OBU Signal – May 1 by OBU Signal

05.01.14

Issue 25

Class of 2014 Special Section

Dr. Jay Curlin chosen for five-week European seminar program By JESSICA STEWART News Bureau

Tyler White z The Signal Tyler Wisdom and Blakeley Knox perform during last semester’s student-directed One-Act Play Festival. The free event will take place again beginning tonight at 8 p.m. in Verser Theatre.

One-Act Play Festival begins tonight in Verser By TAYLOR TOMLINSON News Bureau

Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts will host its student-directed One-Act Play Festival on Thursday and Friday, May 1-2, at 8 p.m. in Verser Theatre. The performances are free and open to the public. The One-Act Plays are a project of a directing class and a requirement for students seeking to fulfill a theatre degree. This semester, eight oneacts plays will be performed over two nights. “The One-Acts provide our senior students with a chance to be fully involved in all aspects of a play’s production; from choosing the play, to its casting, rehearsing, design and, finally, culminating in its performance,” said Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theatre arts, who teaches the directing class. “It provides them an opportunity to put in to practice everything they have learned while at school here.”

“Directing the One-Acts is kind of the capstone of our theatre education,” said Lacey Johnson, a senior theatre arts and history major from Little Rock, Ark. “It allows us, as theatre students, to synthesize everything we’ve learned about the dramatic process into one project.” Johnson will direct The Third Angle on Friday night. “I think it’s important as a person of the theatre to direct because it allows a whole new wave of creativity,” said Jillian Kaniss, a senior theatre arts and psychology major from Texarkana, Texas. “You get to create your own art and have audience members take a journey that you want them to take. It’s exhilarating to know that you can impact people with the work you put on the stage.” Kaniss will direct Hello Out There on Thursday night. For more information, contact Daniel Inouye at inouyed@obu.edu. For show schedules and a list of performers for each show, visit http:// www.obu.edu/news. n

Alumnus Jacob Watson makes Broadway debut By TAYLOR TOMLINSON News Bureau

acob Keith Watson, a 2011 Ouachita alumnus, made his Broadway debut last weekend in the award-winning musical Violet. Presented by Roundabout Theatre Company, the production opened April 20 at the historic American Airlines Theatre and will run through August 10. “I think the importance of this for me, personally, is in the impact it will have on both my career and on my abilities,” said Watson. “I have learned so much from this process, but even more from every single Broadway veteran that I get to see work every day. For my first time on Broadway, I seriously could not have invented a better experience and environment to learn and create in. It is the beginning of my dream coming true.” According to Roundabout, Violet chronicles the journey of a young woman as she searches for beauty “amidst the image-obsessed landscape of the 1960s.” Violet, facially disfigured as a child, takes a Greyhound bus to Oklahoma in pursuit of a televangelist she believes can heal her. Along the way she forms unlikely friendships with individuals who join her on the journey to be healed. With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, Violet is a winner of the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. In its

Courtesy

Broadway premier, directed by Leigh Silverman, Watson will perform alongside recognized Broadway actors such as Colin Donnell, Joshua Henry and two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster. “To land his first Broadway role in this production as a featured performer with the likes of Sutton Foster is a major accomplishment,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music and chair of OBU’s applied music department, and Watson’s voice coach during his time at Ouachita. “Miss Foster is one of the three most sought after female performers in the Broadway ranks.” “Something I have learned from the incredible artists I am currently working with is that you have to always strive for more, to dig for more,’” said Watson. “Even when it seems the work may be done, that’s when the real work begins. That is exactly what my teachers at OBU were constantly teaching me and I am so unbelievably thankful for them every single day.” Watson, a Wynne, Ark., na-

tive, has performed multiple roles prior to his Broadway debut. A few of these include: Feste in Twelfth Night; Horton in Seussical the Musical; Frederic in Pirates of Penzance; Naphtali/Calypso Soloist in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Iago (U/S) in Othello; Rodolfo in La Boheme, Corin in As You Like It; Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni; and Beppe in Pagliacci. Watson also made his European debut in 2013 with the Kurt Weill Festival, performing in a Broadway concert titled New York, New York. In addition, Watson has received multiple awards for his performances in recent years including: second place in the prestigious international Lotte Lenya Competition, presented by the Kurt Weill Foundation; first place in the first annual National Musical Theatre Competition, presented by the National Association of Teachers of Singing; and Best Stage Presence/Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. “I definitely believe my experience at OBU was an incredibly important step toward the beginning of my career as an actor,” said Watson. “OBU has some of the greatest and most passionate teachers that there are in theatre.” “It was an honor and a privilege to work with such a talented young artist,” Secrest added. “His performance gifts are superior to most … and I also recognized he possesses a drive and self reliance that would take him very far.” n

Professor Dr. Jay Curlin was selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar from a national applicant pool. Curlin will attend one of 30 seminars and institutes supported by the NEH. Dr. Curlin will participate in a seminar titled “Tudor Books and Readers: 1485-1603” with 15 other scholars. The fiveweek program will be held at the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp, Belgium; at Senate House Library, University of London; and at the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. “Everything about the seminar sounds like paradise to a bookworm whose visions of Heaven have always been huge libraries with towering bookshelves filled with beautiful old books,” said Curlin. “There is no library with so magical a name and history for me as Oxford’s Bodleian Library,” Curlin added. “To me, there is simply nothing more appealing than the prospect of spending four weeks there after a few days in Antwerp at the ‘sole surviving Renaissance printing and publishing house’ and, in London, at the Senate House Library.” The seminar is designed to study the Tudor Era book culture using a multidisciplinary lens, not only evaluating the historical and technological facts but also the implications for politics, art, literature, sociology and other fields. “My chief hope and anticipation for the program is that it will widen considerably what I currently know about the history of the book and the intertwining of that history with Tudor literature,” Curlin noted, “a period particularly dear to me since early in my graduate studies, when I first fell in love with Wyatt, Surrey, and, most especially, Spenser and Shakespeare.” Curlin has memorized all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets and currently teaches Ouachita’s senior literature seminar on Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. “To pore over such treasures in their very cradle with other bookworms devoted to Tudor literature sounds simply like a dream,” Curlin said. Additionally, as part of the seminar, Curlin will present his own research to his fellow scholars for discussion and review. He anticipates investigating Tudor readers themselves and their attitudes toward the rare books that have survived to the present day. Noting Shakespeare and Spenser’s references to the temporality of literature, Curlin said: “It is this anxiety about the instability of the language and what the ravages of time would do to any books attempting to preserve it that most interests me at the moment when I consider Tudor readers and those magical little volumes that have managed to survive them.” According to its website, the National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency created in 1965. It is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States, and each summer, it supports enrichment opportunities at universities and cultural institutions so that faculty can work in collaboration and study with experts in humanities disciplines. The more than 430 NEH Summer Scholars will teach more than 113,000 students the following year. n

