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09.06.18 | Vol. 127, Issue 1 | www.obusignal.com
Exciting ideas take OBU by storm: 2018 Tunes Reveal By ETHAN DIAL Online editor Students gathered in the Evans Student Center on Friday, Aug. 31 to partake in the Ouachita Student Foundation’s (OSF) annual tradition of revealing the themes for Tiger Tunes, the award winning musical variety show that raises scholarship funds for returning Ouachita students. “Students find so much joy in Tunes Reveal, because there is so much built-up energy in that one space,” said Addy Goodman, a junior who is also the assistant director of Tiger Tunes for OSF. “The secrets of the shows add a million more levels to the excitement that is Tunes itself!” The Student Center was jampacked with students resorting to sitting on the floor and two-to -a-seat, just so everyone could fit. Once everyone was squeezed in, the video began, where each social club on campus, and Student Life and Campus Ministries, revealed their themes that have been kept secret all summer. “I was excited for the Tunes Reveal mostly because I had heard other students and upperclassmen speak highly of it, but also I was excited to see and be a part of the Ouachita community passionately uniting around this occasion. I thought the themes of the different groups were creative, endearing,
and captivating. I am undoubtedly most excited for the new friendships I will make and the ones that will strengthen through this experience,” freshman Josh Conard said. Last year ’s champions, The Women of Tri Chi, will be fighting for victory again as “boxers.” The Women of EEE will be emergency responders in “E-E-E What’s Your Emergency?”. The Men of Kappa Chi will be “castaways,” while The Men of Eta Alpha Omega will be “magicians.” The Women of Chi Mu will be “muses,” just like from the animated movie, “Hercules.” The Men of Rho Sigma will be “secret agents,” like James Bond, and The Women of Chi Delta will show the audience what it’s like to be in “boot camp.” The Men and Women of Student Life will be in “hunting season,” while the Men and Women of Campus Ministries will freeze the audience with their “Swiss Alps” theme. Finally, The Men of Beta Beta will go back in time to the “Gold Rush.” Students cheered and screamed as the themes were revealed. Although Homecoming this year will be a little bit earlier than normal, students, faculty, staff and alumni are just as ecstatic about the event that makes Ouachita, Ouachita. “I feel like all the Tunes themes are diverse and original. It’s always fun to be on this side of the process, because I hear everyone saying, ‘how in the world are they
Danielle Sourber z Photo lab LEFT to RIGHT: Tiger Tunes hosts and hostesses Hannah Hill, Emma Pitts, Clay Mobley and Philip Robinson take the stage with their fellow hosts before the 2018 Tiger Tunes reveal. These students received the esteemed position through auditions earlier this year.
going to bring that to life?,’ and I am one of the only ones who knows how it’s all going to look. I am excited for this year, and I can’t wait for everyone else to see them,” said senior Jaret Web, the OSF Director of Tiger Tunes and Tiger Traks. Not only were the themes revealed, but the Tunes Hosts and Hostesses got to perform a number in front of the crowd, before they hit the big stage in Jones Perform-
Ouachita and Baptist Health partner to provide innovative nursing education By OUACHITA News bureau Ouachita and Baptist Health today announced a partnership to address the shortage of nurses in the state and region. Ouachita recently received approval from its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The inaugural class began with 23 students. The partnership with Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR), the teaching component of the Baptist Health System and one of the largest nursing programs in Arkansas, creates a distinctive dual enrollment RN-to-BSN completion program. Capitalizing on the strengths of both institutions, the program will allow nursing students to work as RNs a full semester earlier than most traditional BSN programs. “This is an innovative partnership with Baptist Health College Little Rock that expands nursing education and makes it more affordable,” said Dr. Ben Sells, president of Ouachita. “This program allows students to earn two degrees in four years and expedites their entry into the healthcare workforce.” Students will attend Ouachita during the first four semesters of the program, giving them the op-
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portunity to experience campus and college life. Subsequently, students will continue their degree through Ouachita Online while dually enrolled at Baptist Health College Little Rock to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. Midway through their senior year, students will sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Once that exam is passed, they will be licensed to work as RNs during the final semester of their senior year while completing Ouachita’s BSN requirements for graduation. “This partnership with Ouachita makes sense for Baptist Health,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Our respective missions and cultures are very much aligned, and we share a commitment to faith-based education. We strongly complement one another.” Baptist Health is Arkansas’ largest healthcare system, with hospitals in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Arkadelphia, Conway, Heber Springs, Malvern and Stuttgart. It recently purchased Sparks Health System, with locations in Fort Smith and Van Buren. “As we grow, so, too, does our need for nurses, preferably those with BSN degrees,” Wells added. “Healthcare demand is growing at a rapid pace, and we must be diligent and innovative in our ef-
forts to respond to the demand for services.” “BHCLR has a reputation of producing quality graduates,” said Dr. Judy Pile, chancellor of Baptist Health College Little Rock. “Our students receive extensive clinical experience early in the educational process, giving them the opportunity to distinguish themselves from other professionals in the field.” Ouachita also has a longstanding record of successfully preparing students for health-related professions. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will complement Ouachita’s existing degree programs in natural sciences while answering nationwide calls for innovation in nursing education. “This partnership is ideal for Ouachita and Baptist Health, and for the benefit of healthcare in the state and beyond,” said Dr. Sells. “Baptist Health can tap into Ouachita’s significant pool of potential students in Arkansas and surrounding states. Our university, on the other hand, can play a leading role in helping find solutions in a time of significant disruption and change in higher education and healthcare.” While research and conversations into a potential partnership had been underway for several years, Ouachita and Baptist Health began the formal planning process three years ago. n
ing Arts Center at the end of this month. “I am so excited for Tunes this year! Tunes reveal was a big highlight of our journey as hosts, because we got to show a lot of the school a preview of the talent in our group,” said sophomore Cameron Connor, one of this year’s hosts. “We’ve been very hard at work these past few weeks and we are all so pumped to perform.” With Tunes practices starting
this week, the record number of participants will be juggling school work and rehearsals earlier than normal. Tunes will be the last week in September with four shows ranging from Sept. 27-29 open to the public. Students will have the opportunity again this year to see the dress rehearsal on Wednesday, Sept. 26 for a cheaper price. For more information on Tiger Tunes visit www.obu.edu/tigertunes. n
OBU’s Speer Writing Center remains helpful resource for all students By ASHLY STRACENER Staff writer Writing is a huge portion of the average college student’s life and though the writing process can be challenging, Ouachita provides an invaluable resource to combat the stress of this process through the Speer Writing Center. Located in the Evans Student Center across from Chick-Fil-A., the Speer Writing Center is dedicated to helping all students with any and all writing processes. It is open Monday through Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. “A lot of people have this idea that the writing center is for people who are bad writers or need some help or are deficient in some way, and that’s not the case at all,” said Dr. Jennifer Pittman, director of the Speer Writing Center since 2012. “The writing center is literally for everyone. I think the Speer Writing Center is probably the hidden gem of the sources for students on campus.” Whether a student needs help with a resume or a grad school application or requires assistance with brainstorming or editing a draft, the eight student consultants of the Speer Writing Center will be there to facilitate the writing process, with at least two of those consultants always on hand. “We can help with things you
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wouldn’t imagine, such as a biology or a lab report,” Pittman said. “It’s not just for English majors; it’s not just for people who struggle. It’s for everyone.” Writing consultants are simply there to aid students during the writing process. “Writing is a social interaction and I think it is a perfectly natural part of the writing process to talk to someone about your writing,” Pittman said. “They’re happy to help. It’s a judgement free zone. Students are not there to judge you. They’re there to help and work beside you, to help you make not just a better paper, but really to teach you some skills and things that you can do with every paper to help you in your entire four years that you’re going to be here.” Students will need to include the subject matter being worked on when an appointment is made. After a visit with a consultant, each student will have the choice to send a form out, informing the student’s professor of the visit at the Writing Center. Several professors will require students to make an appointment, and others will graciously offer bonus points for seeking help at the Writing Center. To make an appoitnment with Speer consultants, email OBUspeerwritingcenter@gmail.com,. Students can also call 870-245-5301 during normal business hours or drop by in person. n
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[from our perspective]
Julia Williams Editor-In-Chief
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“Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.”
