Volume 132, Issue 1: September 7, 2023

SIGNAL

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Office: Evans Student Center

Email: signal@obu.edu

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The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published twice a month on Thursdays 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 Nashville Leader.

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.

Gibson spends summer on the Hill, finds renewed passion for finance and understanding Arkansans

BY JANE ELLEN DIAL Arts/Entertainment Editor

When Bailey Gibson went to Washington, she found much more than politicians in suits. She was reminded of her own purpose and the reasons why she is studying finance at Ouachita.

Bailey Gibson, a senior finance major from Hot Springs, Ark., spent six weeks in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Congressman Bruce Westerman this summer.

“Last spring… I started looking at finance internships first, and then I stumbled upon Congressman Westerman’s personal site,” Gibson said. “I was offered an interview, and then I was offered a position within the committee, which is a little bit more prestigious. I took that opportunity and was able to go and work on the Committee on Natural Resources.”

Once her internship began, Gibson worked Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; however, there was also time for sightseeing.

“There were some days that we were able to leave a little early from work to go to museums and sightsee,” Gibson said. “I went to all the Smithsonian Museums, and I got to see all the monuments.”

During the first two weeks of Gibson’s internship, she had the opportunity to work in the press office, where she got social media and press experience.

“I got to see the behind the scenes of how the press works, work on social media posts and write some tweets that they actually posted,” Gibson said.

Gibson then began a new role and moved to the Committee on Oversight and Investigations.

“I did research on things like critical mineral supply chains and

the mismanagement of national parks,” Gibson said. “I got to read official correspondence and attend briefings, take notes and then report back to legislative aids and talk about what I saw in the briefings. Sometimes, they would use my notes in memos and send it to the whole committee.”

Gibson’s summer days were spent working in the Longworth office building.

“I lived at a Catholic university, and it was about a 45 minute commute every morning via metro,” Gibson said. “Then, I would walk through the Senate, the Capitol and then into the House every day.”

Gibson was one of nine interns that worked in Westerman’s office, all of them being Arkansans.

“The office prioritizes Arkansas. It was cool because [there] were

students from Hendrix, Harding and the University of Arkansas,” Gibson said. “I got to get to know these students from all over Arkansas during our time in the office.”

Gibson also gained valuable policy experience that added to her understanding of the United States government and how it functions.

“I got to see firsthand how the whole legislative process works, which was unique,” Gibson said. “Our country is literally run by 20 year olds.”

It may not be the last time Gibson goes to Washington. Her sixweek trip could lead to a more extended stay in the future.

“I can see myself going back to D.C. if an opportunity became available to work in financial services or with a small business. I got to see firsthand how legislators

are making changes and trying to implement new laws and rules,” Gibson said.

Gibson’s summer was filled with many memories, but one in particular stuck out to her as a highlight.

“I had the opportunity to shadow Chairman Westerman for one full day,” Gibson said. “I got to follow him from eight o’clock in the morning until 10 o’clock at night. We started out with a media interview, followed him into his different meetings with constituents throughout the day and got to sit on the dais with him in the hearing room. We finished the evening with a capitol tour.”

While Gibson’s summer internship did not directly relate to her major, the experience goes back to the heart of her purpose, both now and in the future.

“Politics…is about promoting things and understanding people,” Gibson said. “That’s exactly what I want to do and will do in finance. I want to work in the financial services industry, whether than be through a job on Capitol Hill or working as a financial advisor.”

Over the summer, Gibson learned about Arkansans and what they care about. Gibson will now forever cherish what she learned, as she will use it in her future career in finance.

Additionally, Gibson now cares deeply about Washington, D.C. itself and the people within it. By the end of the summer, she did not want to leave.

“What I loved is that I was literally minutes away from history,” Gibson said. “D.C. has so much to offer. I loved being close to many different opportunities and working in the Capitol.”

Ouachita equipped Gibson for her time in Washington, D.C. immensely, and she gives credit to her course work and professors for preparation and guidance.

“I definitely feel like I had an advantage going into the internship because of my classes at Ouachita,” Gibson said. “My professors in the business school have really emphasized the importance of networking. In D.C., and especially on Capitol Hill, networking is very important. From the first week, I was able to make connections with people that worked in many different offices, get coffee and meet with them and establish relationships. If I did want to go back to D.C. and work, I would be able to do so because of these connections. I think OBU had a lot to do with that, and my professors here prepared me to take advantage of the opportunities that were placed in front of me.”