this weekz REFUGE is tonight at Second Baptist at 9 p.m. VIRGINIA QUEEN PIANO COMPETITION will be tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. For more information, contact Dr. Ouida Keck at kecko@obu.edu. MUSIC @ DR. JACK’S on Friday, presented by CAB, will feature Jake Fauber and Nicole (soonto-be-Fauber) Mattson. LATE NIGHT CINNAMON ROLLS will be served in the caf Sunday night, May 4, from 11 p.m. until midnight. LATE NIGHT BREAKFAST is Tuesday, May 6, from 11 p.m. until midnight. COMMENCEMENT will be Saturday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m. on the lawn of Cone Bottoms. GRADES will be posted at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13.

opinions

Thursday, May 1, 2014

www.obusignal.com

When listening is better than talking By EMILY TERRY Editor-in-Chief @emilymterry

earning. It’s something our parents think we do every day here in college. It is something I do every day. But it’s not always academic learning. I learn life lessons on a pretty regular basis that usually spur from making mistakes. This is a frequent occurence. I am the queen of saying things and immediately having a wave (tsunami) of regret wash over me. Chances are, if you’ve ever talked to me, I’ve said something that I didn’t mean. Please accept my sincerest apologies. Just laugh at me and move on – that’s what I do. But I digress. My point is, I’ve learned something this semester. Quite a few things, actually. I’ve discovered that I have this weird desire to be a podcast/radio host. Don’t ask because I don’t know why. Just trust me that I would have a killer show. I also have learned that few things are as uncomfortable as walking across the bridge from the village to campus in the mornings as the white concrete burns your retinas and makes you squint like an idiot. My fellow Gosser and East Village friends know exactly what I’m talking about. Third, people are going to keep getting engaged. We all know this, especially during this time of the year. Every weekend, there are at least a few gushy Facebook updates and Instagram posts. Every Sunday night, there is another blowout. Every day, there is a new shower and/or wedding invitation. I could not be happier for my friends and fellow students for their journeys toward happily ever after. Really. I’m quite the sap and love nothing more than living vicariously through them. But I’ve learned to just accept the fact that they have found “the one” and I am in a committed relationship with

Netflix, cookie dough and the game “2048” on my iPad – which I beat last weekend. However, that isn’t my point. Granted, I could go on for eons about that particular subject. But I will spare the ink and page space it would require. The real lesson I’m quite proud to have truly begun learning is the idea that everyone has a story. Every single person. Think about that for a second. That guy who held the door open so you could walk into the building could have lost a parent. The lady who works in the cafeteria, always smiling, could have gone through some really traumatic or really incredible life experience. That girl in your 8 a.m. class who talks entirely too much for the time of day could have a really interesting and unique hobby that you didn’t even know existed. This idea is not new. But how often do we actually think about it? How many times have I looked at someone and only seen the things I want to see and judged someone based on only the things I know? Too many times to count. But how many times do I talk to someone and really get to know them and what they’ve been through and what makes them the way they are? Not enough. That’s for sure. But I’m learning. My time on newspaper staffs, both in high school and here at Ouachita, have helped me begin to see people in a new light. As a staff writer in high school, I wrote a story about a foreign exchange student from Russia, a friend of mine who painted t-shirts and a teacher’s husband who donated plasma. In college, I’ve interviewed (among others) Colton Dixon, Rex Horne, Ian Cosh (more than once), more than one Miss OBU, Student Senate presidents and Mr. Ricky from the caf – there is never a dull moment. I’ve learned so much and had so many amazing conversations that I can’t help but say that I have the best job in the world. I get to ask people questions about the things they love and watch their eyes light up when they

talk about whatever that thing may be. That being said, the emotions I’ve witnessed are nothing short of inspiring. I’ve heard joyous laughter, felt tangible excitement and seen heartwrenching tears. People feel so incredibly much and how often to they just get to unleash all of that emotion, without it falling on deaf ears? So I guess all I’m trying to say with this is to love people. We have been given a unique opportunity to live life here at Ouachita – a place full of people with stories of the miracles of the Lord and talent that is absolutely, positively unmatched. Get to know these people.

“Everyone

you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” – Bill Nye

Ask questions. More than that, listen to the answers. Process what someone is saying when they’re telling a story. Maybe they will say something to pique your interest. Dig deeper. Find out why. Why everything. Why did you choose your major? What do you love about your major? Are you a cat or dog person? What’s your biggest pet peeve? The list of questions you can ask people is literally endless. (Yes. The word “literally” is actually appropriate for that instance.) If it seems weird to just ask people random questions, remember this: people actually do like to talk about them-

selves. Some might act like they don’t, but they’re probably just not used to it. I suppose this isn’t exactly timely if you look at it as advice, seeing as how the semester is over. But as a reflection, it pretty much sums up my semester. Often, I get so caught up in myself and all the dramatic happenings of my life that I forget that the people around me are so much cooler than me. It makes absolutely no sense that I would waste so much time focusing on myself when there is this unending sea of incredible stories begging to be told. Surely this problem isn’t unique to just me. Hopefully I’m not the only person on this campus who forgets sometimes that we are here as a really special community with an insanely cool bond. Maybe I am. Either way, let this be an encouragement to you and me to never stop asking questions and to not grow weary in doing good – through taking interest in the lives and triumphs and sorrows of others. People are really incredible. And whether you label yourself as a “journalist” or not, I think you should go out of your way to “interview” people. It doesn’t have to be formal – just genuine. Again, maybe I’m the only one, but I find great joy in people watching. I absolutely love just observing people as they interact with one another and as they go about their business. It gives you a strange sense of respect for people when you take a minute to appreciate life through the eyes of another person. Get to know how someone else thinks and how they see the world. It will open up your horizons more than you ever thought possible. My sincere hope is that you and I both will never forget the infamous words of B-b-b-bill Nye the Science Guy (BillBillBillBillBill, Bill Nye the Science Guyyyy): “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” Let’s commit to really learn something even the top-notch professors of Ouachita could never teach us. Let’s learn to ask. And, more importantly, learn to listen. n