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A look at the biggest news of the week John McCain funeral Sunday afternoon was a time for America to mourn the loss of the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ). McCain, also a former Naval aviator and presidential candidate, died on Saturday, August 25 in his home at the age of 81. He had just recently stopped radiation and chemotherapy treatment for a glioblastoma that had been discovered in late 2017. The six-term Senator and former prisoner of war was laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. on Saturday, Sept. 1. Speakers at his memorial service at Washington National Cathedral included former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. The eulogy was delivered by McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain. Source: AP and BBC
Colin Kapernick Nike deal Nike has brought on Colin Kapernick as a sponsored athelete for the 30th anniversary of the “Just do it” campaign. Kapernick, a former NFL quarterback, has received backlash over his public protest against issues such as police brutality and racial inequality. The Nike advertisement features the headline, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Nike has also committed to a clothing line for Kapernick’s “Know your rights” movement. Kapernick’s likeness will also appear on online advertisements, billboards and commercials. A large wave of backlash has surfaced after the announcement. Many who supported Kapernick’s protesting don’t show the same support for the Nike endorsement. Source: AP
Amazon suprasses $1trillion in market value Amazon has become the second American company to reach $1 trillion in its market value. Apple reached the milestone in August 2018. Jeff Bezos has led the company to its success, but not without large criticism. The company has been targeted for mistreating its workers and keeping them under harsh working conditions. Regardless, Amazon boasts over 100 million Amazon prime accounts, a service that allows buyers to received their shipped items within two days and gives them access to streaming services and other benefits. The company has seen a $2 billion profit this quarter alone, and it doesn’t seem like the company is showing signs of slowing down. Source: AP
RecLife brings free excercise Facilitating fun, community and discipleship at Campus Ministries sponsored ‘Two-Step Tuesday’ classes to OBU students By SARA PATTERSON Staff writer
Looking for a fun way to get active, de-stress and meet new people? The new 2018 fitness classes at Ouachita are a perfect way to do just that. This year, OBU Recreational Life is offering three classes -Zumba, Barre and Yogaall taught by certified instructors. Certified Yoga and Zumba instructor, Stephanie Murry, teaches Zumba on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Yoga on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jarah Jacks, certified Barre instructor, leads the Barre class on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. Each of these classes has a unique style that offers both an enjoyable and effective workout. Zumba is a fast-paced, cardio heavy workout that uses dance to increase heart rate and build up endurance. Yoga is geared toward relaxing and stretching the body but can also be strengthening depending on the instructor’s choices for that particular class. Barre is also a dance inspired workout but is more focused on strength and muscle toning by incorporating more bodyweight exercises. Every fitness class is open to anyone interested in attending. Experience in dance or fitness is not required to participate in a fitness class, as each one is designed to be scalable to each participant’s abilities. The versatility of these classes allows every student to find their niche. Zumba is a considerably intense workout that will definitely speed up your breathing and get you sweating. Barre is similarly challenging. Ouachita senior and regular Barre class attender Casey Klucher enjoys the invigorating intensity that Barre offers. “I knew I was getting a really good workout when
I saw sweat dripping from my nose in the middle of the plank,” Klucher said. According to junior Cheyann Soden, the more moderate and slower-paced Yoga class offers participants a “good break to relax and focus on [themselves]” in the midst of the “stressful time” that is college life. These classes, though they have only met for one week so far this year, have gained popularity among a variety of OBU students. Due to the large number of attendees from this past week, the classes have been moved to the Tiger Den to ensure plenty of room for all current and future participants. OBU Recreational Life Director Shane Seaton is excited to see the overwhelmingly positive response that these classes have had from students. The idea to start these classes came out of a desire to help the most students possible with the given recreational funds. Two summers ago, when preparing for the upcoming fall semester, Seaton realized that for the cost of just one machine in the campus fitness center, he could offer “a year’s worth of fitness classes that would probably impact students more.” Seaton believes that the most valuable aspect of these fitness classes is the sense of community they create. “It not only impacts someone’s personal fitness, but it also impacts their relationships with other students, which is what we love here at Ouachita,” Seaton said. The goal of OBU Recreational Life, carried out in part by the fitness classes, is to aid in the university’s goal of growing students in a holistic manner. The 2018 fitness classes are an excellent way to enhance any student’s college experience at Ouachita by offering an encouraging community, a relaxing environment and a healthy activity to serve the mind, body and soul. n
By EMILY MCMASTER Staff writer The Campus Ministries Freshman Team hosted the first Two-Step Tuesday on Aug. 28. The event was led by senior Noah Bowman and junior Katie Kumpuris and was located in the Tiger Den at 7 p.m. Kumpuris is a music major and Christian studies minor from Little Rock. She has been involved with Campus Ministries for two years at Ouachita and is currently serving on the Freshman Team. “My co-leader, Noah, and I decided to combine our love for two-step and new students into an event,” Kumpuris said. “I loved seeing people come and meet others in a fun, genuine way, while getting out of their comfort zones, learning how to dance and making conversation with each new dance partner. It was innocent fun, easy to put on and a blast to get to lead. I was so excited with the success in the event and the amazing turnout.” Bowman, a senior biology major and three-year member of Campus Ministries, encouraged all students to attend the event for a good time. “Students did not need any dance experience in order to attend the event,” Bowman said. “A date was also not required, because each dancer switched partners between every song.” The entire student body was invited to come join in on learning new skills, with an estimated total of over 100 students in attendance. Bowman and Kumpuris demonstrated the basic two-step along with tricks such as “the tornado” and “the dip” over the two-hour period. The Freshmen Team had also provided an assortment of refreshments for those who attended. Able Kusaloka, a freshman
Josie Pringle z Photo lab JUNIOR HANNAH Walker and sophomore Luke Livingston jump into action during Campus Ministries “Two Step Tuesday”. Students were urged to socialize with everyone that attended.
