OBU Signal – January 30, 2014

01.30.14 4 IN THIS ISSUE:

“Miss Charlotte” Shipley wins student juried art show, p.2

Long-distance Learning New Life Church offers online degrees with OBU, p.3

Missions Abroad Bridget Bloxom travels to eastern Europe, p.4

Kristen Barnard z The Signal Seniors Michael Crowe, Alex Nelson and Evan Malcolm won OBU’s business plan competition Jan. 22 with their plan for PUREnovation, Inc. They will compete in the OBU/HSU business plan competition Feb. 5.

PUREnovation wins business plan competition

By EMILY TERRY Editor-in-Chief

@emilymterry

Reflections from the Editor chair New editor-inchief reflects on life of newspaper, p. 5

New Football Stadium Cliff Harris Stadium to begin construction in April, p.6

Last week, seniors Michael Crowe, Alex Nelson and Evan Malcom placed first in the OBU business plan competition with their plan for PUREnovation, Inc. “Our business is called PUREnovation. Our core competency is converting traditional gas powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas or CNG,” said Crowe, CEO of PUREnovation.

“When I came up with the idea for

S News 1 n S Features 4 n S Opinions 5 n S Sports 6 n

tion. “With vision and some more hard work, we can’t wait to see where the next road leads.”

Sergiu Postolache, Teodor Anghel and Joao Faria came in second with their plan for GlobScho. Junior Alex Young placed third for WaterPulse Technologies. The three placing teams will compete at the OBU/HSU business plan competition Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Senior Rachel Hooker serves as senior accountant for PUREnovation and senior Stephanie Chontos is the project’s design manager. The group’s faculty advisor is assistant professor Jeannie Curry. n

Alumna funds renovations to Visual Arts Department

By Trennis Henderson News Bureau

Spotlight on Coach Nutt Coach Dennis Nutt talks about playing days and coaching career, p.7

PUREnovation I wanted to save people money while also improving their quality of life and standard of living.”

Six teams competed in the annual competition, judged by four business professionals. Each group gave a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question and answer period during which the judges asked further questions about each team’s plan and financial information.

Teams began working on their ideas last semester and plans were due before finals week of fall semester.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” said Nelson, CFO of PUREnova-

Ouachita Baptist University officials have announced plans to remodel the home of Ouachita’s visual arts program. The department, which will feature an updated exterior and renovated interior space, will be named the Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts in honor of Ouachita alumna Rosemary (Gossett) Adams’ generous gift to fund the project.

Primary renovation priorities, scheduled to begin this spring, include constructing 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 and additional restrooms to the facility. Mrs. Adams, who provided a major gift to fund the project, is a 1963 Ouachita graduate with a see VISUAL ARTS z 2

Department of Visual Arts z Courtesy THE OUACHITA Visual Arts Department will undergo renovations funded by 1963 art graduate Rosemary Adams. According to Scott Holsclaw this gift will help ensure that the Arts Department will be able to fulfill mission for years to come.

Student Senate to honor Brooks with outdoor basketball court funded by student donations

By DIXON LAND

Assistant Sports Editor @dixoncland Before LJ Brooks died in December of 2012, he had a vision to create an outdoor basketball court area where students could play basketball and hangout beyond the confinement of SPEC. He began working with Student Senate to start creating this plan.

“Before LJ LJ Brooks died, he came to Student Senate with this idea,” said Lindsey Fowler, president of Student Senate. “He wanted

this to be a place where OBU students could come together to fellowship, relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

After Brooks’ passing, Fowler and others began brainstorming how the court would be built and what it would feature. They worked throughout the spring to come up with a plan.

“After the elections last spring, I met with Senate’s executive team and Emily Merryman,” Fowler said. “We began developing a fundraising process to help us make this dream a reality during the 2013-2014 school year.

I’m so grateful to Emily Mer-

ryman, Dr. Kluck, OSF, and all of Student Senate. They were crucial to initiating this project. Whenever I needed help on anything, they were there.”

Once the idea had taken off, different people in Senate’s executive team began to see the court being useful in various ways. One of the ways Fowler believed the court could be best used is with Ouachita’s community service.

“We began to envision the court as a resource for the Big Brother Big Sister program and the Arkadelphia Boys and Girls Club,” said Fowler. “This place would provide a safe environment for children in the community to spend time with Ouachita students who are serving as positive role see BROOKS z 2

Ouachita hosts Special Olympics, Feb. 6.

By Caroline Nimocks Staff Writer

On Thursday, Feb. 6, Ouachita will open the doors of Bill Vining Arena to a group of unique athletes. As you enter SPEC on Thursday, you will be greeted with smiles and hugs as you see a large group of Special Olympians ready for basketball, games, music and fun.

Ouachita began this event nearly 13 years ago.

“The kinesiology and leisure studies department was and is a strong believer in experiential education,” said Dr. Mike Reynolds, coordinator for the Special Olympics event. In 2001, Reynolds helped begin see OLYMPICS z 3

Thursday, January 30, 2014

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this weekzCALENDAR CAMP SILOAM will be recruiting in the ESC lobby from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

For more information, contact: Robert Coppedge at robertc@ campsiloam.com.

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

LINKDIN WORKSHOP will take place tomorrow in the Alumni Room in the Caf from 12-1 p.m. For more information, contact: Lauren Land at landl@obu.edu.

URBAN PROMISE will be in the ESC lobby recruiting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wed. Feb. 5.

For more information, contact: Bailey Nichols at bailey@ urbanpromise.org.

