SIGNAL
92 Tiger Serve Day teams “seek the good”
BY MADELYN TULLOS Staff Writer
A bowl of water and a towel. The feet were in need of a wash but the one with towel in hand seemed like a mistake. John 13 holds the perfect example of one way Christ served others well. We are meant to look to Christ as the standard for how to live and therefore we must also be intentional about adopting a servant hearted mindset.
The Tiger Serve Day theme for this year, “Seek the Good,” fostered this idea of adopting a spirit of humility. The idea of putting the needs of others and seeking their good above one’s own is exactly what the Tiger Serve Day Leadership team wanted to accomplish with their theme for the year.
The leadership team met weeks before Tiger Serve Day took place to prepare for the day itself. They discussed their goals and began organizing all the projects. Each team member was responsible for visiting their project and gaining insight into what tools would be necessary to get the job done. After the logistics of each project were solidified, they would sort and match the projects with all who had signed up to take part in the day of service. The individuals on this team put in countless hours weeks in advance and even hours before the volunteers show up on the day of.
Senior Andrew Ellis was on the
volunteer side of Tiger Serve Day for his first semester of freshman year and has been on the leadership team ever since.
“I got the opportunity to serve in a different capacity and for more than just a couple hours on the day of,” Ellis explained. While speaking about service, Ellis referenced Mark 10:45. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Ellis said. Ellis emphasized this specific verse in response to what characteristic of Christ’s character he believed Tiger Serve Day embodies. It involves keeping
service at the center with Christ as the perfect example.
There is an undeniable joy on Ouachita’s campus as students, faculty and staff gather together and begin outreach in the community. Judy Duvall has served as the Director of The Elrod Center for four years now, but had worked with the Center since 1999 before assuming this role. She has seen this joy every morning of Tiger Serve Day without fail. A lot of prayer goes into every aspect of the day, over all 722 volunteers, for all 92 teams, and over all 91
Homecoming festivities unite current students and alumni
BY CAMRYN STROUPE Opinions Editor
Homecoming and Family Weekend is upon us. From Tiger Tunes to the Purple Plaza Party, from the Ouachita Family Reunion Dinner to Tiger Fest, there are plenty of things to keep students, faculty and staff, alumni and prospective students busy all week long.
Wednesday and Thursday hold the first two performances of Tiger Tunes, and the Admissions office is also hosting Explore Ouachita for high school juniors and seniors.
During Explore Ouachita, students will experience a day in the life at Ouachita, have campus tours and get to meet with academic deans. They will end their Explore experiences by attending Tiger Tunes those two nights.
Sara West, Program Assistant of Alumni Relations, described the Trucks & Tunes event on Thursday.
“We’ve invited local and regional food trucks to OBU,” West said. “You can expect regional trucks Taco Mama of Hot Springs and Nach’Yo Nachos of Conway. We will also host local trucks [such as] Walk Baby Love BBQ, Goofy Greg’s Shaved Ice and Zach Mitchel with Three Seven Catering.”
Trucks & Tunes will be from 4:307:30 p.m. before the Tiger Tunes performance on Thursday night.
Friday marks the start of alumnigeared events with the Homecoming Purple Plaza Party from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and Ouachita Family Reunion Dinner at 6 p.m. in addition to Friday’s Tiger Tunes performance. West described the lively events.
“At the Purple Plaza Party you’ll find games, activities, live music from the students in Music Industry, a pep rally and a BBQ lunch on the lawn,” West said. “That evening at the Ouachita Family Reunion Dinner we are celebrating the classes of 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014. We are excited to see everyone again.”
Saturday is full of festivities as the day of the Homecoming game. From 9 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. is Tiger Fest, which includes the tailgate and brunch at Kluck Pavillion. The tailgate will include chicken and waffles with a biscuit bar, and different campus groups will be greeting students and alumni. At 10 a.m. is the Homecoming Coffee & Drop-In at the Green-Blevins Rotunda in McClellan Hall for an alternative brunch and tour of the Rotunda and gallery.
The Homecoming pre-game activities will commence at 11:30
a.m. with the presentation of the Homecoming Court and crowning of the 2024 Homecoming Queen. The Homecoming game will feature the Ouachita Tigers facing off against the East Central University Tigers. After the game will be the Cone-Bottoms Lawn Party with lawn games, Kona Ice and campus tours led by OSF members. At 4 p.m., the Homecoming Street Festival will begin in Tiger Alley serving grilled fajitas.
The saying that OBU students are Tigers For Life becomes evident in the alumni turnout year after year. When asked why so many alumni keep returning, West described it well.
“I think that many alumni keep coming back because this place is home to many of them,” West said. “They spent their formative years here and the bond with their classmates turned family keeps them coming back every year.”
Students can look forward to Homecoming even after they graduate, as they will be welcomed back year after year.
“Students can look forward to glimpsing themselves in the future,” West said. “They may eventually be coming back every year with their own families, enjoying our beautiful campus with friends of the past.”
projects.
“God’s Spirit descends on the campus and goes out through his people to reach the community in very practical and relational ways,” Duvall said.
Just like Ellis, sophomore Margaret Guerra has served on the Tiger Serve Day leadership team since her freshman year.
“I love getting to serve in a way that allows so many others to serve,” Guerra said.
