff, but I could never dream of all I’d get to do on my journey with the Signal. I’ve grown as a writer, talked to incredible people with inspiring stories (looking at you, Chewbacca mom), traveled to New York twice and met
some of my dearest friends. Since I joined the staff in the fall of my freshman year, the Signal has been one of the biggest constants of my college career, through changing friend groups and seasons of life. A lot of my favorite college memories are tied to my time with the Signal and I’m so grateful for four years getting to work for a publication I’ve loved from the start. There are a lot of people I need to thank before I go, and this is my last chance to do so. To my talented and hard-working team of editors—Katherine, Julia, Josh and the Wills—you all have made this last year a breeze. Thank you for always rolling with the punches and staying 30 minutes after we’re done editing because I can’t come up with an FYP for the life of me. I’m positive that you are all destined for greatness and I hope you’ve loved working for the Signal as much as I’ve loved working with you. To the greatest (and prob-
ably only) “intern” the newsroom has ever seen, Mary Beth Jones, thank you for always letting me use your Chick-fil-a money and for fixing the jammed printer that one time. I don’t know what I’d do without you. To my go-getter online editor, Jeffery Ethan Dial, I can’t imagine this year without you. Thank you for stepping up to the plate when I needed you and for knocking it out of the park in everything you’ve done this year. (Are you so proud of me for using a sports analogy?) I’m so grateful that we not only work well together, but that we’ve been able to become such good friends this year. You’re one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met and I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in the rest of your time at Ouachita. Here’s to a summer of Blokus tournaments and lunches in the River Market! To our next editor-inchief, Julia Williams, (is that
Four years in the making By KATHERINE CARTER Opinions editor
Every single adult told me, upon my acceptance to Ouachita, that it’d fly by, and that May 12, 2018 would be here before I knew it. Back in August of 2014 on my first day here, that day seemed to be a million years away. I was terrified to go to college. I had never been gone from home longer than a couple of weeks, and everything I knew up until that point wasn’t enough to prepare me for this next stage in life. I actually cried on the drive down to Arkadelphia. College was this unknown territory that I had yet to experience, and it had loomed over me. I quickly got the hang of things, and I learned to adjust to life on my own, even enjoying it. For the first time in my life, I was in charge of myself. I could eat whatever I wanted, go wherever I wanted, and do whatever it was I wanted to do, even if it was detrimental to my well-being. I finally got a taste of what it was like to be an adult. I’m no longer the person I was four years ago. I’m no longer that kid who thought she had life figured out at the age of 19. Those of you who know me know that I’m a quadruplet, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I could just be me and not just “one of the quads.” One of the great things about Ouachita is that it’s a great place to cultivate one’s faith, including my own. I know a lot of that gets hammered into us, especially those of us who grew up in the “Bible Belt,” but I greatly benefited from it. I got to study the Bible with experts who taught me not only how to study it, but to utilize it
Miss Southwest Arkansas?!) I couldn’t be more excited that you’re the one taking the helm next year. The Signal is my baby, so I wouldn’t want to leave it in just anyone’s hands. I have high hopes for where you’ll take the Signal and how you’ll lead its staff. May your copy always align perfectly. To Drs. Jeff and Deborah Root, thank you for your constant guidance and encouragement throughout my entire time at Ouachita. I’m honored that you trusted me enough to let me take the paper in my own direction, but am also very grateful that you offered help when I needed it. I was only able to take on a job like this one because of how well you all prepared me for it. Dr. Jeff, thank you for selling me on Ouachita and the Signal in my senior year of high school—it seems crazy to me that I ever thought about doing anything else. And to the reader, thank you for picking up a copy of
Reflecting back on years spent, looking to the future By JOHN SHARP
Staff writer
as well. Not only was I able to ask and ponder difficult questions about the Christian faith, but I was encouraged by my professors to do so. We’ve been blessed with some amazing professors here. I expected to learn in the classroom. That’s a given. That being said, what amazes me about the professors here is that the vast majority of them aren’t just here to do their jobs; they’re seeking to invest in their students, pour into them, oftentimes when they’re off the clock. They genuinely care about us, and they want to see us succeed, spiritually, academically and professionally. I’m not sure that’s something we’d get anywhere else. This university reminds me of the parable of the mustard seed. The mustard seed is one of the smallest in existence, being around 1-2 millimeters in diameter; however, upon maturity, it can grow up to be around 9 feet tall. Ouachita, in all reality, is a tiny, Christian school in a small, Arkansan town. There were more students enrolled in my high school than there are here. In all respects, it’s insignificant. It’s a blip on the radar of the greater higher