Bailey Gibson (left) and Congressman Bruce Westerman (right) take a photo with the Washington Monument. Gibson was an intern for the Committees on Natural Resources and Oversight and Investigations this summer. (photo by Laurie Henderson)

Ouachita celebrates one hundred years of Cone-Bottoms with campus-wide lawn party

BY KYNDALL FOMBY-BELL Staff Writer

Ouachita celebrated the historic birthday of Cone-Bottoms Hall this week. The 1920s-themed lawn party brought together faculty, staff and students, carrying them to new heights on the featured and highly popular hot-air balloon ride.

The night featured fun for all ages. Felley Lawson, Communication and Marketing Manager, shares some of the highlights of the celebratory day.

“Cone-Bottoms hosted vintage lawn games, a performing aerialist, a postmodern jukebox playlist and signature snacks and drinks: sparkling purple lemonade, Purple Cow ice cream served with chocolate-filled waffle ‘cone bottoms,’ and delicious popcorn or glazed almonds served in paper-cone replicas of The Signal’s original

coverage of Cone-Bottoms’ grand opening in 1923,” Lawson said. Junior accounting and finance double major Andrew Ellis attended and volunteered at the party. He shares his experience.

“It was awesome to see campus at sunset from a hot-air balloon,” Ellis said. “That is a once in a lifetime chance that I am grateful to have experienced.”

Cone-Bottoms is much more than just a building. Alumni and current students alike share many memories that include Cone-Bottoms. The lawn party celebrated this, and the rich history of the building was put at the forefront as the event was being planned. Lawson recalls the impact Cone-Bottoms has left on her and many past students’ lives as well.

“I have a photo in my office of my mom and two of her very best friends,” Lawson said. “It was taken outside Cone-Bottoms when

they lived there as students in 1961. Their suite was on the third floor at the end of the hall. Today, that space is Dr. Sells’ office.”

Lawson shares some of her own memories on Cone-Bottoms’ steps.

“I serve as a staff sponsor for the social club I pledged as a freshman,” Lawson said. “One of the founding members of our club came to Ouachita as an orphan. She followed an older sibling here, with everything she owned packed in the trunk she brought with her on the train to Arkadelphia. Cone-Bottoms was her literal home. It’s easy to take for granted a building that’s such a part of life around here. But that’s kind of the point: Cone-Bottoms is such an important part of life in Ouachita students’ lives, experiences, and memories. And it has been for decades. That’s a beautiful thing to celebrate.”

Through the development of Ouachita’s campus, Cone-Bottoms

has remained planted, encapsulating much of the school’s legacy, traditions and history. Tiffany Pickett, Acting Director of Communications and Marketing, shares many traditions that originated years ago on Cone-Bottoms lawn that are still carried out to this day.

“School traditions from freshman year move-in, first day of school pictures, Tiger Tunes, graduation, clubs and social club pictures and many more continue to connect past and present Ouachitonians,” Pickett said.

The ordinary and extraordinary moments play out in front of Cone-Bottoms, which plays a big part in keeping the Ouachita spirit alive for years to come.

Lauren Lester, senior softball player and communication sciences and disorders major, shares her perspective on Cone-Bottoms and the memories that she has madethere during her time at Ouachita.

“Some of my favorite memories at Cone-Bottoms are: my first ever freshman meeting, bid day and letter day for my social club, first day of school pictures and celebrations at the end of Tiger Tunes shows,” Lester said. “It is so special that my Ouachita career began on Cone-Bottoms’ steps and that this lawn will be where I graduate at the end of this year. It really is full circle.”

These stories and moments surround Cone-Bottoms, helping to make Ouachita a special place to reconnect with history and establish new memories. Ellis reflects on what the Cone-Bottoms party meant to him as a student.

“It was truly a celebration of Cone-Bottoms and Ouachita,” Ellis said. “There is no better way to recognize and appreciate such an iconic piece of Ouachita life and history than to all gather together as a Ouachita family.”

