OBU Signal – Dec. 11, 2014

12.11.14 Volume 123 Issue 12

Christmastime at Ouachita

this week z CALENDAR ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL is tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theater. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact: Daniel Inouye at inouyed@ obu.edu.

MEN’S RUSH INTEREST MEETING is tonight at 8 p.m. in Young Auditorium. For more information, contact: Tim Harrell at harrellt@obu. edu.

REFUGE is tonight from 9–10 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. For more information, contact: James Taylor at taylorja@obu.edu.

BASKETBALL GAMES are Saturday afternoon in Bill Vining Arena. Women tip off at 1 p.m.; men begin at 3 p.m.

LATE NITE CINNAMON ROLLS will be served Sunday, Dec. 14, at 11 p.m. in the caf.

Student directors debut One-Acts tonight, tomorrow in Verser Theater

By DALANEY THOMAS News Bureau

Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts will host its annual One-Act Play Festival on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11-12, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre.

The performances are free and open to the public.

The One-Act Play Festival is part of a senior level course for theatre majors.

Seniors are required to select a play of their choosing, conduct casting and make decisions regarding scene setup. This year’s festival will include six plays.

“The goal of the one acts is to provide our senior students an opportunity to be responsible for directing their own piece from start to finish,” said assistant professor of Theatre Arts Daniel Inouye. “It also provides the larger community of OBU and the students a chance to have that last hoorah, that last break before the craziness of finals week.”

Thursday night’s performances include: A Leap-Year Bride: Cami Willis, a senior musical theatre and church media major from Flower Mound, Texas, will direct this play by Leslie M. Hickson.

In the play, a woman wants to marry her coworker and plans on proposing to him during a leap year, per Irish tradition. However, her proposal note falls into the hands of a loud and jolly acquaintance causing confusion about who the intended groom is.

The Nobodies: Jessica Smith, a senior musical theatre major from Van Buren, Ark., will direct this play by Jon Boustead. The play follows the story of a young woman who hears voices in her head that tell her she will never be good enough and who becomes queen of a land deprived of creativity and stories.

Throughout the play, she encounters different events that empower her to fight the voices away and allow for the return of creativity.

Poison: Tyler Wisdom, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., will direct this play by David Neale. The play features a fated conversation between two men, who have a stronger relationship than they realize. The stage manager for this performance is Marcus Moore, a freshman musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark. Performing in the show are Ben Braudrick, a freshman theatre arts major from Frisco, Texas, and Will Stotts, a freshman musical theatre major from

From your perspective:

Jonesboro, Ark. Friday night’s performances include: He Said She Said: Jalin Wesley, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., will direct this play by Alice Gerstenberg. The play follows the story of a gossiping woman and how her gossip causes trouble for those around her.

The Dreaming: Blaine Surber, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sulphur Springs, Texas, will direct this play by Richard James. In the play, two girls find themselves in an unknown room with no doors and windows with no recollection of how they got there. The girls find scraps of paper with various statements on them that they must piece together to reveal who they are and why they are there.

Medusa’s Tale: Benjamin Stidham, a senior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, will direct this play by Carol S. Lashof. The play tells the story of Medusa and how she transitioned from one of the most beautiful women in Athens to her punishment as a result of her struggle with Poseidon.

For more information about this year’s One-Act Play Festival, contact Daniel Inouye at inouyed@obu.edu or (870) 245-5560. n

What is the worst Christmas present you’ve received?

LATE NITE BREAKFAST will be served Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 11 p.m. in the caf. Breakfast foods will be cooked and served by OBU Faculty and Staff.

FINAL GRADES will be posted at 12 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22. For more information, contact: Stan Poole at pooles@obu.edu.

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PATRICK SWORN Junior

GRACEN KELLY Junior

NATHAN DICKARD Senior

“My sister made me gloves one time. They were made out of t-shirts.”

“I got oversized, ugly granny panties... from my granny.”

“One year, my brother thought it would be funny to give me coal and a peppermint in a big box.”

“Her great generosity has enabled us to take a huge step in visual arts and updating our current facilities.”

Emily Terry z The Signal The new Rosemary Gossett Adams Gallery is located on the first floor of Moses-Provine Hall. Plans were announced last December for the remodel of the building used for Ouachita’s Department of Visual Arts. The project was funded by Mrs. Rosemary (Gossett) Adams, a 1963 art graduate of Ouachita.