the
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education community. Most people haven’t even heard of us. That being said, just like the humble mustard seed, this campus is much more than it appears to be, and the blessings that it endows us with will stay with us forever. As all of the adults in my life said, it flew by. I blinked, and here I am, one week away from graduating. Here I am, writing the last piece I’ll ever write for the Signal, and I enjoyed every minute of it, even delivering newspapers in the rain. I would like to thank Drs. Jeff and Deborah Root, who were the first ones to offer me a job as a staff writer for the Signal, even though I dropped mass communications my second semester. Likewise, I’d like to thank every single person I’ve worked with on the Signal; I’ve loved every second of it, and you made the experience all the more enjoyable. Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone who’s ever read something of mine. Thank you for encouraging me and supporting me during my time here. It’s been a privilege being a part of such a great publication and a wonderful university. It's going to be weird moving on. n
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Senior year is not like any other year of college. Your last semesters at Ouachita are full of all kinds of emotions and difficult life decisions. Through your time as a student here, you learn and grow in many different ways. At the start of my freshman year at Ouachita, I thought that I knew everything. Or at the very least, I thought that I knew a lot. As my time at Ouachita continued on, I started to realize the more I learned, the less I actually knew. Being at Ouachita has taught me so much more than just what was required in my major. For starters, my time at Ouachita has taught me how to actually learn. During my first year here, I struggled because I never really learned how to study. I figured out late in my Ouachita career that I learn most effeciently from conversation rather than from reading something in a book. In order for me to succeed with the way that I learn, I needed to find a community on campus that I could get plugged into. The sense of community that you find on this campus is unlike any other that I have ever been a part of. The community at Ouachita is so small and tightly knit that it forces those in it to interact with their fellow
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the Signal every week. Even after four years, it still warms my heart just to see someone with a paper in hand. I hope that you’ve been able to enjoy the content we’ve produced this year and that maybe you learned something along the way. I’ve learned so much in the last four years, but above all I’ve learned that if you want to do something, no matter how unqualified you think you may be, go for it. I had never been on a newspaper staff before I joined the Signal, and trudging through every poorly written column and awkward interview helped me become a better and more confident writer. In the words of my late queen, Carrie Fisher, “stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to be confident, just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” Thank you for the greatest four years, Signal. I’ll miss you like crazy. n
students, or else they will be left out of what I have found to be one of the most important aspects of this school. Over the course of my four years as a student here, I have seen several students come and go. The main reason why I see people leave Ouachita has always come from loneliness or a lack of a true community. With the school so focused on finding your place in a community, I can see why people would leave if they could not find a community of their own. As my senior year began, I started to take notice of some odd things. My senior year started to feel like a repeat of my freshman year. It started off with the poeple in my friend group. The friends that I made in my first months as a Ouachita student rejoined my friend group. Second, the football team won the GAC championship, just like it did during my first semester. Lastly, I dealt with the same drama as I did during my freshman year. I always thought that when people talked about their senior year being a “victory lap,” or being just like the past, I thought that they were joking. But for me, it really did happen. I’m not sure how my Ouachita experience will affect me in the future, but I do know that it has provided me with some of the greatest and most cherished memories that I will ever have. n
The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Friday during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.