undeclared major from Zambia, Africa, enjoyed gaining a new experience during the event. “I did not know how to two-step going into the night, but I soon realized that most people did not,” Kusaloka said. “It ended up being a great time, because everyone was dancing and having a good time with each other. I would tell as many people as possible to come next time, because it is fun learning a new style of dance with new people.” The main goal of the night was to facilitate fun, community and discipleship, while connecting new students and upper classmen in hopes that friendships can be made throughout the semester. The night was thought to be a huge success by many. The next TwoStep Tuesday date has not been announced, but be on the lookout for
future Campus Ministry events. Gracen Goudy, a freshman mass communications major from Benton, encourages others to attend events here at Ouachita in order to meet new people. “I decided to come to TwoStep, because I love to dance and I thought it would be a fun way to hang out with friends,” Goudy said. “I actually thought we would be line dancing, but learning how to two-step and dance with various partners made it fun. I hope the event takes place again, so that we can add on to what we learned. I would definitely participate again, and encourage others to join, because it was a fun way to meet people.” For more information about this and other Campus Ministries programs go to http://www.obu. edu/campusministries/. n
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Cole Jester z Courtesy THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL sits on the south end of the National Mall facing the World War II memorial and the Washington Monument in the center of Washington, D.C. Even at night, crowds of tourists can be seen on the steps.
OBU on the Hill: five Ouachitonians intern in Congress By ANNI WILLIAMS Copy editor
Over the summer, five OBU students interned on Capitol Hill in various offices belonging to various congressmen and senators. As with any internship, these students were expected to juggle various tasks to fit the needs of their bosses. Yet, in the environment of Capitol Hill, even tasks such as running papers and answering phones are tasks crucial to the operations of their respective bosses, and in turn, Capitol Hill as a whole.
Brittany Parker
Brittany Parker interned on the Hill for two months. In June she worked for Congressman Bruce Westerman, a Republican representative of the 4th District in Arkansas. In July, she interned under Tom Cotton, the U.S. senator from Arkansas. While in Washington D.C., she handled constituents by addressing concerns through phone calls and mail, as well as going to numerous hearings, giving tours and attending special events. Parker said one of the harder jobs of a Capitol Hill intern is answering the phone. “It’s a beautiful country we live in that people are able to call their representatives, their senators, and express their opinions, but I think we as a society have to learn to do that in a civil manner,” Parker said, “People were calling and being absolutely hateful.” Parker was told she wasn’t a patriot, that she needed to do some deep soul searching, needed to fix her life, and asked how she could possibly sleep at night. Even though they were attacking her boss, she said as a college student going to D.C. on her own dime “it was a sacrifice.” “I have a whole new level of respect for both parties, because I might not agree with someone, but they have a family at home. They are going through things just like I am,” Parker said. “Republican, Democrat, whatever, those people are people, too. They have families at home, they are going to work more hours than you will ever know, and they’re actually not trying to ruin your life.”
William Goodson
William Goodson interned under Congressman French Hill, the 2nd District representative in June this summer. His day-today tasks depended on what the staff needed each day. Some days he created press releases, other days he’d put speeches online or answer phone calls. “We’d get a lot of fun calls,” Goodson said, “There would be people who felt the need to voice
their opinions for thirty plus minutes.” According to Goodson there are several “known callers” who call constantly. “Some people would call a hundred times over the course of the month, they’d call several times a day,” Goodson said, “You be nice to them. You take down their concerns and pass them along. You don’t confront them, even if they talk about crazy conspiracies, you go along with it like, ‘yes sir,’ ‘no sir,’ ‘yes ma’am,’ ‘no ma’am.’” The amount of calls the office got, especially as hot button issues were dealt with, was massive. One day in particular the office got over 400 phone calls.” Goodson said the experience strengthened his belief that, “No matter what situation you go into, as long you show up early, stay late, work as hard as you can and do what they tell you then you’re gonna survive and thrive, because people don’t do that usually. So, do the things that people aren’t willing to do, and you should never be intimidated by a new job.”
Selby Tucker
Selby Tucker worked for Bruce Westerman, the Republican representative of the 4th District in Arkansas. She gave Capitol tours, showing them the rotunda, the old chambers, and sometimes the new chambers, “I enjoyed getting to meet people and getting to know them and hear what they were doing in D.C. and what their interests were and how they served our district. That was my favorite thing I got to do.” She researched legislation and also answered phones where she, “truly learned how to deal with all types of people.” “When the immigration crisis hit, and people were worried about the separation of children from their families, we were the ones that were getting the phone calls from constituents that were upset. We were very much the front line, we were the liaison between the constituents, then his staff and then the congressman himself,” Tucker said, “I felt like I was in the middle of all the fun stuff I saw on the news and I was really getting a front row seat to Capitol Hill.” Sam Ferguson She also met many influential Sam Ferguson interned people who were Ouachita under Congressman French graduates, including Press Hill, the Arkansas 2nd District Secretary Sarah Huckabee representative, this summer. Sanders. Tucker got to talk to His tasks included researching Sanders about Ouachita and policies, staying in contact with visit her office and says Sanders, constituents, and going through as well as other Ouachita grads, news to create news briefings for “really poured into me while Hill from Arkansas news, house I was there and made sure my and senate news and financial experience was going well, which news. Ferguson, who sat in on meant a lot to me. Y’know the auto manufacturing hearings to Ouachita bubble, we think it’s so write briefings for Hill, would be small, but it’s so big sometimes.” taking notes in the same room as CEOs of BMW, Honda and Kia. “It’s interesting to see all those Cole Jester people in the same room,” said Cole Jester worked for Senator Ferguson, “They’re all trying to Tom Cotton from Arkansas this lobby and I’m there hearing what summer. His time at Capitol Hill was they have to say.” Ferguson, who once literally spent taking phone calls, doing ran into speaker Paul Ryan on legislative research, giving tours, his way to deliver a misplaced and helping with constituent paper to Hill, said “It’s neat to relations, “My favorite was see U.S. citizens in here, just dealing with Arkansans that normal U.S. citizens, and then came in the office,” said Jester, these politicians in here working “Because not all the interns at the same time, and they just were from Arkansas, and as an Arkansan, I felt like I could intermingle.” “When you’re in D.C. and really easily connect with those you meet someone new the first people.” question you ask is ‘Where are Jester said that being on you from?’, because no one in Capitol Hill this summer made D.C. is from D.C.” said Ferguson. him appreciate his Arkansas “It’s a pool of citizens from home. “It really made me feel everywhere that are there to run like Arkansas and OBU were the government. It was not only paradise. Outside of the big city congressmen and senators and life, the urban sprawl, the hectic people in the White House that pace, the subway rides, the you’re around, but also lobbyists concrete jungle, all of that. When I came back to Ouachita and saw and huge firms.” “One thing you notice about people with friendly faces, it’s people in D.C. is that everyone not something I’d give up for there is very ambitious, has a anything in the world. I think we goal, has a mindset, and they’re have it way better in Arkadelphia there to get it done,” said than they have it in Washington, D.C.” Ferguson.