RESUME WORKSHOP will take place Wed, Feb. 5 from 12-1 p.m. in the Alumni Room.

For more information, contact: Lauren Land at landl@obu. edu.

CAB KARAOKE is Wed., Feb. 5 from 8 - 10 p.m. in Dr. Jack’s.

For more information, contact: Hillary Hill at hillh@obu.edu.

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“Best” things about 2014 so far Juan Pablo

1 2 Obamacare Hummus as an entree at 3 Tiger Express warming 4 Global Macklemore’s cape at the 5 Grammy’s

By: Megan Scarbrough & Brittney Jones

P

From Our Favorite TV show?

“How I Met Your Mother”

“New Girl”

“30 Rock”

“CSI: Miami”

“House of Cards”

Emily Terry Editor-in-Chief

Anna Kumpuris News Editor

Noah Hutchinson Opinions Editor

Chelsea Byers Sports Editor

Dixon Land Assistant Sports Editor

VISUAL ARTS z Continued from Page 1

major in art.

“Rosemary Adams’ gift provides an incredible opportunity for the Department of Visual Arts,” said Dr. Scott Holsclaw, dean of the School of Fine Arts. “This gift will allow the Department of Visual Arts to update the facility that houses the department by providing new gallery space and stateof-the-art studios for drawing, painting, ceramics and graphic design.

“The new Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts will generate a new energy in the department and across campus,” Holsclaw said. “This gift will help ensure that we can meet our mission for years to come as we strive to make a difference through the arts.”

Mrs. Adams said “I had been speaking to Terry Peeples (vice

president for development) about the fact that I wanted to leave some money to Ouachita upon my death.

“After meeting Dr. Holsclaw and learning about the need for a new art center, I became interested in making a gift now so that I could see it and enjoy the work being done.”

While Mrs. Adams said she loved her time at Ouachita and has always been grateful for the first-rate education it provided her, she acknowledged that when she was a student 50 years ago, “I always thought that we were very limited in our art education and wished for a larger and more comprehensive program.

“I think this new Department of Visual Arts will provide that,” she said. “I am thrilled to be able to help in this tangible way.”

In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree, 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 has published one illustrated book of poetry and currently is working on a children’s book.

“I am most grateful for Rosemary Adams’ generous gift,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “This gift will do so much to improve our visual arts center and encourage our professors and students in their pursuits.”

For more information about the new Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts, contact Dr. Scott Holsclaw at holsclaws@obu.edu or 870245-5561. n

BROOKS

z Continued from Page 1 models in their lives.”

From this point, Student Senate started a fundraising campaign to build the court. Alumni, faculty and staff members and students wanted to donate to the cause. Senate quickly began working towards gaining the necessary funds.

“We decided to come up with a few different ways to fundraise for the court,” said Megan Scarbrough, a senior biology and chemistry major.

“Members of the Ouachita Student Foundation as well as Student Senate decided to each donate $25 each. That made a big difference in raising money.”

On Dec. 31, 2013, Student Senate announced that if the student body could raise $2,500 by Jan. 1 (a mere 12 hours away), then the court

would be built. The student body rose to the occasion and met the goal.

“Overall, the fundraising process was a great reminder of how blessed we are to be a part of the Ouachita family,” Fowler said. “Over these past several months I have seen students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Ouachita and of LJ Brooks come together to give in whatever ways they could to help make this court a reality.”

“The court will be outdoors and will include park benches and a grill,” Scarbrough said.

“It will be located next to East Village by the sand volleyball court. Our hope is to make it so that people can come out there and have a good time.”

The construction is expected to begin within the next few months. Fowler hopes to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the court before this semester ends. n

Shipley wins first prize in Student Juried Art Show for “Miss Charlotte”

By Hannah Pearce Staff Writer

As you walk through Mabee Fine Arts Center and the Hammons Gallery, you might notice signs that say, “Student Juried Art Show,” along with hand-made pieces by our own students.

The Student Juried Art Show, which began Jan. 20, will run until Feb. 7, with a reception on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 pm in the Hammons Gallery.

“All students and faculty are invited to the awards ceremony. It is a dress event with light refreshments following the awards,” said Summer Bruch, assistant professor of visual arts and faculty advisor of the event.

“A juried competition is special because only the best works submitted will be chosen for the show,” Bruch said.

“The juror [judge] is a qualified art professional or sometimes a panel of professional artists. They award the prizes.

The juror this year was Davis Stoddard, professor of graphic design at Henderson State University. You may have seen some of his handmade paper art at our local Arkadelphia Arts Center.”

This year’s first prize winner was sophomore studio art major, Treslyn Shipley.

“I made a piece titled ‘Miss Charlotte’ and it’s actually scratch art,” Shipley said. “It’s a white piece of paper painted over with black and you scratch away the black to reveal the white underneath, so it’s like a reverse drawing.”

Scratch art is a timely process, but produces unique results.

“It was a process over time,” Shipley said, when asked how long it took her to create her piece. “But, it was really fun to do and I want to do another one in the future. Because of the way the scratch art works, there’s no room for mistakes, so I just kind of had to go with it and work with the mistakes that were made and it turned

out pretty well. I’m proud of the way it looks now.”

However, not all students who entered the competition have their art displayed.

“Entering juried competitions is an important step in the process of becoming a professional artist,” said Bruch. “It is an honor to be chosen to be in the show. Students put that honor on their professional resumes. Only the best of the best are asked to display their work by the juror. That may seem harsh, but it’s how the real world works and we are preparing students for the real world.”

