Ouachita Circle: Fall // Winter 2025

Stewarding Tradition

In my mind stewardship and tradition are inherently linked. There is no tradition without people to pass it along. Traditions can be lost or changed depending on how we handle them, care for them, improve them, steward them. There is no Ouachita without the people who have devoted their time and heart to her, without the people who have stewarded our Queen of the college world.

This edition of the Ouachita Circle is both a monument to stewardship and an example of it. After 16 years in Campus Ministries, I had the privilege of stepping into a new role in Ouachita’s Office of Communications & Marketing. In doing so, I became immediately grateful for those who had previously stewarded the work of that office and this project before I arrived.

Much of what you will read in the pages that follow was dreamed of and created by those who came before me, and I am thankful for the work they handed on. They, too, were handed a tradition of excellence by previous champions and keepers of the Ouachita story.

As you read, you will want to consider the thoughtful reflections on tradition by Deborah Root ’81 (p. 8), someone who also has stewarded our story well through decades of the award-winning Ouachitonian. And be sure to enjoy some classic photos of Ouachita traditions (p. 22). I hope you will also read special profiles in this edition that focus on past faculty and staff members whose devoted years became significant chapters in university history. Some of our own living legends contributed reflections on those who came before them, like Tim Knight ’84 on Ken Sandifer ’49 (p. 12) and Jeff Root ’83 on Rosemary Chu (p. 18).

This work of stewarding Ouachita’s story matters because, as Christians, we know the Ouachita story only has significance as part of the much bigger story of God’s work in Jesus Christ. The church historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” While traditionalism can be a danger we should avoid, if we keep the Ouachita story connected to the gospel story, we can rest knowing that we have not just stewarded a tradition, but a living faith.

One final note: having not published an issue of the Circle since 2023, we’ve tried our best to include all the news and alumni updates we could fit. Please forgive any omissions. Apologies also for the delay — you were not, as many asked, dropped from the Circle mailing list!

James Taylor ’99 Assistant to the President for Communications

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ON THE BLOG

God gave the growth Why I chose Ouachita’s M.A. in Counseling What’s the meaning of Revelation? An interview with

Cybersecurity Q&A: Scott Anderson When college isn’t the time of your life TOP YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Festival of Christmas — “Is He Worthy?”

M.A. in Counseling: Faculty Voices

Stepping Up for Ouachita Honoree Profiles

50 Years of OSF — “I’ll Be Believing”

Scott Duvall

WHY OF TRADITION

Deborah Root ’81 examines the behaviors and beliefs of favorite Ouachita pastimes

OUACHITA LEGENDS

Colleagues, alumni & friends reflect on trailblazing Ouachita faculty & staff

Celebrating half a century of “students helping students”

PRESIDENT BEN SELLS

ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS / EDITOR

JAMES TAYLOR ’99

GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR ASHLEY CAROZZA

CONTENT SPECIALIST / ASSOCIATE EDITOR CHASE HARTSELL ’24

WEB DEVELOPER WILL JOHNSON ’19

RECRUITMENT COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR DEVIN JONES ’16

PROJECT MANAGER CHRISTIN COLE

GRAPHIC DESIGN RESIDENT MALLORIE CAROZZA ’25

VP FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, CHIEF OF STAFF

KELDON HENLEY ’86

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS ANNA ROUSSEL ’22

ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS

BRIAN RAMSEY

The Ouachita Circle is a publication of Ouachita Baptist University’s alumni and communications & marketing offices. Printed by Arkansas Graphics in Little Rock, Ark. © Copyright 2025

SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES AND CLASS NOTES obu.edu/alumni • alumni@obu.edu • 870.245.5000 410 Ouachita St., OBU Box 3762 • Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001

VISION Ouachita Baptist University seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning by creating for students and other constituents dynamic growth opportunities both on campus and throughout the world. With foresight and faithfulness, Ouachita makes a difference.

MISSION Ouachita Baptist University is a Christ-centered learning community. Embracing the liberal arts tradition, the university prepares individuals for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work, and reasoned engagement with the world.