Service is humble. Service is selfless. It should be the desire of everyone that the lens through
which we see the world would be tinted in a way that highlights the needs of others. Tiger Serve Day is a great opportunity to adopt humble spirits and give back to the community, however, service shouldn’t be labeled with a day and attributed to one particular time. Service should be a lifestyle. To be more like Christ, we must walk in the ways he walked. We should see Him as the standard for how we are meant to live and long to be a reflection of the way he loved others. So fill the bowl with water and hand us the towel.
“Explore Ouachita” hosts prospective students for unique campus visit
BY KADE LOOMIS Staff Writer
Every college student remembers going through the gauntlet of college tours. Whether you visited five colleges in two months, or two in two years, it was always a big day when you stepped on campus. Once a year, OBU hosts “Explore Ouachita!” where dozens of prospective high school juniors and seniors are given more than just a college tour.
Lori Motl, director of admissions counseling, shared the details of the tour. “Explore is an opportunity for students to come to campus, take a campus tour, get some time with current students, eat dinner and watch Tiger Tunes,” Motl said. “They get to see Ouachita at the most exciting time of the year - Tiger Tunes.” Motl explains what makes this college tour unique. “You can tell somebody about Tiger Tunes, but until they go to Tiger Tunes they can’t fully understand what it is like,” Motl explained. “The fact that it raises $200,000 a year for scholarships is really special, so we want to highlight that.”
While “Explore Ouachita!” is a once a year admissions event, there
are two different times to experience it on Wednesday and Thursday. The two times allow those that can’t make it for one of the days to still have a chance to experience it, as well as helping out those hosting Explore not to be overwhelmed by all the future Tigers.
Though “Explore Ouachita!” may sound a lot like Tiger Day, Motl made sure to mention that they are, after all, two unrelated events. “We try to make the content different,” Motl explained. “Of course, the tour is the same, but we try to make the content a little bit different from Tiger Day since we have students that want to come to Tiger Day, and then also want to come to Tunes. We try to make sure that they’re learning new things at Explore.”
Taking any college tour is a good thing, whether you do a regular tour, come on Tiger Day or attend Explore. Motl explained why prospective students should visit Ouachita during this time of year.
“I think it’s one of the best times for students to see the campus, and see it in full swing with lots of activities happening,” Motl said. “We already have a pretty active campus life since so many students live on campus, but during Homecoming week and Tiger Tunes it is just special.”
Left: Freshman Hannah McGuire washes a car as part of her Tiger Serve Day project. This year’s Tiger Serve Day had 722 volunteers who served through 91 different projects on Sept. 28, actively bettering the community. Right: Two students help with yard work and landscaping for a local home in Arkadelphia. (photos by Meghann Bledsoe)
BY JACIE SELLARS News Editor
The City of Arkadelphia will present its fourth annual Festival of the Arts on Oct. 11-12, featuring art vendors, live music and food trucks.
The festival will take place in downtown Arkadelphia on the 11th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on the 12th from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
According to Emma Brown, Director of Communications for the City of Arkadelphia, Festival of the Arts began after the pandemic when the city was looking for a way to promote fun and safe community.
An initial idea for an art show grew into a weekend event that included live performers and food trucks.
“It became this melting pot of music, food and art, celebrating the best of the best in Arkansas,” Brown said.
The first Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts received early recognition, inspiring city officials to make the event an annual tradition.
“Our first year was in 2021, and in that year we won the Arkansas Festival and Events Association’s Best New Festival or Event,” Brown said.
“That set the tone for what this event was going to turn into, and every year it’s gotten better as we learn something new.”
The festival will feature local artists showcasing and selling their work on Artist Row across from Town Hall.
Attendees can expect many different mediums of art, including painting, graphic design, quilts, soaps and face painting. Artists come from
workshops, music and food trucks
across the state with a variety of backgrounds.
“On Artist Row, you will see people who are 20 and people who are 76,” Brown said.
“That’s what makes it so cool—you are seeing different levels of expertise and different areas of interest.
There really is something for everybody at this event.”
The festival will also offer interactive opportunities through art workshops and live demonstrations. Workshops will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
One notable artist is Daniel Casey, a bladesmith who has been featured on the History Channel.
The art workshops will teach a variety of artistic techniques, including painting, songwriting and knitting.
While browsing the art-
work, those attending the event will have plenty of food options. According to Brown, this is the first year that a food truck competition will be introduced to the festival.
Attendees can vote for their favorite truck using a QR code. Food choices include tacos, burgers, cajun food and rolled ice cream.
In the evenings, the festival will host several concerts. Redferrin, a Nashville country artist, will headline the event.
Other notable musicians include Mac Royals, a finalist on NBC’s The Voice, and Deepwood Mac, a Fleetwood Mac cover band.
“The festival committee does a great job of finding up-and-coming artists where you know their songs, even if you don’t know their name yet,” Brown said.
Live music will begin at
6:30 p.m. on Friday night, and Saturday will feature music throughout the day starting at 11 a.m.
The wide variety of entertainment at the Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts makes for an ideal event for all ages, including college students.
Ouachita junior Sarah Kate McAnelly said that she has enjoyed the event in previous years.
“I love the Festival of Arts,” McAnelly said. “Being able to hear people talk about their passion while showing their art is so interesting. I love learning about different art styles and creating a bond with other people in Arkadelphia.”
Halle Mann, Special Events Manager for the City of Arkadelphia, expressed similar ideas about attending the festival.
