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02.12.15 Volume 123 Issue 15
Ouachita Baptist University
Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal STUDENTS serve various international dishes at last year’s International Food Festival. This year’s festival is themed “Passport to the World.” More than 500 people are expected to attend and dozens of students will participate by cooking and serving dishes, as well as by presenting special international music pieces.
International Club to host International Food Festival Feb. 17 By LAUREN SCARBROUGH News Bureau
The 2015 International Food Festival, hosted by Ouachita’s International Club and Daniel and Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education, will be held on Feb. 17 from 6-8 p.m. in Walker Conference Center. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 each. Ian Cosh, Ouachita’s vice president for community and international engagement, describes the festival as a “signature event at OBU that seeks to highlight the international dimension of our unique community.” The event is designed for Ouachita students, faculty and staff who have either lived or spent time abroad to share that experience with others. It serves as an opportunity not only to bring together members of the Ouachita community but also to provide a
global context, reminding participants that they all are citizens of the world. For many Ouachita students with international ties, “it’s the first time they have been able to give back to the community and share their life story with the community,” noted Sharon Cosh, a staff coordinator for the event and Ouachita’s English as a Second Language program. “It’s a very bonding experience for them as a group and also a pretty unique experience for all of us that we can share in.” “Imagine 500 people milling around Walker Conference Center tasting samples of foods from all over the world,” said International Club President Ben Lange-Smith, a junior psychology major from Harare, Zimbabwe. “The festival is held only once per year, and, as you can imagine, internationals and third culture students go all out to show off their culture and also to ex-
cite your taste buds!” This year’s theme is “Passport to the World” and will feature food from more than 30 countries, cultures and regions. Over the decades, the event has grown to include other cultural elements, as well. “There is a legacy with it,” Ian Cosh added. “We’ve done it now for at least 40 years, and every year the event is a medium of telling a story. We tell that story through taste, music and all of the human senses, in a way that unites students from around the world.” Additionally, musical entertainment will be provided by international students singing in their native languages as well as American students with international connections. “For instance, one of the students will be singing in a language that he went to study in Europe,” Sharon Cosh noted. “The foreign language program
is an added dimension to the whole international emphasis on our campus.” The Arkansas Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union will also host a world market with fair trade products for sale at the event. Proceeds from the world market benefit women around the world who come from poor socioeconomic countries and are working for a better life by earning money through a fair process that is seldom found in their settings. While Lange-Smith is always excited to see the theme, décor and entertainment come together, he said his favorite part is sampling the cuisine. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t come mainly for the food. I’m big on taste and love food. That is why this is a killer event in my book.” For more information contact Tanya Jackson, administrative assistant in the Grant Center, at jacksont@obu.edu. n
Ouachita alum Jason Tolbert named university’s new chief financial officer By TRENNIS HENDERSON News Bureau
Jason Tolbert, controller for the Arkansas Baptist Foundation since 2004, has been named chief financial officer for Ouachita effective March 30. He succeeds Dr. Brett Powell who recently was named director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Other roles held by Powell as vice president for administrative services have been reassigned to current university administrators, including Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement, also supervising student financial services, and Bill Phelps, director of IT services, being named assistant to the president for IT services and facilities management. Tolbert, a 1998 Ouachita graduate, holds a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also holds an Arkansas license as a certified public accountant. Serving as the controller for the Arkansas Baptist Founda-
tion for the past 11 years, Tolbert has handled charitable trusts and investments for Arkansas Baptist churches and institutions, including some endowment funds for Ouachita. During his tenure at the Foundation, total assets under management grew from $128 million to more than $230 million. “I am pleased to have Jason Tolbert come serve with us at Ouachita,” said President Rex Horne. “His devotion is clear. His ability is proven. Jason is a difference maker and will be a great asset to our university and to all of us.” “I am so thankful for the opportunity to officially rejoin the Ouachita family although like most alumni I feel like I never left,” Tolbert said. “I am delighted to share in the vision Dr. Horne has for the university. We have exciting
days ahead of us, and I am privileged that God is allowing me to be a part of it.” Tolbert previously served in assurance services for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Little Rock, in international accounting for Alltel Information Services and as an office manager for the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council. He also is chairman of the legislative committee for the Arkansas SoJason Tolbert ciety of Certified Public Accountants. Tolbert and his wife, Kathy, are active members of First Baptist Church of Benton where he serves on the budget and finance committee. Mrs. Tolbert, also a 1998 Ouachita graduate, teaches second grade at Howard Perrin Elementary School in Benton. They are the parents of two sons, Luke (10) and John (5). n
Lindsey Catlett z Courtesy THE AREA 10 Special Olympics take place in SPEC with hundreds of student athletes from various high schools. OBU students always participate by volunteering.
More than 200 athletes to compete in Special Olympics basketball games Feb. 19 By DIXON LAND Sports Editor
The Area 10 Special Olympic Basketball Games will take place next Thursday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. The games will take place in the Sturgis Physical Education Center, with individual skill activities occurring in Bill Vining Arena and team games in the Auxiliary gyms I and II. The events will be kicked off by the national anthem
perfromed and the nation’s color presented by the HSU/ OBU Color Gaurd. Dr. Rex Horne will welcome everyone to the event and then the OBU Cheerleaders will host a pep rally before the games begin. Over 200 athletes from 16 high schools will be competing in the games. “Even if you can’t stay for the whole two hours, you should still come out and volunteer or support these athsee OLYMPICS z 2
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this weekzCALENDAR SCHOLARS DAY REGISTRATION opens online today and will last all day. For more information contact: Barbara Pemberton at pembertonb@ obu.edu.
THE MEN OF KAPP CHI will serenade the women of OBU on Monday, Feb. 16 beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Maddox. For more information contact: Tanner Fritsche at fri55977@obu.edu.