“Iron Clad” deserves Oscar for most sword fights By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15 If you reacted to the mention of the recent “Clash of the Titans” remake with anything but a stony faced, tea water, 7-on-the-ph-scale perfectly middle of the road “meh,” I would judge you. It was so mediocre that it wasn’t even worth the energy to dislike it. Unfortunately, that’s been the story with almost all action movies involving be-toga’d damsels and guys with British accents and swords lately. “The Eagle,” “Centurion,” “Pathfinder,” “Hercules” (not the one with the Rock that’s coming out this summer. The other one. Obviously). It’s all the same stuff. Brooding heroes, forgettable villains, a cast that all looks and acts exactly alike and the same old slow-motionwhile-leaping-through-the-air spin moves that are in every single fight scene in the genre. “Ironclad,” which is available to watch instantly on Netflix at this very moment, fixes all of that. When you find it, you’ll immediately think that it’s going to be stupid because of the “sci-fi original” quality thumbnail. You’d be right. But even though it’s stupid, it’s stupid in the absolute best way possible. The way that involves vikings getting beaten to death with the severed arms of their fallen brothers. “Ironclad” is the story of a retired knight’s templar on his way back to the monastery after King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta. The former king breaks his contract, hires a bunch of vikings to help him retake England and then makes his first pit stop for revenge in the exact town that the templar stopped

to stay the night. After murdering a bunch of dudes, the templar runs away and recruits a rag tag group of misfits to hole up in a castle and stall King John until reinforcements arrive. As the Netflix description puts it, it’s “The Magnificent Seven” with swords. But not samurai swords. Man swords. First of all, yes, the main protagonist is mopey and brooding, so he’s just as unlikable as pretty much any other main protagonist from this genre. However, as part of his warrior monk lifestyle, he’s taken a vow of silence. In other words, as far as the big hero is concerned, they cut out all that sissy talkin’ stuff to save room for sword fights. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the dialogue is bad, though. In fact, it makes it better. Instead of our ol’ gloomy Gus protagonist taking up all the screen time whining about his lost honor or whatever, he just keeps his mouth shut and lets the rest of the cast spout off one-liners. That’s all it is. There’s barely even any character development or exposition. You’ve got Mr. Knight in Shining Armor, skinny archer guy, crazy guy, strong guy, ladies-man anti-hero guy and haggard leader guy who speaks only in catch phrases. If you need more than that, you can go put on a frilly hat and watch “Downtown Abbey.” Yeah, I just said it that way. Try not to spill your tea over it. I haven’t talked about the bad guys yet, but that’s because I absolutely have to talk about the fight scenes right now. Have I mentioned there’s fighting? First of all, the main protagonist doesn’t use one of those namby pamby one-handed swords like you see in most movies. I mean, he has one, but he only uses it for minor things like picking viking out of his teeth. For the most part, this guy is mowing people down with a “Braveheart” style monster of a sword. It’s practically as tall as he is. On top of that, he’s not doing any slow motion spin moves either. They took the fight choreography in this movie straight out of

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medieval combat manuals. Before you go rolling your eyes, no, I’m not saying that’s a good thing because of some uber-nerd demand for historical accuracy. I’m saying that’s a good thing because the illustrations in medieval combat manuals look like what a heavy metal singer sees when he closes his eyes at night. Essentially, somebody saw a seven-foot long sword and thought, “Yeah, I guess that’s scary and all, but is stabbing and slicing really all you can do with it? I bet you could grab it by the blade and smash some guys over the head with the pommel too.” The beautifully choreographed fight scenes don’t just result in a bunch of perfectly unharmed bodies piled up on the ground, either. This movie has slasher flick-level gore. Not that gore makes or breaks a movie, but the constant cringe moments will keep you on edge the entire time you’re watching. All of that already puts “Ironclad” head and shoulders above most movies in the medieval action genre, but it’s also got a semi-decent bad guy. Of course there’s the faceless vikings who all wear black and don’t talk so that you don’t feel bad when they get hot tar thrown on them from the top of a castle, but King John, the main bad guy, is a complete scum bag. He’s just some soft handed brat that’s constantly giving orders to have all these awesome warrior guys killed off when he couldn’t last five seconds on a battlefield himself. It’s real easy to hate him. He’s also played by Paul Giamatti, so the acting isn’t as terrible as it could’ve been given the obscurity of the movie. There’s also a head honcho viking guy with a big axe, but he was just there to stand around and look scary. “Ironclad” isn’t a cinematic masterpiece that will take the breath from your lungs and leave a song in your heart for years to come, but it does have sword fights. Really cool sword fights. If you’ve got Netflix and a free Friday night, there are definitely worse things you could be doing. n 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.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.

class of 2014

Thursday, May 1, 2014

special section B

Photo by Callie Stephens y the Signal

it all started 8.21.10

THE CLASS of 2014 begins their Ouachita journey as they gather for their class photo in Heflin plaza after Tigers and Torches during WOW. They will gather together again Saturday, May 10, to conclude their time at Ouachita during spring Commencement.

