VOLUME 129, ISSUE 1
the
SIGNAL A P U B L I CATI O N O F O U AC H I TA BA PTI S T U N I V E R S I T Y
AUGUST 27, 2020
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cover story....................................3 news................................................4-5 arts/entertainment....................6 opinions...........................................7 Sports................................................8
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the
SIGNAL
Caity Hatchett
Elizabeth Steely
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPORTS EDITOR
Sara Patterson
Matthew Branch
OSDN COORDINATOR
Katie Kemp
Hannah Smith
COPY EDITOR
NEWS EDITOR
Langley Leverett ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT & OPINIONS EDITOR
Dr. Jeff Root Adviser
Caroline Derby AD COORDINATOR
PHOTO EDITOR
Abby Blankenship PHOTO EDITOR
Dr. Deborah Root Adviser
The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is publishedt twice a month on Wednesdays 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 email to signal@obu.edu.
cover story WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3
Researching despite COVID-19 BY KATIE KEMP Copy Editor
Wake up. Brush teeth. Eat breakfast. Get dressed. Go to class. Study with friends. Check in on family. Students develop routines to check off all the figurative boxes for their day. With the progression of events since March, students are adding or changing aspects of their routines in order to preserve the safety of themselves and others. Following the outbreak and rapid succession of coronavirus in the spring, many institutions, Ouachita included, carefully considered the best ways to safely proceed with their respective missions amidst a pandemic. The Health Monitoring and Action Team (HMAT) worked in collaboration with Ouachita faculty, staff and students to create a series of regulations that allowed the campus to resume face-to-face instruction for the Fall of 2020. These regulations ranged from wearing face masks in buildings to social distancing measures and increased sanitation, to name a few. Among the first to experience these changes were science majors doing summer research on campus. Students like Harry Jeffrey, a junior chemistry and biology double major from Conway, Ark., had to find ways to adapt and incorporate these changes into their new normal routine. A group of students and professors worked on campus for about nine weeks in the summer before the rest of Ouachita’s population returned for fall classes. These students were conducting research in groups of two to three, with one professor per group. These small research groups were the first to experience what the new regulations would be like for the coming fall semester.
“We were encouraged to go up one stairwell and go down another stairwell. One person in the elevator,” Jeffrey said. “They even experimented with how hot they could keep it in the building. Some days it was very hot and some days it was very cold.” Despite the changes related to coronavirus, the summer groups were able to successfully advance their research. Jeffrey worked with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Sharon Hamilton to incorporate a more cost-effective replacement for the collagen used in wound dressings. “Our lab was able to finalize a working synthesis and create nanofiber mats containing our polymer,” Jeffrey said. Once everyone returned to campus, one of the more obvious changes to students’ morning routines was incorporating a mask into their everyday outfits. “I get up and get ready for school and hopefully I have a mask washed,” Jeffrey said. “If not, it’s going to smell like yesterday.” Instructors also prepared new ways to teach their material. Group work and hands-on learning techniques look different now. Professors have even found ways to be heard clearly through their masks and from increased distances. Many classes have been relocated in order to accommodate the social distancing guidelines. “Physics is a little different because typically we are able to do group work and things like throw balls to calculate motion and trajectory, but now we are constricted to Walker and we are all six feet apart,” Jeffrey said. The dimensions and set up of some of the lab spaces used for science classes restrict the number of students participating at one time, so classes have to adjust. Jeffrey’s cell lab class works under vent hoods, and the space typically accommodates one to two
people at a time. Now, only one student can work under the “hood” at a time. “I am in a group of five people, so instead of us all going in at once, we have to go in shifts,” Jeffrey said. After class, Jeffrey would ordinarily find a quiet place to study with a few of his friends. “I am the type of person that really loves to work with people,” Jeffrey said. “I have had to change my entire way of how I study because I can’t be around people as much.” Students are finding new ways to connect with their peers while remaining aware of safety concerns. Jeffrey is mindful of his own physical condition and that of his friends when making plans to be around one another. “We have had to learn how to connect with one another,” Jeffrey said. “I think Ouachita has a great support system to do that, but it’s going to be hard anywhere you go.” Many students are closely connected to someone that is at a greater risk of becoming sick. For Jeffrey, that someone is his mother. “My mom is immunocompromised . . . so I always try to be mindful of her no matter where I go and what I do,” Jeffrey said. “I am not going to go home if I know I haven’t been safe.” In order for students to remain on campus and continue face-toface learning, they need to follow the guidelines set by the HMAT. These regulations have stirred up changes in the everyday routines of Ouachita students, but they also make aspects of being on campus, like Jeffrey’s summer research and Ouachita’s community-driven atmosphere, possible. “We are going to be the ones to prevent us from being sent home,” Jeffrey said. “Just do what’s right when no one’s looking. It will be better for all of us.”