REFUGE is tonight at 9 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. For more information, contact: James Taylor at taylorja@obu.edu.
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL will be Tuesday, Feb. 17 in Walker Conference Center from 6-8 p.m. For more information contact: Tanya Jackson at jacksont@obu.edu.
DR. REX HORNE will speak on heaven in a Christian Focus Week breakout session today from 4-5 p.m. in Berry Chapel. For more information contact: James Taylor at taylorj@obu. edu.
HONEYROCK a leadership development ministry of Wheaton College will be recruiting on campus Wednedsay Feb. 18 in the Evans Student Center.
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Ron Swanson (“Parks and Rec”) or William Taylor Lee Hanna
Rachel Roberts, Rebecca Jones to host Interview Preparation Workshop Wednesday Feb. 18 By BARRETT GAY Staff Writer
The Interview Preparation Workshop, hosted by Career Services, will take place in the Alumni Room on Wednesday, February 18 at noon. Rachel Roberts, director of career services, and Dr. Rebecca Jones, assistant professor of communications, will host the session. Roberts will explore the basics of interviewing, and Dr. Jones will cover anxiety about interviews and public speaking in general. They will offer tips, such as what questions to anticipate, how to appropriately respond, and what kinds of questions the interviewee should ask. In addition, Roberts and Jones will teach students how to craft “elevator speeches,” a term referring to the idea of “selling one’s self” to potential employers in thirty seconds or less. “You want to say something that’s valuable and makes a difference to them so they can remember you,” Roberts said. Roberts anticipates that she and Dr. Jones will share some personal stories as well. “We like interaction,” Roberts said. “We’ll hopefully [be having] some feedback from students.” The upcoming workshop will give students a chance to learn helpful tips about the interview process. There will also be a Career Expo Information session in the Alumni Room on February 26 so that students will know what to expect and how to present themselves. Roberts’s goal in orga-
nizing all these events prior to the Expo itself was to help students prepare at each step of the process. For students who want additional advice, Roberts said Career Services is ready and willing to schedule appointments for mock interviews. “Mock interviews are better one on one and even in a group because now, especially with student teachers, panel interviews are more common,” Roberts said. “So, if two or three people want to come in and be interviewed at the same time, we can definitely practice with that.” Senior Todd McNeel, a mass communications major from Arlington, Texas, works as the marketing assistant for Career Services. His biggest piece of advice for students in the interview process is to capitalize on the first impression. “A lot of times we forget that before we speak, the first thing they see is what we have on,” McNeel said. “Make sure that you’re dressed well and appropriately for the position and that you look professional and presentable.” Roberts said her mission is to assist in the transition between college and the “real world.” “I don’t want that to be a time where students are uncomfortable,” Roberts said. “Career services is a very welcoming place for students to come and find their place outside of Ouachita.” The workshop will last through the lunch hour. For more information about Career Services or their worksops visit http://www.obu. edu/career/. n
OLYMPICS
z Continued from Page 1 letes,” said Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of kinesiology at Ouachita. Last year, there were over 61 coaches and assistants for the various teams throughout the day. Over 40 different foundations sponsored the event as well. The games will include team games as well as individual skill drills such as passing, shooting and dribbling. Last year, over 150 Ouachita students participated in the Special Olympic games. These
students assist in cheering, passing, dribbling, rebounding, doing the wave, playing parachute, jumping a rope and playing hula-hoop. The entire schedule of activities is free and open to the public. Ouachita students are encouraged to attend and cheer. According to Special Olympics Arkansas’s website, their goal is, “to provide a yearround sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience
joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.” Special Olympics Arkansas, as an organization, offers 32 Olympic-style summer and winter sports. Globally, the Special Olympics Organization has more than 4.2 million athletes from over 170 countries. For more information on the games or to sign up to help, contact Mike Reynolds at reynoldsm@obu.edu and for more information on Special Olympics in general, visit www.specialolympicsarkansas.org. n
Pintado presents at MLA conference By CHELSEA WHELPLEY News Bureau
The Modern Language Association, considered the most prestigious conference for scholars and teachers of modern languages, hosted its 130th annual convention in Vancouver, Canada, in January. Dr. Margarita Pintado, assistant professor of Spanish at Ouachita, participated in two panels at the conference. Describing the MLA conference as “the biggest conference and also the most competitive” in its field, Dr. Pintado said, “It is really nice when your proposal is accepted and you are able to present it to such a select audience. It was a great experience. This is one of those rare contexts where you can learn, meet interesting people and have fun while building a network.” Pintado presented her paper, “The Question of Authenticity in Manuel Ramos Otero’s La novelabingo,” during the program “Exploring Experimental Latin American Texts since the 1960s.” Pintado explored how Puer-
to Ricans are often viewed by updated and because I get the others and themselves as a chance to think deeply about a group lacking a defined identi- specific subject matter.” ty with a language and history Highlighting Pintado’s conof their own. She also presided tributions to the department, over “New Trends in Puerto Sonheim added, “She challengRican Literature,” a panel on es students and colleagues evPuerto Rican literature and ery day to think clearly about culture. words and images, about how “Being we use languagselected to es to understand present at the our lives, how MLA convenlanguage is our tion signifies home.” that scholars Pintado gradrecognize Dr. uated from the Pintado as a Universidad de valuable conPuerto Rico in tributor to 2004, earning a their discusbachelor’s desions about gree in journallanguage, art ism. In 2009, she and being earned a Master human,” notof Arts degree Margarita Pintado in Spanish from ed Dr. Doug Sonheim, Emory Univerchair of Ouachita’s department sity in Atlanta, Ga., and earned of language and literature. “At a Ph.D. in Spanish from Emory Ouachita, we know her mostly in 2012. as a poet and teacher; accep- For more information about tance at MLA reminds us of the Department of Language her gifts as a researcher and and Literature, contact Dr. writer.” Doug Sonheim at sonheimd@ “Doing research is a great as- obu.edu or (870) 245-5554. For pect of this profession,” Pinta- more information about Pindo said. “It is important for me tado’s research contact her at because it keeps my teaching pintadom@obu.edu. n
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“She does things not so that people can see her, but so that people can see the Lord through her.”