Department of Visual Arts honors Rosemary Adams

By TRENNIS HENDERSON News Bureau

Ouachita alumna Rosemary (Gossett) Adams was honored this morning as university officials dedicated the remodeled and expanded Rosemary Gossett Adams Department of Visual Arts. The dedication ceremony was attended by members of the university community and the public.

University officials announced plans last December to remodel the home of Ouachita’s visual arts program. The department, which features an updated exterior and renovated interior space, is being named in honor of Mrs. Adams’ generous gift to fund the project.

“I have found Rosemary to be a

delightful and devoted alumna of Ouachita,” said President Rex Horne.

“Her great generosity has enabled us to take a huge step in visual arts and updating our current facilities.”

Primary renovation details include a new front façade and entrance to Moses-Provine Hall which houses the visual arts program; creating gallery spaces to display artists’ works; renovating classroom, studio and office space; and adding an elevator to the facility.

Mrs. Adams, who provided a major gift to fund the project, is a 1963 Ouachita graduate with a major in art.

“Rosemary Adams’ gift to the Department of Visual Arts provides a legacy that will pay dividends to our

art students for years to come,” said Dr. Scott Holsclaw, dean of the School of Fine Arts. “The new gallery spaces will not only bring recognition to our visual arts program but will add to the education of Ouachita students and to the larger university and regional community.”

The renovated gallery space already has featured two art exhibits this semester, one by John Deering, chief editorial cartoonist and illustrator at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and the other featuring works donated by Dr. Loyde Hudson, a physician from Fayetteville. Among the paintings and sculptures donated by Dr. Hudson are works by renowned 19th century American artist Thomas Moran and German-American artist

Merry Christmas

Albert Bierstadt.

In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita, Mrs. Adams holds a Master of Arts degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an associate’s degree in interior design from Louisville Tech. Noting that she has had four careers, “high school art teacher, mommy, business owner and CFO and a commercial interior designer,” Mrs. Adams said she is “currently retired and enjoy the time to do many arts projects.” She and her husband, Glen, live in Louisville, Ky. For more information about the Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts, contact Dr. Scott Holsclaw at holsclaws@obu.edu or 870-2455561. n

from 12.11.14 x NEWS n 3

What Women Want

(for Christmas, anyway)

By HANNA DEAN Staff Writer

T

he signs of every man’s nightmare surround us here on campus. It started with the deep green garland draped across the ceiling in the student center. Then, the tree went up with all of its red and green ornaments. Some men passing by look as if they see their reflections in the glass ornaments looking and laughing back at them, realizing what was to come. The women gloat at the beauty of the Christmas decorations. They seem to look a little warmer. The men walk around timidly, with their nervous hands in their pockets.

It is time. What do we get the women for Christmas?

1. The outfit we are all familiar with.

If you don’t believe me, put down the paper (just temporarily), walk to the student center and take a glance around.

Can you tell all the women are basically wearing the same clothes despite a few different colors and patterns? Winter time is ideal for women. There is nothing more comfortable than an oversized sweater over some leggings, accompanied by a scarf and boots. A man that buys clothes for a woman is a bold man. She will no doubt be impressed with you for taking the initiative to go out of your “men’s section” comfort zone and wonder into the unknown of the “Junior Miss” department.

2. A year of Netflix.

If you are the type of person that does not like buying useless things, then this is the ultimate choice. Netflix is like food, only in the sense that it is a necessity for living to any female trying to make it through college. The gift of Netflix will not be taken for granted, nor will it be solely useful for her. As you make the account, you will be responsible for creating the login information. Long story short, you both win. This is

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over one hundred gifts all wrapped up in one with faces including Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling and Cam Gigandet. Need I say much more?

3. Dinner made by you, truly.

You may think a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I beg to differ.

I sometimes find myself wondering if men ever wonder what goes on at “girl’s night out.” Yes, the women get dressed up, take selfies that will one day haunt them and go out to eat, but the eating does not stop there. If you don’t believe me, check to see if she has an overwhelming number of pins under her “Recipe” board on Pinterest. Women love food. Better yet, women love men who know how to cook food.

Find a recipe, practice with your mom and woo her through her taste buds. Anything chocolate gets bonus points.

4. Did someone say Spa Day? Though it may be a little on the pricier side, there is nothing a woman would like more than to be pampered all day. Many options accompany this idea. The most timeless is the basic massage. If you want to impress her with your knowledge of spa treatments, add a facial or a body wrap. If you wish to play it safe, a manicure or pedicure will suffice. Chances are, a spa visit will put her in a great mood and leave her feeling beautiful and refreshed. This would be a great time to take her out to dinner before her pores get clogged again.