On the cover: Junior Harry Jeffrey works on his science research. Jeffrey was one of Ouachita’s summer research students, and one of the first to adapt to COVID protection measures. (photo by Hannah Smith) On this page: Jeffrey stands outside Jones Science Center, where he spent the summer. (photo by Hannah Smith)
news
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Class of 2020: ‘Zoom University’ alumni BY SARA PATTERSON News Editor
The Ouachita student body was expecting a message about Ouachita’s COVID plan on the afternoon of Thursday, March 12. Sitting together in the packed student center, students were still shocked to receive the news that they wouldn’t be returning to campus for two weeks at that point. Ouachita alumna Maisie Ray was prepared for the news because of warnings from her professors earlier that day. “In my 8:30 class that morning, I remember Dr. Duvall saying that us going home was a real possibility and that faculty and staff were supposed to meet about it later that morning,” Ray said. “Then in my 11:00 class that same day, Dr. Pate announced to the class that Ouachita was sending students home that weekend and we probably wouldn’t come back. I remember the whole class was completely silent and hot tears started rolling down my face and as I looked around the room I saw the same reaction from most of the seniors.” For Maggie Donnell, another recent graduate, the news was so unexpected that it felt abnormal. “I was in disbelief. It almost felt like a fever-dream, like this was all some big misunderstanding or something of the sort,” Donnell said. Some reacted to the news with humor, making light of the situation. One of those was senior Makayla Askins, who did not process her emotions until much later. “When they first sent us home, I was fully anticipating to come back to OBU after two weeks,” Askins said. “When I heard we weren’t returning at all for the semester, I was honestly just in shock. I pushed it off and joked about it for a while, but I started
to realize I was more upset about it than I initially thought.” As Ouachita’s senior class worked through the shock, sadness, regret and lack of direction that they now faced, these seniors sought different sources of encouragement and motivation. As quarantine continued, Ray learned to reach out to her community to cope with the abrupt change. “I was really bitter at the beginning of quarantine. I wanted those last six to seven weeks with my friends and professors. I felt entitled to them and I certainly felt entitled to be recognized for graduating college- especially since I did it in three years instead of four,” Ray said. “I was able to work through that by having regular FaceTimes, Houseparty times and Netflix party plans with my friends. Zoom classes did help keep some continuity although it obviously wasn’t the same. I was able to see a few friends during finals and start a summer job right after so that really helped me kind of move on from that.” Reminders of God’s goodness helped Donnell through quarantine. “One truth that I have clung to when working through the disappointment is that God so perfectly ordains and orchestrates our paths,” Donnell said. “His plan is greater and far exceeds anything we could ever hope or imagine. I have found great comfort in these things during this time.” For Askins, a sense of normalcy returned as she moved on to the next chapter of her life. “I felt like I never got the closure or the proper goodbye that I wanted with OBU as a whole,” Askins said. “Now that I’ve started the next level of my education it feels more normal! I’m currently working at Easterseals Arkansas while going to school to get my M.S. in
marriage and family therapy.” Ray, also pursuing a masters degree in marriage and family therapy, has taken some mementos from her time at Ouachita with her into this new season. “I just moved out to Abilene, Texas, to start grad school at ACU for marriage and family therapy. It is kind of weird to say that I never really graduated from college, but I do have my degree,” Ray said. “It’s sitting on my desk along with some other OBU things that make me smile. I’m missing it for sure but excited to see what the future holds.” Donnell opted against going directly to grad school due to COVID restrictions. “I had full intentions of attending law school this fall, but with the almost certain inevitability of online instruction, I decided to defer,” Donnell said. “I am now working as an evening shift supervisor at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter as well as interning at the Washington County Public Defender’s Office.” While she wishes she could have enjoyed her final two months at Ouachita, Donnell remembers her four years fondly. “It is definitely a strange feeling to continue on without closure at the place and with the people that mean so much to me, but I am so thankful for the time that I did have at Ouachita, even if it was cut short,” Donnell said. While they have been eagerly waiting for graduation to provide closure for their college career, the senior class now has to wait even longer than anticipated. The overdue graduation ceremony was originally set to take place this October, but unfortuately was recently canceld. Ouachita broke the news to the class of 2020 in an email last week. As of now, updated plans for the graduation ceremony have not been announced.