Most of the students who entered are studio art majors, like Shipley, or graphic art majors. Students paid $5 per entry to be in the show.

“It’s just a really great way for us to showcase some of the work that we have made that we’re proud of,” Shipley said.

“I’m honored to be in it, but there’s so many fabulous artists that are also showcased as well.”n

Kristen Barnard z The Signal STUDENT ARTISTS displayed their best work in Maybee Fine Arts Center’s Hammons Gallery this week for the Student Juried Art Show. Not all pieces submitted are chosen to be included in the show so having a piece displayed at all is an honor.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

NEWS BRIEFS n Thirty second recaps of the biggest stories of the week.

NATIONAL ―In his annual State of

the Union Address, President Obama pledged to charge forward on his own to push a second-term agenda focused on rising worries about economic inequality and opportunity on Tuesday night. The strategy is aimed at shifting emphasis to the power of the executive branch after many of his proposals remained unfinished or untouched in the halls of Congress in 2013. Obama announced an increase in the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $10.10 an hour, and called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage for all workers. Republican responses suggested that the proposals he put forward are insufficient. Obama pledged to pursue proposals to address income inequality, economic mobility, and economic opportunity, with or without Congress in addition to slashing bureaucracy to fast-track construction jobs, comprehensive reform of the tax code, boosting manufacturing and gun control legislation.n

WORLD ― Ukraine is on the brink

of civil war, the Eastern European country’s first post-independence President warned Wednesday as parliament met again to debate a possible amnesty for protesters arrested during two months of demonstrations.

Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine’s President from 1991 to 1994, addressed a special parliamentary session to seek a way out of a deepening political crisis following weeks of mass protests that have crippled the capital, Kiev.

Wednesday’s session comes after a day of political upheaval when Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his Cabinet resigned and draconian anti-protest laws were annulled. Opposition politicians and activists welcomed the concessions made but said they were only a small step toward the change needed. They want to see wide-ranging constitutional reform and a shakeup of the Ukrainian political system to shift the balance of power back toward parliament. n

SCIENCE ― According to research-

ers, ‘rogue asteroids’ could suggest that Jupiter once travelled closer to the sun than it does in its normal orbit. In the 1980s researchers believed asteroids that were formed near the Sun remained there, and the same for those that formed farther away, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology news release reported. A research team compiled a new map that documented the “composition, and location of more than 100,000 asteroids throughout the solar system,” the news release reported. The team found quite a few rogue asteroids and a wide variety of compositions in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. The new research suggests the early solar system went through dramatic changes before settling in the formation we see now; Jupiter, for instance, may have once been much closer to the Sun with asteroids in tow. When Jupiter migrated it could have knocked these asteroids “outwards.” n

HEALTH ― People with attention-

deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be in a serious traffic accident, but medication may counteract that risk for some, according to a new study performed by researches in Sweden. Researchers found that people with ADHD are about 50 percent more likely to be in serious traffic accidents, compared to people without the condition. However, taking medication to control some of the symptoms may help reduce that increased risk - at least among men, according to the study’s lead author. ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition that typically results in people having trouble paying attention, and controlling impulsive behaviors and being overly active, according to the CDC. The CDC says about 11 percent of children between four and 17 years old were diagnosed with ADHD as of a survey done in 2011. The condition often lasts from childhood even into adulthood. n

Compiled by Sam Cushman, Associate Editor. Sources: usatoday.com, hngn.com, reuters.com, cdc.gov, abcnews.com.

Ouachita and New Life Church announce plans for new off-campus degree program

By Trennis Henderson News Bureau

Grace Finley z The Signal SPECIAL OLYMPIANS will fill Bill Vining Arena on Feb. 6 for the annual Special Olympics event. Many Ouachita students are expected to participate as volunteers.

OLYMPICS

z Continued from Page 1 the union between Ouachita and the Special Olympics program, which has become very meaningful to him.

“I have seen first hand how involvement in the Special Olympics has changed the lives of the athletes and those that have assisted,” Reynolds said.

Many Ouachita students are involved with this event each year. Maddie Patterson, a kinesiology major, has volunteered with Special Olympics in the past.

“Everyone needs to be encouraged in life and it’s a great way to show these kids that they can do the same things as us,” Patterson said. “It lets them know that people care about them as much as anyone else.”

“I have learned that these kids are just the same as all of us. They love to play, laugh, and dance… and just to see them happy and having fun hanging out with all of us, lets me to know that they truly love coming back here each year,” said Katelyn Cribb, a kinesiology student and Special Olympics volunteer.

Over the years, Ouachita has become more and more involved in the community.

“OBU has a vast array of opportunities to volunteer… and students have whole-heartedly

accepted this volunteering opportunity,” Reynolds said.

Incorporating the Special Olympics event into one of OBU’s many volunteer opportunities has been beneficial from many different perspectives.

“It is special to me because I love helping people, and with my major we get to learn how to include people with disabilities in the things that we do,” Patterson said. “It makes me happy to see them happy.”

Being the coordinator of the event, Reynolds has been able to see how the Special Olympics can transform students’ lives.

“Many OBU students have made decisions to enter work fields that associate with the disabled, because of their involvement with Special Olympics,” Reynolds said.

The event is not only impacting the Olympians, but it is also a memorable experience for all who attend.

“It is a win-win for all involved,” Reynolds said.

On Feb. 6, 16 schools with over 200 Olympians are scheduled to participate in the event.