Carlin, Fischer wrap up year as Refuge leaders Speaking frequently at a student-led, studentattended worship service is a unique opportunity that both say have greatly impacted their time here For some Christian studies majors, coming in to at Ouachita. Ouachita freshman year brings with it the desire to “This whole experience has changed my senior preach and speak at every opportunity and maybe, year in a number of ways,” Fischer said. “It has someday, landing the role of “Refuge speaker.” given me a platform to speak to the younger stu For this year’s leaders, however, that was not dents here. I’m also naturally an introvert, so it alhow things happened. lows me to connect with other people who it would Kyle Fischer, a senior Christian studies and Bib- be hard for me to just come out of my shell and talk lical languages double major, began his Ouachita to.” career with the intention of moving Carlin had very similar opinions when it came on to law school and becoming a to the experience of that leadership position, sayfederal judge. But in the begining his favorite thing about being a Refuge ning, he had his sights set on a speaker wasn’t actually speaking. different aspect of Refuge. “My favorite thing was being able to “When I first came to use that as a platform to be involved Ouachita, I had done some in and invest in other people’s lives,” music stuff at my church and he said. loved what they were doing Carlin said it was an espeically at Refuge,” he said. “I honestly interesting opportunity because of wanted to be the worship leader the proximity of him to the people for Refuge for a while” to which he spoke. After majoring in po “Refuge is unique in the litical science and fact that you’re speaking mass communito your peers,” Carcations during lin said. “It’s cool his first semesthat 90 percent of ter, Fischer the crowd you’re changed his speaking to is bemajor to tween the ages of Christian 18 and 22. The fact studies. that I’m the same “I was age as everying in raised in a the room is differpastor’s home ent.” and I began Carlin and to reflect on Fischer both that as I was agreed that deciding to their leadership roles and the change my specific positions they were in major,” he added a certain level of pressaid. “I have sure to their lives around camalways really pus. enjoyed study “It’s made me think about my own ing the Bible walk with Christ,” Fischer said. “If and learning. I you’re going to be telling other people switched over what to do, it needs to be directed at you my second seas well. A lot of people I speak to, I’m in Fischer. Photo by Kristen Barnard, The Signal. the same boat as they are. I want to see mester and it’s been really neat to just dive into that and allow those classes to prepare me to graduate, but also to draw from for Refuge.” The other speaker, Jared Carlin, a senior accounting major, always had a desire to speak at Refuge, but that didn’t lead him to change his major to Christian studies. “I love Jesus and I love people and I think there’s a calling on my life to preach,” Carlin said. “I remember going into James Taylor’s office freshman year and saying I felt called to preach at Refuge. It was cool that God gave me that opportunity three years later. It was such a fun journey.” Both Fischer and Carlin were chosen by the same process to be regular speakers at the weekly worship service. However, before time came to apply and choose the leaders for the 2013-2014 school year, both gentlemen had the opportunity to try their hand at Refuge preaching. “After LJ (Brooks) passed away, James came to a few people and asked if we would consider speaking for the remainder of the year, just as a way to honor LJ and not try to shove someone in his spot,” Fischer said. “Obviously I was sad about the loss of LJ, but I was given a great opportunity and avenue to get involved with Refuge.” After going throught the application and interview process, Fischer and Carlin were chosen to be the regular speakers for Refuge during their senior year. For Carlin, this meant doing some extra prep work. “I’m not a Christian studies major, so in a lot of ways I felt inferior in my knowledge,” he said. “I spent the summer reading a lot of books by dead guys with deep theology and just wanted to know deeper thoughts about the Bible. During the first few sermons, I felt I had all these deep truths and knowledge pent up that I just had to share. But as the semster went on, I noticed that my sermons got more simple. I would still rely on those deep truths, but present it in a much more personal way.”

By EMILY TERRY Editor-in-Chief

“It’s cool to see how the Spirit uses you and how it impacts people, despite what you might say. God’s in the business of using us in our weaknesses, not when we think we have it all together.” – Jared Carlin

o t h e r

people and myself changed.” Carlin recalls the respect and admiration he had for Refuge speakers during his first few years at Ouachita and says stepping into that role was a humbling experience. “I just looked up to them and you just assume they’re different,” he said. “I remember my first sermon. I stepped off stage and it hit me that I was the same person before that sermon that I was after. I still had the same struggles. It was just a really good reminder that there’s nothing different about me and there Carlin. Photo by Kristen Barnard, The Signal. never will be. There’s a certain level of responsibility with any position of leadership, but unless you approach that with complete humility, you’re gonig to have problems.” Fischer said one of his favorite memories of Refuge involved a girl that he and Carlin never actually met or talked to. “This girl came to Refuge for the first time with a friend and she wasn’t a believer,” Fischer said. “Through that experience at Refuge, she came to know Jesus. We didn’t know or talk to her, but her friends at Ouachita helped her become a Christian. God doesn’t need me or Jared, but he chooses to use us.” Carlin echoes that same idea, noting that God uses lessons that aren’t even spoken to touch people’s lives when they come to Refuge. “I’ve had people come up to me and tell me what they’ve gotten out of the message I preached and I never actually said those things,” Carlin said. “It’s cool to see how the Spirit uses you and how it impacts people, despite what you might say. God’s in the business of using us in our weaknesses, not when we think we have it all together.” Carlin says God’s ability to speak despite their human flaws is one of the biggest takeaways from the year. “God moved, despite our inadequacies and that is the message of the Gospel,” he said. “I’ve seen that so clearly. I wanted to look back and say we did the best we could, but I think the fact that I can’t look back and say that makes for an even better story, because God still worked in people’s lives.” After graduation, Fischer and Carlin plan on continuing to be instruments for the Lord, but in slightly different ways. Fischer will begin seminary at Dallas Theological Seminary in the fall to pursue a master’s degree, which means another four years of school. He then wants to get a doctorate degree from a university overseas and teach at a place similar to Ouachita or a seminary. Carlin will not be attending seminary in the fall, though he hopes to someday. Instead, he has a job with an accounting firm in downtown Little Rock. “I’m not about accounting and I’m not about preaching – I’m about Jesus,” he said. “I know that I’ve got a good opportunity with this accounting firm right now and I’m excited to really make the most of that. Even if I never make it to seminary, God still sits on the throne.” n

2B n senior section Thursday, May 1, 2014

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Stewart heads to full-time ministry By EMILY TERRY Editor-in-Chief

Many students leave Ouachita and go on to work in a church and attend seminary. However, for many students, this was not the original plan when beginning his or her Ouachita journey. One of these students is Jessica Stewart, a senior Christian media/communications and mass communications double major from Mansfield, Texas. “When I was a freshman, I probably thought that I would be graduating and working in Christian magazines or something really cliche,” she said. “I think I really thought I would be working for Lifeway, probably.” After graduation, she won’t be working for a magazine, but she will be communicating in a Christian environment in a full-time ministry internship at Prestonwood Baptist Church close to her home in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. “A few months ago, I decided I should probably start looking for something to do after graduation,” she said. “My problem was that I was really torn between doing ministry and doing communications because I love to do both.” Stewart has worked with OBU grad Clay Cunningham as a student ministry intern at First Baptist Benton for the past year and a half. During that time, she has grown her passion for working with students in ministry. “I didn’t intend to do full-time ministry,” she said. “I thought ministry would always be a part of my life and I would always work with students, but I never thought it would be the main thing I did or my main calling. I still felt drawn to communications in ministry, but right now it’s just ministry.” After applying to three different churches around DFW, Prestonwood quickly became a frontrunner in the job search. “Prestonwood was so cool about pursuing me to work for them,” she said. “A Ouachita grad interns with them right now and the head of their intern program is an alum of Ouachita as well. Another Ouachita graduate is the student pastor at their north campus. So through those Ouachita relationships, they really pursued me.” In addition to landing the internship, Stewart will also have the opportunity to attend seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while working at Prestonwood. “I never even dreamed of going to grad school or seminary or anything,” she said. “Not until recently have I thought it would be a great experience.” Stewart says one of the most incredible parts of her journey to her new job has been watching God’s hand at work in her life, directing her in ways she never thought she would go.