Left: Students celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cone-Bottoms Hall with purple lemonade and snacks. Popcorn and glazed almonds were served in containers decorated with replicas of The Signal’s coverage of Cone-Bottoms’ 1923 opening. (photo by Sarah Dean) Right: Talley, one of Ouachita’s mascots, interacts and takes photos with the party’s attendees while dressed in a 1920s costume. (photo by Sarah Dean)

Elrod Center preps for 2023 Tiger Serve Day

BY SYDNI WHITFIELD Staff Writer

The Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community will host Tiger Serve Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. Tiger Serve Day, or TSD, is a campus-wide event where students, faculty and staff are encouraged to go out into the community and serve people, businesses or organizations in Arkadelphia.

Tiger Serve Day is led by the Elrod Center, and it has grown to become a large part of Ouachita life that students look forward to each semester. Judy Duvall, the director of the Elrod Center, values this beloved campus tradition that has occurred for over 26 years.

“This is a beautiful day in every way, and I am so proud to be a part of a university that has Christ centered service as a part of its core identity,” Duvall said.

TSD aligns with some of Ouachita’s core beliefs of promoting a strong community and showing Christ’s love through service.

“On Tiger Serve Day, Ouachita students, faculty and staff extend a good dose of loving kindness to our community,” Duvall stated. “Our purpose on this day is for volunteers to meet practical and relational needs. The practical needs range from cleaning out flower beds to washing windows and cars. The relational needs are met through conversations and time spent with fellow volunteers and those that are served.”

It is just not the community of Arkadelphia that benefits from Tiger Serve Day. Students come out of this day having established strong and lasting relationships.

“The most unexpected blessing is the joy that volunteers receive from giving themselves to others,” Duvall said.

Johnny Webb, a team leader in 2022, had a remarkable experience serving Ann McMillion and her husband who live near campus.

“They were very excited that we were there and were very appreciative toward our team. One of my favorite parts about the day was after we finished, we got to talk with Mrs. McMillion for a few minutes and give her a floral arrangement. We were able to hear her story of how she grew up, and she told us about some of her own experiences at Ouachita. We were also able to pray with her, and she even prayed for us,” Webb said.

This year’s Tiger Serve Day theme is “Present.” The goal is to encourage students, faculty and staff to slow down and be present with God and the Ouachita community in this fast-paced world.

“This year’s Tiger Serve Day is a chance to focus; focus on really being there for those around us in

a meaningful way,” said Leah Ann McKinney, Associate Director of the Elrod Center.

Valeria Gomez, a recent OBU graduate, had the opportunity to be a part of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. Gomez urges freshmen and upperclassmen alike to consider participating in TSD during their time at Ouachita.

“It’s so rewarding,” Gomez said. “And, it’s just such a happy day. In my four years at Ouachita, I only missed one TSD. I loved it.”

The deadline to sign up to volunteer for Tiger Serve Day is on Friday, Sept. 15th. Those interested in participating in Tiger Serve Day can get more information and sign up at www.obu.edu/elrod/serve.

Faculty and staff acknowledge AI, ChatGPT

BY KATE ELLIS News Editor

Although it has been over 20 years since the Millennium Bug, it seems that the fear of new technology is still as infectious as ever.

While there is much debate worldwide about the development of artificial intelligence, or AI, and its presence in the classroom, Ouachita is handling the transition with ease. Dr. Byron Eubanks, chair of the philosophy department and director of the Sutton Center of Integrity, has been hard at work steering Ouachita’s approach toward this growing technology.

“AI is one of the agenda items for the University Committee,” Eubanks said. “I also expect fac-

ulty to talk about this in a variety of contexts. I’ve recommended faculty include a statement about AI in their course syllabi and talk with students explicitly about their expectations in each specific class. I suspect we’ll have a variety of responses from faculty in the short run as we figure out the appropriate uses for this new technology in all of our various disciplines.”

Dr. Jackson Carter, assistant professor of communications, shares his perspective on AI and its use within the classroom.

Not only is it important for professors to outline their policy on AI to show classwork expectations, but it is also important to inspire students to use this technology to stimulate learning, not suppress it. In a world where generative AI can

cultivate an essay in the matter of moments, it is very important for professors to encourage all students to take pride in doing their own work, Carter said.