“You have everything you need at one event— the art,
the food and the music,” Mann said. “What more could you ask for?”
Overall, city officials hope to use the Festival of the Arts to make Arkadelphia an arts destination for the local community and the surrounding region.
“We’ve heard people say that there’s nothing to do in Arkadelphia, and we are trying to change that,” Brown said.
“Arkadelphia is in the middle of everything. We have always said that we are perfectly positioned on I-30 to do events like this. We are an hour from Little Rock and Texarkana, and can serve as a midpoint for both.”
To view a complete schedule and list of art vendors for the Festival of the Arts, you can visit their official website at arkadelphiafestivalofthearts.org or the event’s Facebook page.
Source(s): AP News
Source(s): AP News
Source(s): AP News, CNN
Jon Merryman wraps up final Tiger Tunes as lead adviser for OSF after 13 years in the role
BY EMILY HOWARD Staff Writer
Jon Merryman, director of alumni relations and lead adviser of Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF), has spent 13 years in this role and is enjoying his final year at Ouachita before moving to the next chapter of his life.
“As a student at Ouachita, I served as student director of Tiger Tunes,” Merryman said. “When my wife Emily and I moved back here after her dad passed away, people asked what I would do at Ouachita if it was open, and I said alumni relations. Three months later, it opened, and I’ve been here ever since.”
With Merryman’s past serving as student director of Tiger Tunes and his other various skills, he believes that this role is a great fit for him and is grateful to have had the opportunity to utilize his wisdom and knowledge in a way that nourishes community and friendship throughout the campus. He has helped connect people from various places, both current stu-
dents and alumni “I connect alumni with their alma mater through events like homecoming, reunions and regional alumni events,” Mer-
has made this a perfect fit for my skills and abilities. I feel extremely grateful to have been allowed to steward so many Ouachita traditions, from the
as staff and student.
“From creating beautiful events for alumni to so many Tiger Tunes memories, I have loved my time here at Ouachi-
ryman said. “I work with OSF leadership to accomplish their fundraising goals and serve as producer of Tiger Tunes. My degree in communications, my minor in music and my ministry and non-profit experience and event planning experience
singing of the Alma Mater, to serving as ‘keeper of the Tiger statue’ and, of course, Tiger Tunes.”
Ouachita strives to create a lasting impact, memories and friendships. Merryman has loved his time at Ouachita, both
ta,” Merryman said. “I loved our 50th anniversary OSF event this Spring, the Cone-Bottoms 100th party and many Tunes moments from the Wicked finale of our 40th show,” Merryman said. Merryman has gone above
and beyond for the past 13 years to make student, alumni and guest experiences at Ouachita the best that it could be, whether it be through Tiger Tunes or the other various events Ouachita hosts. He has helped connect people from various places and cultures, but has also helped connect students right here on campus.
“I have loved my almost 13 years in this role and feel I’ve given my best and my all to serve alumni and help OSF create memorable moments for students, alumni and guests,” Merryman said. “I truly believe every step of my path has been led by God and has been a way I’ve been used to make a difference. I’m thankful my next role allows me to stay in the town we love and continue to support Ouachita in a variety of ways.”
Merryman has helped with Ouachita’s aim to foster creativity, independence, friendship and community through his services on the staff and his dedication to its students. Without individuals like Merryman, Ouachita, and more specifically Tiger Tunes, would not be the same Ouachita we know and love.
The Men of Eta Alpha Omega to break out the root beer for another year of Muggin’ tradition
BY JACIE SELLARS News Editor
As the Men of Eta Alpha Omega finish their Tiger Tunes show each year, the audience can hear a familiar cheer while they run off stage: “Come to Muggin’!” Muggin’, an open invitation gathering hosted by Eta Alpha Omega that features the club’s favorite drink, IBC root beer, has become an iconic staple of Homecoming weekend that many students look forward to.
This year’s Muggin’ will take place on Oct. 12 in front of the student center after the final Saturday Tunes show. Everyone on campus is invited to drink one of over 2,000 root beers passed out and enjoy fellowship and music while in costume. The event allows for all the participating clubs to unite after Tunes and celebrate the real reason for the show, keeping students in school.
Despite popularity among current Ouachitonians, the anticipated event did not begin this way, with high attendance and advertisement from the club. According to junior Daniel Gillson, president of Eta Alpha Omega, Muggin’ originally began as a small event within the club.
“Muggin’ most likely started in the late 90s when a couple friends in Eta went out to Speer Pavilion and drank root beers together,” Gillson said.
Eventually, the club realized that Muggin’ had the potential to be a campus-wide celebration, giving students a chance to have fun during one of the busiest times of the school year.
“Muggin’ is significant because it marks the end of Tunes, after everyone is done with one of the most difficult seasons of this semester,” Gillson said. “It is also the biggest party thrown all semester, and on top of that it
is free.”
In order to bring Muggin’ together, a lot of planning is required. Gillson explained that a team within Eta works together to purchase root beer, plan logistics and promote the event.
“Our whole officer team plans Muggin’, especially our social chairs Sammy Arizaga and Cable Glenn, our treasurer Caden Jenkins, our social media director Miller Adams and our T-shirt/graphic design chair Deacon Drennan,” Gillson said.
As the men of Eta Alpha Omega work to prepare this beloved event, they hope that
it will not only be a party, but a time to build community. Junior Payton Dumas, a member of Eta’s newest pledge class, is looking forward to reaching out to fellow students on campus and building community.
