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10.6.16 Vol. 125, Issue 6 www.obusignal.com
Women in Business aims to empower Ouachita’s women By ASHLYNN MORTEN Staff Writer
Ouachita has a new organization on campus for women, primarily those majoring in business and mass communications. Women in Business is an organization with the goal of creating networks with women successful in their careers, creating a learning environment for those who are planning a career in mass communications or business, and empowering women to achieve whatever they put their minds to. Four years ago, a group of senior girls planted an idea for an organization for women interested in business. Although this never materialized, Dr. Faught became interested in the idea last year and challenged one of his classes, with a majority of women, to begin this project. So the organization began with a push from faculty of the Hickingbotham School of Business. A few students took hold of this idea and ran with it. They worked through the summer and planned a schedule for the organiza-
tion now known as Women in Business. While they began with a focus on business, they realized how connected mass communications and business really were, so they incorporated both. Even with the focus mainly on these two majors, women with any interest or major may join. The main focus for this organization is to empower women, to connect them with people already successful in the business world and to create a place with a dynamic that allows students to learn from others. Their mission is to connect, inspire, and achieve. “Personally I grow with the idea that woman can do it all,” said Estefanie Perez, a senior majoring in business and mass communications who serves as the executive team leader and charter member. This organization wants to help women gain the ability and confidence to do anything a man thinks he can do. Through this organization, students will interact with the community and learn alongside their peers. At the first meeting, a form was passed around to
Andy Henderson z Photo Lab FOUNDERS of Ouachita’s Women in Business organization include (from left) Ali Kinsey, Erin Jackson, Estefanie Perez, Haley Martin and Abbey Little.
let those attending identify their interest. Many were interested in marketing, fashion merchandising, management, etc. So, the leaders took all the women into consideration, and they are working diligently to set up meetings with successful women in the many fields mentioned. They plan on bringing in alumni and others connected with Ouachita to speak monthly. They will also set up workshops throughout the year to help with things like creating a resume.
Some of the leaders will be graduating in the fall and want to see this organization that they put countless hours and hard work into continue to grow and impact future students. The leaders are beginning to watch for those interested with leadership potential to take over. When the spring semester begins, they will pick a few students who will carry on the leadership roles in this organization. The Women in Business provides wonderful oppor-
tunities for career-minded women, particularly those interested in business or mass communications. The networking and experience will be invaluable in a future career. Perez summed it up well, “We really hope this is a place where you can learn from other people and be inspired.” Emails will be sent regarding meeting times, and students can always feel welcome to contact Estefanie Perez or others from the Women in Business. n
Ouachita Singers prepare for concert, tour of Italy By ETHAN DIAL Staff Writer
On October 18, the Ouachita Singers will not only perform a concert for free at 7 p.m., but they will also release a CD, titled “City Called Heaven,” to fund their upcoming tour. This spring, the Singers are getting the chance to tour Italy. They will be performing in many places, including the Sistine Chapel. At the concert, the audience will get a sneak peak of what Italians will hear from the Singers over spring break. The repertoire will include many classical pieces, but also some spirituals. “In the past when I’ve gone, the Italians love American Spirituals,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of Fine arts. Along with the spirituals, there will be renaissance pieces. In some venues in Italy, pianos may be unavailable, and so the Singers will perform all of their songs a cappella. Not only will the audience be able to hear the current Singers, they will also have the opportunity to buy a new CD of past Singers to support the Italy trip.
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Ouachita Singers z Courtesy OUACHITA SINGERS (pictured) and Women’s Chorus will present a joint concert on October 18. The two groups will release their new CD, ”City Called Heaven,” which will be available for purchase at the concert to help raise funds for the Singer’s upcoming spring break tour of Italy.
“I had a donor fund the [CD] project, so all the proceeds from the CD sales will go towards the Italy tour. So that’s the cool part about that. It won’t cost us anything to produce it, but we get the proceeds from it to help them [the Singers] go to Italy,” Gerber said. Students in Singers are also very grateful for this. “I think it is wonderful that they give us the opportunity to sell those CD’s as a fundraiser! And honestly, even if you don’t consider yourself a big fan of choral music, I think anyone can enjoy this. It is really profes-
sional and has some beautiful pieces on it,” said Bethany Courtney, a freshman in Singers. While Courtney is excited for the upcoming concert, she is ecstatic about the Italy trip. “This is going to be a once in a lifetime experience! To do what I love most in such an amazing place full of beauty and music. I’ve never been out of the country before, and we are getting to sing in the Sistine Chapel and in St. Peter’s Basilica,” Courtney said. Courtney is strongly encouraging fellow students to
come to the concert. “We’ve got several surprising pieces up our sleeves that I think everyone will really love, so I really hope everyone comes,” Courtney said. According to Dr. Gerber, one of the ten songs the Singers are performing at the concert doesn’t even have words. Along with the Singers, Ouachita’s Women’s Chorus, directed by Dr. Becky Morrison, will also be performing. The first half of the concert will feature the Women’s Chorus, while the second half of the concert will fea-
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ture the Ouachita Singers, directed by Dr. Gary Gerber. Pieces to be performed by Women’s Chorus include: Z. Randall Stroope’s “Dies Irae,” Andrea Ramsey’s “Jesu,” Dan Forrest’s “And Can It Be?,” Charles H. Gabriel’s “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” and “When He Is Silent” by Kim André Arnesen. Pieces to be performed by Singers include: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s “Sicut cervus,” the traditional South African freedom song “Tshotsholoza,” the traditional spiritual song “Great God Almighty,” Tomás Luis de Victoria’s “Ave Maria,” Ludovico da Viadana’s “Exsultate Justi,” Richard Farrant’s “Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake,” Jake Runestad’s “Nyon, Nyon” and Eriks Esenvalds’ “Only in Sleep.” The concert will take place in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall on Ouachita’s campus. The concert will be free and open to the public, and the two groups’ “City Called Heaven” CD will be available for purchase for $15. For more information on the concert or the upcoming Singers trip, contact Dr. Gary Gerber at gerberg@obu.edu. n
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