Selby Tucker z Courtesy THREE OUACHITA INTERNS appear together with visiting 2018 Ouachita alumna Hannah Bunch. Left to right are Cole Jester, Selby Tucker, Bunch, and Sam Ferguson.
Selby Tucker z Courtesy SELBY TUCKER poses with White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders during a tour of the West Wing. Sanders, a Ouachita alumna, became the Press Secretary in July 2017.
“As an OBU student many of the other interns were Ivy league students, top 25 undergraduate university students,” said Jester. “Most of the time I felt as prepared as they were, except that might not even be true. Most of the time I felt more prepared
than they were to work in a professional environment.” “I really did think OBU people really did excel on Capitol Hill,” Jester concluded, “I thought our work ethic and integrity made us really strong workers, interns, staffers, whatever it may be.” n
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“Mission Impossible: Fallout” continues a beloved franchise By WILL BLASE News editor When Paramount Pictures signed for a film based on the hit television series “Mission: Impossible”, they knew they were making an investment. 22 years later, their investment is still commanding box offices across the globe. The sixth installment in the “MI” franchise, “Mission Impossible: Fallout” (2018), continues the storyline implemented in “MI: Rogue Nation” (2015). Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, seemingly prevailed over the mysterious Syndicate at the close of “Rogue Nation” when he captured their leader Solomon Lane, played by Sean Harris. “Fallout” redacts this, informing the viewer that the organization is still at large, operating under the guise of “The Apostles.” Even with Lane behind bars, the CIA is disappointed that IMF (Impossible Mission Force) hasn’t completely stopped The Apostles. They take matters into
their own hands and bring their own agents into the mix. Using an IMF and CIA connection, John Lark, Hunt is tasked with stopping the purchase of black market Plutonium and putting an end to The Apostles and Lane’s nefarious plans once and for all. Christopher McQuarrie brings his directorial skills back for round two after critical acclaim received for his work on “Rogue Nation”. This is a franchise first, as each film boasts a different and talented director. “Fallout” also brings familiar faces back to the world of espionage and suprises lontgtime fans with a few new faces to round out the cast. IMF members Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) return to the fray, loyal to Hunt until the very end. Newcomers Erika Sloane, played by Angela Bassett, and August Walker, wonderfully portrayed by Henry Cavill, represent CIA operatives trying to keep Hunt and the IMF team in line. Cavill’s performance had me and the audience around
me in awe throughout the film. Sloane assigns Walker to follow Hunt and ensure the Plutonium finds itself safely in American hands. “Mission Impossible” veterans will immediately recognize that “Fallout” boasts impressive cinematography and stunts that exceed the efforts of its predecessors. Hunt’s assignment takes him across the globe, making stops in Berlin, Paris, London and Kashmir. Each location is beautifully shot and contains fantastic editing. These sequences retain the fast-paced action the series is known for, but still allows for appreciation in the location of the shots. Around the halfway mark of the film, Hunt and his team trace a signal within the streets of Paris. With Dunn guiding him via headset, Hunt races through the streets and eventually makes his way to the rooftops of metropolitan Paris. As Hunt gets closer and closer to the target, the buildings and locales that he began the chase at remain visible in the distance. It’s simple, intentional
techniques like this that let the audience know these films will only keep improving in quality. Longtime fans know just how ambitious Tom Cruise is with his stunt work. For those who don’t, Cruise performs his own stunts. Fallout seems to push the limits of the aging Cruise (56). Notable moments in the film include a high-speed chase ending in a motorcycle crash (Cruise limps away shortly after), clearing the gap between two office buildings (Cruise actually broke his ankle performing this stunt, but the final edited version of the film contains the original shot in which Cruise made the break) and a disorienting helicopter chase through a snowy, Kashmir range. Ethan Hunt is back and just a spry as he was during “Mission Impossible II”. Paramount’s investment has obviously paid off, seeing as they’ve continued this series to its sixth installment. “Fallout” dominated the box office upon release (July 27, 2018) and is still continuing to rake in profits. IMDb estimates that the
cumulative global revenue for “Fallout” is around $501,000,000. For a summer full of box office flops and lackluster releases, “Fallout” was a breath of fresh air. “Mission Impossible” (1996) captured the essence of espionage and Bond-esque action. Each installment keeps me coming back for more. The great schism between lazy, action movies and great filmmaking still exists in 2018—many would argue it’s wider than ever, but amidst the rubbish and noise, movies like “Mission Impossible: Fallout” claw their way from the heap. A whirlwind of stunts, action, technology and relationships weave themselves into a compelling story. Admittedly the audience may be slightly lost without viewing “Rogue Nation” prior to watching the new installment, but going into this film blind is just as entertaining as being a dedicated fan. Just as Paramount invested in the franchise, I’ve invested myself, and as long as Cruise keeps performing stunts, I’ll keep buying tickets. n
Semester Playlist: Music to “Christopher Robin”: for adults or children chase the blues away By Catherine Lyp
Arts / Features editor
By Catherine Lyp
Arts / Features editor The world is full of music in a range of different genres, origins and moods. Music has the ability to change our emotions, cause motivation and bring people together. Being someone who loves music and listens to it constantly, I have a playlist for almost every occasion. One such playlist is compiled of songs to get you through the semester. To create this playlist, I thought about the various types of music that would be useful throughout the semester, such as songs to cause happiness. The first section of music in my playlist are songs that are relaxing. As I am someone who has anxiety, relaxing music can be helpful when I am stressed out about exams or various assignments. “The About Time Theme” composed by Nick Laird-Clowes is the main song played throughout my favorite movie, “About Time.” By playing this song, I am reminded of the movie and one of its central themes, which is that everything will be okay. Similarly, the song “Fairground,” composed by Jody Talbot for the movie “Penelope,” reminds me of the beauty in the world at a time when I am most anxious. Both these compositions are made up of sounds that convey a soothing and whimsical outlook on life. The next group of songs I added to the playlist are songs that help me to not feel stressed, but rather look on the bright side of things. The song “Waiting On the World to Change” by John Mayer reminds me that while I may be stressed, there are more important things going on, so I should just be thankful for what I have, even if I am stressed out because of it. Another song that lessens my stress is one that some may see as an unlikely choice. “Everything Stays” is a song that was written by Rebecca Sugar for the show “Adventure Time” on Cartoon Network. Even though it comes from a cartoon, I think the premise of the song is comforting. It’s the idea that no matter what you do things will change over time; that doesn’t mean change is bad, it’s just different. One of the more important sections of songs that I have added to my semester playlist are songs to motivate. There are going to be times throughout the semester when it’s late at night and I am tired, but I have homework to finish, and motivating music is a necessity