Kendall Calvert z Courtesy KENDALL CALVERT, assistant director of Campus Ministires, will leave Ouachita in May and head to Denver, Colo. to start her next chapter in life. Calvert is a 2012 graduate of Ouachita.
Kendall Calvert: a new chapter By CAROLINE POOLE Copy Editor
You might recognize her by her flannel
shirts and Chucks or her energy and contagious laughter, but Kendall Calvert is so much more than that. She is a graduate of Ouachita and the current assistant director of Campus Ministries. She’s a former Tiger Tunes choreographer, lover of photography and devoted follower of Christ. After three years of service and a lifetime of memories at Ouachita, Calvert is moving to Denver, Colorado. Calvert’s family lived in Aurora, Colo., after her birth in Irving, Texas, until she was in sixth grade when they moved to Mansfield, Texas, where her parents live now. “My mom and dad were a really big impact on me my whole life. They’re so great and so loving,” Calvert said. “I couldn’t ask for better parents.” Calvert and her brother, Randall, have a close relationship even though he still lives in the Denver area. “One time when it was snowing we made a slide from the roof to the ground out of ice blocks and climbed out of my bedroom window to slide down,” Calvert said. “I think we got in trouble, but it was really fun.” Calvert’s journey as a follower of Christ started with her parents, and continued to grow when they moved to Mansfield. “We lived next to a church and I remember asking my dad if we could go,” she said. “It was on Mother’s Day and I remember it being a really weird service. I left thinking that church was the weirdest thing.” Later she was invited to youth group activities where she was able to build Biblical community and participate in mission trips. In her senior year of high school, she met Emily Quick, a former Ouachita student who influenced her and encouraged her to seek Christ on a deeper level. Before meeting Quick, Calvert was planning to go to the Art Institute of Colorado to study photography. “Emily invited me to come visit her one weekend and when I did I knew it was where I wanted to come,” she said. “I actually didn’t even apply anywhere else.” Calvert started studying theatre, but soon changed her major, trying out different disciplines. She settled on Christian media and production arts with a graphic design minor. Before coming to Ouachita, she wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic, but soon realized her passion for ministry. In her time as a student she was a ministry leader for freshman family groups, a member of the WOW steering committee and a devoted member of her intramural flag football and basketball teams, Fuego and Team Beyoncé. She was a ministry intern for First Baptist Church Benton, where she worked with youth minister Clay Cunningham. “I realized that I really loved the relational side of ministry,” Calvert said. “Everyone has a story and I saw that [part of ministry] was making people feel loved. I wish in the past I had taken more time to get to know the people that no one really knows.” Calvert started working in Campus Minis-
tries at Ouachita after she graduated in 2012. She reorganized the women’s discipleship program, now called Veritas, into Monday night meetings, small groups and prayer partners. With the help of student leaders including Sadie Sasser and Savannah Shotts, Calvert expanded the program to reach girls on campus who have different schedules and who are looking for different ways to get involved in discipleship. Sophomore Danielle Jayroe is in Calvert’s discipleship group. “I’m really going to miss having Kendall pour into me,” Jayroe said. “She’s really taught me a lot. She does things not so that people can see her, but so that people can see the Lord through her.” “Kendall brings a lot of passion and energy and excitement wherever she is,” James Taylor, director of Campus Ministries, said. “She’s able to energize a group of students, but she’s also really thoughtful. She’s able to analyze the best way we can be effective in our ministry.” Calvert also plays an important role in the mission trips Campus Ministries takes. She was a leader on the South Africa mission trip twice and organized the spring break trip to California. Both trips are lasting partnerships. “We get to return every year and that’s really cool. I love getting updates on how the ministry is going and how we can be praying for them,” she said. “It’s really cool to see how even though our cultures are so different we are still united under Christ.” In her three years on staff at Ouachita, Calvert has shared times of joy and excitement with students, but she has also seen loss. LJ Brooks, a ministry leader and close friend to many passed away, followed a year later by Shelby Seabaugh. “When LJ died it was a big eye opener for me,” she said. “We say we have hope in Jesus but for the first time I had no other choice but to have hope in Jesus. I saw that there is a hurting world out there that needs to know about the hope we have in Jesus.” After seven years in the Ouachita community, Calvert is moving to Colorado. She has several opportunities open, but at this point she is unsure of what is exactly coming next. “I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord is calling me to Denver, so if I am faithful in going and in trusting Him he will provide a way,” she said. Many will miss Calvert’s presence on Ouachita’s campus. Taylor said, “There are groups everywhere that know about Campus Ministries because they know Kendall. She’s a friend to a lot of people and a lot of people trust and respect her.” Calvert will leave Ouachita after commencement in May. From the time she started as a student, she has been intentional in knowing and loving the people of Ouachita. Her passion for people and for Christ is apparent in everything she does. “One time Dr. Duvall told me that if we are seeking Christ and seeking the leading of his Spirit and ushering people into his kingdom we are doing God’s will. That’s been ringing in my head ever since and it’s my biggest advice to anyone who follows Christ,” Calvert said. “That and never stop dancing.” n
Kendall Calvert z Courtesy
Kendall Calvert z Courtesy
Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal
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High yield, low cost valentines By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15 There’s already too much word vomit smeared across the various word reading platforms about the sad-sack activities that singles who insist on moping about/“celebrating” Valentine’s Day can busy themselves with before night falls and they’re left staring blankly at their ceiling until they fall into the quiet yet restless sleep of apathetic acceptance. My favorite thing to do on Valentine’s Day as a single is to happily go about my business because it doesn't concern me. However, I do enjoy trying to make it memorable when I have someone to spoil, so to follow up on last week’s column about embracing your inner romantic, I have a few cheap suggestions for anyone out there still looking for ideas to make their love muffin’s day. One of the first things people will usually tell you when it comes to low budget, high snuggle inducing gifts is to make a card. They never really follow up with a solid plan on how to do this without making it look like something a kindergartener’s mom might think twice about hanging on her fridge though. For the artistically challenged, there’s still an easy way to whip up a home-made card that will actually impress. First, buy some light pink card stock. Light pink has a super classy feel to it, like you’re going to the ballet, which will offset the fact that you’re giving your girl a folded piece of paper. Next, find a computer with either Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Paint. There are a ton of them around campus, and while comparing Illustrator to Paint is like comparing a Ferrari to a rickshaw, you’ll only be doing a few simple things.