“I think it can impact work quality in both positive and negative ways,” Carter said. “AI can be beneficial when used as a tool to help clarify concepts, organize material, provide ideas, and reduce work time when creating material that is simple in nature. Where it hurts quality is when someone uses it as a substitute for their own brain. While these platforms are highly complex, they get a lot of stuff wrong or may produce content that isn’t actually relevant to what a person needs at the moment. There have already been plenty of cases where these programs make up

facts, misquote individuals, or answer questions incorrectly. As far as student attitudes, I haven’t seen much of a negative impact. I think students are curious, as they should be, and are learning how this new tool will help them, but also where the limits are.”

According to Eubanks, it is also important to consider how AI should be regulated in terms of ethics. AI grows more intelligent by the day, and its moral compass lies in the hands of its coders.

“The pace of technology development routines exceeds the pace of our reflection on the ethics of using technology,” Eubanks said. “As AI continues to improve, I would expect it to have increased potential for both good and ill. As a tool, AI has no regard for truth,

for its effects on humans, or for the common good. It’s up to us as human users of the technology to use tools in ways that reflect and support our highest values. An OBU education should equip students to utilize AI in their future work but also equip them to think as Christians about risks, limits, and the human tendency to turn all kinds of things into idols.”

Like with any new technology, there are many unanswered questions. However, one thing is certain: in what is a very underdeveloped and uncharted territory, Ouachita faculty are making informed decisions that will encourage students to use this new technology wisely, be prepared for careers post-graduation and learn to view AI through the lens of Christianity.

Senior Kennedy Johnson helps with landscaping during TSD. (photo by Levi Dade)

Jordy Searcy performs set in JPAC, aids in welcoming new and returning students

BY JACIE SELLARS Staff Writer

Jordy Searcy performed at Jones Performing Arts Center on Aug. 20, welcoming students back to campus. Singer and comedian Short Jake opened the concert before Seacy performed his setlist of thoughtful and lively songs. Students enjoyed an energetic show that included upbeat tunes, reflective ballads and audience interaction. After the show, local food trucks from Samantha’s Cafe and Cheesecake on Point offered desserts to students.

Many organizations across campus collaborated in order to bring this concert to Ouachita. Student Senate president and senior math major Brock Bivens recognized that many students on campus would be interested in a concert from Jordy Searcy.

“We’ve needed something like this on Ouachita’s campus for a long time,” Bivens said.

Student Senate worked with Ouachita’s Communications and Marketing Office to look at potential music artists. Digital Content Coordinator, Anna Roussel, decided to reach out to Searcy’s team after seeing an Instagram post.

“Jordy is an artist that I’ve loved for several years, and I follow him on Instagram,” Roussel said.” “He posted a reel about coming to play on college campuses. A bunch of my friends and people I did not know started tagging Ouachita in the post. I knew there was a real interest for the students.”

After contacting Searcy’s manager, Roussel worked with Student Life to schedule the concert during Welcome to Ouachita’s World, orWOW, weekend, providing a fun and energetic welcome to new and returning students alike. Student

Life worked with Student Senate to help bring dessert trucks to campus after the show.

“It was a very collaborative community, and it was great to work with so many different organizations at Ouachita to create a campus-wide event,” Bivens said.

The concert had an excellent turnout from freshmen to upperclassmen, filling up the entire lower level of JPAC.

“Jordy just took all of our hearts away,” Bivens said. “He’s such a crowd pleaser.”

After the show, Searcy took the time to meet with students that are a part of the WOW steering committee and Student Senate.

“Jordy was super nice,” Roussel said. “He stayed after the concert to meet people and was happy to talk and spend time with them.”

Starting the school year with a concert gave Ouachita students a unique opportunity to connect.

Freshman Dori Bartek felt that the concert helped her grow closer to everyone on campus.

“I thought that it was great to help new students get to know their class and more upperclassmen as well,” Bartek said.

As students listened to Searcy, they were unified as a campus. “Music in general has this crazy ability to bond people,” Roussel said. “Events where we can focus on a common love or interest are fun for the student body.”

“Barbenheimer” brings fans back to the movies

BY JAMES MCINTYRE Staff Writer

Reports of the death of the movie theater were once again proven to be greatly exaggerated this summer with the two concurrent mega-hits of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie; both clearly products of vision and passion from well-respected directors and both refuting the idea that only boardroom-approved, effects-driven spectacles can still win at the box office.