at those times to keep me from drifting off to sleep. “The Medallion Calls” by Kaus Badelt is one of my favorite songs to play while studying. I think it is almost impossible to not be motivated when a song from “The Pirates of the Caribbean” is playing in the background. Another composition that I find to be inspiring when studying for hours on end is “The Book Thief” by John Williams. This song from the movie “The Book Thief” not only sounds beautiful, but also reminds me of the main character Liesel Meminger and how she has an unquenchable thirst to learn. By hearing a song that played in the movie as Liesel learned to read, I am imbued with a love for learning, no matter how tired I am. A group of songs that I think are some of the most popular to have on any playlist are some that make the listener happy, and “On Melancholy Hill” by the Gorillaz is one such song. The song is very simple and the background music behind the folksy vocals has a sort of whimsical feeling, making the song as a whole upbeat. With a similar folksy sound, the cover of the song “Hey Ya” by Avriel & the Sequoias takes the original song by OutKast and changes it to have more of an acoustic sound to it. The last section of songs that I added to my semester playlist are songs that if I play them when I wake up in the morning, I will begin the day in a happy mood. One such song in this section is “Mr. Blue Sky” by the Electric Light Orchestra. This song, with the combination of the background music and the vocals, is upbeat and happy. The song “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers is another song to put your day on the right track. While these songs have two different sounds, with the first being more energetic and the latter being more relaxed, they both convey a feeling of contentment. In fact, both songs talk about how great the day is going to be, and if you think about what makes each day great, it’s almost impossible to not be in a good mood. Music has the power to not only convey how we are feeling, but influence it as well. By keeping this in mind, music can become an incredible tool. Whether you are listening to music to alter you mood or just passively listening for fun, it is undeniable that music can make a large impact on not only your day, but the school year as a whole. n
There was no shortage of great movies to choose from this summer. From “Ocean’s 8” to “Incredibles 2”, it isn’t difficult to find a movie released between last semester and this one that you enjoy. While other summer movies were good in their own way, the movie I feel tops the list is the Disney film “Christopher Robin.” Beginning with a flashback, the movie starts by showing Christopher Robin as a young boy surrounded by his friends Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Piglet and Winnie the Pooh. Christopher Robin’s friends then throw him a small party in the Hundred Acre Wood as he prepares to go to boarding school later that day. After gifts and goodbyes are exchanged, Christopher leaves through the tree linking his childhood home’s backyard to the Hundred Acre Wood. The movie then skips forward to the movie’s present day, where Christopher Robin is diligently working to save the jobs of his fellow employees at a luggage company. Taking place in a time when the majority of British citizens cannot afford to go on holiday, the company is looking to Christopher Robin as head of the Efficiency Department to save money so that people don’t lose their jobs. With the deadline for his assessment quickly approaching, Christopher Robin’s boss requires him to work rather than take his wife, Evelyn, and daughter, Madeline, away for the weekend. The following day, after his wife and daughter leave for their house in the country, Christopher Robin walks across the street to a small park. Suddenly, sitting up on the opposite side of a bench, Pooh appears. At first, Christopher Robin thinks that he has gone mad, but quickly becomes aware that his supposed delusion is real. After a bit of back and forth, Christopher Robin succumbs to Pooh’s request for help in finding his lost friends, and the pair crawl through a hole in a nearby tree to enter into the Hundred Acre Wood. Once there, Pooh and Christopher Robin walk through the fog-filled forest in search of Pooh’s friends. Later, after discovering they had been walking in a circle, Christopher Robin becomes angry and causes Pooh to disappear just as the others. The remainder of
the movie focuses on the hunt for Pooh, as well as the other stuffed animal friends, and the reconstruction of not only Christopher Robin’s family, but Pooh’s as well. Being someone who has been a fan of Winnie the Pooh since I was little, I think this movie is a fantastic addition to the franchise. Compared to the older media, such as the first movie “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1977), the following TV show “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1988), and the “Winnie the Pooh” movie from 2011, “Christopher Robin” is drastically different. While the other movies and television shows in the franchise were made with the intent of having an audience of children, 2018’s “Christopher Robin” was made for both adults and kids, yet focuses on several adult issues. The film tends to concentrate on the idea that a job should never take importance over one’s family, as well as reminding the audience that while growing old is required, letting go of your childhood is not. Not only were these adult themes prevalent, but there were times where the movie might have been too slow moving for a child to remain interested or went darker than I thought a children’s film should go. For instance, in the scene where Christopher Robin gets angry at Pooh, Christopher Robin not only acts as if he is furious, but the scenery is also less than comforting. The forest being dreary and mistful gives it a spooky atmosphere unlike something I would expect in a kid’s movie. From an adult’s perspective, I understand that the fog was meant to illustrate the disrepair the Hundred Acre Wood fell into once Christopher Robin left it and his friends behind, but to a child it most likely just comes across as frightening. The same scene is also riddled with strong amounts of sadness on Pooh’s behalf, and once he’s gone, Christopher Robin’s as well. Overall the movie was immensely enjoyable. The industrial look of England and how everyone is bustling past one another, all opperating in a business oriented manner, works really well juxtaposed against the first few scenes of Christopher Robin as a young boy. By showing a time when playful, childhood whimsy was prevalent in contrast with the strict, working-class adulthood, the idea of lost, child-like wonder as one ages is enhanced. Similarly, the scenery of the Hundred Acre Wood fits perfectly with the story. When Christopher Robin