“It has been so cool to watch God perfectly ormatter,” she said. “Just to love people chestrate everything. He has really shown me and really see them and be present how big He is through it all,” she said. “It’s and be 100 percent wherever I am like He’s saying, ‘Oh, you don’t think you’re and be the best friend or mentor I smart enough? Well, joke’s on you; I think can be is so important.” you’re smart enough.’ He is showing me During her time at that He can work out every situation and Ouachita, the class that all of these awesome things are now a made this idea stand out possibility because of that fact.” was Life of Christ with Despite all of the changes and Dr. Scott Duvall. new experiences she will be fac “It’s been my favorite ing in the coming months, Stewclass at Ouachita,” she art says she is most excited said. “That’s kind about being able to serve in a of where this church in an area with which whole idea of Jeshe is familiar. sus being central “It’s close to home. The culcame about. We ture is one I really identify talked a lot about with,” she said. “I think I’ll be how Jesus was a able to identify with the stureal person and that dents well and communicate made Jesus so much with them and say, “Hey, I’ve more real to me. He been exactly where you are.’ was real and he really Being able to relate to them did all of those things and mentor them in their and making Him spiritual journey a lot betcentral in everything ter than if I were in a place is really important bewhere I maybe couldn’t recause He is legit.” late as well.” In addition to looking One way she hopes to back on influential classes, relate to the students is by Stewart will certainly remiStewart. Photo by Kristen Barnard, The Signal. taking what she’s learned at nisce on the relationships Ouachita and helping to make Jesus and the Gos- that have been a key factor in her time at Ouachita. “I’m going to miss the people I’ve met here,” she said. “God really made this idea of friendship huge to me. Having the friendships and relationships at my fingertips at all times is what I’m going to miss most.” As she reflects on her time at Ouachita, Stewart says her advice to her freshman self would be to not get too busy and to be flexible and make the most of the time here without worrying too much about the future. After all, her future plans fell into place just a few weeks before graduation, proving there is no benefit in worrying. “I think I tried everything when I got here and was so busy. That kind of took away from people and learning for a while and I had to slow down and take a step out of some things I was involved in and pick a few things and do them well,” she said. “Also, don’t come in with such a black and pel real to the students she encounters. white plan. Things are going to change. Don’t feel “We can learn about theology and all these other like you have to have a plan the whole time. I think things, but for me, knowing Jesus and making Je- I was so quick to put God in a box, in a sense, and sus and the Gospel central to every part of my life say I had my plan and knew things were going to is what’s most important to me – not just making be. Have fun and don’t worry about it until you it this crazy theological debate that really doesn’t need to worry about it.” n

“Things are going to change. Don’t feel like you have to have a plan the whole time.” – Jessica Stewart

Barnard, Young to partner with Pitza42 Pitza42 website, a total of 513,563 meals have been provided. News Editor The couple is passionate and excited about this next stage in their journey, but this was not always As this school year comes to a close, the class of the plan they had in mind for themselves. 2014 will be moving on to the next stage of life. For “I spent my entire college career building my some that means grad school, for some marriage, resume and working towards landing a corporate some will enter the mission field, some will enter job, but, over this last year, I felt tremendous unthe job market and others will devote their lives to rest about that,” Young said. “As I began to think ending world hunger. through things and pray, I started to feel called to After graduation, seniors Justin Young and Kris- use my business skills in a mission-minded way. ten Barnard will be partnering with a Christian “Seeing that I’m getting married in a matter of nonprofit organization called Feed My Starving months, I knew it was my duty to provide for my Children, with the goal of opening a restaurant in bride-to-be, so that corporate job I had lined up Fayetteville dedicated to helping end world hun- seemed really easy, but, as time went on, I knew ger. that God was calling me to something else.” The two will marry in July and then move to After feeling this call, Young contacted the Conway, Ark., to start training with Austin and Samuelsons, whom he knew through connections Ashton Samuelson, Ouachita alumni and the own- with the Hickingbotham School of Business, about ers of Pitza42 and Tacos4Life in Conway, to pre- opening another restaurant with them. The Samupare to open their own branch of Tacos4Life elsons had been praying for a young couple that within the next year. could open another store and were very recep “18,000 children die per day due to tive. starvation, and our goal is to As a business administration and mass open 76 restaurants, because communications majors, respectively, Young based on the numbers, 76 and Barnard are excited to use all they of these restaurants could have learned in college for this next end world hunger,” Barphase in life. nard said. “Fayetteville “My time in Enactus has is a great place to open really opened my eyes to a restaurant like this my passion for using busibecause there is such a ness to solve problems large population of coland meet tangible needs lege students that likes in the world and my to support causes like work with Dr. Jack’s has this.” shown me how social For every meal sold at entrepreneurship really Pitza42 or Tacos4Life, 22 works and how God can cents are donated to Feed use my talents to help My Starving Children. those in need,” Young This money pays for one said. of the meal packets that Though they cannot Feed My Starving Chilwait to marry and spend dren distributes, so for the rest of their lives togethevery meal sold in one er working for this mission, of these restaurants, the two only started dating another meal is given their junior year after much to a child in need. perseverance on Young’s According to the Barnard and Young. Photo by Tyler Rosenthal, The Signal. part. Months of pursuit finally

By ANNA KUMPURIS

ended in success with ice cream. “I sent Beau Dagget with her favorite ice cream to her work and on the ice cream it said ‘Will you go get more ice cream with me next week?’” Young recalled. “We went on the ice cream date and we were playing Make it or Break it. I said ‘He’s perfect in every way but he can’t figure out how to ask you to the Beta Valentine’s dance,’ so then I asked her and she said yes and then it was hook, line and sinker. She’s pretty infatuated.” After the fateful ice cream date (and a very public announcement of their couple status during Miss OBU), the two dated for the rest of their junior year and got engaged this past fall. Now they are ready to begin this new journey to which they have been called.