5. Perfume.

This is perhaps the easiest gift when it is bought in the right location. Take Dillards, for example. You make your way up to the counter and start peering through the glass display at the seemingly-thousands of options. Not too long after this, five women dressed in white coats and heels have approached you, pleading you to sniff five pieces of paper at one time. They are basically doing the work for you. And

while you are there, it may not be a bad idea to buy yourself nice cologne. She may equally appreciate that as well.

6. A great experience.

The only thing better than an actual gift is a memory. Prepare yourself, because this may be the most challenging option, but the most impressive. As I was driving through town, a woman’s voice called out to me through my radio speakers. She was discussing her favorite Christmas present.

She said she could not recall one gift she received two years ago for Christmas, but she would always remember the *NSYNC concert her ex-boyfriend took her to five years ago. Now, ignore the “ex” part. I highly doubt the concert was the problem. Women love a new adventure along with someone to share it with.

7. Jewelry.

We all know Ouachita women love jewelry, specifically a diamond ring for the left hand ring finger. Personally, I’m a “ring by 30” type of woman rather than a “ring by spring,” so before you pop the question, make sure you know her full name, and she has somewhat of an idea that it is coming, or things might get a little awkward. If you’re not feeling bold or to this point of commitment, walk into any boutique in downtown Arkadelphia. Typically, you are safe to choose from any piece in the store.

8. A hand-made gift.

Set your pride aside for a moment and think about getting a Pinterest account. To make this idea easier to deliberate, there are sections devoted to “Sports” and “Fitness.” Totally masculine. Pinterest is the answer to every man’s common question: “What do women want?” Most of the desired pins posted by women are “Do It Yourself” projects. All you have to do is pick one and roll with it. Men love a challenge, right? n

– Some may say it is tough to get in the Christmas spirit with the stress of finals week all around. But I say, have no fear.

There are plenty of things you can do to bring on the Christmas cheer.

– Maybe you live in an apartment or a friend of yours does.

If this is the case, you can easily get together and bake your favorite Christmas treat! As everyone pitches in a few dollars, the price isn’t bad and the treats will last you as you study for finals.

– If your friends are musical, you could all participate in Christmas carols in true “Elf” fashion. Last year, one of my friends recorded us all singing Christmas carols and gave out the CD as a Christmas present to all of us. It was the perfect activity to get us in the mood and a great keepsake of our memories!

– A simple activity that I always enjoy is decorating gingerbread houses with my suite.

It’s cheesy but fun as we play Christmas carols and compete to see who can be the most creative with their mini houses.

– Rachel Wicker

staff-approved

Christmas-themed

study breaks The final weeks of the semester can be exhausting. With papers and projects and praying for a friend to share Chick money, it can be hard to find time to enjoy the beginnings of the beloved Christmas season. But taking breaks is one of the most important study tips that we love to follow, so put down the book and highlighter, grab your friends and take the suggestions of some of our writers to celebrate the season and not go end-of-the-semester crazy. Take a trip to Little Rock or just to Downtown Arkadelphia. Have your own ideas? Tweet them to @obusignal with #studybreak!

– The best part of winter is ice skating. I know you can go ice skating any time of the year, but there is something magical and movie-like about going to skate with your friends in the middle of the Christmas season. Getting all wrapped up in your warmest clothes for the ice, rockin’ out to Mariah Carey’s Christmas album on the way there, betting on how many times everyone will fall or who will break something and being with friends; there isn’t a better way to prepare yourself for Christmas. The best thing is it’s only an hour away and $13 out of your pocket. And I’m not talking about the fake plastic ice either... This is the real deal. So get a group together and get your Christmas cheer going with a trip to the ice skating rink!

– If you are like me, sometimes a little time of solitude is what’s best for the soul. Some of the best opportunities for peace are around the holidays when the feelings of thanks and joy are in the air, and it is more than acceptable to not be as social due to the dreadful cold (unless you are one of those weirdo hot natured people). Either way, one of my personal favorite things to do around Christmas time is to grab a big mug of hot cocoa, turn the Christmas tree lights on, get comfy and crack open one of the 127,987 books on my to-read list. It just feels right during this time of the year. Plus, let’s not forget the biggest benefit for all college students: no money required, so it can be done by anyone on any budget.