SPORTS
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Friday, May 4, 2018 u page 6
Multi-sport athletes strengthen skills By SHELTON WOOLEY Guest writer
The ten thousand hour theory for sports is a very interesting concept. The theory states that no matter what your talent, natural skill or God-given abilities are, if you put ten thousand hours into anything, you will develop the talent and skill to become a professional. The theory has been tested many times and often is proved to be a plausible idea. Now, some people believe that the earlier in life that someone starts to put in those hours, the better that athlete’s chances become. And even more dramatic, a lot of kids today will play one sport year-round. Whether it be because of the possibility of that child becoming a professional athlete or because parents are trying to live vicariously through their slightly more athletic children, I believe that playing only one sport around the clock is not a good idea. If anyone thinks that playing multiple sports decreases how good they can get for all sports involved, the only
message I have for them is to take that thought up with Bo Jackson and several other athletes that played two and even three sports in college. The common theme that is seen over and over is that zero-ing in on a sport disables you from being the best athlete possible. For example, someone that only plays basketball year round will not have the toughness of a football player. However, if you train to play football year round, you won’t have the body control that a basketball player will have. One of the biggest sports that has an issue with yearround training is baseball. Youth baseball is notorious for having multiple different “seasons” that kids can play in, creating a professionallike amount of time playing baseball and a very short “off” season, where kids will still take lessons and train with specialist coaches. The first big issue with this is that youth athletes are still growing and developing their bodies. Baseball players, especially pitchers, are at risk of serious injuries, such as Tommy John surgery, at a
KORI BULLARD is a two-sport athlete at Ouachita.
young age. This is not only a serious injury that is hard to rebound from, but could also disrupt their growth patterns. The number one reason for arm injuries seen in youth athletes is simply from a lack of proper rest. The second issue with kids isn’t even a year-long sports issue; it’s a one-sport problem all-together. Kids will just get tired of the sport. Young athletes cannot mentally handle playing one sport non-stop because most athletes will get worn out. It is like when you give a kid a toy and he plays with it for a few days and then gets lost in the infamous “lost toy” closet. My opinion may be a little biased, being a three-sport athlete in high school and always being around every sport possible. If you ask three-time all conference basketball and volleyball player Kori Bullard if athletes should play different sports, I’m sure she’ll have few words on the topic as well. Playing multiple sports will simply make you a more well-rounded athlete. In fact, most coaches, especially college coaches,
prefer that their athletes play multiple sports because it shows their overall athleticism and desire to compete. Many coaches among all levels of play have shown more interest towards players that have the drive to be a better athlete in general than those that try to perfect just one sport 24/7 for 365 days. So, let the kids play multiple sports. In fact, I wouldn’t be against making kids play all the sports if they so desire to. Let tennis players play gold and swim. Let football players go straight from football season to basketball season. Make baseball players learn lacrosse. Let wrestlers get involved in soccer, and by all means, get them involved in other activities, too. Not only because playing one sport is dangerous to an athlete’s physical and mental health, but also because playing multiple sports makes you a more athletic, more disciplined and a better prepared athlete. For crying out loud, life is way too short for anyone to play only one sport for ten thousand hours. n Photo courtesy of Wesley Kluck
Golf’s undervalued qualities By WILL JOHNSON Sports editor
Golf is a sport that has captured my interest ever since I was an inquisitive little 6-year-old. Weekends during my early childhood were often spent at the local country club with siblings and grandparents. While the family would intermingle about various topics at the dinner table, I would spend my hours gazing across the 18th hole of the well-kept golf course, analyzing each golfer, each swing, as he or she advanced through the final hole. The course’s challenges and conditions inspired me to one day reach the PGA Tour as a professional golfer. This dream clearly did not come to fruition. However, my deep curiosity for the game leads me to believe that golf may be one of the most fascinating sports across the globe . Golf is the ideal pastime sport. The leisurely activity can be played independently or in groups. Individuals of all ages can challenge themselves to as many holes as they would like. They may prefer to take a few golf clubs to a driving range or putting green. No matter the circumstance, golf epitomizes the perfect weekend hobby. As a child, I dared myself to attempt a beginner’s level golf class. I had ventured onto the golf course with no prior knowledge of the sport, aside from watching golfers maneuver hole 18. The challenges overwhelmed me from the start, and I dropped the class the very next day. Years later, I observe and admire golfers at all levels of competition, while wishing I had persevered through the early lessons. Professional golf, in particular, truly fascinates me. The top golfers seem to drive, chip and putt the ball with such consistency and accuracy. I always enjoy keeping up
with my favorite professionals, especially during major events. Each golfer provides fans with interesting stories both on and off the course. Tiger Woods, winner of 14 majors, has contributed his fair share of drama through injury and personal issues. Other golfers have intrigued spectators with comedic responses to questions or over-par putting mishaps, sometimes resulting in a submerged golf club or two. The atmosphere at a golf course vitally contributes to the sport’s charm. Fans are provided with a multitude of courses around the world. The beautiful hills, bunkers and slopes paint the landscape of the green. Each course has its own personality that must be considered when attempting the holes. Weather conditions may force golfers to alter their approach, which only enhances the long list of distinctive features within the sport. Golf spectators must take on a completely different role than the average football or basketball fan. Though many will cheer after a birdie or accurate approach shot, they must be cautious and respectful towards active golfers when attending a weekend event. Don’t get me wrong, obnoxious fans are found in every sport. However, there seems to be a certain professionalism evident in the game that doesn’t exist to the same degree in other sports. Though golf can be a difficult sport to play, it’s never too late to pick up a club. I’ll never forget my weekends at the country club watching each golfer complete the final hole. I learned less about golf and more about the men and women playing the sport. Each person handles the game a different way and with a personal goal in mind. Go out on a green. Drive a few golf balls. Give the sport a try, because it’s well worth the experience. n
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Hannah Smith z Photo Lab OUACHITA CHEERLEADERS lead the Tigers onto the football field during the 2017 homecoming game against Harding. The cheerleaders look foward to representing Ouachita once again in the fall of 2018.