Those preparing for this year’s Special Olympics also anticipate over 200 Ouachita student volunteers. “Ouachita is a university built on love,” said senior Monica Smith. “This event allows OBU to showcase that love and spread it to all of the children that represent the Special Olympics.” n

A plan to launch a new offcampus degree program in partnership with New Life Church of Conway was among a series of major actions during Ouachita Baptist University’s recent Board of Trustees meeting on the Ouachita campus.

The board action authorizes Ouachita administrators to “establish a partnership with New Life Church to offer courses leading to the Associate of Arts degree at NLC’s Conway, Ark., campus beginning in August 2014, pending approval by appropriate accrediting bodies.”

“I am pleased that New Life Church has invited us to provide a Ouachita education for students who may desire to begin their college work near home,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “This is a new opportunity for Ouachita. Our board has voted to proceed contingent upon approval from our accrediting agency.

Ouachita will fully direct the program with our people, curriculum and textbooks.”

Rick Bezet, lead pastor of New Life Church, noted, “This

O’Brien, who is directing plans for the partnership on behalf of New Life Church, is a 2004 Ouachita graduate. He announced the partnership during weekend worship services Dec. 14-15.

“This partnership will offer a unique program blending a foundational liberal arts education with opportunities for hands-on ministry and spiritual formation integrated into the life of a dynamic local church,” said Dr. Stan Poole, Ouachita’s vice president for academic affairs. “We’re excited about the potential for such a program not only to prepare young people for additional educational opportunities but also to mentor them to become faithful Christian leaders wherever they eventually live and serve.”

Poole added that university officials “see this program as a creative response to the changing dynamics of both higher education and church life.”

For more information, contact O’Brien at 630-715-5751 or bobrien@newlifechurch.tv or OBU Registrar Judy Jones at 870-245-5580 or jonesj@obu. edu. n

Salatin to present lecture series Feb. 3

By Trennis Henderson News Bureau

The Nell Mondy Lecture Series, coordinated by Ouachita Baptist University’s J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences, will host Joel Salatin on Monday, Feb. 3. Salatin, alternative farmer and owner of Polyface, Inc., will present “Folks, This Ain’t Normal” at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Art Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The Nell Mondy Lecture Series focuses primarily on the fields of chemistry, food science and nutrition. “The purpose of the lectures is to enrich the learning experience of students, faculty and other professionals through providing speakers from diverse geographic and educational backgrounds,” said Dr. Sara Hubbard, assistant professor of chemistry.

Dr. Detri Brech, professor of dietetics, added that Salatin’s “work is relevant to our campus, community and world.

His message is to use the resources we have to protect the environment; he will inspire us to be better caretakers of the

countdown to

sort of partnership has been part of the New Life vision for years. It means that New Life can equip a generation of leaders to serve in the local church.

We can’t do that the way we want to without the excellent education Ouachita offers.”

The resolution adopted by university trustees affirms that Ouachita and New Life “share a vision for equipping the next generation of Christian leaders with a quality education and passion for Christ’s work in the world.”

The resolution further states that “the proposed degree programs will provide a highquality, relational and ministry-focused Christian education that is both nonresidential and highly affordable as an alternative for students” who might otherwise pursue other educational options.

“Students will receive a world-class Christian education while serving and growing in a life-giving local church,” said Dr. Brandon O’Brien, New Life Church spokesman. “This is an incredible opportunity for students to discern their calling while pursuing their education.”

Christian Focus Week

Joel Salatin

earth.”

Salatin will visit several classes throughout the day and will participate in two question and answer sessions. At 8 a.m. he will present “The Essence of Pig” in Jones Science Center (JSC) room 334, and at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. he will present “Nativized Survivor Genetics” in McClellan Hall room 100. The first Q&A session, targeted specifically for members of the community, will begin at 1 p.m. in Young Auditorium in the Hickingbotham School of Business. At 2 p.m. Salatin will present “Subjective Science” in JSC 125, followed by the final

10 days

student Q&A session at 3 p.m. in JSC 334. All of the lectures are open to the public.

Salatin is a full-time alternative farmer for Polyface, Inc., or “The Farm of Many Faces,” in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

According to its website, Polyface, Inc. “services more than 5,000 families, ten retail outlets and 50 restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs.” The Salatin family farm has been featured in numerous media outlets including National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Gourmet and ABC World News.

Salatin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bob Jones University and has since authored eight books, including “Pastured Poultry Profits: Net $25,000 In 6 Months On 20 Acres”; “Holy Cows and Hog Heaven: The Food Buyer’s Guide to Farm Friendly Food”; “The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer”; and “Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World.”

For more information, contact Dr. Detri Brech at brechd@ obu.edu or (870) 245-5543. n

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

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Mission-minded students given opportunity to serve

By DIXON LAND

Assistant Sports Editor @DixonCLand A couple of years ago, the International Mission Board created a program designed for college students to spend a semester as a missionary.

“Our students started coming to us asking if they could get college credit for doing this...so we started talking to the Pruet School of Christian Studies,” said Dr. Ray Franklin, instructional coordinator of Hands On Ouachita and professor of Christian studies. “So we took courses that we already offer and packaged them online through what is now Moodle and offered 12 hours of credit.”

According to Franklin, when the Arkansas Lottery scholarship began, he redid the program to what it is today: a 15-hour instructional program that encorporates classes relevant to what they are majoring in and also classes that help enforce what they are learning in the field.

“They [students] do whatever their assignment is,” said Dr. Franklin. “It could be sports, teaching the English language, anything really.

The commonality is that they are hanging out with lost people and finding ways to communicate the Gospel to them.”