“I love how we get to serve our campus,” Dumas said. “Etas love to serve, and we appreciate the yearly opportunity to give our campus a good time and cold root beers to celebrate the end of such a stressful season.”
For students attending Muggin’, the event can represent a wonderful consistency during the Homecoming season, no
matter how Tiger Tunes goes or what club wins. Students can always count on one of the most fun celebrations of the year to follow the busy and tiring week. Senior Rachel Dunnam, an Eta sweetheart, said that the event is always a highlight of Homecoming weekend.
“Muggin’ is such a fun event that brings students, faculty, staff and visitors together to celebrate all of the hard work put into Tunes over the past month,” Dunnam said. “Whether or not you’re a fan of root beer, you’re sure to find yourself celebrating among the Etas with an IBC in hand.”
The event is a direct representation of the Men of Eta Alpha Omega’s values, as the club strives to include all and have a positive impact on every student on campus. By continuing the tradition of Muggin’, the Men of Eta Alpha Omega seek to welcome others and keep their rich traditions alive.
“Muggin’ truly represents the Men of Eta Alpha Omega,” Gillson said. “It is a time where everyone can be included without expectations put on them. Everyone can be celebrated and invited in, and this is what Eta as a club does
this is what Eta as a club does.”
Left: A group of The Men of Eta Alpha Omega pose with their letters at Muggin’ in their 2023 Greece costumes. The event takes place outside the Evans Student Center. (photo from Ethan Kailey)
Right: Garrett Richards and Connor Radabaugh pass out IBC root beer. Each year in preparation for Muggin’ the club purchases thousands of bottles to pass out to students. (photo by Joshua Rhine)
Jon Merryman poses with his wife, Emily, during Tiger Tunes show week in the Jones Performing Arts Center Lobby. (photo from Jon Merryman)
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Tiger Tunes hosts prepare for 46th annual show, celebrate time together
BY PHIL BYRD Staff Writer
At Ouachita Baptist University, Tiger Tunes is like the Super Bowl.
One of the biggest events of the year, hundreds of students spend countless hours learning dance moves, lyrics and notes all in preparation for the opportunity to compete with their friends. For some students, however, there is an extra level of dedication.
Brandon Holloway, Katelyn Hartsell, Keagan Pointer, Logan Babel, Graceanne Morgan, Amaya Hardin, Brady Ussery and Haley Shourd walked into auditions to be the next hosts and hostesses of Tiger Tunes last spring nervous and excited. Little did they know they had taken the first step to forming what would soon be a found family.
Hartsell explained her emotions the day of auditions.
“Everyone was rooting for each other that day,” Hartsell said. “It seems super scary and intimidating, but it really wasn’t.”
Host Keagan Pointer had a similar experience.
“It wasn’t nearly as stressful as I was anticipating,” Pointer said. “The judges and everyone auditioning were very friendly.”
This would set the tone for the rest of their rehearsals together.
“It’s a very uplifting atmosphere,” Pointer said. “I think that’s crucial for hosting, because we’ve been together for a while. If you don’t have a good bond with the people around you, it makes the experience drag out a lot longer than it needs to.”
The team has certainly put in its fair share of rehearsals over the past few weeks.
“We started after the first week of school,” Hartsell said. “We knew the entire Tiger Tunes show before
the clubs even started practicing. We want to make [the show] as good and enjoyable as possible, and get it as sharp as possible.”
From that point, rehearsals were spent painstakingly ensuring every detail was right. With as much work as the hosts and hostesses have put in, it can be easy to be discouraged.
The team’s atmosphere helped keep them going.
“Even when we have practices where we don’t really feel like practicing, it turns out that we’re all having fun, and you kind of forget that you’re tired,” Pointer said. Working with each other almost daily for weeks has brought the group as close as ever.
“I feel like we have such a connection, and we have so much fun with one another and bring out the best in one another,” Hartsell said.
“That’s going to showcase on the stage. We’re already having separation anxiety. We’re at practice all week together, and we were not in practice for two days, and we get
back the next day like, ‘Guys, it’s been so long.’”
Some may think that a host or hostess must be studying music, but that’s not the case for Pointer, a biology major and member of the track and field team.
“I never had a space where I felt like I could just kind of sing and use my gift in a capacity other than worship,” Pointer said. “That was the appeal [of hosting].”
Even in all their hard work, they’ve found opportunities to have fun together.
“One night, the girls and I got matching grandma nightgowns, and we were going to mess with the guys,” Hartsell said. “We walk in, and two of the guys, Keagan and Brady, are already in the dance room with the lights off. They scared us. It was so funny.”
Don’t miss out on the chemistry these hosts and hostesses have developed. Come see Tiger Tunes at the Jones Performing Arts Center from October 9-12.
Student
interviews Mark Bryan, commemorates Hootie & the Blowfish band’s 30th anniversary
BY SAM BENNETT Staff Writer
I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Bryan, the lead guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, to talk about the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album, Cracked Rear View. Released on July 5, 1994, the album quickly captured the hearts of millions and became one of the best-selling records in U.S. history, boasting over 20 million copies sold worldwide. As we dove into the album’s legacy, Bryan reflected on the band’s whirlwind rise to fame, sharing stories from the studio and the surreal journey that followed its release.