Once you’re all set up, make two documents, both eight inches wide by 11 inches tall and both divided right down the middle. On the right side of the first document, make a little heart out of shapes or whatever and write some cutesy little tag line. Be sure to keep all of your words in black letters and to only draw with a black outline. Black and light pink look awesome together and when you print it out, everything’s going to be in black anyway. On the right side of your second document, pick some girly, curly-q font (snell roundhand looks fancy enough while still being easily legible) and write a heartfelt message to your precious cupcake. Finally, put your pink card stock in the printer, print the first document on the front side, print the second document on the back side and you’ve done it. With your own two hands, you’ve forged a customized Valentine’s Day card that doesn't look like hot garbage. Once you present it to your valentine, you’ll have transcended the label of basic bro in her eyes. You’ll be a craftsman. An artisan. A man with a delicate eye, sensitive enough to understand the subtle nuances of color and aesthetic, and thus sensitive enough to understand the inner machinations of her heart. Or something like that. You can use the same materials and general idea to make any kind of simple paper craft you want. One of my favorites is to make a stack of businesscard sized slips of paper, each one with a fancy border and a compliment printed on it. You can punch a hole in the top left corner of your compliment cards once you’ve made enough to form a substantial pile, loop them together with a key ring and wind up with a deceivingly compact gift that she’ll most likely be flipping through for days to come if you’re creative and thoughtful enough. This tends to not work so well if you just tell her how hot she is on every card, so be sure to sit down for a while before hand and think
about what you like about her aside from the way that she fills out a pair of yoga pants. Finally, you really can’t go wrong with food. I recently tried the fudge brownies at that Front Porch Bakery place that went around sliding fliers under people’s doors, and I have to say that they’re better than anything else I’ve had in town. That’s a pretty easy solution to this problem. If your girl doesn't like chocolate, she’s probably also a cat person who talks over everyone at the dinner table with her dumb opinions and hates fun. In that case, you should still give her brownies, because your goal should be to avoid all physical contact, as she’s most likely some kind of horrible parasite that writhed herself into the brain of a formerly normal girl and gestated there until she assumed full control of her poor, unsuspecting vessel. If you have a normal, chocolate loving girl though, the brownies seem like they’d be a pretty strong option. Despite what the flyer says, you can pick up two for $4.50, which won’t exactly break the bank. On the note of food, I’ve never seen anyone turn their nose up at someone bringing them their favorite Sonic drink. This can also win you brownie points for remembering her exact order. While any of these would be perfectly fitting gifts on their own, you could even go as far as to group them all together and find some cutesy way of presenting them. You gather up a hand-made card, some fudge brownies, her favorite sonic drink and maybe a piddly little handful of flowers just for that extra bit of pop (You can even go with cheap peasant flowers like carnations. The fact that you have a bunch of things bundled together will distract from the fact that they didn’t cost a fortune) and you’ll have the most Instagram worthy Valentine’s arrangement this side of the Mason Dixon line for well under $20. When you can put together an awesome Valentine’s day gift for just a little more money than a white elephant gift, you know it’s a good day. n
ers, and sometimes they’re even more important. When you’re single, you can spend Valentine’s Day with a group of friends, maybe even having a girls or boys night out. I love getting together with friends on Valentine’s Day because we can all talk about our nonexistent love lives together. Friends need love too. 5.You can be alone on Valentine’s Day. Some people don’t like Valentine’s Day, and they’d rather be hanging out at home with a pizza and a movie. If you’ve had a long week, you can just relax at home with the blissful thought of not having to plan or shop for anything in your head. Singles have this option, and sometimes we need time to just enjoy being single. 6.You can go meet other singles. If you enjoy meeting new people, you have the option of meeting and mingling with other singles on Valentine’s Day. This gives you the chance to meet new and different people than you’re used to, and you can enjoy the company of others who are in the same situation as you. You don’t have to worry about couples, and you can just be yourself. Who knows? This could be the night that you meet the person who will become your date next Valentine’s Day. 7.You can make fun of Valentine’s Day. I know a lot of people who loathe Valentine’s Day, and one of their favorite pastimes is poking fun at the holiday. I personally am not a hard-core hater, but I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t enjoyed a good sarcastic comment about Valentine’s Day. Sure, Valentine’s Day is not for everyone, but at least you have this option if you’re single. You’ll risk hurting some feelings if you joke about the day of love with your significant other. 8.You are not subjected to watching romantic movies. Sure, not all couples watch romantic movies, but there’s a reason a lot of those types of movies are re-