VALUES Ouachita strives to be an academic community of vision, integrity, and service grounded in the following values:

Faith. We believe that life is lived most abundantly in response to the love of God through Jesus Christ. Scholarship. We advance excellence in teaching, learning, research, and creative expression.

Growth. We foster broad-based education, encouraging growth in intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social domains.

Character. We affirm that respect and honesty undergird responsible citizenship and stewardship.

Community. We promote a vibrant community strengthened by diversity, sustained by common aims and supportive relationships, and committed to leadership and service on campus and beyond.

To read our Statement of Faith, visit obu.edu/whoweare.

Ouachita has served for more than 139 years as a private, Christian liberal arts university. Founded in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1886, Ouachita is affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

CAMPUS NEWS

ENROLLMENT GROWTH CONTINUES IN UNDERGRAD AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Ouachita Baptist University has posted its highest head count in history with a total Fall 2025 enrollment of 1,889.

Undergraduate residential enrollment for the semester is the university’s highest in more than two decades at 1,588. Ouachita has recently launched or expanded undergraduate degree programs in high-demand fields including cybersecurity, engineering and criminal justice, and new degree emphases such as wildlife & conservation within the Department of Biology.

At 174, fall enrollment in Ouachita’s six graduate programs has grown 35% since Fall 2024. These programs include Arkansas’ first Master of Arts and Master of Science in applied behavior analysis, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in counseling with a specialization in clinical mental health.

“Ouachita’s academic excellence, distinctly Christian ethos and highly relational community have helped us achieve significant growth and outstanding graduate outcomes,” said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita’s president. “The Ouachita experience is special, and we work hard to keep it within reach for prospective students. Parents often tell us that when they count the total cost, their out-ofpocket expenses are the same at Ouachita as they would be at a state university. Sometimes less.”

UPDATE

NURSING PROGRAM EXPANDS, EARNS FULL STATE BOARD APPROVAL

Ouachita’s on-campus nursing program expanded to serve more students as it celebrated a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination.

“Having a cohort with a such a high pass rate indicates our program is successfully producing graduates who are equipped as safe, entry-level practitioners,” Dr. Amy Morris, director of the Department of Nursing, said.

The program announced full Arkansas State Board of Nursing approval in May 2024. The process for full ASBN approval was completed last year and included a campus visit in March and confirmation during the state board meeting on May 16.

Ouachita also received grants to expand the state-of-the-art Whisenhunt Nursing Education Center for more classroom space, an additional six-bed skills laboratory and a telehealth simulation space. Funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act will support growing enrollment and ultimately produce more nursing graduates for Arkansas.

“Ouachita’s liberal arts foundation and Christ-centered approach allow students to experience a nursing education that is robust academically and spiritually,” said Morris. “With a significant number of students coming to us from rural areas and performing hands-on clinicals for rural residents, we’re also meeting a significant need for Arkansas and surrounding states.”

BRYAN MCKINNEY SERVES AS SPECIAL JUSTICE ON ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT

Bryan McKinney ’93, dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and general counsel to Ouachita, was appointed as a special justice to the Arkansas State Supreme Court in the fall of 2023.

McKinney was appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ’04, with the case hearing set for Sept. 28, 2023. True to his background as a lawyer, McKinney spent months conducting thorough research of the parties’ legal briefs and the issues being appealed.

When Sept. 28 arrived, McKinney joined the state Supreme Court, hearing oral arguments in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Arkansas State Capitol. After the hearing concluded, he and the other justices returned to the Arkansas Justice Building, where they deliberated and voted on the case. The justices then collaborated to write the opinion that would become part of Arkansas common law.

“Everyone there made me feel so welcome,” McKinney said. “As one who teaches the law, it was meaningful for me to see the judicial process from that vantage point. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity, and I believe it will give me a broader perspective to share with my students.”

DR. LEI CAI INDUCTED INTO STEINWAY TEACHER HALL OF FAME

Dr. Lei Cai, Lena Goodwin Trimble Chair of Music, was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the historic Steinway piano factory in New York City in October 2023.