and Pooh return to the Hundred Acre Wood, the passage of time is evident. In the beginning of the film, the forest held the same child-like innocence that the characters did. Everything was bathed in sunlight, plants flourished and the forest seemed in a state of contentment; however, after being abandoned by Christopher Robin, all the happiness seemed to be gone. The once bright Hundred Acre Wood was then dark and desolate, with little sunlight, fog-shrouded trees and a feeling of loss rather than happiness. The passage of time can also be seen when the characters revisit the picnic table where they had once held the goodbye party for Christopher Robin. The details of the banner being tattered and dishes still being present on the table after such a long time, emphasizes that time froze when Christopher Robin left. Similar to the scenery showing a the wear and tear of time, the characters themselves do the same. Because the characters of the Hundred Acre Wood are all stuffed animals, with the exception of Owl and Rabbit, it is easy to see how they have been worn over time. For instance, Pooh was a bright yellow with clean fur in the beginning, but when we next see him return to Christopher Robin, he is then a less bright and more tattered version of himself, as well are the others. As a whole, the Disney movie “Christopher Robin”was fantastic. Not only did I enjoy the setting and the characters themselves, but I also liked how the different themes of film were portrayed. The scenery, character look and character development all work seemlessly together to create a complete narrative. Just as the characters change in look, so does the setting. With the main idea of not forgetting your childhood and keeping family in a place of importance, the scenery portrays it in such a way that it not only goes with the story, but adds depth to it as well. While I question if this film would be found as a movie truly meant for kids, or even one that they would find continuously entertaining, I hink that from an adult point of view, it is a great movie. It deals with the idea of happiness and how values should and shouldn’t change as one gets older. It brings attention to the importance of family and how as someone grows from childhood into adulthood, while things may change, family should remain of high value. n
OPINIONS
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Movements, politics, memories: Sept. 6 history rundown By HANNAH WEBBER Staff writer
Sept. 6, 1870: Louisa Ann Swain became the first woman ever to vote legally in the U.S. general election after “The Female Suffrage Act of 1869” was passed in Wyoming. Women’s suffrage is a subject most everyone who has been forced to sit through a middle school American History class knows at least a little bit about. It was a movement of women in America during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries that fought for the right to vote in America, and, eventually, they were granted that right when Congress finally passed the 19th Amendment in 1920, stating that women could vote in the general elections. What if I told you the schools didn’t teach us everything about the movement? What if I told you that the first woman to ever vote legally in the United States came decades before the amendment was officially ratified? What if I told you that the first state to legalize the women's vote was... Wyoming? The year is 1869. Women’s suffrage has been an active movement in the United States since the presidency of Andrew Jackson in the 1820s. The 15th Amendment was just passed in Congress a few months earlier, giving all men (not just white, male, land owners) the right to vote in federal government. The Transcontinental Railroad has just been completed, connecting the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail lines for the first time. As workers kept pouring into that region and the population kept growing, the U.S. decided
to section off pieces of land from the nearby states of Utah, Dakota, and Idaho to make the Wyoming territory. Ulysses S. Grant, the president at the time, appointed John A. Campbell as Wyoming’s first governor. In Sept. of 1869, the Wyoming Territory held its first elections, where the President of the Council of the Wyoming Territorial Legislature, William H. Bright, proposed a new and daring bill that a state in the U.S. had yet to be put be forth: a bill to allow women to vote in the new territory. Along with helping the suffrage movement, it was also thought of as a way to appeal to women and bring them to the new state since the female population there was scarce. The Female Suffrage Act of 1869 passed through both the Democratic legislature and governor with little resistance and officially became a law December of 1869, making Wyoming the first state in the United States to give women the right to vote. In the early morning hours of September 6, 1870, the town of Laramie, Wyoming was preparing itself for its first general election by setting up voting booths in the town square and printing off the last batch of ballot cards. People were bustling about making the last-minute changes needed to make ensure all e went smoothly. As the polls were about to open and the people were about to pour in, they had little idea of what history was about to walk through the door. History in the form of a sweet, 69-year-old housewife named Louisa Ann Swain. The child of a sea captain and orphaned when she was very young, Louisa had lived all over the United States, moving to South
Budget planning for success By CODY POE Staff writer
We all want to save money, but at the same time, we all want to spend money. Over the summer, I came across many different things that I wanted to buy, but I had to save my money to pay bills. Getting an apartment has its benefits, like having your own kitchen and more freedom, but along with those benefits comes a downside: spending money on things we don’t want to spend money on. In my town, there are fewer than 1,500 people living there, so there are not many job openings. I got a job at a gas station in the town next to mine. The pay was not the best, but it wasn’t terrible. In a way, I am glad the pay was not that great. If I would have gotten paid more, then I would have spent more, and then I would not have saved my money to pay my bills. Impulse buying is something that I, as well as many other people, do. We see something, and we have the money to buy it, so what do we do? We buy it. I have been doing this since I started getting an allowance as a child. My parents always told me, “You don’t need that, you would be better off saving your money.” I never followed their advice until this summer. That is really when I learned how important it is to save money for the things you need, rather than spend it on something that you want at the time. As a kid, I would always spend the money that my parents would get me on playing cards like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh without hesitation. Now I spend it on other material things like fishing gear. This summer I had to actually sit down and plan a budget, so I could know how
Every day, people are what makes history great, and if that is true, then we all have the ability to change the world.
Google Images z Courtesy THE LOUISA SWAIN FOUNDATION honors the first woman to ever vote in the United States. The Foundation commemorates 13 women who challenged the public’s perception on human rights and suffrage.