– Suzanna Rieves

– We all know and love the movie “Elf,” and watch it all 200 times it plays on ABCFamily’s 25 days of Christmas. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre in downtown Little Rock is putting on the musical “Elf,” from December 3 through January 4. This gives you plenty of chances to go see the show between now and Christmas break when you all head back to whatever burrows you came from. Performances are Wednesday-Sunday, all evening performances start at 7 p.m., and matinees begin at 2 p.m. If you love the theatre (I already know you love Elf), then put your trust in me that you will not regret going to this performance.

– Another thing we all love about the holidays is all the pretty lights; even you fellas out there can’t deny that there’s something about Christmas lights that gets you excited. Every night from now until after Christmas, the River Lights in Little Rock will be illuminating the downtown bridges with holiday themed lights choreographed with music and animations. You can go have fun in downtown Little Rock and fill your heart with some holiday cheer while watching the bridges being lit up with fun Christmas themed lights.

– Take some time away from your crazy schedule while you can during finals. It may seem like you won’t have any time at all, but taking a break could be more helpful than sitting and staring at your books, and Little Rock is a great destination to do just that.

– Faith Sinele

12.11.14 x FEATURES n 5

Christmas at Ouachita

Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal Members of Ouachita’s concert choir perform during this year’s Festival of Christmas. This year’s theme was “Christmas Through the Ages” and feaured a special new twist in which local author and long-time Ouachita supporter, Ace Collins, provided the history behind beloved Christmas songs from several decades.

Christmas is a special time of year and is always cause for celebrations and events of every shape and size. During the Christmas season, the Ouachita community buzzes with excitement over not only the end of the semester and the upcoming break, but also the excitement and joy of celebrating the season and taking time to reflect on what really makes Christmas special – the birth of Jesus Christ.

Sydney Bratton z The Signal Junior Roxanne Easter chooses the perfect words for Santa. Students were encouraged to step back in time and write their own letters to Santa at the Christmas party hosted by CAB.

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Victoria Williams z The Signal Junior Lauren Snow reads a passage during the annual Service of Lessons and Carols held in MacBeth Recital Hall. Members of the Ouachita Singer and the women’s chorus led in songs and student and faculty from the school of humanities read the scripture passages during the night of reflection and worship.

Kacey Westerman z The Signal Students gather at the annual Speechie Christmas Tree Lighting. Every year, the Communication Sciences and Disorders department at Ouachita has a tree-lighting and serves hot chocolate to students in the middle of campus.

Sydney Bratton z The Signal Dean of the School of Humanities (and Signal advier), Dr. Jeff Root, reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to students with the assistance from his wife, Dr. Deborah Root, during last night’s Christmas party, hosted by the Campus Activities Board.

Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal The Ouachita Sounds (with some backup reindeer dancers) perform “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” during Festival of Christmas. Other number the group performed throughout the night include “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Comin to Town” and “O Come Emmanuel.”

Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal Seniors Mitchell Yost and Molly Salmon sing “Mary, Did You Know?” during the second half of this year’s Festival of Christmas. Festival of Christmas is divided into two segments, with the first half being “secular” songs of the season and the second half being “sacred” Christmas songs.

Kacey Westerman z The Signal Ouachita royalty ride atop a car during the annual Arkadelphia Christmas Parade last week. Senior Anna Sikes (left) was crowned Homecoming Queen in October and senior Abby Lindsey (right) became Miss Ouachita Baptist University last March.

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What your gifts say about you

By ROBERT DESOTO Staff Writer

Full bellies and clean dishes, my family gathers together on the evening of Thanksgiving to go to the movies together as per tradition. It’s a fairly recent tradition, but one we look forward to because the movie’s cheap, the company’s good and there’s usually shopping after the movie. We don’t shop to the extreme of others, but there’s no denying the madness that ensues on that day of the year known as Black Friday.

Never do Mr. Grinch’s words, “The avarice never ends,” ring more true than on Black Friday, the unofficial beginning of the Christmas “season.” Yet with all the hype about Black Friday, you’d think that all Americans were wrapping flat-screen TVs for each one of our friends. Instead, what we’re left with is a struggle to find the best last-minute present for our friends and family members for the best price.

What lies in between this time and what we present on Christmas Day can be the most telling about both who the recipient is as a person and who the gift-giver is. More specifically, what do certain Christmas presents mean?

Certain presents have fairly obvious connotations.

Lingerie “for that special someone,” most toys and

things like socks and loungewear are, for the most part, straightforward in their meaning. Gift-givers usually indulge on these presents specifically for the recipient, whether they requested it, hinted at it or otherwise. However, meaning-specific presents form a small percentage of seasonal gifts.