The graduation regalia hangs from the front of Cone-Bottoms. OBU hung the banners to honor the class of 2020 this spring. (photo courtesy of OBU News Bureau)
NEWS
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From left to right: A family poses for a picture at the lawn party. (photo by Abby Blankenship), Seniors Ansley McDonald and Tyrese Allen speak to freshmen at the student panel. (photo by Abby Blankenship), Freshmen participate in speed friending. (Photo by Abby Blankenship), Freshmen pose for their class picture during the Tigers for Life Ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium. (photo by Abby Blankenship)
WOW welcomes new students to campus BY CAROLINE DERBY Ad Coordinator
Ouachita’s new student orientation event, Welcome to Ouachita’s World (WOW), took place the first weekend returning students began arriving back to campus after leaving abruptly last March, and new students began their college careers in unusual circumstances. Led by Tim Harrell, Director of Student Life, and the WOW Steering committee made up of upperclassmen students, WOW prepares the freshman class for their first year at Ouachita. Worship, speed friending, a scavenger hunt and several other events took place and provided a variety of ways to immerse the freshman class into life at Ouachita. Students
learned about traditions, academics and the Ouachita lifestyle. With this year’s ongoing pandemic, new safety measures were put in place for this year’s festivities. The steering committee met for several weeks and worked many long hours to prepare for WOW 2020. “Many of the events incoming freshmen love were canceled this year due to COVID-19, such as the purple & gold party, the New Beginnings ceremony and any other event with the entire class in one place,” Michaelyn Ferrell, junior steering committee member, said. The safety of students was one of the main focuses of the WOW steering committee. To ensure proper social distancing guide-
lines, students were rotated in groups to different locations at different times to attend events. WOW, although primarily for freshmen to gain knowledge about Ouachita, also gave upperclassmen at Ouachita the chance to get to know the incoming freshmen by serving as leaders. Ferrell wanted to be on the steering committee to be a part of planning and making great memories for the freshman class. “Freshman orientation is such an important step in making friends and getting to know our school,” Ferrell said. James Renshaw, junior and second-year leader, wanted to be a WOW “parent” because of how great his own WOW group was. “I had WOW parents who were
really fun, cared a ton and more importantly wanted me to succeed outside of WOW,” Renshaw said. “My WOW parents were always there through my freshman year to help out however I needed.” Renshaw tries to do the same for his WOW “kids.” Leaders support their WOW “kids” throughout their first year. They provide insight into everything at OBU and serve as people who will always be there to answer questions and mentor the freshman class. Although the events were different than they normally are, the incoming freshmen expanded their knowledge of Ouachita, gained new friends and now have a better understanding of life at OBU. “WOW was super helpful for me
to meet my incoming class and get to interact and form relationships,” Cabb Batson, a freshman from Arkadelphia, said. Batson left WOW feeling prepared for his Ouachita career and ready to start his freshman year. “I was worried about some of my classes, but after getting to talk with my upperclassmen WOW leaders about what to expect, I felt more prepared and ready,” Batson said. WOW prepared the freshmen for their Ouachita career and also gave upperclassmen an opportunity to lead and mentor new students. But this year, WOW weekend also welcomed all returning students back to their home away from home for a different, yet longawaited, fall semester on campus.