“Always lay your plans on the altar before the Lord because you never know where you’re going to end up.” – Kristen Barnard

“I would encourage everyone to always lay your plans on the alter before the Lord because you never know where you’re going to end up and usually our plans don’t work out the way that we hope for them to anyways,” Barnard said. “I think that if we hadn’t listened to the Lord, we wouldn’t be on this exciting roller coaster ride we’re about to enter.” n

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senior section n 3B

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Schroeder returns to Wal-Mart headquarters process with Wal-Mart to try and land a job as a summer intern in the Wal-Mart home office in BenAssistant Sports Editor tonville, Ark. As he interviewed, Schroeder was never quite sure if he would get the job. uck Schroeder, a senior accounting major, “Over fall break I was doing my second round has already secured a spot on board of the of interviews and I thought it was over after my mega-corporation Wal-Mart. But Schroed- video interview,” Schroeder said. “It was a panel er’s success at Wal-Mart all started with a visit to and kinda awkward the entire time. I leaned on my the campus of Ouachita. OSF experience a lot in that one. But I learned what For Schroeder, coming to Ouachita wasn’t a de- type of questions they were going to ask me and I cision that he had originally planned on making. got a lot of confidence after it.” “I didn’t even know about Ouachita until senior Schroeder, after multiple interviews over the year of high school,” Schroeder said. “I was torn phone, Skype and in person, was offered an inbetween UCA and the University of Arkansas. ternship in early December of his junior year. He Both my brothers had gone to UCA, but I wanted would be working in Bentonville the following something different. I didn’t get much scholar- summer as an intern for the nourishment and reship money from Arkansas. When I came down to plenishment department of Wal-Mart. Ouachita to visit, I loved it and knew for sure that “It was nice for that spring semester knowing I wanted to go here.” that I already knew I was going to be there,” Schro As Schroeder arrived on campus, he began to get eder said. “I felt some relief knowing that I had involved in various organizations. One particular a job and I didn’t have to continue searching for organization that he fell in love with freshman year one.” was SIFE, now known as ENACTUS. Schroeder Schroeder began his work at Wal-Mart in late took an active role in leadership for the organiza- May. While not working with accounting, Schrotion. eder was able to learn about the Wal-Mart system. “It was a great thing to get involved with fresh- “Replenishment is the idea of getting and proman year,” Schroeder said. “I got the opportunity ducing products from the farm to the store,” Schroto be the project leader for Southern Good Faith eder said. “It’s one big balancing act of having Fund.” enough of the product in the store for people to At 18 years old, Schroeder was given the oppor- buy, but not having so much that it is going to go tunity to teach many different people about vari- bad and lose us money.” ous areas of financial investment and opportunity. Another unique feature of Schroeder’s intern “I got to teach these classes at Southern Bancorp ship was his ability to cross-network within the to people that ranged from 18-year olds to families Wal-Mart corporate system. Wal-Mart specifically with 50-year olds,” Schroeder said. “Basically, encouraged Schroeder, along with the other inthe requirement was to come to all of the terns, to network across all departments of classes, and Southern Bancorp gave you the store in order to make contacts within a $2,000 grant for going back to school or the home office. doing a project on your home or some “Half of your time as an intern at Walthing similar to that.” Mart is spent networking,” Schroeder During his second semester on camsaid. “You can really network with whopus, Schroeder joined another organiever you want. You can look at other peozation, one directly related to helping ple’s calendar and set up a one-on-one students. meeting with them or even just touch base “I joined OSF my second semester on with them and have a few of your questions campus. I got pretty involved in answered.” that as well,” said Schroeder. The last week of Schro“I was on student recruiteder’s internship, he was ment at first, and I loved offered a job to work it. Then, I got to be the for Wal-Mart after he communications direcgraduated college. For tor my sophomore year Schroeder, having a job and that was a very before even beginning unique experience.” his senior year of col But Schroeder was lege was a tremendous planning ahead for blessing. something beyond the “It was really awetables of the business some getting to know going classrooms. into my senior year that I “Early fall semester, would have a full time job,” I sat down and began Schroeder said. searching for places But Schroeder never fell to intern,” Schroeder on his schoolwork. In fact, said. “I applied for a Schroeder felt a greater number of different weight to do better in the places, but Wal-Mart classroom. was the only place I re “Coming back with a full ally heard back from. I time job awaiting me, I never was excited, though.” felt I could just coast,” Schro Schroeder began the eder said. “I realized that I Schroeder. Photo by Kristen Barnard, The Signal. grueling interview needed to learn now more

By DIXON LAND

than ever so that I’m prepared for Wal-Mart and prepared for whatever career I might have. So it really encouraged me to get a lot more out of my classes and to finish strong.” For Schroeder, graduating from Ouachita will be

“As far as a real world perspective, I’ve learned to appreciate my professors and classes a lot more.” – Buck Schroeder

a tremendous honor. Following his internship at Wal-Mart, Schroeder felt the urge to become even more involved in the community. During his senior year, Schroeder joined the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. “One of the things I love about Ouachita is the life of service aspect that they try to instill here,” Schroeder said. “Coming in, I had no idea that was even important and it certainly wasn’t on my radar, but I realize now how important service is. Being a part of the leadership team was probably the highlight of my senior year. I’m thankful Mrs. Judy [Duvall] let me come in as a senior and serve two semesters.” Schroeder says that the internship has emphasized the importance of his education, rather than keep him focused on other things. “As far as a real world perspective, I’ve learned to appreciate my professors and classes a lot more,” Schroeder said. “I feel like Ouachita culture really translated well into Wal-Mart culture. Wal-Mart is a really neat and very welcoming and encouraging atmosphere and I feel like Ouachita is much of the same. Ouachita prepared me well for Wal-Mart because I had experienced such a similar culture at OBU.” As Schroeder, like many others in the outgoing class, leaves Ouachita behind, he is reminded daily of a principle he learned early on in his college career. “At Ouachita,” Schroeder said. “You get out what you put in. I feel like I’ve gotten so much out of Ouachita. I’m glad that I got involved over the years here and I’d encourage anyone else to do the same.” n

4B n senior section Thursday, May 1, 2014

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Wooten, Strossner prepare for married life, school By DIXON LAND