One student that particated in the program is Bridget Bloxom, a junior Christian studies major.

“I went in with little expectation of what it would be like,” she said. “At the end of the day, when we landed, I thought we were in Guatemala or something. Kosovo is the lowest economy in all of Europe, so there are areas

that are very third world and very impoverished. But they are also very warm people. It was nothing like I expected.”

Bloxom said the program really prepares you for what you will encounter in the field.

“The program works out well to prepare you before you go,” she said. “It helps you prepare for culture shock when you get there. Dr. Franklin taught us some different evangelistic tools.”

Dr. Franklin said that the program tries to prepare students not only for their time during the Hands On program but also for the transitions into and back out of the experience.

“We call it pre-field, onfield, and post-field.” said Franklin. “They read some books and get mentally and spiritually prepared to go... so most of the course work is done before they leave and once they get back.”

Bloxom said that while she was there, she had a job at an American bakery.

“It was fun to see kids come in and they’ve never had a chocolate chip cookie,” said Bloxom. “That was how I built all my relationships, with the girls that worked there. They could live in the U.S. and succeed, which was kind of frustrating.”

Bloxom said that the bakery was a way for her to spread the gospel easily.

“It [the bakery] was such a good way to build relationships. There was so much time to just talk. I shared the Gospel a lot of times with the people I worked with,” said Bloxom.

Bloxom talked about how much the program meant to her.

“Because of Hands On, I feel an even closer relationship to God,” said Bloxom.

“For me, it was difficult because there weren’t many people that spoke English and I didn’t have my friends back home with me. In those moments, it was the Lord alone who could be there for me, so I spent a lot of time in prayer with him.”

Franklin said the re-entry process into American culture is difficult for many.

“With all the wealth and materialism we have here, missionaries feel guilty when they re-enter American culture,” said Dr. Franklin.

“They feel frustrated that many Americans don’t understand how blessed we are in this country. That’s not just for Hands On though, that’s for anyone re-entering a home country like ours after living somewhere else.”

Bloxom highly suggests the program to anyone that is considering it and reccomends praying about the opportunity.

“If you have ever thought about doing Hands On, I think God’s given you that thought for a reason and you should pray about that as an option and see where it takes you,” said Bloxom. “It is such a blessing that I’m still going to graduate on time and I could leave for a semester and do this.”

Dr. Franklin says that anyone who is interested in the program should talk to him.

“Even though none were saved while we were there,” says Bloxom, “Seeing their faces one last time when we told them that Jesus loves them showed so much hope for forgiveness and grace for the future.” n

Bridget Bloxom y Courtesy

opinions

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Editor-in-chief reflects on journey

By EMILY TERRY Editor-in-Chief @emilymterry Sometimes you find yourself in situations throughout life that make you sit back and think real hard about how you got there. For me, it’s the chair I’m sitting in at this very moment. That isn’t figurative; I’m literally confused as to why I get to sit in this chair.

I guess I should mention why this particular chair is of any importance. Except it’s not so much this chair because there are 67 of this particular kind of chair spread out across Lile (trust me, I counted). It’s where the chair is placed that has me baffled. You see, I’m sitting in one of the five black rolling chairs in the newsroom. But this particular one is pulled up to THE computer. The Signal Editor Computer, that is. Because I’m the editor-in-chief now… and that’s weird.

The path that led me to this chair began humbly enough. I went out on a limb as a freshman in high school and tried out for one of the state’s best newspaper staffs advised by undeniably the best advisor in at least the Tri-State area, possibly the universe.

I was terrified of Margaret Sorrows because, quite frankly, she was terrifying. She talks distinctly, edits fiercely and demands perfection. As a terrified, shy freshman with zero journalism experience, she was essentially my worst nightmare.

However, something amazing happened on my

first day in the journalism room (fondly known as the JRoom) that, more or less, changed my life. When Sorrows pulled up my try-out piece on the projector to pick apart, she didn’t tear it to shreds. She didn’t complain or say I had a lot to learn. She didn’t let out a heavy sigh that told me I was a long way away from being halfway decent. She praised me. More than that, the returning staff members in the room praised me, putting me at ease and giving me the confidence I needed to not be scared of this family I had just entered into. After I answered their questions with a shaky, “No, I didn’t take the journalism class,” one of the seniors muttered under her breath with a grunt, “Natural talent.” Those are two words I’ll never forget. Those two words, plus the 30 seconds or so beforehand, certainly altered my future and one hundred percent placed me on the path to the coveted chair in front of THE computer. Little did I know at the time, my Signal-chair predecessor (the infamous Tanner Ward) was in that classroom with me on that day in 2008.

Because of scheduling conflicts, I had to take a year off the Prospective staff. Then, when senior year schedule-picking was inching nearer, I had a huge decision to make: Go back to the home I had made for myself in the JRoom or take Stage Production after convincing the teacher to do the musical, “Grease” (where I was practically guaranteed my dream role of Sandy) and guilting every guy I knew into signing up to be in the production. Unfortunately for the overall talent of the show, I chose to go home. I was unsure about my decision for a while, but after seeing the musical, I realized I had chosen

wisely. I chose terrifying Margaret Sorrows over Rachel Arrington, who is almost an identical twin to Ms. Carolyn, the beloved, giggling card-swiper of the student center.

Turns out, that decision was one of the best I’ve ever made. Once it came time to choose a major for when I got to Ouachita, mass communications spoke to me. I knew I could write well and had been on a newspaper staff so I figured it couldn’t be too bad.