To find one of the most common gifts during the holidays, look no further than the end cap near the checkout counter. Gift cards are one of the simplest and easiest presents during the holidays and any other special occasion. While they may seem like an easy way out of putting an effort into looking for something nice, gift cards can be thoughtful when they’re things like gift certificates to a store or restaurant to treat the recipient to. Try to avoid American Express gift cards and certificates that are nothing more than free money. Nothing says, “I’m obligated to get you a gift, but you’re too picky. Take this, and stuff your own stocking,” like gift cards.

Do-it-yourself presents are, unfortunately, becoming more and more popular. I blame Pinterest. Handmade picture frame/chalkboard/dream board/ambition board/quote-that-I-got-from-Google boards, hot-glued conglomerations that reek of last-minute, wannabe craft queen ambitions and recycled ideas made from recycled junk must be avoided.

I used to make DIY gifts for Christmas almost every year. We would take pipe cleaners and pinecones and Mrs. Pinkley would paint them with—wait, was that Kindergarten? Nothing says, “Please accept me

as a mature, adult colleague,” like some empty, monogrammed oatmeal containers covered in glitter, forced into a Mason jar while being held together by Splenda packets and rubber bands. Paint it with chalkboard paint, draw an anchor and be sure to inscribe it, “ I refuse to sink,” because we all know anchors help prevent that.

And no one wants your jar full of hot chocolate mix.

Period.

Food is sometimes thoughtful. But like gift cards, you shouldn’t make it the centerpiece of your holiday tribute. Donating treats like this to churches or the handicapped is very thoughtful. To close friends, however, cookies, brownies and that almond bark stuff with the candy canes that you’ve bashed to a pulp practically scream, “I’m too cheap and too lazy to give you something heartfelt or useful. Here’s some more fruitcake.”

I don’t want to seem like an overly-critical kid.

That’s not what the season is about. Somehow we’ve warped this warm holiday to being about the expected treasures instead of the serendipitous treats. Just taking the time to show someone how much they mean to you is worth so much more than any present you would find under the tree. While bad gift-giving is sometimes deserving of a lump or two of coal, as long as you make everything you do this season be from the heart, your lame present will not go unappreciated.

After all, it can always be re-gifted. n

If a man can be happy with nothing more than good food in his belly and a few trusty tools to solve any problems from leaky pipes to infestations of post-apocalyptic motorcycle barbarians, what could possibly impress me? There’s a Chicken Express right down the road, a war hammer resting on one side of my desk and a roll of duct tape hung by a bungie cord on the other. What do you get the man who has everything? I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.

That’s why I can’t really say that I want many actual things this year for Christmas. However, if you could use your yule tide omnipotence to send a lovely lady strolling by the Signal office sometime soon, who either puts very little importance on her hunny-bunny-to-be’s physical appearance or who has fairly poor vision, it’d be greatly appreciated.

She should also be confident, decisive and know what the word diminutive means while also knowing that only true window lickers would be impressed if she were to use it in a sentence. Additionally, it would be cool if she smelled good or could swing a 30 lb. kettlebell without complaining, but that may just be too good to be true.

If you get any letters along these same lines from anyone who meets the above prerequisites, keep in mind that I won the 2008-2009 annual cuddle off by a landslide, can watch any chick flick at least once and am literally a pro at carrying heavy things. If not, then I suppose you can just bring me a few more 45 pound bumper plates as usual and we’ll call it even.

Hutch’s demands to Santa Claus

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15 Dear Santa, Being the gloriously bearded magical beast-master that you are, I know that you’re already aware of the guidelines I laid out in last year’s Signal for successfully buying gifts for dudes. That being said, I imagine that you’re probably finding yourself stumped while trying to figure out what to nestle under the tree at the Hutchinson house this year.

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– Hutch

Gift wrapping for the busy man plays of wrapping paper and tell me what you find.

Blue. Green. Red. Snowmen. Santa Claus. That ugly brown lunch bag color that’s all the rage nowadays.

Wrapping paper, as fippy dippy as it is, typically sticks with a simple pattern as its only ornamentation, because even that can get lost once you start to fold it around your gift. Bags, on the other hand, can get pretty fancy. Just walking down the gift bag aisle at

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15 “Oh. My. Gosh.” Sally Louise Sassypants exclaimed, her exaggerated exasperation cutting like a knife. “You can’t wrap a present? You’re literally just folding paper. Gosh, you’re a moron.”