The prestige of the actors and filmmakers involved, along with the happenstance of their release

on the same day, led to the online “Barbenheimer” phenomenon and created something which many in the business thought to be a thing of the past. A movie release was an event again. The marketing department for Barbie added to the cultural phenomenon, creating custom pink Google search pages and ticket site widgets. It was a much-needed return to form for the movie industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World War II biopic, Oppenheimer, centered on the man responsible for creating the nuclear bomb. From the overwrought “very clever people who always say very clever things” dialogue, to the fran-

tic editing, to the bombastic musical score that never seems to take a pause in the entire three-hour run time, to the constant jumping back and forth between different points in Oppenheimer’s life, the movie can get somewhat grating to anyone not already in love with the director’s quirks. Despite all of that, the strength of the performances, particularly the leads Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., along with some truly breathtaking moments of grandeur, still make Oppenheimer a must-see among the summer movie selection.

Barbie might have been the greatest surprise of the year; a

movie based on the popular toy line that not only is a critical darling packed to the brim with stylistic flourish and social commentary, but is also shaping up to be the biggest hit of 2023. When the titular doll begins to show signs of mortality, she sets out on a journey to leave Barbie Land and enter the real world to discover if she can learn the cause of her strife from the girl who is playing with her. It is certainly a surreal film, not at all what one would expect given Barbie’s past history of cheap, trite cartoons and games.

The fact that such a gamble from the studio paid off in such a big way should give hope to everyone who

is thirsty for more big budget films with an artist’s touch on display. The intentionally toyetic set design is charming, and the performances are splendid. Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken is particularly a standout. One musical number from the film titled, “I’m Just Ken,” will quite possibly be the high watermark of 2023 on film.

Despite the films’ seemingly opposite subject matter, fans flocked to the theaters to see both. The double feature created a social media sensation, captivated audiences and sold out movie theaters across the nation.

Jordy Searcy sings to a crowd of students in Jones Performing Arts Center. His performance was a crowd pleaser during WOW weekend. (photo by Sarah Dean)

BY MARIAH HALBERT Staff Writer

As a freshman, entering the Ouachita universe can be overwhelming and simultaneously enticing. There is so much that this campus has to offer toward each person’s college experience, or in the way that I like to put it, the “Ouachita experience.”

As a junior at Ouachita, I can personally say that there is a list of things that I still want to discover about Ouachita. Even after two full years of nonstop activities, there are still so many more things that I want to experience before I graduate. So, don’t worry if you are not able to complete every activity on this list during your first year. I promise that you couldn’t fit it all in even if you tried. You still have

more than three years ahead of you to discover your passions and take in Ouachita as a whole.

Particularly, I invite freshmen to consider what will help you make the most of your first year at Ouachita. I obviously do not know where each of you come from or what you like to do in your spare time, but having experienced a wide array of what all happens at Ouachita, I think I’ll be able to capture most everyone’s preferences in some capacity.

Being at a Baptist college, we can assume that Ouachita would offer different opportunities to get involved in our faith, and indeed it does! Noonday is a good start if you’re interested in a 15-minute recharge. Noonday happens in Berry Chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, and a chosen

student gives a devotional. Who knows, you could get a free t-shirt too! Christian Focus Week is another fantastic opportunity for students to participate in worshipping God in many different ways: song, painting, hiking and listening to uplifting guest speakers.

College in general launches you into a new reality of independence, and Ouachita has so many resources and people that are ready to help you grow in this developing season of your life. Making an appointment with the Speer Writing Center will help you improve important papers and writing assignments for almost all of your classes. The Discover program is a great way to learn about new opportunities if you don’t know what you want to focus your studies on yet, and the Academic Success Center offers

tutoring and success courses. All of these resouces are completely free of charge. Utilizing these fantastic programs is a great idea for all students, regardless of classification.

Beginning your Ouachita journey might also look like trying new hobbies. Ouachita Reclife offers intramurals including: soccer, football, pickleball, volleyball, basketball, water polo, ultimate frisbee, softball, discgolf and dodgeball. Grab some friends and make a team even if you’ve never played that sport before. Intramurals include friendly competition and can be a great way to make new friends and fun memories. Reclife also has a rock wall in the CRAG, and you can rent out camping and outdoor gear. Finally, Reclife offers fitness classes and oversees the exercise center that neighbors the Stu.