leased on Valentine’s Day. If you’re not a rom-com fan, you don’t have to watch one. No one’s forcing you to, anyway. I’ll probably watch one, but I personally enjoy a good romantic comedy. There’s also a possibility that it’ll turn into a Harry Potter movie night. I don’t know; I’ll see what I’m in the mood for when the day comes. 9.You don’t have to eat food you don’t like. I don’t like eating at fancy restaurants because they normally serve food that I find disgusting. I don’t care how pretty the food is; it’s all gross. I know for a fact that I’m not the only one who thinks this way. Although fancy restaurants are signature places for couples on Valentine’s Day, I’d much rather eat dinner at an IHOP. Chocolate-chip pancakes are so underrated. Plus, after Valentine’s Day, all the stores will have huge discounts on candy. What’s better than discounted candy? 10.You can do anything you want to do. We singles can do anything we want to do because we don’t have boyfriends or girlfriends telling us otherwise. Get some work done on Valentine’s Day. You can have a “Star Wars” marathon in your pj’s. If you want to go to a fancy restaurant with some friends, you can do that. If you want to dress up as Wonder Woman or Superman and fight crime, reconsider. The list goes on and on. The possibilities are limitless. I’m not trying to put down Valentine’s Day for those who do have dates. Believe me, it’d be really fun to have a date on Valentine’s Day. Dating someone isn’t bad, but being single isn’t bad either. There is a lot we can do if we’re single, and we need to enjoy that, especially in our college years. Valentine’s Day is a day that should be celebrated by all, for we all have people in our lives whom we love. n
Valentine’s Day for singles
By KATHERINE CARTER Staff Writer Despite what Beyoncé says, she will not be a single lady on Valentine’s Day. I, however, will be, because nobody’s putting a ring on it this year. If you are going to be a single lady or gentleman on Valentine’s Day, don’t wallow in despair. Put that microwavable dinner for one back in the freezer and don’t plan on eating away your feelings through Valentine’s themed Little Debbie snack cakes. Valentine’s Day is generally focused on loving one’s significant other, but that doesn’t mean us singles don’t get anything out of it as well. Let’s look at the positives of being single on Valentine’s Day: 1.You save A LOT of money on gifts, dinners, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. Especially you guys, because let’s be honest; we ladies expect you to foot the bill for everything on this day. 2.You don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to (even though we all know those people who will dress up to go to Sonic). You can lounge around in your sweats, PJs, or even that ratty T-shirt or sweatshirt that your mother is always telling you to throw away. You don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend to impress, so why go to all the trouble? 3.You don’t have to plan a special, Valentine’sthemed date. No calls to snooty workers at fancy restaurants, no frantic shopping for the perfect Valentine’s Day outfit, and no holy-cow-I-forgot-Valentine’s-Day-panics. We singles have absolutely nothing to be concerned about. 4.You can spend time with friends on Valentine’s Day. Friends are just as important as significant oth-
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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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Couch, Party of One
Valentine's Day Treats: What to watch on Netflix if Netflix is your Valentine Are they really worth it? Emily says... Hutch says...
“I Hate Valentine’s Day” Maybe I should start this with a disclaimer that reads: “Warning: Nia Verdalos is my soul sister and I will love anything she writes and acts in.” It’s one of those cheesy stories about a woman who swears off anything that even remotely resembles commitment, but (spoiler alert) ends up falling for the charming leading man in the end. Genevieve (yes, that’s her name) has a strict five-date rule for men to keep her from getting too attached. Until Greg shows up. Is it the best thing on Netflix? No, that would be The Office. But it’s good for the occasion.
We all love the sweets, but maybe consider thinking twice before mindlessly reaching for these snacks to celebrate the holiday.
“Kill Bill” I’m wholly against moping on Valentine’s Day, but if the lobby couples oozing pheromones on each other next to the front door of your dorm bring up unwanted memories of “that ex,” then “Kill Bill” is your perfect Valentine’s Day movie. It’s the ultimate revenge story of a lover scorned. If you’re not in the mood to watch Rachel McAdams paint the town red with Mr. Stud of the year in some sappy rom-com, watch Uma Thurman do the same with a samurai sword and the blood of her enemies.
(For the average person, running one 10-minute mile will burn 136 calories.)
four chocolate covered strawberries = 200 calories or 1.47 miles
“Double” Jessie Eisenberg plays both a cripplingly introverted desk jockey and his hypercharismatic doppelganger in this movie adaptation of the Dostoevsky novel. While the dystopian backdrop may hang a fog of hopelessness over most of the movie, at its heart, this is a story of romance and overcoming insurmountable odds.
“Lovestruck: The Musical” In this charming tale of forgotten love laced with musical numbers, an old, divorced couple attending daughter’s wedding weekend festivities finds and consumes a magical elixir (it’s an ABC Family movie, so of course there’s a magical elixir) that turns them back into their younger, incredibly attractive selves. They spend the weekend trying to keep their daughter from realizing it’s them and remembering why they fell in love in the first place. Also it’s Chelsea Kane and Drew Seely, so there’s an epic dance number in there that will make you want to chop off your legs because you will never dance as well as them.
one cupcake = 290 calories or 2.13 miles three ounce chocolate heart = 230 calories or 1.69 miles
“Notting Hill” If you’ve ever been minding your own business while owning a tiny bookstore in Great Britain and won the affection of a famous American actress, this movie was probably based on your life. It’s charming. It’s a classic. The crazy roommate is the best character in the whole movie.
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” This is a dumb movie, but in the best way possible. Marilyn Monroe plays a clueless yet manipulative gold digger who gets involved with the married owner of a diamond mine while on a cruise across the Atlantic to marry her spineless and wealthy fiancé. With private detectives, huge musical numbers and tales of safaris in distant lands, it’s got that old school cool that’s so hard to find these days. On top of that, if hearing Monroe sing “Bye Bye Baby” doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you can leave your man card at the door.
Emily Terry is the Editor-in-Chief of the Signal. When not working on this publication, she’s watching these weird movies on Netflix or Facebook creeping someone.