Bob, the present wrapper currently under fire, didn’t have time for this nonsense. This was a job for wise men with skinny arms. But still, he trudged onward. A man such as himself couldn’t accept defeat at the hands of a roll of decorative paper. And besides, he wanted his present for his mom to look all nice and pretty just like the ones that the mothers of more dainty creatures would doubtlessly be receiving.

I’m typically the last person to back down from a challenge, but in this instance, Bob is wrong. Expecting me to learn to be a proficient gift wrapper is like expecting to be able to crochet with a chainsaw. You’re using the wrong tool for the job. However, for those of us out there whose go to solution to the typical minutia of day to day life is “smash,” there’s still hope. I’ve discovered a handful of ways to present your loved ones with gifts wrapped so pretty that they’ll think you finally got a girlfriend.

First on the list is the tried and true classic: the bag.

It’s the king of the list because on top of its accessibility and general popularity, it still gives you that feeling of tearing into a present. When you dig through that tissue paper, pulling it out handful by handful, getting ever closer to the gift at the bottom, you can still catch a whiff of that Christmas magic that’s practically synonymous with opening a gift wrapped in paper.

On top of that, bags tend to have more options aesthetically than paper. Go dig through one of those dis-

“First on the list is the tried and true classic: the bag. It’s the king of the list because on top of its accessibility and general popularity, it still gives you that feeling of tearing into a present.”

Target I could’ve picked one up for Don Draper, my grandma, each and every one of my professors and that girl who stays on Pinterest too much. There’s a bag that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of any gift that you could five someone. Bags are art. Wrapping paper is just festive wall paper.

Your second option, which also happens to be my personal favorite, is the box. I used to see those decorative cardboard gift boxes on TV when I was younger and wonder to myself why you never see any of them in real life. When I got older and actually had to buy people presents, I realized that it was because they cost more than the average worth of a human life. However, the gift box screams class. When you

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Ouachita Baptist University Office: Evans Student Center E-Mail: signal@obu.edu Phone: 870.245.5210

Emily Terry

Noah Hutchinson

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Dixon Land

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Tyler Davis

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Ms. Tiffany Eurich

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give somebody a present wrapped inside a $5 cardboard box, that person will immediately know that they’re special. They’ll know that you took that box to the register, cringed when you saw the price as the cashier rang it up and then thought to yourself “You know what? They’re worth it.”

As an added bonus, you just look super awesome carrying around a present contained within a fancy gift box. With that shiny, well constructed red package tucked under your arm, you may as well be the main love interest in a holiday rom com, about to chase down the main protagonist so you can tell her about the true meaning of Christmas before she leaves for a Swedish ski resort with that scumbag from accounting. Essentially, the theatrical flair of the box rubs off on you, which can never be a bad thing.

The final, and most lackluster, of the options available to those who won’t put up with the flailing child that is wrapping paper is to just slap a bow on all of your gifts. As lazy as this sounds, it can actually be fairly charming depending on the gift and is my go to when dealing with excessively large or awkward things. I’ve done it with tomahawks, crowbars and a safety squat bar that my mom gave my dad a while back. You almost can’t help but smile when somebody carries a giant steel yoke into the living room on Christmas morning with a curly red bow perched on top of it.

On top of the fact that all of these things make it infinitely easier on the person wrapping the present, they’re also reusable. When you leave someone with a floor full of ripped of wrapping paper, you’re practically leaving them with some kind of sad metaphor for how fleeting the joy is that we derive from these material things that we spend so much time fretting over each year. When you give somebody a present that’s in a bag, you’re leaving them with a free bag.

Don’t waste time wrapping presents that you could be spending discovering which protein powder best synergizes with eggnog. Trust in your good friends the bags, boxes and bows and get on with your life. n The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Thursday during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star.

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

12.11.14 x OPINIONS n 9

The impact of a high school coach

By DIXON LAND

Sports Editor @DixonCLand It’s funny that a piece of jewelry can mean so much. The simple idea of a ring is something that thousands of high school, college and even professional athletes chase. I have two. And yet, as I sat in the bleachers of War Memorial Stadium, three years removed from my playing days, watching the Pulaski Academy Bruins win another State Championship, the ring on my finger was the last thing I was thinking about.

Instead, I was jealous of the players. I was jealous of the family that they were currently a part of. For most, Pulaski Academy Head Coach Kevin Kelly is seen as crazy. He’s the guy that has made national news for his no-punt philosophy.

But, what most in the national spectrum don’t know about Kelly is that he is a family man. Kelly is like a second

father in some way to most of the players on the team. I know he was to me.

He taught me patience, diligence, hard-work, perseverance and loyalty.