“It all happened really quick at a very young age, and it was impossible to put it in perspective back then,” Bryan said, recalling how fast their lives changed after their seminal freshman album hit the airwaves.
“We were playing clubs one year and then amphitheaters the next. Then out of nowhere, we had the biggest-selling record on the planet. It’s all still a little surreal.”
It’s hard to believe that three decades have passed since Cracked Rear View made its debut, propelling Hootie & the Blowfish from local college bars in South Carolina to global stardom and making household names out of musicians like Bryan and the band’s frontman, Darius Rucker. The album, featuring hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” garnered the band two Grammy Awards in 1995, including Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Let Her Cry.” These songs became anthems for a generation and are still beloved today.
Bryan also touched on a more modern interpretation of their music—Post Malone’s 2021 cover of “Only Wanna Be With You,” the third
single from Cracked Rear View.
“I was kind of blown away by it,” Bryan said, laughing as he added, “I have one beef with it, and that is, he changed the Dolphins to that team from Dallas that I will not mention.” Despite the lyrical tweak, Bryan praised Malone’s take, calling him a “legit, sincere fan.”
But the band’s story didn’t end there. In fact, they’ve maintained a dedicated following and continue to evolve musically. The band recently wrapped up a summer tour and released a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s 1966 classic, “For What It’s Worth.”
“We all absolutely love the song and jumped at the opportunity to cut it. We’re thrilled with how it turned out; it’s a great fit for us,” Bryan said of the cover, which has resonated with both new listeners and longtime fans.
As if that weren’t enough to keep Bryan busy, he’s also set to release his fourth solo album, Popped, later this fall. Known for his versatility, Bryan revealed that Popped showcases his broad range of influences. “I’ve got everything from like a ska track and a reggae track to a little bit of a Latin pop track and some old-timey sounding stuff. I just kind of let the songs lead me where they go,” he shared, clearly excited about the project. It’s clear that while Hootie & the Blowfish may be celebrating a major milestone, their creative drive is far from slowing down. As Cracked Rear View turns 30, its impact continues to be felt across generations. Hootie & the Blowfish’s music has a timeless quality, appealing to listeners both young and old.
For those who want to dive deeper into the band’s legacy, don’t miss the full conversation with Mark Bryan on OBU-FM, available wherever you stream your podcasts, including obusignal.com.
Student-led worship service ‘Refuge’ fosters weekly, Christ-centered fellowship on campus
BY KYNDALL
FOMBY-BELL Staff Writer
Refuge is a time during the week when students come together to fellowship and worship with one another. Prayer starts at 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, followed by student-led worship and speakers. Location is normally posted the day of on Campus Ministries (CM) page. During the busyness of a school week, Refuge is a place where everyone can get rest, reset and find peace in the presence of God.
Refuge is composed of different student-led committees throughout the semesters. The speaking team features Meghann Bledsoe, Issac Watson, Tanner Roberts and Wyatt House. Jonathan McEndree and Jackson McDonald lead the music team and Joshua Engle is over the media team. Lastly, there is a group dedicated to prayer.
Roberts, senior speaking leader, shares how the refuge speakers are chosen.
“We all applied to be Campus Ministry leaders through an interview process with the CM staff,” Roberts said. “We all chose to serve through speaking at Refuge.” During their leadership meetings, the speakers work together to create meaningful messages.
“We all meet once a month and pray about what the body of Ouachita needs,” Roberts said. “From there, we choose either a series of sermons or individual sermons for the community. We focus on being prayerful and led by Christ during the preparation and sharing of the message for
our peers.”
This month the speakers have been teaching about love in Scripture. Bledsoe, senior speaking leader, shares details about their messages during the first month of refuge.
“Tanner taught us the problem with love and how we search for love in the wrong places,” Bledsoe explained. “I taught the story of Hosea and Gomer and how that demonstrates God’s pursuit of us. Wyatt taught on the display of God’s love through Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant, in Isaiah 53 and last Thursday Issac taught us how to love one another. We typically know about three or four weeks in advance what our next sermon will be. I think most of us spend about two to three prepping our messages. However, most of that prep happens during the week off.”
Bledsoe highlights the start of Refuge.
“Refuge has been going on for several decades,” Bledsoe explained. It was originally called ‘Praise & Worship.’ The heart of Refuge belongs to the entire student body. Everyone should be able to come in, worship and find Refuge in the Lord on Thursday nights.”
Refuge has a special impact on the students that attend and the leaders involved.
“I have grown so much as a leader,” Bledsoe said. “Over the last year, I have learned to seek God’s approval and make His name known. I hope that I can be a pointer, pointing others toward Jesus and His Word. He has given us the gift of having a physical book that tells us about who He is. As students, we get to look into it together and see how He has revealed Himself to us.”
Georgia Richards, leader of Campus Ministry Life groups and Christian Focus Week, shares about the gathering experience Refuge creates.
“The one thing that is alike for all the different students is Jesus. Refuge is a sweet time to learn and grow in your spiritual walk among fellow believers who you can relate to. When a group of believers gather together it is a holy moment into what new creation will look like,” Richards said.
With an opportunistic place like Ouachita, the most important one students have access to is knowing the Lord. Serving Christ and the community He places you in is an act of worship in itself. Through Refuge, Noonday, Life groups and more with Campus ministries. Students can feed their spirits and let their heart’s posture be transformed by His glory all around campus.