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Students discover pandemic pursuits BY LANGLEY LEVERETT
Arts/Entertainment & Opinions Editor While the future of the pandemic is uncertain, some students have wasted no time in tending to productivity, reconnecting with old pursuits and taking the initiative to try their hand at something new. Students are quick to challenge the odds — whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a full-blown pandemic. As some students recall their unconventional summer with newfound appreciation, the changes caused by COVID-19 lose some of their negativity. Junior elementary education major Josie Pringle’s plans to work at a summer camp were interrupted when her camp was cancelled because of COVID. This left her without a summer job, but with support from her family, she decided to start her own food service business called “Viva La Bowls,” a shop that crafts smoothie bowls. “I live in Bryant, Ark., and there’s nothing like that around there,” Pringle said. “I thought this could be the perfect addition, and that it would do well.” Pringle’s business taught her significant lessons in entrepreneurship—from handling
stress and fear, to leading a successful shop and Instagram page (@vivalabowls). “The first week was so stressful, and I did shed a few tears,” Pringle said. “I wanted it to be something that attracted people, something that was inviting. I wanted people to be happy with the product, and to know that I enjoyed producing it.” While Pringle was serving up smoothie bowls in Bryant, junior communications and business marketing major Lindsey Hyde was launching her independent online boutique “Honey Threads” in Houston, Texas. Hyde sells stylish women’s clothing and accessories exclusively through Facebook and Instagram (@shop. honey.threads). “My mom and I both thought physical retail locations were not going to be as popular anymore because people aren’t going to want to go out and try on clothes,” Hyde said. “I don’t think I would have done it if we didn’t have such an extended amount of time at home.” Strategizing and time management are two qualities Hyde lists as key skills, but for her, taking risks and maintaining dedication produce the highest reward. “Do not be afraid of what people might think because that’s
the silliest reason to be stopped from following your dreams. Starting your own business or project is something you should be really proud of,” Hyde said. “You need to give a lot of focus and energy to one project to really see it through, and to see it come to its fullest potential.” Senior elementary education major Jordan Ford opened her Etsy shop (@JordFordDesigns) during the height of the pandemic. Matching masks and scrunchie sets were her specialty, and Ford used her earnings to donate to the Black Lives Matter movement. “Throughout the summer we’ve seen a lot of social justice issues arise and as a college student saving up money, I didn’t have the means to donate to the organizations that I wanted to,” Ford said. “It was through making masks that I was able to use some of the funds to be donated straight to those organizations. ” The social justice issues and the pandemic chaos hit Ford especially hard, so focusing on personal passions and contributing to the welfare of others allowed her to stay positive. “I am a person who thrives on routine, and with quarantine, everything was uncertain,” Ford said. “Having something that held me accountable and responsible helped with my mental health.”
From left to right, top to bottom: Surrounded by her ingredients, Josie Pringle assembles a smoothie bowl for a customer. (Photo courtesy of Josie Pringle) Lindsey Hyde, owner of “Honey Threads” models the shop’s clothing. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Hyde) Jordan Ford gears up in a matching mask and scrunchie set, on sale through her Etsy shop. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Ford)
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Ouachita: Home away from home Pandemics are tough, but BY ETHAN DIAL
2019-2020 Editor-in-Chief
Two weeks into my new job and living in what seems like a completely different world, I still catch myself thinking about not only you, one of hopefully many readers, but also the community that you’re a part of. I spent every year of my Ouachita experience on late nights in the newsroom, interviewing students and professors and attending ALL of the events I could to simply do one thing: tell stories. You’d think after nearly five months in quarantine and graduating without graduating that my mind would not still be wrapped up in my long, busy days on the beautiful campus that sits on the “right” side of the ravine. However, quite to the contrary, there hasn’t been a day since COVID-19 canceled the rest of my senior year that I haven’t missed or thought about the place I’ve learned I’ll always call my home away from home. You see, it’s hard enough leaving Ouachita when the time you were allotted wasn’t abruptly reduced. But, desperate times called for decisions that changed my life forever. Now, I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s true. I’ll never forget Friday, March 13. While I don’t believe in luck, good or bad, this was a stereotypical “Friday the 13th,” because for
my fellow 2020 graduates and me it meant the end. That day brought a tragedy in my life that I’ve yet to really mourn. That day meant no more casual Chick-fil-A lunches with my best friends. That day meant no more late-night CDAs to Taylor Swift. That day meant no more Refuge. It meant no more funny moments with my roommate. It meant no more leading Student Senate from the Hampton Board Room. And for me especially, that day signaled the end of my four years working for a newspaper I’d learned to love so much that it made 3 a.m. seem like sunrise. Of course, I still wrote and edited from my bedroom, but that week was the last time I got to spend creating a printed time capsule that covered the year’s history and the emotions it evoked.