I learned more about good ethics and how to live a successful life in the four years on my high school football team than I have anywhere else in my life.

Thousands of coaches are like this around the country. For many athletes, that coach may be the only dad that he ever has.

High school sports, in itself, teaches positive actions among players. At a developmental level like high school, where students are begining to define who they are and who they want to be, they need somone who can push them as hard as a coach can.

But, this isn’t just a factor for men.

Women coaches also have a serious impact on the young women they coach as well.

A positive coaching experience can completely change the attitude of a person.

I remember one distinct day. It was one of the first days in August. Tuesday morning. 9 a.m. We had already start-

ed with sprints. A lot of them. Players were throwing up on the sideline. A typical August practice. We didn’t practice in pads for the first couple of days, so instead we just ran a lot. I hated it. I wanted to quit so many times.

But I learned more about myself and the people around me in those few hours of struggle than I ever would have known elsewhere. I learned I could perservere. I could push through pain and achieve greatness.

That pain payed off in the third game of our year. Down by 10 at halftime at Lake Hamilton High School, we knew that we had our work cut out for us.

We ended up coming back and winning the game by 10, defeating potentially the toughest opponent we would face all season. I truly attribute that success to the preparation that we were forced to undertake much prior to that particular moment.

When I ran to the middle of the field in early December to grab the State Championship trophy with my fellow seniors, we felt pride and accompolishment. We knew we had acheieved our goal.

The reality of high school coaching is this: Head coaches in high school could potentially be the most influential person in a young student’s life.

I wouldn’t be the the man I am today without the influence of Coach Kevin Kelly in my life. He taught me exactly what it meant to be a man and to accept responsibility. He taught me how to work hard for what you want and to succeed.

It took me time to understand that. I didn’t begin to realize the value of everything I learned from Coach Kelly until the day we won State. Now, three years removed, I understand much more.

This December, as I sat in the stands with a state ring on my finger, away from everyone else, I watched. I watched the cheerleaders cheer, the students shake their artificial noise makers (that they snuck into the stadium) and truly realized how thankful I was that I was able to grow up under one of the greatest coaches in the history of high school football, the best coach I have ever had and one of the greatest men I’ve ever met. n

Examining the Heisman race and playoff picture

By CAMERON ALEXANDER Sports Writer

@CameronAlexan14 This is the first year for the college football playoff, and it shaped up to be an exciting year.

Four teams earned a spot to compete in a semi-final game and work toward their ultimate goal: The National Championship. All four of the teams are perennial power houses in Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State.

This was, arguably, the favorites at the beginning of the year, but as always there was some controversy. Many people believe Ohio State should have been left out because their one loss was to a very average Virginia Tech team with a record of six wins and six losses.

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The argument for TCU is they only had one loss and it was three points to the number five team in the nation: the Baylor Bears. Baylor also had a claim to the fourth spot in the nation. They won the Big 12 championship and only had one loss; they also had key wins against number six TCU and a top 15 team in Kansas State.

However, we are set with first round games. Alabama faces Ohio State while Oregon faces Florida State, who holds the nation’s longest winning streak at 29. I look for the Crimson Tide to beat the Buckeyes. Look for T.J. Yeldon to run wild on the Buckeye defense, and then watch out for Alabama’s defense to dominate the entire game.

The Buckeyes have a powerful offense, but they have not seen a defense as good as Alabama. The next match up should be a dandy with Oregon playing Florida State. I expect Marcus Mariota, the Heisman front runner, to be nothing short of spectacular. Look for him to lead the Ducks to end Florida State’s 29

game win streak.

Jameis Winston, last year’s Heisman winner, has been average at best this year. He has 20 turnovers this season, which is almost two per game.

Look for a few key turnovers by the Seminoles that will finally cost them a game.

I have the explosive Oregon Ducks taking this one by a score of 38-21. That will leave us with Alabama playing Oregon for the National Championship.

I am a fan of the SEC and definitely want Alabama to win the national title, but with that said, my pick for this year is the Oregon Ducks.

Since they lost to Arizona early in the year, they have dominated teams. Marcus Mariota has almost been perfect this year with only two interceptions.

He no doubt should win the Heisman unanimously. I believe he will be the difference, and Oregon will edge out a great Alabama team by three. I look for an exciting playoff that any college football fan can appreciate. n

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

Tiger Basketball set to tip off season with new faces

By DIXON LAND Sports Editor

The Ouachita Tigers have

started off the season with a 5-2 record so far, and the team brings experience from transfers.