There’s so much more to Ouachita that you don’t want to miss out on: dance parties and competitions, club parties, Guard the Tiger, campus drive arounds or CDAs, Tiger Tunes, Tiger Traks, volunteering at the Elrod Center, and all of the dayto-day activities that make Ouachita feel like home to so many.

Do not fret. You have time to cross all of these things off of your list and even add more while you’re here. As an upperclassman, I’ve experienced the feeling that my college years are passing by far too quickly firsthand. However, there is time to experience Ouachita fully in the four years that we are here. As long as you stay in the mindset that college is an opportunity to grow and learn, then everything looks less overwhelming and a lot more welcoming.

Advice from an OBU upperclassman Proven tips to manage time and study well

BY MADISON BASCO Copy Editor

School is back in session!

You’ve probably spent the last couple of weeks preparing for the very moment of being back on campus. Maybe you bought a planner, intending to keep your classes organized by highlighting and jotting down assignments. Maybe you’ve simply walked onto campus with a determined attitude, promising yourself that you won’t get behind. Either way, both are a good start. Now, it’s three weeks into the school year. Syllabus week feels like a decade ago, and your classes aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. You may be thinking, “how am I already behind?” For the ones who have remained on course and are still using that planner purchased on the first week, hats off

to you. But, some of you may still be wondering how it is possible to keep all of this up, especially for a full semester.

First things first, breathe. Many of your peers are going through the same thing. Especially when school isn’t your only responsibility, it can be a struggle to juggle everything at once. An encouraging reminder is that it is possible to stay on top of school if you choose to. What I mean by this is that good habits and structured routines are everything! It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of college life and bend the rules, turn things in late or simply not do your assignments because going on a drive to the lake sounded more appealing than college algebra. But, at the end of the day, we all want to pass our classes and endure the least amount of stress possible. So, here

are my best tips for studying and not getting behind throughout the school year.

1. Try not to procrastinate. I know you are probably sick of hearing this, and I am, too. In

and less efficient work as a result. I used to believe that the only way I could get my work done was if I felt rushed. However, this is often not the case and leaves me feeling tired and overwhelmed, causing my schoolwork to suffer as a result.

2. Time management is key.

fact, I am probably the world’s best procrastinator. However, it’s so important to not only get your work done, but to get it done with plenty of time left over. Through my own experience, procrastination has only gifted me more stress

To combat the issue of procrastination, you must acquire good time management skills. This means acknowledging how long it takes you to do certain tasks and giving yourself the appropriate amount of time to do them. You’ll learn that it actually feels nice not to be rushed, and that giving yourself plenty of time to finish an assignment actually saves you time in the long run.

3. Learn to say no.

One of the hardest things I’ve tackled in college is simply being honest with my friends and peers about needing to do my work. Ev-

ery day, there is something new going on at Ouachita. It feels like there are events I must attend and fun memories with my friends that I simply cannot miss. The truth is this: you can absolutely miss some things. I am not advocating that you spend your entire college life locked in your dorm studying. But, part of your college experience will be studying. Education is what we are here for. So, try not to feel bad about staying in when you really need to get some work done. You’ll be thankful you did. College is full of things that are fighting for our time, and not all of them are the most appealing. However, long nights in the library are sometimes unavoidable. Using these study tips will alleviate some of the stress and allow you to efficiently and effectively complete your assignments.

Harms and Givens lead star-studded OBU squad

BY ISAAC BOURNE Sports Editor

Football season has again dawned upon the humble town of Arkadelphia, and the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers suit up with hopes for another record-breaking season. Despite the losses of key names such as TJ Cole (All-GAC first team RB and Darren McFadden award winner), Hunter Swboda (All-GAC first team TE) and Anthony Freeman (All-GAC first team DE), head coach Todd Knight is optimistic his team will be able to fill the void, keying in on the leadership from the more experienced players.

“I tell [the team] all the time, a coach-led team probably gets beat by a player-led team nine times out of 10,” Knight asserted. “I believe that it’s not a slogan or a cliche, but I really think that leadership is how you win football games, and I know that we have great leaders.”

Offensively, Knight mentioned, there is no player that prepares for the game more than graduate quarterback Riley Harms. “Riley, [is an] example to all of his coaches, players and everybody on how to prepare for the game.” Harms comes off his first fully-healthy season since 2019.