Being a mass communications major and having the opportunity to work for the Signal has made for the most amazing memories and experiences and has taken my time at Ouachita to a level that I wouldn’t have ever thought possible.

This semester will be wildly different from the ones before since I can’t just let Tanner handle the emails, phone calls, complaints and details. I might actually get stressed out for the first time in my life between now and May 2015. (I’m only slighty exagerating; I don’t get stressed.) The good news is if you’re reading this, I somehow managed to put out my very first issue of the Signal.

Now I’m rambling. But, good people of OBU, please know this: I love Ouachita. I love my crazy newsroom family. I can’t wait to serve the campus through this leadership position I have been blessed with and I will try my hardest to not screw up.

Thanks for reading this to the end. It is my sincere hope that you will continue to pick up a Signal when you see them stacked around campus. Not because my staff and I are anything special, but because we have an incredible opportunity to tell the stories of this one-of-a-kind home we call the Bubble. n

Man’s best friend: The vest

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15 I recently bought a vest. Or should I say the vest.

The standard Ouachita vest. Why not? Seems like that’s what every other guy on campus is wearing.

Justin Young wears a vest every day and look who he’s engaged to. Plus, it screams “I might be planning to spend time outdoors or run for republican candidate.”

Throw a plaid shirt under that thing and you look like you should be on the front of an Eddie Bauer catalog playfully pulling a duck retrieving dummy from the jaws of a blonde lab that absolutely has to be named Duke. It’s manly, which is hard for me to admit being that I’ve been turning my nose up at them since I got here.

That’s not why people wear them though. After donning the vest myself, it didn’t take me long to recognize the various stat boosts that come along with it.

Trying to get your bench press up? Does the mountain of reading for class tomorrow have you pinned to your chair every evening? In your mind, does the fact that you don’t eat breakfast automatically justify you raiding every line in the caf at dinner and then going back for seconds? Whatever your excuse is, if you’re getting soft around the middle, the vest is for you. It’s got the all powerful ability of

a hoodie to hide your gelatinous midsection under a thick, shapeless layer of clothing without making you look like you’re perpetually on the way to the gym. Is that guy chubby or just built like a brick outhouse? They’ll never know unless they come up and Pillsbury Dough-Boy you right in the gut.

It doesn’t just help out the fatties though. If you’ve ever been mistaken for a hat rack, the vest will make you look like you actually have shoulders. It automatically makes your torso look like a solid block.

For the guys who’ve used up all their Chick money halfway through the semester, it just smooths over the lumps, but for the bird chests out there it’ll make everything just as wide as the widest point on your torso. I’ve seen guys go from vegan broomsticks to something that could stand up to a strong gust of wind with nothing more than the application of a vest. Literally. They already had the plaid shirt, choice of jeans or kakis and boringly colored polo baseball cap on before that. The vest made the difference. On the flip side of that coin though, the vest does have one weakness. If you already have shoulders, the block effect will just make you look huge rather than giving you any shape. Still, it’s only a small setback when weighed against the other strengths of this juggernaut of the wardrobe.

On top of that, it’s incredibly easy and still makes you look like you got up and got dressed that morning. Look at what the majority of the vests the guys around campus are made of. Fleece. It’s like a snuggie that somebody cut to a convenient length, threw a zipper on and then stamped with a brand name. The warmth to comfort to convenience ratio is unheard of. That being said, if you stand a guy

in his official Ouachita uniform next to a guy in sweatpants, who looks more like they actually care what they look like? Vest guy. Yet he’s potentially just as snug and comfortable as his counterpart. It’s practically criminal. Sure, you’ve got to wear jeans and real shoes and probably a button up shirt with it to get the full effect. Cry me a river. If you think jeans aren’t the pinnacle of comfort, you’re a pansy.

There’s nothing more comforting than knowing that you could knee slide through a ditch full of mud, fresh grass clippings and saw dust, brush your pants off when you’re done and wear them the next day no questions asked.

Finally, at least at Ouachita, it’s practically camouflage. If you were between the spectrum of “vest” and “giant foam cowboy hat” before donning the vest, you may have been able to go unnoticed. Once you don the vest, you could do practically whatever you wanted and nobody would be able to pin down your identity.

“Officer, a guy just stole my wallet!”

“What’d he look like?”

“About 5’9, brown hair, navy baseball cap, gray fleece vest,” It’d be a year by the time they interrogated everybody who fit that description. You could ditch the vest afterwards and get off scott free.

As of right now, the vest has a death grip on the championship belt of men’s outerwear at Ouachita, and rightfully so. Even if that last part turns out to be balderdash and you can’t disappear into a crowd like you’re playing “Assassin’s Creed” after you snag somebody’s wallet, at least you’ll have fantastic arm mobility in the back of the squad car. n

By Noah Hutchinson

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

Tanner Ward

Noah Hutchinson

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Dr. Jeff Root

Emily Terry

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Kristen Barnard

Dr. Deborah Root

Sam Cushman

Kelsey Lamb

Rachel Gilmer

Ms. Tiffany Eurich

z EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

z ASSOCIATE EDITOR z NEWS EDITOR

z OPINIONS EDITOR z SPORTS EDITOR z ONLINE EDITOR

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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.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

www.obusignal.com

Grudge match for UFC title belt

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor @Hutch15

Head Coach Nutt, leaving a legacy

By MAT BROCKWAY Guest Writer

Hundreds of fans fill the arena. Well, at least half the arena is filled. That’s the typical scene at Bill Vining Arena on game day as the Ouachita Baptist Tigers take the court.