Resolution toward endless cheerleading debate By TIFFANY LEE Guest writer
Debating whether or not cheerleading is a sport has been ongoing for as long as I can remember. I remember heated conversations in the high school classroom between football players and cheerleaders, and cheerleaders never getting enough credit where credit is due. When I think about it, I think about how cheerleading is a sport, plus more. For most athletes, when they prepare for a game or for their competition, they focus on themselves and their team only, including what can they do to accomplish their goal. As a cheerleader, you not only focus on how to better your team and accomplish your athletic goals, you also focus on how to make the team you are cheering for achieve their goals as well. As a cheerleader, your main job is to cheer on your team. Cheerleaders keep the crowd involved, help keep spirits up when the team is losing and cheer for the team the best they can no matter the circumstance. They can never give up, because their job is to encourage. Along with cheering, it is their job to entertain. In order to entertain, cheerleaders have to have a number of skills, such as jumps, tumbling, stunting and dancing. To be able to do those skills requires a lot of time and hard work.
A cheer team spends hours practicing, making sure everything is in sync and ready to be seen. Not only are they representing themselves, they are representing their school or organization along with the team they are there to cheer on in the first place. When thinking of a sport, what is the definition you would give? The truth is there really isn’t a solid definition of “official” sport, but the Women’s Sports Foundation has narrowed the field on a case by case basis to a few field elements. First, a sport must be a physical activity that involves propelling a mass of some sort through space or overcoming the resistance of mass. Stunting: check! Second, competing against an opponent is required. Cheer competitions are one of the most popular athletic competitions you see today. Cheer competitions are becoming huge, and I don’t see their popularity decreasing anytime soon. Check! Third, a sport must be governed by rules that define time, space and the purpose of the contest and conditions under which a winner is announced. When competing in cheer, you have a time limit, a mat size and score sheets. Check! Cheerleading is said to have just as many as or even more injuries than other sports, such as football. This might seem a little farfetched, but think about it. Look at the facts, and you
will quickly change your mind. As a cheerleader, you work on jumps, land the wrong way and there goes an ankle or a knee. Tumbling, you trust your body to hold you while throwing all of your weight on it as quickly as you can. You could hurt just about anything doing this. Stunting, you are throwing another person in the air. This leaves the people on the bottom catching to get hit, break a nose, get a concussion or maybe even break an arm if a stunt comes down hard and you catch incorrectly. Then, you have to think about the top girl being thrown into the air while trusting her bases and back spot to catch her. What if something happens and they don’t? You see what I am getting at here. Cheerleading requires the same amount of physical activity and risks as any other sport. But instead of pads and a helmet, they have a skirt and bow. Cheerleading is a sport. Yes, their first job is to cheer on the team from the sideline, but the amount of work that goes into that one pep rally or game day is undeniable. Cheerleading creates an excellent opportunity to skillfully compete alongside fellow friends for the team they represent. Next time you question if cheerleading is a sport, just take a few minutes and watch them on the sideline. They are athletes, plus more. n