Top: Students worship at Refuge in Jones Performing Arts Center. Bottom: Meghann Bledsoe delivers a sermon. Refuge rotates through a group of selected speakers. (photos by Emma Mayes)
The 2024 Tiger Tunes hosts pose for a picture in their practice studio. The group of 8 has spent almost everyday together for rehearsals since Sept. 3. (photo from Haley Shourd)
How to manage time and stay healthy during Tiger Tunes show week and Homecoming
BY CAMRYN STROUPE Opinions Editor
For many Ouachita students, Tiger Tunes season comes with an understanding that schedules will be crunched, and school can often accidentally be put on the back burner while focusing on a show. As a senior member of three different Tunes shows (Tiger Blast, Gamma Phi and Kappa Chi) I’m often asked, “How do you do it?” There isn’t one set magical way that I survive Tunes season and specifically show week, but there are a few tips I’ve been able to give along the way during my time at OBU.
1. Schedule your days week-byweek, adding things as they come up. The key to surviving Tunes and enjoying it is time management. Though I’m not always a Type-A planner, I’ve found that this is essential during the month of Tiger Tunes. When you are given an assignment, look at your schedule and figure out the exact time you can work on it. I use an app on my phone called “Structured,” that allows me to timeline different events easily throughout my day with different icons and time limits, and having a visual representation of how each day will look of my week helps me have a clearer head going into it. Whether it’s a calendar-type app, alarms, reminders or a physical planner, have some kind of place where you can jot down what your day-to-day looks like so that nothing slips through the cracks.
2. In this scheduling, we all tend to overload ourselves and expect so much out of our bodies and minds that we forget to refuel. Make sure to give yourself time to rest and refresh, not just with sleep but with personal time in your dorm/apartment, social time with friends and quiet time with the Lord. Having a balance during
Tunes season will mean cutting back on some of what would’ve been “free time” otherwise, but that doesn’t mean eliminating it altogether. Don’t feel guilty for taking an evening to recharge if you don’t have practice or other obligations. As long as schoolwork is completed on time, it’s okay to take a breather.
3. Don’t forget the true purpose of Tiger Tunes while in the middle of preparing for it, performing your show and engaging in Homecoming weekend festivities.
Tunes is a way that we help our fellow students stay here on campus through OSF scholarships, which we are helping to fund with our performances. It is meant to be a fun way to accomplish a great thing as a student body! Though it’s demanding on us, it’s also something we are meant to have fun doing. Whether it’s dancing a difficult routine or singing lyrics that are sometimes hard to remember (or both at the same time), you will be able to look back at this year’s show and think, “We did that!” Our shows are a reflection of our time in our organizations, and some core memories of mine have been made in Tunes rehearsals. While in the middle of practice, keep in mind that you only get to do this a few times before it’s all over. Cherish the moment, we are a part of something special that nobody outside Ouachita truly understands or can enjoy to the fullest extent.
Though there are ups and downs to Tiger Tunes season, it’s completely possible to make it through in one piece, and enjoy it, too. My hope is that my brief list of tips is somewhat helpful and that we won’t miss the forest for the trees when it comes to enjoying this special season in the school year and most anticipated Homecoming weekend, where we celebrate what makes OBU special with past and present Ouachitonians.
Podcast allows for student expression
BY LIBERTY WIGGINS Guest Writer
Every once and a while, a group of friends will laugh together and joke about starting a podcast. The thought passes by until one day, the motivation hits to actually start one.
Val and I were sitting at our typical spot on campus (the Neighbor’s Table) when the idea of our podcast was born. We sat there thinking of what we wanted to call the show, what we wanted to talk about and most importantly, what would draw people in to listen. We decided to name the show “Val and Libs Take On the World” and share our “take” on different topics and the adventures we go on together.
Coming from different backgrounds yet having similar interests, we have fun covering different topics such as relationships, celebrity news and faith. While we always have fun recording together, bringing guests on the show is such a good time. We have had the opportunity to bring our friends on the show and discuss their “take” on the world and what has been on their minds lately.
Even seeing the numbers of how many people have listened to an episode or followed us on Instagram has been special. It is so surreal and sweet when someone comes up to us to mention how much they love our latest episode or what we have posted on social media. If you aren’t following us on Spotify or Instagram, you definitely should so you don’t miss anything (@valandlibstakeontheworld).
Although the purpose of the podcast is to have our thoughts put out there and have people get to know us a little better, there is an awesome feeling in knowing that our podcast is something that is going to be out there forever. In this way we are not only leaving a special mark at Ouachita, we are also going to have these conversations with ourselves and with guests on the show to look back on for years to come.
One of the biggest things I strongly believe in is if you have the resources to do something, then do it, and if you don’t, then find the people to connect with to make your dreams and ideas happen. As easy as it is to say, it can be hard to do, especially when you don’t know where to start. We have
been so blessed to have a community that supports and encourages us to keep growing. If Val and I hadn’t started the podcast, then we wouldn’t have had the opportunities that have come from the show or made some of the memories with each other that have been made while recording an episode. It has been such a gift to have Val as a co-host and dear friend; after four years of friendship, we have had many laughs and adventures together.
God knew that we needed each other, and it was meant to be when Val stepped into my room during the first week of freshman year. Even though she walked in saying nothing but “Hi, my name’s Val, we are going to be best friends,” she walked out and then came back the next day then never left. However, that is a story for another day and time.