Assistant Sports Editor For many, Ouachita can be a breeding ground for the coveted “ring by spring.” But what lies between the lines is much more interesting. For some, finding a lifelong friend and companion can begin in high school. For others, that comes later. For Will Wooten and Laura Strossner that relationship spark came in the summer before their senior year of high school. As they, graduating seniors, leave Ouachita, the spark is burning brighter than ever. Wooten and Strossner’s story begins eight months before they came to Ouachita. Through mutual friends, Strossner and Wooten met at church. Over four years later, they’re still together. “We actually met at church through mutual friends,” Strossner said. “Summer of senior year, we met and started dating that December. We dated around eight months before we came to Ouachita,” Wooten added. For Strossner and Wooten, their journey through high school could not have been more different. Wooten grew up in the small confines of a private school. “I grew up in a private school so I was already geared more towards the private school atmosphere – it was what I grew up in and what I was comfortable with,” Wooten said. “I went to a school where I had known everyone for 13 years. Growing up, I played sports, and going to a small school, if you were even semi-athletic, you played everything.” Strossner’s high school experience was much different. “I went to the public school in Conway,” Strossner said. “I had a much different high school experience than Will, because you had so many different people at school and so many different things you could get involved in. I was friends with different types of people.” Wooten knew ahead of time that he wanted to come to Ouachita, becoming a regular at Tiger Tunes and learning more about the campus. Strossner had yet to hear about Ouachita until her senior year. “Over the years, I would come to every Tiger Tunes with one of my friends because he had older siblings in it. I was exposed to Ouachita early on and I always knew I would end up here one day.” “I didn’t know about Ouachita until later in my college decision process,” Strossner said. “I heard about it maybe sophomore or junior year of high school, but I never really thought about going. I always thought it was for someone else.” In fact, Strossner wasn’t even considering Ouachita until Wooten mentioned it to her during their senior year of high school. “I was becoming discouraged because I couldn’t find anything that I liked, so I decided to visit one Friday and fell in love with it,” Strossner said. As Wooten and Strossner began their first semester at Ouachita, transition was something they had to learn individually, and as a couple. “Growing up watching Tunes, I knew I wanted to try and do it as a freshman,” Wooten said. “I roped her [Strossner] into it and convinced her that it would be a great time. Tiger Tunes is a great experience as a freshman because it gives you the

opportunity to meet other people and get adjusted to life at Ouachita.” “I really enjoyed getting to know the upperclassmen,” Strossner said. “Three hours a night of practice forces you to talk to all different kinds of people. We both came in as science majors, so we always were worried about getting A’s. Tiger Tunes was a way that we were able to make sure that we devoted ourselves to social time, which was really beneficial to us for our first semester at Ouachita.” For Strossner and Wooten, studying science was something they had decided independently. “I had always been interested in the medical field,” Strossner said. “My dad is an eye doctor and Will and I both worked at his clinic the summer before we came to Ouachita. So I grew up thinking something like that would be interesting. When I came here, I wasn’t completely set on being a biology major, but I ended up becoming one anyway.” “I knew I wanted to purse science coming out of high school,” Wooten said. “I had the opportunity to work at the eye clinic and work with patients doing write ups and exams. So decided to go to college with that plan and ended up sticking with it.” While Strossner and Wooten agree on many things, they each are quick to talk about their favorite professors. “I really appreciated both Dr. Knight and Dr. Jeffers’ classes,” Wooten said. “Dr. Knight asked me to do research under him this past summer and I really got to know him through that experience and I really enjoyed it.” “I’d also have to agree about Dr. Jeffers teaching style,” Strossner added. “I also would say Dr. Hensley. I got to work under her this past summer so I got a lot of my experience with her and got to know her really well.” For Strossner and Wooten, much of their social life came from being involved in the Women of Tri Chi and the Men of Kappa Chi. “Pledging a social club was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Ouachita,” Wooten said. “There are so many people that I’m friends with that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.” “It almost lightened us up a little bit,” Strossner said. “Because we were so concerned with our grades as science majors, over t h e years w e have

learned that while school is very important, it’s also important to enjoy your time here and to make friends and have a social life.” After a few years, Strossner and Wooten began preparing for life after Ouachita. “We took a whole summer and studied for the MCAT,” Strossner said. “But we started to imagine what being doctors would be like – especially being on call and how that would effect our families. We wanted to be able to be at our children’s events like sporting events, so we decided to take the OAT, which is for optometry school and we both did very well.” “Halfway through September, we both got the call, actually on the same day,” Wooten said. “We realized that we were both going to get to go to graduate school together.” From there, Wooten began to make plans of his own, preparing himself to ask Strossner to marry him. As Wooten began to plan, he meticulously thought through the perfect proposal. “Call me a bit of a romantic,” Wooten said. “But I took a long time planning the engagement. I wanted it to be special for Laura and the biggest caveat was that I wanted it to be a complete surprise.” So on a cloudy and cold Sunday in November, Wooten and Strossner headed to Garvan Gardens for an afternoon at the park. As they were touring the park, Wooten walked Strossner into the infamous glass chapel in the far corner section of the park and proposed in front of their friends and family. “I was thinking soon,” Strossner said. “But I wasn’t expecting it that particular weekend. It was fun because I really did want to be surprised and it worked.” For people like Wooten and Strossner, strong academic people, Ouachita became a place for them to develop lifelong friendships and memories beyond the classroom. “I came in focused on grades,” Wooten said. “But if I had one piece of advice it would be to make time for school, but also make time for others and nurture friendships. Make sure to get involved in the social aspect of Ouachita. It is rewarding and everyone should take advantage of all the opportunities you are afforded here.” As the Wootens close their chapter at Ouachita, they leave behind many close friends and memories. But together, they steadily ready themselves to take on the world together. With the support of their friends and family, they bravely take the first step into the real world, subsequently leaving the bubble. They’ll rely heavily on each other, on their close relationships and many of the lessons they’ve learned during their four years on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University. n

“Make time for school, but also make time for others and nurture friendships.” – Will Wooten

Wooten and Strossner. Photo by Kristen Barnard, The Signal.

it all ends 5.10.14

Photo by Kristen Barnard y the Signal THE CLASS of 2013 graduates in front of Cone Bottoms Hall last year. The Class of 2014 will graduate next Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

sports

www.obusignal.com

Thursday, May1, 2014

TOP 10 OUACHITA SPORTING EVENTS OF THIS YEAR 1. THE NAMING OF CLIFF HARRIS STADIUM. 2. MICAH DELPHIA HITS A THREE POINT SHOT TO BEAT HENDERSON STATE 59-58. 3. THE ROAR IS RELEASED. 4. COACH CROWDER’S 700TH WIN. 5. WRESTLING TEAM FINISHES 4TH IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT AND COACH KEVIN WARD WAS NAMED DIVISION TWO COACH OF THE YEAR. 6. TIGER MEN’S TENNIS WINS GAC TOURNAMENT. 7. THE CLIFF HARRIS AWARD IS INVENTED AND AWARDED TO TOP DEFENSIVE BACK IN DIVISION 2, 3 AND NAIA. 8. THE RUNDOWN SPORTS SHOW WINS BEST SHOW IN ARKANSAS. 9. 15 TIGERS NAMED TO FOOTBALL ALL-GAC TEAMS. 10. TIGER BASEBALL AND LADY TIGER SOFTBALL ADVANCE TO GAC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS.