This is a big change for former NBA player and new OBU head coach Dennis Nutt, who is used to the overwhelming crowd that professional sports bring.

After two full seasons, Ouachita Baptist knew they made the right decision. Head coach Dennis Nutt only needed two years to transform an average team into a conference champion. With Nutt’s tremendous background, it’s no surprise that he has found success on every level of basketball.

Born into a sports family, Nutt and his three brothers all became coaches once their playing careers ended. Nutt and his siblings all played basketball, football, and baseball until they each reached high school.

Dennis and one of his older brothers, Dickey Nutt, chose to play and coach basketball. His other two brothers, Houston and Danny, chose to play and coach football. Although his brother Houston has received the most national attention for being an SEC coach, Dennis is the only one of his siblings to play or coach on the professional level.

Nutt played basketball at Little Rock Central High School from 1977-1981 before receiving a last minute scholarship offer. After entertaining offers from the University of

Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas, Nutt received a late offer from Texas Christian University and said he “jumped at the opportunity.” After four years as a Horned Frog, Nutt participated in several tryouts for a chance to play professional basketball.

Nutt got his chance to play professional basketball in 1986 when he signed to play in the CBA. During his first season, he played with the LaCrosse Catbirds and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He wouldn’t get a shot at the NBA until the 19861987 season when the Dallas Mavericks signed him.

Looking back now, 27 years later, Nutt says playing in the NBA was a great experience.

“Although I had the best seats in the house, I wish I could have played more,” said Nutt.

He also said the best part of playing in the NBA was when the veteran players made him sit next to Hall of Fame Coach Dick Motta. One would think playing against Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson would be at the top of his list, an experience he humbly spoke about.

Nutt concluded his time in the NBA at the end of the 1987 season. He ended his professional career the following year after playing for Real Madrid in Spain.

After hanging up his basketball shoes, he joined the family business, coaching. He traded in his shoes for a whistle. Nutt got his first coaching job as an assistant at Westark Community College in 1991. After four

years, he took the assistant job at Arkansas State under his older brother, Dickey Nutt. “I was hired as a full-time coach with part-time pay,” Nutt joked.

After nine years as an assistant, Nutt got the call to be the new head coach at Texas State University in 2000. After six years in his first head coaching job, Nutt became the assistant coach at Coastal Carolina. During his one-year tenure with the Chanticleers, Nutt met Logan Johnson, who now serves as his assistant coach.

After being out of the sport for a few years, Nutt was offered the Ouachita men’s basketball head coaching job in 2009. However, his two daughters, Macy and Myca, were juniors in high school. “It wasn’t the right time for my family and I,” he said. He was offered the job again two years later in 2011 after former head coach Mark Price resigned. Interestingly enough, Nutt’s hiring was announced 30 minutes after Price’s resignation. “When I got the second offer, the timing was perfect, and it has been great.”

After only two seasons, Nutt led the Tigers to the school’s first conference title since the 1977-1978 season. Nutt looks toward the upcoming season with high ambitions for success.

“We are always trying to win the conference tournament,” said Nutt. Although another conference championship would be great, Nutt says that “getting to the big dance is what we strive towards every year.” n

“

“

Dr. Wesley Kluck z Courtesy

I don’t really care about lightweight UFC. They aren’t as fast as the flyweights or featherweights and they aren’t as strong as the light heavyweights or heavyweights, so they just aren’t as good at knocking each other out.

However, Benson Henderson is an animal. He’s got legs the size of people. After watching him give John Thompson some serious, sleep-depriving regrets this past Saturday, I think Anthony Pettis has something to be afraid of whenever Henderson gets the chance to take his belt back.

I can under John Thompson was scheduled to fight Anthony stand why he Pettis for the lightweight took the fight. title this past Saturday, but Thompson was after tearing his ACL, Petclearly more tis had to back out. skilled than Hen Having spent all that time training for a title derson. His takeshot, Thompson was still downs looked ready for a fight, and said like something he’d fight whoever they out of a movie, could give him. So they and Henderson gave him Benson Henderson on the condition that was completely whomever won that fight helpless against would fight Pettis when he them. was all healed up. Thompson took the fight and lost.

I can understand why he took the fight. Thompson was clearly more skilled than Henderson. His takedowns looked like something out of a movie, and Henderson was completely helpless against them.

When Henderson actually managed to take Thompson down, he just kind of clumsily tossed him on the ground.

Even with the enormous gap in skill between them, Henderson was still just too strong for Thompson. Thompson takes his back? Henderson just stands up and shakes him off like it’s nothing. Thompson throws a leg kick? Henderson kicks Thompson’s legs out from under him. That freakish strength is a huge advantage when everyone else in your weight class is built like a soccer player.

I’m not sure if Pettis can overcome that freakish strength a second time whenever Henderson comes back for the belt.

The arm bar that Pettis submitted Henderson with in their last fight was grabbed in the heat of the moment, after Henderson had been hit with at least three huge kicks.

If Henderson fights as conservatively as he did in this last fight when he and Pettis have their rematch, he’ll be trying his hardest to keep wild scrambles like that from happening.

In that case, Pettis won’t be getting any arm bars. Henderson will be able to out-muscle him if he tries to go for a submission like that in a cold, calculated fashion.

In a post-fight interview, Dana White said that he’s not scheduling any fights yet and that he doesn’t know who’s going to fight Pettis.

Thompson broke his thumb mid-fight against Henderson though, and the commentators for some reason seemed convinced that the winner of this fight would get a title shot against Pettis.