Carolina with her mother after her father passed, Maryland to live with her uncle after her mother passed, and bouncing from Ohio, to Indiana, and, finally, Wyoming with her husband Stephen Swain and their four children. That day, Louisa had gone out, donned in her bonnet and apron, to purchase some supplies from a local merchant, passing the polling station on her way there. As she strolled by, she caught the eye of some officials manning the booth, and even though the polls had not
much “petty cash” I could spend and still have enough to pay bills during the school year. Even if you are not living in an apartment this year, I still recommend making some type of budget. Not only will it help you tidy up your spending habits, but once you put down everything that you have been spending on paper, you can easily see what changes if any need to be made. This is what really helped me, putting pen to paper. Well, in this case, opening up Microsoft Excel and inputting the numbers. Regardless of the method you choose to use, trust me, it will only help you be better with your money. If I were to have budgeted more earlier in college or even in high school, I would have been much better off and wiser with my money than I am now. I am not a business major, so my words might not carry much weight when it comes to money management. I am speaking from personal experience, and I do think that contains some merit. To conclude this, let's just reemphasize how important a budget can be. Being able to not only see what you are spending money on now, but being able to plan your spending for the future will help you plan what you are going to do and what you are going to buy. There are few things that are more embarrassing than having your card declined at the checkout line because you didn’t know how much money you had left on your card. With a budget, this will not happen. One of the cool things about the world that we live in today is that most banks have apps that track your purchases, so making a budget is as simple as copying and pasting those numbers. n
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The
yet opened, they invited her inside to cast her ballot. Concluding she had more than enough time to pick up what she needed from the merchant and still be home in time to make breakfast, she accepted their offer and headed inside. As soon as she placed her ballot in the box, Louisa not only became the first woman in the U.S. to vote, she created a legacy that still rings out today. In 2001, the Louisa Swain Foundation was founded in Laramie, Wyo., educating the public on
democracy, suffrage and human rights and honoring thirteen women who paved the way for that, including Louisa Swain. Though there is contention as to whether Swain was actually the first woman to legally vote, the government recognizes her as such, and Congress even named Sept. 6 national Louisa Swain Day in 2008 to honor her and her legacy. Every day, people are what makes history great, and if that is true, then we all have the ability to change the world. n
Ask The Signal By JULIE WILLIAMS Editor-In-Chief
“What do you think I should do to maintain high academic performance and an active campus involvement?” Well, dear friend, this is what old game show hosts used to call the $64 question. It’s an age-old question with which each college student from the beginning of higher-educational time has struggled. For many, high school sometimes was not what one would call an academic challenge; sometimes, it was more of something you simply twiddled your thumbs through after you had finished your homework in class and waited for graduation day. For most of us, that changed when we got to Ouachita. Gone were the days of sitting idly by in mute, futuristic contemplation while seven hours a day passed us by. Now, not only is our education proactive and engaging, but it is also challenging, and- dare I say it- fun. When I first set foot on Ouachita’s campus, I was blown away by the fact that it was no longer a crime to be interested in what was said in a classroom. It was no longer funny to be “nerdy” or enjoy the learning process. In fact, it was encouraged. One of the many beautiful things about good ol’ Ouachita is the passion that everyone has for learning combined with the zeal for community that we hear
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about from day one. Some friends of mine at other universities have always joked that there is never a shortage of anything to do on Ouachita’s campus. Especially now, on the cusp of Tunes season, a large percentage of the student population has four to five hours cut out of every week night for the next four weeks. Yikes. While it is all for one of the most worthy causes all while dipping you into the heart of the OBU community, it can take crucial time away from your studies. How do we balance, you ask? I learned that the easiest thing for me to do was budget my time. When faced with a number of rolling deadlines, I often prioritize the most pressing things first. I estimate a certain amount of time that will be needed to complete a given task. On the very busy days, I map out where I am to be in each hour. If I have thirty minutes before my next stop, then I complete an assignment that should only take my thirty minutes. This usually makes it much easier to get to bed at a decent hour, instead of starting on all of it at 2 a.m. after a Waffle House visit. Sometimes this method also means that I work weekends… shocking, I know. What many people fail to realize about the modern college student is that our jobs do not operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Instead, we usually have twelve to fourteen-hour days that are six or seven days a week. Instead of an hourly wage, we get paid in the promise of a future or an eventual
hourly wage. Absolutely a terrifying feeling, isn’t it? Oftentimes, the only way to work around a busy weekly schedule is to budget a few weekend hours to be devoted to harder homework or projects. If the more complicated work was completed in the boring Saturday afternoon time, then I am more equipped to handle the piece-meal thirty minute homework items during my week between Tunes rehearsals. Furthermore, planners are your actual best friends in college. Write everything down, and I do mean everything. Do not tell yourself that you can remember that one little thing, because you can’t always. Sometimes, that is a lie from the enemy that will keep you awake at 2 a.m. Trust me, friend, I’ve been there before. Keep all assignments listed with their due date, and make sure to distinguish any meetings or places to be with the appropriate times. I sometimes use different colors to make sure my eye sees the imperative nature of my presence. While that may seem like a structured way to go about it, it has always proven efficient to me. Sometimes, it really does feel as though time is money, and in situations of a busy-extracurricular schedule competing with academic performance, these methods can be helpful. This way, the homework is done efficiently, but you can still enjoy your social time without having an existential crisis after forgetting to take that Moodle quiz by 11:59 p.m. n
Submit your “Ask The Signal” questions at signal@obu.edu. Ouachita Baptist University Office: Evans Student Center E-Mail: signal@obu.edu Phone: 870.245.5210
The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Thursday 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.
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Ouachita darts to victory in Bob Gravett Invitational By ADAM CHAPMAN Online staff writer
Powering through the intense heat, Ouachita’s cross-country team finished first overall against Henderson State and UA Rich Mountain last Friday at the Bob Gravett Invitational. The first meet of the cross-country season garnered a great turnout of fans behind Cliff Harris Stadium and brought with it temperatures pushing 90 degrees. The event was filled with attendees shading themselves under umbrellas, fanning themselves with pamphlets or gathering under trees in an effort to escape the heat. It was tough to even sit with the hot sun beaming down, let alone imagine running a 5-kilometer race under it. That’s exactly what the Ouachita Lady Tigers had to do. Despite the tough conditions, from start to finish, the runners were able to keep cool under pressure, maintain a calm steady pace and steal a win from rival team, Henderson State, for the second consecutive year. This victory was due in large part to the unity of the team under the direct coaching of Steven Bostick, as well as an orchestrated plan of attack. As explained by Coach Bostick, the strategy for his team during the meet was to sit back, conserve energy and let the other teams do
Hannah Smith z Photo Lab
Hannah Smith z Photo Lab
LEFT: Ouachita cross country teammates gather for a team photo prior to the start of the race. The Tigers have won the last two Bob Gravett Invitationals. RIGHT: Senior Kallie Polk paces herself during the 5-kilometer race. Polk finished with a time of 25.43.
the work and tire themselves out as the race goes on. “Anytime they showed any kind of weakness, then it was time to try and move up a couple of spots,” Bostik said, “and they actually executed that perfectly.” Jorie Beaumont, a Ouachita sophomore from Lockport, Ill., led the 5-kilometer course along the banks of the Ouachita River with a final time of 22:53, winning her the first-place title in individual times. Beaumont placed second at last year’s Bob Gravett Invitational with a time of 22:25. Beaumont attributes this improvement from her performance last year to the
coaching and preparation. “Coach has been working us really hard just to get us prepared,” Beaumont said. “He's been working really hard as a coach just to make us better, and because of that, we were a lot more prepared for the race this year.” The team trained intensely by running and lifting weights the day prior to the meet. Coach Bostick says his girls were tired and banged up, but taking home the win made for a great start to the season. All five of the team’s scoring runners placed in the top 10 with an impressive overall team score
of 25, followed by Henderson with 45 and UA Rich Mountain with 50. Directly behind Beaumont, freshman Kyndal Moyer took second-place with a time of 22:55; trailing her teammate by only two seconds. The next Tiger to finish was freshman runner Grace Loftin at fifth-place with a time of 24:21. Beaumont has high hopes for this season and has set a goal for more cohesion from the crosscountry team. She explains that she wants the team to “run in packs” as a way to bring the team closer together as well as a method of intimidation to opposing teams the Tigers will face.