Tigers claim final spot in GAC Tournament By KYLE PARRIS

Sports Information Heading into the doubleheader against cross-road rival Henderson State, Ouachita knew they needed to win one to claim the sixth and final spot in the Great American Conference tournament. Leaving nothing to chance, the Tigers outscored the Reddies 18-4 to win both games and sweep the series. The wins punch the Tigers ticket to Enid, Oklahoma where they’ll face top-seeded Arkansas Tech. Luis DeJesus (7-5) pitched an eight-inning gem in game one.

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

He allowed only three runs on 10 hits and most importantly, kept the ball down low in the strike zone. This accounted for

14 outs via the ground ball. DeJesus struck out three and walked none. Tyler Faught went 4-5 in

game one and scored three of the Tigers’ nine runs. Matt Sinclair and Keegan Ghidotti each went 2-5 with one RBI each. Landon Moore drove in two runs in the game, one of six Tigers to drive in a run. Jon Luthe took the loss for Henderson State going five innings. He allowed five runs on five hits with five strikeouts. He also recored five hit batters. With the win in game one, the Tigers clinched their playoff spot. Leading 2-0 in the series, the Tigers entered game three with the chance to sweep. The Tigers hit a combined .365 against the Reddie pitching staff.

Tryce Schalchlin got the win in game two to improve his record to 4-2. He held the Reddies scoreless over two innings. Jacob May pitched three innings of relief to get the save. May allowed one hit and struck out one. The trio of Tiger pitchers, including starter Craig Daniell, held Henderson State to one run on five hits through seven innings. The Tigers will travel to Enid, Oklahoma where they’ll face off aginst top-seeded Arkansas Tech at David Allen Memorial Park on Saturday, May 3 at 12:00 pm. Live stats and live audio links will be available at obutigers.com. n

Sports Editor takes a knee on final week

By CHELSEA BYERS Sports Editor @Chelsea_Byers

So that time in my life has finally arrived. The time that I have to say goodbye to a chapter of my life as I prepare to begin the next. So here it is folks, my senior farewell. Prepare your tear ducts unless you’re like me and don’t possess any. Working for the Signal has been, said in the most non-cliché way possible, one of the best things that has happened to me during my Ouachita experience. The friends I have made, the lessons that I have learned and all the knowledge that I have gained is priceless. So let’s get down to the good stuff, good ol’ gossip and bragging about all of your favorite Signalites. To start off with, I want to say thank you to Tanner Ward. His leadership on the newspaper is unsurpassed, though if you read further you’ll find a strong debate on your hands with Emily Terry and her management skills. Tanner, you are an amazing individual who has taught me to always give my best in everything that I do and to be a problem-solver, and to not stop until I figured something out for myself. Under your leadership I have grown as a writer, editor, producer

and student. Thank you for your friendship and for putting up with me for so long. You rock my world. Dr. Deb and Mr. Dr. Root, thank you for all you have done to get me to where I am today. You both have invested so much into me, supported me in my sports show endeavors, encouraged me in my decisions and put up with my mini anxiety attacks about graduating on time. You two light up my life and have helped make my OBU communications experience one to remember. Tarah Elliot, thank you for being the best adopted mother! I am so thankful I got to work across from you and make hilarious chipmunk videos with you. Noah Hutchinson, thank you for all of the UFC debates and the loud, “How are you today?”s. Samuel Cushman, thank you for helping me in science, for the highfives, for the advice of “never let anyone make you feel inferior” and the exposure to music genres I never knew existed. Emily Terry, thank you for always keeping me laughing and for being willing to take your time to help with whatever I was having problems with (other than Dixon – he’s a problem you just can’t solve). It’s been so fun working with you on the Signal, and I am so thankful that you took on the leadership role of head editor. You are

the most qualified, talented and capable person I know for the job. You are an incredibly talented individual who can sing “Let It Go” better than Demi, though I am understandably biased. I will miss your Frozen references, your many chipmunk videos, your 2048 addiction and your love and passion for what you do. I cannot wait to see you sitting alongside Craig O’Neil discussing the latest news stories on air. Dixon C. Land, I seriously don’t know what I would have done without you this semester. You have been such a blessing and I couldn’t have asked for a better assistant editor. You have taken the initiative to learn and understand all of the responsibilities you will be taking on next year once I’m gone, and I am so proud of you for that. I am so thankful that I can call you not only colleague, but friend. Your friendship means so much to me, and through it all, I have learned how to truly appreciate a well-formed, well-written sports feature. Your hard work, dedication and passion for everything you do is truly inspiring, and I am so excited to see where you go in your future. I know that God has big things in store for you, and can honestly say you are one of the most talented sports writers I have ever met. I will miss your quirky remarks, your excessive sports jargon and knowledge,

your perfect handwriting and your constant desk straightening. I really do appreciate all that you do, and have full faith that I am leaving everything in perfectly capable hands. To my “Rundown” staff, you have successfully brought joy into my life for the past year, and each one of you, Ben Cline, Dixon Land, Kirby Von Edwins, Jackson Carter, Tyler Davis, Mitchell Kelley, Coleson Lechner, Spencer Bryson, Caleb Terry, Katie Vaughn, Andrew McCraw, Hunter Soper, Brandon Smith, thank you for all you have done to make this show the best in the state of Arkansas. I truly appreciate each one of you and your hard work and dedication to the show. You have each individually taught me so many valuable life lessons, but unfortunately I don’t have enough room to talk about them all. You have all been such a blessing to work with and I am so thankful to be able to call each one of you my friend. Thank you Ouachita, thank you to the entire Signal staff, thank you to the entire “Rundown” staff, thank you to Heather Francis for being awesome, thank you Roots for being two of the greatest people I know, and thank you to Amber Easterly for being one of my favorites on the yearbook staff. Au revoir, I hope you all enjoy having a male-run sports section again, without any more girly fonts or venting columns. Peace out, Ouachita. n