Noah Hutchinson is the Opinions Editor of the Signal. When he’s not frightening sophomores, he’s telling people to watch movies based on Dostoevsky for Valentine’s Day.
four chocolate truffles = 240 calories or 1.76 miles 10 chocolate kisses = 220 calories or 1.62 miles 20 conversation hearts = 120 calories or 0.88 miles one piece of cheesecake = 401 calories or 2.95 miles one piece of red velvet cake = 676 calories or 4.97 miles
Path To a Perfect Date Is this a first date?
No
A while
How long have you been together? Forever
What’s your S.O. like? 3
Thoughtful Low 1 maintenence
Did you start off as friends?
3 Date Nights Open Dorm 32
No
Yes What do you know about them?
What do you do together?
Cheerful 2
Yes
2
Sonic Happy Hour Talk in the hall
Athletic Well Dressed
3
2
Quirky 1
NETFLIX
1:Stay Home
2: Romantic 3: Adventure
6
sports
Thursday, February 12, 2015
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Tiger baseball loses 10-8 in ninth to SWOSU on homerun By KYLE PARRIS
Sports Information Director
Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy
The Lady Tigers won two of three games in the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational last weekend. The Lady Tigers defeated Missouri Western State University and Christian Brothers University to close out the tournament.
OBU Softball wins three games in Ronnie Hawkins Invitational By KYLE PARRIS
Sports Information Director Macy Nantz threw her second-consecutive complete game shutout and the Tigers scored 13 runs in two games to defeat Missouri Western State University and Christian Brothers University to close out the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational. The Tigers finished the tournament 3-1. Against Missouri Western, Macy Nantz (22) threw six innings of one-hit ball, striking out two and walking none. It was the second straight shutout start for Nantz. In the two starts she went 2-0 allowing six hits in 11 innings. She struck out seven and walked two. Only one of her six hits allowed went for extra bases. The Tigers scored eight runs on 11 hits, connecting for four extra base hits against Missouri Western. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first, Ouachita’s Kelly Powell hit a triple to right center in the second inning, scoring two. Suzie
Gresham led off the fourth inning with a soloshot over the wall in left center. Kailey Madden, Nantz and Sarah Johnson each drove in a run in the fourth to extend the Tigers’ lead ro six runs. Johnson drove in another run in the fifth and the Tigers would go on to defeat Missouri Western, 8-0. The Tigers squared off against Christian Brothers in game two. Freshman Delaney Bedunah got the start for the Tigers. Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings. Bedunah held Christian Brothers hitless through three. The Tigers offense came to life in the fourth, when Olivia Guin hit a two-run single to right. The Tigers scored two more runs in the fifth, one coming via a passed ball and the other off a Kate Lacina single up the middle. Nantz would drive in the Tigers final run of the day with a single down the right field line scoring Emily Acuna. Despite giving up two runs in the seventh, Ouachita would hang on for the 5-2 win. Bedunah earned her first win of the season. n
Despite a six-run first inning by the Tigers, a four-run ninth inning by Southwestern Oklahoma State was the deciding factor in Ouachita’s final game at the Quick Trip Classic in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Tigers lost by a final of 10-8., Finding themselves down 2-0 in the bottom of the first, the Tigers wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. A Justin Weigle triple drove in the first run of the inning. He scored the tying run on Jace Melby’s double. Melby scored on what would have been the final out of the inning, but a throwing error by the SWOSU third baseman allowed Matt Sinclair to reach base safely. The Tigers next three batters reached base via a hit by pitch and two walks, the second of which resulted in the Tigers fourth run. A Norris single drove in the fifth run of the inning and Weigle’s second hit of the inning, a RBI single,
capped off the Tigers six-run first inning. SWOSU scored three runs in the top of the fourth to cut the Tigers lead to 6-5. Neither team would amount any offense until the bottom of the seventh. During that stretch the only person to reach base was a hit batsmen for SWOSU. Weigle got things started for the Tigers in the seventh with his third hit, a single, of the game. Advancing to third, Weigle scored on a sacrifice fly by Reuben Miller. Lance Cullum After allowing a SWOSU run to score in the eighth, the Tigers scored again in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI sacrifice bunt by Parker Norris, scoring Jakahari Howell. Up two heading into the top of the ninth, the Tigers called on closer Lance Cullum. SWOSU scored four runs on three hits and one error in the top of the ninth to take a two-run lead. Ouachita would go down in order in the bottom of the ninth, losing by a final of 10-8. n
Tigers dominate Shorter on Senior Night By KYLE PARRIS
FINAL RESULTS: 125 pounds – Garrett Evans (OBU) dec. Ben Smith, 8-5
Sports Information Director
In their final home dual of 2015, Ouachita sent 141 pounds – Josh Myers (OBU) dec. Colby Rinehart, 13-6 their seniors out with an undefeated home season 149 pounds – Nate Galloway (Shorter) dec. Blake Clevenger, 4-3 and a 29-6 dual victory over Shorter University (Ga.). The 157 pounds – Dakota Head (OBU) dec. Kannon Madden, 3-0 Tigers won eight out of ten 165 pounds – Dexter Carter (OBU) dec. Wally Figaro, 7-4 matches. It was business as usual for 174 pounds – Payne Hatter (OBU) maj. dec Dalton Lane, 19-8 Tigers Evans, Nate Rodriguez 184 pounds – Dallas Smith (OBU) maj. dec Terrance Smith, 10-0 and Myers. Evans and Myers earned decision wins for 197 pounds – O’Dell Lee (OBU) dec. Chris Rowland, 10-5 Ouachita. Rodriguez won by a first period fall at the 1:58 285 pounds – Andrew Ewers (Shorter) dec. Blake Andrews, 7-3 mark, The three combined Dual Final: OBU 29 Shorter 6 to give the Tigers an early