“I would really like to see us get into the lower 20’s as a team this season,” Beaumont said. The next meet for the Ouachita cross-country team is set for Sept. 8, where the Lady Tigers will face off against University of Central Arkansas for their Cross-Country Challenge in Conway in hopes of maintaining their winning placement. Following this, there will be a Division-II Showcase in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 22 and a University of Arkansas-Little Rock Invite Oct. 13. This will all lead up to the Great American Conference Meet on Nov. 3, capping off the season. n
Football to strengthen team goals as season begins By WILL JOHNSON
Sports/ Columns editor It’s that time again. Saturday tailgating, lines of purple and gold filing into the stadium and university fight songs all represent something special. Ouachita football is here. After a strong 2017 season which saw the Tigers win their last five regular season games and reach the Division-II Playoffs for the second time in the last four years, expectations remain high to build on those results. Ouachita, last year’s Great American Conference (GAC) champion, is projected to finish second this season by the league. The Tigers return four First-Team All-GAC players. Drew Harris, an All-American wide receiver, looks to help pace the air attack as well as contribute some on the ground alongside fellow First-Team All-GAC wide receiver Allie Freeman. Cori and Justin Gooseberry both return for their junior year to again set the tone on the offensive line. Running back Kris Oliver adds more experience to an already explosive offense. Head Coach Todd Knight, three-time GAC Coach of the Year, enters his 20th season with the team. He believes the returning talent should prove to be beneficial for the Tigers but doesn’t want the team to look too far ahead in the season. “It’s all about taking it one game at a time,” said Knight. “We have some really good seniors on this team. Maturity and staying injuryfree will be keys to a successful season.” Ouachita opened its 2018 campaign with a win on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State. The Tigers jumped out of the gates with 20 unanswered points, including two rushing touchdowns from Oliver. The Rangers found the scoreboard just before halftime with a 14-play scoring drive, but the Tigers responded midway through the third quarter on a 25-yard Freeman touchdown catch. The scoring went backand-forth for much of the second
Kori Goudeau z Photo Lab SENIOR STORMI LEONARD gets ready to serve against Union. Leonard was named GAC Setter of the Week after her performance in the Reddie-Tiger Challenge. Justin Trostle z Photo Lab OUACHITA SIMULATES a drill across the line during Monday’s practice. The Tigers’ offensive line did not concede a single sack against Northwestern Oklahoma State.
half. Cole Antley converted on his third field goal of the game early in the final quarter after the Rangers scored their second rushing touchdown. Northwestern Oklahoma added another touchdown run with under three minutes to play, but Ouachita held on for a 29-21 win. Redshirt Freshman Brayden Brazeal earned his first career start at quarterback for the Tigers. He finished 17-for-24 for 220 yards passing and a touchdown. Ouachita’s offensive pass protection helped ease Brazeal into game speed, as the front line put together a sack-free performance. Oliver rushed for 106 of the team’s 227 total yards on the ground. Defensive Back Keandre Evans was all over the field, accounting for 11 tackles and two pass break-ups. “We hope to improve our quarterbacks every day, since there’s young talent at that position,” said Knight. “It’s important to have good chemistry at every practice. We want to keep working on areas that need development, because that’s how you compete for a championship.” Ouachita’s coaching staff and players recognize the goals that
the team hopes to achieve each season. Winning championships and developing leaders are a few of the goals that the staff stresses to players throughout the year. “We have two important onthe-field goals that the team is aware of,” said Knight. “We want to win that first game, so that we have a mindset to take it one game at a time, and we want to win the GAC. Our life goals are to become better men and continue to grow spiritually.” Ouachita is ranked No. 24 in the AFCA Division-II preseason Coaches Poll after finishing strong in the 2017 season. GAC foe Harding and Ferris State, Ouachita’s opponent in the 2017 playoffs, are ranked No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. “We want the students to be proud of us,” said Knight. “I’ve been here long enough to see great support. At a small campus, it’s special to see support like Ouachita brings.” The Tigers look to remain unbeaten as they face off against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday, Sept. 8. Game is set to begin at 6 p.m. inside Cliff Harris Stadium. n
GAC Athletes of the Week
Women’s Soccer (Week One)
Offensive Player of the Week - Bryson Thomas (Sr.), Forward Goalkeeper of the Week - Erin Webster, (Jr.), Goalkeeper
Volleyball (Week Two)
Offensive Player of the Week - Adrianna Nolly (Jr.), Middle Blocker Setter of the Week - Stormi Leonard (Sr.), Setter
Volleyball remains unbeaten after thrilling Reddie-Tiger Challenge By RANDALL EARNEST Staff writer
The Ouachita Tigers volleyball team looks forward to a wonderful season, starting it undefeated. Ouachita had four very close games this weekend, but the Tigers remained victorious. Not only did they win, but they absolutely dominated the volleyball court during the Reddie-Tiger Challenge. This weekend, Ouachita faced off against Dallas Baptist University, ending with five close sets, scores being: 25-19 (W), 22-25 (L), 25-21 (W), 13-25 (L) and 15-10 (W). The game was intense, the crowds were cheering on their teams with all their might and the players were determined to win. The Tigers played very well in the first and third sets, but the second and fourth sets went to the Patriots. In the end, Ouachita pulled out the fifth set, bringing in another victory for the season. Adrianna Nolly played very well with 17 kills and four blocks. Stormi Leonard ended with an impressive 45 assists. Another noteworthy player was Julianna Mack with 19 digs. Ouachita also faced Southwest Baptist University, ending the game in three sets, with scorings of 25-14 (W), 25-18 (W) and 25-22 (W). Once again, the Tigers played very well this game. The third set was close but went the way of the Tigers, as they pulled another great 3-0 game for the team. Again, Adrianna Nolly and Stormi Leonard, as well as Julianna Mack played well. Nolly had 19 kills, Leonard had two blocks and 33 assists and Mack with 10 digs.
On Saturday, the Tigers played against Union University. Ouachita won four of the five sets, with scores of 27-25 (W), 23-25 (L), 25- 17 (W) and 25-13 (W). The first set was close, but the team clawed their way to the top. The second set went to Union, leaving Ouachita’s fans wondering if this would be another nail-biting, exciting game. The Tigers played hard enough in the third and fourth sets to win the match in four sets. Again, the power team of Nolly, Leonard and Mack dominated the game with ease. Nolly scored yet another 20 kills, Leonard followed with 45 assists and an amazing five blocks and Mack contributed an astonishing 14 digs. Ouachita ended the weekend against Mississippi College, yet another close game, and won in three surprisingly close sets. The scoring was 25-22 (W), 28-26 (W) and 25-21 (W). The Tigers won the first set, holding the lead through the entire game, but that changed during the second set, where Mississippi was able to pull ahead for a bit. Ultimately, Ouachita won the set. The last set was neck-andneck, the Tigers being constantly tied with Mississippi for the lead. Ultimately we pulled through the win in three sets. Nolly, Mack, and Leonard played extremely in this game as well. Nolly with 15 kills, Leonard with a 5.0 block and 42 assists, and Mack with 19 digs. Overall, it was an amazing weekend for the Ouachita tigers, with four very close games. The team ended the weekend with an impressive 8 wins to 0 loss record. n