“When I choose to remember, I see the goodness of God even in the most dreadful of my Ouachita moments, including the global pandemic that wrecked the rest of my plans for senior year.” -Ethan Dial Over the past four years, God has taught me more than I could share with you in this brief column. I’ve learned to trust Him more, not in the general sense, but literally with everything, every person and every moment. I’ve learned that obedience is key, and that to live life abundantly is to live life in total awe of and surrender to your Savior. The most important lesson I’ve
learned is one I want you to ponder in your dorm rooms or while sitting and sipping some coffee at Dr. Jack’s. It is this: every day, wake up and choose to remember. Remember who you are in God’s eyes. Remember all that He’s done for you. Remember what the Word says! And really choose to not let the devil cloud your life with forgetfulness. I’ve heard it said that every one of our sins stems from forgetting. So, when we allow the enemy to let us forget, we are giving him all the ammunition he needs. Because I believe it is oh-so-important to remember, I’ve found extreme comfort in reflecting daily on my time at Ouachita because I know that it was a “God thing.” Only the Holy Spirit could have led me to a school in Arkadelphia and taken me on the most extraordinary college adventure. When I choose to remember, I see the goodness of God even in the most dreadful of my Ouachita moments, including the global pandemic that wrecked the rest of my plans for senior year. God’s provision not only brought me you, the readers, to tell the best stories to, but also the amazing people I got to do it with. Saying thank you to those people, like Dr. Jeff and Dr. Deb Root, Caity Hatchett, Sara Patterson, Phoebe Huff, Addy Goodman, Catherine Lyp, Justin Trostle, Danielle Sourber and the rest of my resilient staff, would not be enough. So, the only thing I know to do is end with the most crucial entity of any article: a quote. The 1980 Ouachitonian stated that “in an age where it was every man for himself, Ouachita defied what had been.” I pray that especially in these days and in this world this will still be the case.
Ouachitonians are tougher BY CAITY HATCHETT 2020-2021 Editor-in-Chief
This year is going to be tough. A lot of things have changed, and I can assure you they’re going to keep changing. Just this morning, my roommate almost left our suite without her mask on. Sometimes, the hand sanitizer dispensers don’t recognize me as a real person. And yes, most of us are probably dealing with “maskne” (which is exactly what it sounds like). With everything shifting like it is, I’ve had a hard time adjusting back to life on campus. But as I’ve gotten used to wearing a mask every day and staying six feet away from people, I’ve realized that some things haven’t changed completely—they just look a bit different. And different isn’t always a bad thing. While I was at home at the end of last semester, I still got to edit and produce episodes of “The Roar Rundown” that highlighted the graduating seniors in the spring sports. I learned how to do an interview over Zoom, and I also learned how to use Adobe Premiere (which I don’t recommend). Sports media changed when COVID hit, so having to learn all of those different skill sets over the last five months ended up being more helpful than I could have imagined. Does that mean I adjusted to it flawlessly? Absolutely not. I was frustrated and bitter for a few weeks, but then I realized that staying that way wasn’t going to help anyone. And it certainly didn’t help me. So, being back on campus isn’t exactly the way any of us remember it. But that doesn’t mean it’s a
bad thing. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m super happy to be back, and I would venture to say that you are, too. So, while this semester is definitely going to look different, let me remind you that God moves in different and mysterious (to us) ways. He’s still in control, and even though it’s tough to see it now, I know He has a reason for letting this semester look different. Maybe it’s to remind us that since everything can change so quickly, we need to spend time with our friends and check in on them. Having to follow the guidelines doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun. If you weren’t at the band concert in the middle of campus last Thursday night, you definitely missed out. And if you haven’t had a movie night with your suite yet, what are you even doing? Also, please remember this: no one expects you to be perfectly OK with all of this. You’re definitely allowed to feel frustrated and even a bit bitter about everything being different. But don’t let your feelings determine how this semester goes for you. If you spend all semester wishing this fall was the same as last fall, then you’ll miss out on everything this semester has to offer. So maybe this is the semester that you finally have to stop and be creative when planning how to hang out with your friends. Maybe you’ll learn something new about yourself. It’s okay that everything is different, though, because a lot of things haven’t changed. God still loves you, and He’s still looking out for you. Ouachita is still your home, and your friends are still here. This year will be tough, but remember: you’re tough, too.