For those of you who have been following us, we can’t thank you enough for listening to the show or just being an encouraging friend. If you ever see us please say hi, most likely we will be sitting at the Neighbor’s Table which we secretly have named “Val and Libs’ Table.”
Ludwig’s Bakery: New location, longtime tradition
BY AVERY WALKER Staff Writer
While driving through the streets of downtown Arkadelphia, it is impossible to ignore the splash of forest green on the corner of Eighth Street and Caddo Street. Upon stepping inside, one discovers that this new building is, in fact, a bakery called Ludwig’s. The atmosphere of Ludwig’s calls to mind the comforts of home, with an eclectic mix of tables and comfortable couches, colorful décor and of course, the smell of homemade pastries and coffee.
Ludwig’s is not new to the Arkadelphia area. It has served the Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia communities for four and a half years, only recently moving its location to downtown Arkadelphia, where it has experienced enormous success. However, this is only the most recent chapter in a long story of family tradition.
“My grandfather opened up the first Ludwig’s in America in the early 1920s,” owner Lorraine McSwain née Ludwig said. “My grandparents immigrated from Germany to Estelline, Texas.” Five years ago, after living in the Dallas area for years, McSwain moved to Arkadelphia to be near family and away from the big city. Early on, she and her husband noticed a bakery for sale on AR-7 across from DeSoto Bluff. “Initially, I didn’t want to buy it,” McSwain explained. “But sometimes the Good Lord has other plans for you.”
In McSwain’s case, these plans turned out to be carrying on the family name through Ludwig’s Bakery. McSwain realized that Ludwig’s was, of course, the obvious choice for a name. Ludwig’s Bakery opened on March 7, 2020 – right before the world shut down due to COVID-19.
McSwain described this time known for choking out small businesses with surprising serenity.
“Somehow we managed to stay open without going into debt,” McSwain explained. “We were always in the black.”
Thankfully, both for the McSwains and for Arkadelphia, Ludwig’s Bakery is still thriving to this day, offering the Arkadelphia community a taste of Germany. Along with making fresh bread, cookies and cinnamon rolls, Ludwig’s sells uniquely German treats, such as bierocks (a homemade pastry stuffed with meat, gouda cheese, cabbage, served with honey mustard), amerikaners (a light, sweet bread with lemon glaze) and McSwain’s favorite, Streuselkuchen (roasted pecan cake).
“It means ‘strudel-on-top cake,’ McSwain said. “It’s my favorite thing we sell because it reminds me of my childhood.” McSwain explained that for a German tradition called Kaffeeklatsch, a midday break for coffee and pastries, her mother and grandmother would make Streuselkuchen, stretching it
throughout the week. “They made yards of that stuff,” McSwain said.
Not only does Ludwig’s have a rich past; it also has a bright future.
After moving its location to Arkadelphia, Ludwig’s has tripled its sales, benefiting from the increased traffic of college students and Arkadelphia residents. Likewise, Ludwig’s has partnered with Dr. Jack’s, creating even closer ties with OBU. “We like to support [Ouachita students],” McSwain explained. Around November, Ludwig’s plans to begin
offering lunch options as well as breakfast and pastries.
Ludwig’s is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for anybody who wishes to enjoy homemade food, explore a fascinating history and participate in the German tradition of Kaffeeklatsch, something busy college students could certainly appreciate. Its new location is 105 S 8th St. in downtown Arkadelphia. One thing is certain: the new Ludwig’s location is sure to soon become a staple of Arkadelphia life.
Liberty Wiggins and Valeria Figueroa, hosts of the podcast “Val and Libs Take on the World”, pose for a photo at the Neighbors Table they have unofficially nicknamed the “Val and Libs’ Table.” The two just recently celebrated the second season of their podcast. (photo from Liberty Wiggins)
The new Ludwig’s location is nestled right next to campus at 105 S 8th Street. (photo from Lorraine McSwain)
Cowgill, Inman duo reflect on time in soccer program
BY KATE ELLIS Editor-in-Chief
When a collegiate coach signs an athlete to come and join the program, he does not know how the next four years will go for the player. He can predict, based on high school statistics and first impressions during a visit, but he cannot be certain that the signee will produce for the team or perform to the expected ability. Even harder to predict is the level of impact that the player will have on their teammates and the program, on and off the field. Every once in a while, there are players who fit the bill in both categories, those who play at an extremely high level and serve as a leader for those around them, overall improving the quality of the program in tangible—what one can see on the scoreboard—and intangible—what one cannot— ways. In the Fall of 2021, the Ouachita Women’s Soccer team gained two of this kind of player, in the form of a package deal set of near-identical twins.
Abbey Cowgill, senior communications sciences and disorders major, and Ashton Inman, senior biology major, signed together and began their journey with the program. Since their time at Ouachita, they have accumulated impressive statistics and picked up several GAC Player of the Week awards, even leading the team to its GAC Conference Championship victory in November of 2023. #4 and #14’s impressive college accolades were years in the making, starting from the very beginning.