133 pounds – Nate Rodriguez (OBU) fall (1:58) Aldon Isenberg
12-0 lead. At 149 pounds, Blake Clevenger dropped a hard-fought decision to Nate Galloway, 4-3. Freshman Dakota Head blanked his opponent for 3-0 decision win. 165-pound senior Dexter Carter went down 3-0 to Shorter’s Wally Figaro in the first period. Carter responded by scoring on three takedowns and an escape in the final two periods to defeat Figaro 7-4. “That was the match of the night,” said Tiger Wrestling Head Coach Chris Chionuma. “What Dexter did in that match to come from behind and win takes strength. He
was a man tonight on the mat.” The Tigers responded to Carter’s win with three consecutive, dominate wins. Payne Hatter and Dallas Smith each earned four points with major decision victories. Both wrestlers dominated their opponents and wore them down, outscoring them by a combined 29-8. O’Dell Lee defeated Shorter’s Chris Rowland 105. Lee owned the final two rounds of the match. The Tigers travel to St. Louis, Missouri Sunday (2/15) to compete in the Maryville Duals. n
Men’s basketball defeats NWOSU 70-69 By BRANDON SMITH Sports Information
After converting 7-9 free-throws in the final minute of the game, the Ouachita Tigers secured a 70-69 win over the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers on Saturday. Colt Fason scored the first bucket of the game off an assist by Micah Delph, and the Tigers never looked back, never surrendering their lead. With 5:13 to play in the first half, the Tigers claimed their largest lead of the half at 12 points, but the Rangers (6-16, 5-10 GAC) immediately responded with a 7-0 and the half eventually ended with Ouachita head 32-25. The Tigers held Northwestern to 36 percent shooting from the floor, including only 2-11 from three-point range. Ouachita netted 44.4 percent of its shots in the first half, and nine of the Tigers’ 12 field goals came off assists. Tirrell Brown led the way in the first half, scoring a team-high eight points and pulling down a game-high six rebounds. Carven Holcolmbe followed with six points. In the second half, Ouachita maintained a lead of at least three points until finally claiming its largest lead of 13 after a 10-2 run, capped
off with back-to-back layups from Brown. The Rangers slowly pulled their way back into the game, however, pulling within four points with just under two minutes remaining. Justin McCleary put a stop to Northwestern’s run with a three-pointer off the pass from Fason, and after clutch, free-throw shooting, Ouachita escaped with the one-point victory. Fason provided the offense in the second half, scoring 10 points and grabbing five boards. Brown added eight points, and Delph recorded six points and two assists. For the game, the Tigers converted on only 59.4 percent of their free-throws but made 10 of their last 13. Ouachita was also out-rebounded by 11. Despite shooting 7-17 from the floor, Brown scored a game-high total of 16 points to go along with nine rebounds. Fason was the only other Tiger to score in double-digits, as he scored 14. Delph dished out a team-high six assists while scoring nine points. The victory was the closest game of the season for the Tigers, who are currently first in the Great American Conference with a record of 11-3. Ouachita will take the court again on Thursday, Feb. 12, as the Tigers host Southwestern Oklahoma State. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. n
Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy COLT FASON scores a layup against Arkansas Tech earlier this season. The Tigers defeated Northwest Oklahoma St. 70-69 in a thriller last Saturday.
sports
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Thursday, February 12, 2015
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Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy Chris Chionuma wrestles an opponent at Okla. St. during his years wrestling in college. Chionuma wrestled at Okla. St. in college before joining the Ouachita Wrestling Program as a graduate assistant under Kevin Ward in 2014.
Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy Chionuma (pictured right) watches as Ouachita wrestlers take the mat for a wrestling match earlier this season.
Chris Chionuma has immediate success with Tiger Wrestling By ZACH PARKER Signal Writer
S
ome men were just born to be natural leaders. Ouachita’s interim head wrestling coach Chris Chionuma is an example of one of these men. Chionuma was the captain of both of his college wrestling teams, Lindenwood and Oklahoma State. A three-time NAIA AllAmerican, NAIA runner-up and National Champion at Lindenwood, Chionuma was also the Big 12 Champion for the 2013 Oklahoma State wrestling team that finished second at the NCAA Championships. Before the 2014 wrestling season, Ouachita’s Kevin Ward added Chionuma to his staff as an assistant coach. Ward and Chionuma led the Tigers to a fourth-place finish nationally headlined by five All-Americans, a Ouachita school record. After being named the 2014 Division II Coach of the Year, Ward accepted the head-coaching job at Army. At that point, Chionuma was appointed to a position that very few men would be equipped to handle. His task was replacing a legend in Coach Ward with a team that has national title aspirations, all with very little job security as a coach on an interim basis. Since the inaugural wrestling season at Ouachita in 2010-2011, Ward coached the Tigers to three straight top-15 finishes at the NCAA Tournament and led 10 All-Americans and two NCAA finalists. Ward built the Ouachita wrestling program into what it is today. Despite all of this, Chionuma was up for the challenge and all the pressure that comes with it. “I handled it well. I took it head on. I don’t see anything except the upside to it because I’m young and the things we are doing here are new and we have the right leadership with the seniors here,” Chionuma said. Chionuma said his day-to-day process as a head coach is, “significantly different” than it was
as an assistant coach. It comes with, “a lot more responsibilities, a lot of double checking, triple checking, a lot of planning ahead, a lot of creating an environment,” Chionuma said.