That seems to point to the fact that Pettis vs. Henderson round two is something we can look forward to sometime this year. If that’s so, Pettis had better be hitting the squat rack if he plans on not getting pushed through the holes in the cage like a blob of play dough. n

Pressbox

Men’s Basketball Jan. 23 ­– OBU @ Henderson St., W 61-59 Jan. 25 – OBU @ SAU, L 71-73 Jan. 30 – OBU v. SE Okla. St., 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 – OBU v. ECU, 4 p.m.

Feb. 8 – OBU @ Southern Nazarene, 4 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Jan. 23 – OBU @ Henderson St., L 49-78 Jan. 25 – OBU @ SAU, L 55-66 Jan. 30 – OBU v. SE Okla. St., 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 – OBU v. ECU, 2 p.m.

Feb. 8 – OBU v. Southern Nazarene, 2 p.m.

New Episodes Debut Fridays at Noon Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse

This Week: Collegiate coverage with Kirby, Ben and Jackson. Plus, the first edition of Coleson’s Corner Intramurals: Mitchell and Tyler cover intramural basketball Watch online at www.obusignal.com

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sports

www.obusignal.com

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Artist rendering of the new Cliff Harris Stadium.

Cliff Harris Stadium to be finished by 2014 season the university as a whole,” said

OBU on Highway 7, the sta-

Following the Dec. 13 Board of Trustees meeting, President

Rex Horne announced plans

to construct a new football sta-

dium named after Cliff Harris,

an All-Pro Safety for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s.

The stadium will be built around funds generated from

a campaign announced by

Horne called the “100-Yard Campaign.”

“This is a great addition to our athletic facilities,” said football

coach

Todd

Knight. “We’re very excited about the stadium and the

positive impact it will have not

only on our football program but also on the campus as a whole. Dr. Horne has made this a priority and we are honored that there is so much support from everyone on campus.”

The stadium is projected to be finished sometime in Au-

gust when the Tigers are set to begin their 2014 season.

Harris played for the Tigers in the late 60’s and was a sixtime Pro Bowl defensive back

for the Cowboys. He also ap-

peared in five Super Bowls and has since retired to work in the oil business.

“The stadium could not

have come at a better time for us,” Knight said. “This will

help us in recruiting and really is an accurate reflection of the

great players we’ve had come through this program.”

The stadium will include

various features including a wrought-iron fence surrounding the stadium, new concrete

stands, a paved parking lot and a new press box.

“Most of the work will be concentrated on replacing the

home stands, press box and paving the parking lot,” said

Brett Powell, VP for adminis-

trative services. “There will be a number of other improvements all to enhance the expe-

rience of a Ouachita football game.”

Powell also talked about

how the stadium will be a positive reflection on Ouachita.

“The stadium will benefit

dium is the first glimpse they

get. We would hope that the

first impression is good and we believe the new stadium will do that.”

The stadium will certainly

boast a new appearance. With concrete bleachers and a state-

of-the-art press box, the stadium will be one of the nicest ones in all of Division II.

“In recent years we have updated the campus in a number

of ways,” Powell said. “This

is one more way we can make the campus more attractive. In

addition, we hope it will give students even more pride, not only in their Tiger football team but in all of the Ouachita athletic programs.”

“

Dixon Land z The Signal

It’s a tribute to all of the past players, fans and families who have invested their time, money and support for our football program.

— Benson Jordan The view of A.U. Williams Field from Highway 7 will be significantly improved with the construction of new home stands and press box.

The project will begin shortly after Feb. 1, when the home

bleachers of the stadium will be torn down. From that point,

construction is projected to begin in late April.

“Hopefully the home-side construction will begin in

April,” said Coach Knight.

“The stadium will have about

ten rows of seats at the bottom,

then a central walkway with

entrances there. Above those, there will be an upper section

that will have more rows of seats. Also, the stadium will be moved up to the brick wall and

the track on the home side will

vanish. This will move fans closer to the action.”

Redshirt junior quarterback,

Benson Jordan, said that the stadium will be a great addition to the Tiger football pro-

“

Dixon Land z The Signal

The stadium couldn’t have come at a better time for us.

This will help us in recruiting and is an accurate reflection of the great players we’ve had come through this program.

— Coach Todd Knight Cliff Harris is honored at halftime of the 2013 Battle of the Ravine when the Little Rock Touchdown Club announced the Cliff Harris Award to honor a Division II defensive player.

gram.

“I’m extremely excited about

the stadium,” said Jordan, “because it’s a tribute to all of the

past players, fans and families

who have invested their time, money and support for our

football program. This stadium reflects the quality program our university has along with the success we have had in the past.”

Along with Jordan, many current and past players are

extremely excited about the

stadium update and what it

will do for the future of the Tiger football program. n

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@DixonCLand

head

The gravel parking lot behind the home stands at A.U. Williams Field will be paved as part of the stadium renovation that begins this spring.

Powell. “For anyone coming to

Assistant Sports Editor

“

By DIXON LAND

Kristen Barnard y The Signal

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

www.obusignal.com

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

ERIC BRAEUR goes up for a contested layup against Arkansas-Monticello.

Winter Sports Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

MICHELLE WASMUND dives into the pool at the OBU/HSU meet.

DALLAS SMITH flips an opponent from Central Missouri in a match.

MICAH DELPH shoots a free throw.

Kristen Barnard y The Signal

TROY MERCER wrestles an opponent from Central Missouri.

MATT COX races other swimmers in the butterfly stroke at a meet.

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

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ELISE HOLMAN passes the ball to her teammate.