“We started playing soccer when we were 4 and got into classic around age 12,” Inman said. “Our mom coached us since we were 4, all up until we were in high school, so we had the same coach for 13 years. We decided we wanted to play college soccer in 9th grade. We played volleyball, basketball and soccer, and then after our 9th grade year, our mom said that we had to choose one. It was always going to be soccer because we felt most comfortable, knew the most about it and we were the best at it. Our mom played college soccer, and we wanted to follow what she did to make her proud. We grew up going to Ouachita for church camps and it already felt like home, so it was the cherry on top to be able to play soccer here.”
Despite pieces lining up seamlessly for the two to commit and begin to play at Ouachita, the past three years have not been without their challenges.
Cowgill broke her ankle in September of her freshman year, leaving her unable to walk for six weeks after her surgery.
After she got off crutches and started walking, it was around two months of getting back into jogging, practicing cuts and adjusting to the feeling of weight on the ankle again before she was able to step back onto the field.
Inman has also experienced her fair share of physical setbacks. In the Fall of 2023, Inman suffered a painful injury which launched a series of doctors appointments for surgery with recovery spanning 10 months until she was cleared to play again.
“I tore my ACL in the last non-conference game of my junior year,” Inman explained.
“The ball was kicked toward my direction in the air, and I went out to reach it while another player pushed me, and it popped.
Immediately, I knew that it was my ACL. I was so nervous because you hear so much about how difficult of an injury it is and how athletes really struggle.
I didn’t know if I could go through it, but honestly, it wasn’t that bad. I can see how hard it would be for people whose sport is their everything when it gets taken away from them, but that’s not what soccer is for me.”
For Cowgill and Inman, soccer is just a small part of who they are, as their identity lies in something much greater and bigger than themselves, their Savior. Instead of viewing how the sport can lift their names up, they have spent much of their time at Ouachita asking the Lord to use them to stir the hearts of fellow teammates and glorify His name.
“The team culture when we came in wasn’t what we were expecting,” Inman said.
“Our freshman and sophomore years were difficult because we didn’t feel like we had a voice. Unfortunately, because of seniority, you have the most respect for the oldest girls, so our leadership roles didn’t really take off until recently and this year, especially. We started doing Bible study with the team, and we had a team trip to Wyoming, where we also held Bible studies and listened to worship music together. I think the girls on the team this year
have a desire to learn more about the Lord. We are all on different spiritual journeys, but we are all learning from conversations we are having during Bible study. We have been praying for years that the Lord would give us an opportunity, and we are getting it this year, mostly through leading by example. I think there is just a noticeable difference in the joy Abbey and I have for the game because it comes from a different source. People can tell that when we’re having a bad practice or bad game, it doesn’t really get to us because our identity is in our faith, not soccer. The Lord has given us the abilities to play, and we’re trying to use that platform to honor Him and glorify Him.”
The two, genuine and soft in spirit, leave a handprint of Jesus on every life they touch, even on those of their teammates who might not recognize the handprint, but know that it is good.
“One of our teammates told Ashton recently that we make her want to be a better person and that we have had a lot of influence on her and the team,” Cowgill said. “She also said that because of us and our story, she has wanted to grow closer to God. She told Ashton that we don’t realize a lot of our teammates feel the same way and that the team looks up to us. Hearing that from a teammate was so cool and encouraging. We are very thankful that we’re able to be a vessel. Oftentimes, you don’t get to see the fruit of your work, but small comments like that encourage us and show how the Lord is using us.”
Cowgill shares how her concept of playing for God has changed throughout the years and grown during her time at Ouachita.
“He deserves it all in everything you do,” Cowgill said. “Looking back on my high school career, I’m not sure I knew what it meant to glorify Him through my playing, but since we have gone to college, where lots of people grow spiritually and figure out who they are in Christ, I’ve learned how to do sports God’s way and how to allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit to flow out of me on the soccer field.” With the twins’ final year of soccer comes lots of lasts. The sport has been a unifying experience for the Inman family, from the Bryant High School soccer program, which serves as a beautiful tribute to the twins’
mother, coach Nicole Inman, to Ouachita’s field, where the pair of best friends has taken the field together for almost four years while their father, brothers and grandparents, who rarely miss a game, fill the stands in support. Although such a central part of their lives is drawing slowly to a close, Cowgill and Inman are eager about the next phase of life.
“I think we’re both really excited to move on to the next chapter,” Cowgill said. “We do understand that it is a blessing to get an extra four years to play our sport, and we’re so thankful for that, but we’re moving on. Soccer has been part of our lives for 17 years and because of that, everything has revolved around it. I’m excited for my last semester on campus to be a normal person, and not have a second job or have to miss out on doing things with people because I have practice. It’s weird to
think about never playing soccer again, but I’m excited to hang up the cleats.”
Cowgill and Inman’s time on the Ouachita women’s soccer team greatly shaped their college years and formed them into the women they are today. They will walk out of the program with impressive stats, titles and awards, but mostly importantly, spiritual fullness in that they devoted themselves to the furtherance of the Kingdom and a sharpened gift for discipleship and evangelism that will positively impact those in their paths for the rest of their lives.
“It doesn’t matter where you are or what you do or where you work,” Inman said. “You don’t have to be a missionary to glorify the Lord in everything you do and say. So, in reality, it’s not about the game or how I play; it’s who I play for. And that’s the mentality I’ll carry with me my whole life.”
Oct. 5th
Left: Abbey Cowgill defends the goal at a home game. Middle: Cowgill and Inman pose for their 2024 media day. Right: Ashton Inman charges towards the goal. (photos from Ashton Inman)