“I don’t see anything except the upside to it because I’m young and the things we are doing here are new and we have the right leadership with the seniors here.” —Chris Chionuma
Chionuma gives a lot of credit to his predecessor in helping him become the coach that he is today. “I think our coaching styles are a lot alike. Kevin took me under his wing so I learned most of my
coaching techniques from him,” Chionuma said. Chionuma places a lot of emphasis on staying in shape and technique in his coaching style. He is also committed to having his practices focus on actual wrestling as opposed to other forms of staying in shape. “You don’t see cross country runners wrestling to get better at cross country so we’re not going to just run 16 miles for no reason to get better at wrestling,” Chionuma said. Despite all the expected trials and tribulations in the beginning that come with being a coach in Chionuma’s position, he says he’s “got the hang of it now.” The team hasn’t missed a beat under new leadership. Ouachita has already defeated Oklahoma City, Wayland Baptist, Shorter and Central Oklahoma. The team also boasts an undefeated record at home this season. According to Intermat Wrestling, a website that ranks both individual wrestlers and teams for NCAA Division II, the Tigers are currently the number four ranked team, nationally. Seniors Garrett Evans and Dallas Smith, sophomore Nate Rodriguez and freshman Payne Hatter are all ranked in the top 10 nationally in their respective weight class on the same site. Intermat also has senior Josh Myers as the number one wrestler in his weight class. Even with both of their busy schedules, Chionuma said he still finds time to keep in touch with his predecessor. “He offered me advice before I took the job and he still offers me advice. I contact him about once a week or after any of our conference competitions. It’s been great,” Chionuma said. Less than two years after helping lead Oklahoma State to a second place finish at the NCAA Championships as a wrestler, Chionuma has the Ouachita Tigers poised to continue their recent trend of postseason success. While many teams would have understandably taken a step back after losing a coach with Ward’s stature, this team is hungry to improve under the direction of Chionuma, a natural leader. n
Cubbies will fall curse to the billy goat again Billy Sianis was asked to leave the 1945 World Series because his pet goat was upsetting other fans. His moment of zen would live in infamy when he seemingly cursed the Cubs out of spite, claiming that the Cubs “wouldn’t win no more.” The Cubs, who were two games up in a series that they should have won, lost in seven to the Detroit Tigers. Since that time, the Cubs haven’t won a National League pennant leading many to call the incident the curse of the billy goat. The Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908. In 2003, they lost to the Marlins in the National League Championship. Recently, they finished last for five consecutive years. Hard times for the Cubbies at Wrigley Field. But through the time-tested bleachers of Wrigley field, echoes of promise are starting to gain momentum as the Cubs made some of the best moves of the offseason. Chicago has been buzzing this offseason with the additions of Jon Lester and Joe Maddon, whom many Cubbies hope will bring about a new
BY: DIXON LAND Sports Editor change in Wrigleyville. Along with the additions of Maddon and Lester, the Cubs brought up Jorge Soler and reigning minor league player of the year Kris Bryant. Bryant, ranked at the top of the list by many baseball analysts as the best rookie, should bring good depth to a young Cub team. Both Bryant and Soler are potential candidates for a break-out year and have shots at NL Rookie of the Year. The Cubs also signed Jason Hammel to a two-year deal and Tsuyoshi Wada to a oneyear deal. Lester’s deal is over six years. That’s the positive for the Cubs. Here’s the negative.
Offensive struggles could negate any postseason appearance for the Cubs. The Cubs were 28th in onbase percentage last season. While the Cubs offensive performance includes many batters that can hit home runs, that doesn’t make a good offense. And just because the Cubs did bring up some good rookies from the minor leagues, they are just rookies who need to develop. The Cubs depth is something that is lacking as well. The Cubs will only start two pitchers that have pitched over 200 innings in a season – Travis Wood and Lester. Jason Motte, is the only closer the Cubs have that has more than one year of minors experience. But Motte is a year removed from a major surgery after transferring from NL rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. So his progression through the season will be something the Cubs will need to watch. The Cubs also happen to play in a division that has boasted some powerful teams over the past few years. The Cardinals (The Yankees of the NL) and the Pirates will be
tough divisional opponents all season, giving the Cubs problems in the long run with good pitching depth. The Cardinals, seemingly the favorites in the division will likely give the Cubs a run for their money each series they play this year. Along with the Pirates and the Cardinals, the Reds
“The Goat wins again. Sorry Cubbies, maybe next year.” —Dixon Land
have been sporadic for the past few years, but traditionally always compete for NL Central championships. The Reds were down last year, but it wouldn’t surprise many baseball fans to see the Reds do better this year than the experts think. The Cubs are more than likely a year away. They’ve added some decent hitters but more than likely, the Cubs are one more productive offseason away from competing in the playoffs, but don’t be surprised if they come out better than expected. The Cubs have the potential to compete in the NL Central, and win 85 games, but 85 wins will be hard-earned for a team with a bullpen that lacks depth and a team that hasn’t proven good team offense yet. More than likely though, Marty McFly’s realization that the Cubs will win the World Series in 2015 is about as accurate as the flying cars and self-lacing tennis shoes that we use every day. The Cubs, realistically, are a 75-win team. Anything more is just gravy. The Goat wins again. Sorry Cubbies, maybe next year. n
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#CFW15
Thursday, February 12, 2015
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Abbey Fowler y The Signal
Rusty Butler and Emily Harris lead worship during Christian Focus Week. Classes were dismissed throughout the week to allow students to attend daily worship services.
Tyler Rosenthal y The Signal
Jillian Edwards performs Sunday evening to officially kick off Christian Focus Week 2015.
“Citizens”
Christian Focus Week 2015 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” —Ephesians 2:19-20
Thursday: + 4 p.m. Breakout session, Berry Chapel + 9:30 p.m. Refuge, JPAC
Alex Becerra y The Signal Students participate in an art and worship coffeehouse during Christian Focus Week 2015.
Friday: + 11 a.m. Worship, JPAC + 12:15 p.m. Live Music, Dr. Jack’s
Alex Becerra y The Signal
Sadie Sasser performs at a coffeehouse during Christian Focus Week 2015. The coffeehouse featured the chance for students to worship in an informal setting on Monday evening.
Alex Becerra y The Signal
Emma Riley serves fellow students pancakes during the prayers and pancakes session of Christian Focus Week 2015.