Running back Kendel Givens (2022 All-GAC second team) was quick to praise his QB.

“For him to do what he’s done in our program has been pretty crazy to watch,” Givens said.

Givens himself is ready to take the reins at running back this season. Leading Division II in touchdowns just a season ago, he is eager to reach that and more this season, now more than just a goal line option for the Tigers.

“It’s fun playing more in space,” Givens said. “Things get a little more tight on the goal line, your real estate runs out…but playing in space, I love to do that.”

Givens is now just 14 touchdowns away from the all-time career record for OBU, and as the lead back this year for the Tigers, nothing is stopping the junior from cementing his own spot in the record books.

Harms and Givens are just two members of the electric offense headed by offensive coordinator Jay Derby. Junior Connor Flanigan (All-GAC second team) returns for another season at wide receiver, and a young-but-experienced offensive line led by All-GAC first team lineman, senior Zac Henson, follows.

“Coach Derby does an excellent job of trying to keep our offense balanced, and the goal this year is to be more balanced,” Knight

“With a young offensive line and the skill-type guys we have on offense, we want to spread the ball around a little bit.”

Defensively, the Tigers have an elite group of returning linebackers. Junior Jax Miller (All-GAC second team), senior Dawson Miller and senior Trey Proctor all return after spectacular seasons. On the defensive line, junior Braylen Butler (All-GAC honorable mention team), junior JaRaylon Burks and junior Mikey Gonzalez all return, the latter racking up four sacks last

season. Finally, graduate student Kenta Jones heads up a talented core of defensive backs featuring junior Josiah Johnson (All-GAC second team SS), senior Dhante Gibson (All-GAC honorable mention team), sophomore Mario Ganter Jr. and junior Trey Proctor.

“We’re pretty confident this year,” Miller stated. “We’ve got a lot of guys stepping up…especially on the defensive side of the ball.”

The special teams unit also brings back two All-GAC members, with Joe Couch (first team)

and Gabe Goodman (All-GAC honorable mention team) returning for another season.

Ranked number eight in the NCAA’s preseason Power 10 for Division II football, the NCAA website states, “What would a Power 10 be without the Tigers?”

What would be a Power 10 without the Tigers? Headed into this season, the roster, from top to bottom, has replaced key pieces, leaving the players, coaches and fans asking, “What would the playoffs be without our beloved Ouachita Tigers?”

Pickleball kicks off Ouachita fall 2023 intramurals

BY CAMRYN MANNING Opinions Editor

Intramurals are in full swing with the first sport of the season, pickleball. The game is quickly becoming the fastest growing sport in the U.S. with its medley of table tennis, badminton and wiffle ball.

“Pickleball is sweeping the nation right now,” Johnny Webb,

Ouachita intramural coordinator, commented. “This is our third year to offer pickleball and it’s a fun, fast-growing game. We chose to offer it again because of its popularity and the way it fit with scheduling with it being two people per team.”

Pickleball has been popular on campus not only as an intramural, but also as a social game.

“We really like to try to listen to what the students want,” Webb

said. “We’ve recently been renting out a lot of pickleball equipment like balls, paddles and popup nets. We figured why would we not offer it as an intramural to compete in when so many like doing it on their own time?”

Intramurals are a fun, unique opportunity for students looking to be active and make connections.

“Here at OBU we like to focus on the academic side and grow-

ing spiritually, but we also want to encourage growth physically,” Webb said. “We offer a lot of opportunities to get active and go outside, like renting out camping equipment, taking camping trips with RecLife, and the CRAG. But with intramurals, it’s an everyday thing. You can get out and be active for 30 minutes at a time, learn a new sport, compete with friends and get to know new people.”

Pickleball has been a huge hit among students. Senior Kinley Deaton shares her passion for the sport.

“I wanted to play pickleball because it is a new and growing sport I’ve really come to enjoy,” Deaton said. “You can always have a good time, no matter how good or bad you are. It’s a great way to be active and enjoy the weather while playing a sport that allows us to be competitve.” .

Riley Harms (left) and Kendal Givens (right) celebrate a touchdown for the Tigers. The team won their first game 38-14 behind the play of Harms and Givens at Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, Aug. 31. (photo by Levi Dade) explained.