The Tigers are led by seniors Micah Delph and Colt Fason.

Micah Delph, a 5-11, 155 guard from Conway, Ark., transfered from Stephen F. Austin. Since he transfered here in 2012, Delph has started every game the Tigers have played.

Delph finished second on the team in scoring last season with 15.5 points per game. He also had an average 3-point percentage of 37.6 percent.

Delph's claim to fame so far was hitting the last shot in the last four Tigers wins of the 20122013 season. The most important game-winning shot came in the second Battle of the Ravine for the season, when Delph hit a 3-point shot with less than a second to

play to give the Tigers a 59-58 win over Henderson State and keep their playoff chances alive.

Fason, also from Conway, Ark. recorded 16.9 points per game last season and 8.8 rebounds. He recorded 10 double-doubles and had a field-goal percentage of 50.2 percent. So far this season, Fason has played in all seven games and is averaging 11.7 points per game. He also averages 7.3 rebounds per game.

The Tigers have also added three transfers to the team. Tirrell Brown and Daouda Berete transfered from Division 1 Central Arkansas. Justin McCleary will also add minutes, transfering from Homes Community College.

Brown, in six games already played for the Tigers, has averaged 20.2 points per game with a free-throw percentage of 79.2 percent. A forward, and potential second-man to Fason, Brown will see significant playing time in the Tigers’ fast-paced offensive attack.

McCleary, also from Jacksonville, Ark., has played in all seven games for the Tigers. He averages 13.1 points per game and is 46 percent from 3-point-

range. McCleary was a three-time All-State selection at Jacksonville High School.

The Tigers are also adding freshmen Jordan Corbitt, Austen Theiss and Jontavis Willis. The trio is expected to get quality time in GAC play as the Tigers will play a tough road schedule. The Tigers are already 5-2 on the season, but competition will get tougher as the Tigers begin conference play as the new year approaches.

The Tigers play 10 conference games at home this season and only eight on the road. Key matchups will include games on the road at Harding and Southern Arkansas. The final game against Harding in the regular season will be the final game of the season, and if like last season, the game could determine a Tiger trip to the GAC Playoffs.

The Tigers will also play Henderson State twice: a home-and-home series, with the first game at Henderson State on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and the other one at home on Feb. 26. The Tigers tip off against UAM on Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena. n

Ouachita Tiger Basketball Schedule 12.04.14—OBU @ Arkansas Tech, W 64-57 12.06.14—OBU @ Southern Arkansas, L 59-75 12.07.14—OBU @ Stephen F. Austin, L 60-84 12.13.14—OBU vs. Arkansas-Monticello, 3 p.m.

12.20.14—OBU vs. NW Okla. State, 3 p.m.

(Dec. & Jan.)

1.03.15—OBU vs. Harding, 3 p.m.

1.08.15—OBU @ SW Okla. State, 7:30 p.m.

1.10.15—OBU @ East Central Okla., 3 p.m.

1.15.15—OBU vs. Southern Nazarene, 7:30 p.m.

1.17.15—OBU vs. SE Okla. State, 3 p.m.

1.22.15—OBU @ Henderson St., 7:30 p.m.

1.24.15—OBU @ Southern Arkansas, 3 p.m.

1.29.15—OBU @ Arkansas-Monticello, 7:30 p.m.

1.31.15—OBU @ Arkansas Tech, 3 p.m.

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

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2 1 3 45 Top 5: Ouachita News Biggest campus and community stories of the semester Tigers Win GAC Title

After a 41-20 victory over the Reddies in Battle of the Ravine, the Tigers finished the season untied, and undefeated for the first time in the program’s history, taking home the Great American Conference championship title.

Cliff Harris Stadium

On Sept. 13, the football season kicked off in the brand new Cliff Harris Stadium. Cliff Harris himself was present for the dedication ceremony and the first home game in what many now fondly call “The Cliff.”

Online Degree Programs

Ouachita unveiled two new accredited, online degree programs this semester for degrees in Christian studies or business administration.

Additional majors are set to be added in 2015.

Moses Provine Completed Moses Provine renovations were finally completed, featuring a new facade to the building as well as an elevator and gallery space in the entrance of the building.

The building houses the visual arts department which has been renamed the Rosemary Gossett Adams Department of Visual Arts.

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Kluck Soccer Field

Dr. Wesley Kluck and his wife Debbie were recognized for their contributions to Ouachita soccer. In October the soccer field was renamed Wesley and Debbie Kluck field and a dedication ceremony was held.