sports
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Fall sports set to resume after December 31 BY ELIZABETH STEELY Sports Editor
The Great American Conference announced its decision to suspend all fall sports on August 14. The decision came on the heels of multiple directives from the NCAA Board of Governors regarding additional requirements for student athletes, as well as the cancellation of Division II fall sport championships for 2020. This suspension is in effect until December 31, and it includes basketball, cross country, golf, football, soccer, tennis and volleyball. “In my more than 40 years at Ouachita as director of athletics, what we announced was one of the most challenging decisions I have had to recommend,” Ouachi-
ta Athletics Director David Sharp said. “It hurts me deeply, knowing the passion our student athletes have for their respective sports, along with the commitment and time our coaches invest into their players and programs. However, our top priority is the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes and coaching staff.” Ouachita’s athletics department made its official announcement of the suspension on the same day as the GAC’s announcement. Senior communications and media major Bates Yoakum was the one responsible for posting the news to the Ouachita Athletics website and social media pages. “Breaking the news to our website, Twitter and Facebook on the GAC’s decision to suspend all athletics was extremely hard and
emotional,” Yoakum said. “On the professional side of things, I understand making that hard decision with everything we are facing today, but the college student side of me was sad students will be unable to come together and enjoy sporting events together.” This news changed what the rest of the semester will look like for students and student athletes alike. Many sports-related events are ingrained into Ouachita’s culture and traditions. The Homecoming and Battle of the Ravine football games, two of the more are not taking place this fall. This is especially disappointing for the senior athletes. However, the GAC has given all fall sport senior athletes another year of eligibility. These seniors can return for their last season of
competition in the fall of 2021. Austin Guymon, a senior linebacker on Ouachita’s football team, plans to come back next fall, and he is looking forward to being on the field with his teammates one last time. “I am most excited to come back and compete for another championship again,” Guymon said. “The opportunity I’ve had to play here has been incredible. I believe we have the best coaches in the country, and playing with some great guys makes the game much more fun.” In compliance with the Board of Governors’ requirements, Ouachita’s fall sports teams are still allowed to train and hold practices and team meetings. For seniors who will not be returning in the fall of 2021,
like cross country runner Taryn Bewley, this allows them to have a memorable senior year, even thought they are unable to compete. “Spending time with my teammates has been a highlight of my time at Ouachita, and I’m glad I can still do that for my senior year, even if there are no competitions where we can show off our hard work,” Bewley said. “Even though things are different, it helps give a sense of normalcy to my senior year.” Since its inital announcement on August 14, the Division II Presidents Council has also announced further COVID protections for student athletes regarding eligibility, waivers and athletic scholarships. For more information, visit the NCAA’s website, ncaa.org.
The football team storms the field during the 2019 Battle of the Ravine football game. Ouachita’s cross country team leads the charge during the 2019 Bob Gravett Invitational. The team will still have opportunities to With the suspension, this year’s game will not take place. (photo by Hannah Smith) train, but will not be able to compete or hold the invitational meet this fall. (photo by Hannah Smith)