“We were absolutely thrilled, but not the least bit surprised, to hear that Dr. Cai was selected for this incredible honor,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor and dean of the School of Performing Arts. “To have a pianist of his caliber on our faculty is truly a blessing.”

Born in Shanghai, China, Cai began training at age six at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, receiving the Shanghai Conservatory Scholarship Award for five consecutive years. He earned a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Tennessee and a Doctor of Music in piano performance from Florida State University.

Cai was among 68 inductees chosen for their outstanding acoustic piano instruction and dedication to teaching.

“I felt very honored to be included in the ceremony because I met some of the most famous piano professors in the nation from wellknown music schools,” said Cai. “To have my name permanently beside some of the biggest names in the industry is an honor.”

Photo by Meghann Combs ’25

TRACK & FIELD NAMED FOR HICKINGBOTHAM FAMILY

Ouachita’s new state-of-the-art track & field venue has been named the Hickingbotham Family Track & Field in celebration of a gift from longtime trustee Frank D. Hickingbotham.

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, revealed Hickingbotham’s gift during a Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 12, 2024, where guests included Steve Guymon, Ouachita’s cross country and track & field head coach, and the student-athletes who compete for his teams. Hickingbotham’s family and friends gathered with the campus community for a dedication of the facility on Aug. 25, 2025.

“This is an honor for my family and me,” Hickingbotham said. “Several months ago, Dr. Sells and I began to talk and pray about this track. It became a dream, then a vision and a reality.”

“As a senior, I cannot help but think about what this complex means for the future of our program,” Whit Lawrence, a senior cross country and longdistance runner, said. “Having this track will draw many high school studentathletes looking for a place to fulfill their athletic dreams, but they’ll receive much more than that. They may come for the track, but they’ll be impacted by the Christ-centered education we get here, just like my teammates and me.”

OUACHITA STUDENTS PUBLISH CANCER RESEARCH IN NATIONAL JOURNAL

Five recent graduates from the Patterson School of Natural Sciences published research as students in the nationally recognized scientific journal “microPublication Biology.” They studied the MicroRNA involved in lung cancer metastasis and submitted their research to the peer-reviewed journal, which published it in October 2024.

POOL NAMED DEAN OF SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Dr. Rachel Pool ’07, professor of education, began serving as dean of the Huckabee School of Education on June 1, 2024. She leads the Departments of Education and Kinesiology and their six undergraduate degrees as well as graduate programs in curriculum & instruction and exercise science.

“I’m so proud of the departments of Education and Kinesiology and am honored to continue supporting, uplifting and advocating for this great group of faculty and students,” said Pool. “I want to help them achieve their goals and ensure my words and actions promote the love of God and the love of learning by emulating Jesus, the Master Teacher.”

Pool, a West Memphis, Ark., native, holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and secondary education from Ouachita, a Master of Science in Education in educational theory & practice and an Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University, and a Doctor of Education in higher education/faculty leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

“Dr. Pool has inspired and equipped hundreds of future educators and led us admirably through external accreditation and degree-program changes,” said Dr. Justin Hardin ’98, Ouachita vice president for academic affairs and professor of biblical studies. “We’re thrilled she’s taking up this new role.”

The team included Jackson Lipscomb ’25, a biomedical sciences graduate from Sherman, Texas; Kassidy Gray ’25, a biomedical sciences graduate from Malvern, Ark.; Parker Nelson ’24, a biology graduate from Alexander, Ark.; Alyssa Rye ’25, a biology and Christian foundations graduate from Conway, Ark.; and Tuesday Melton ’25, a biomedical sciences graduate from Benton, Ark. The group worked under the supervision of Dr. Christin Pruett, associate professor of biology, and Dr. Nathan Reyna, professor of biology.

Reyna’s goal for this group’s research was “to show we could do actual research with students in a class setting. This group and their paper are proof of that concept.” With the funding of a Cell Biology Education Consortium Path to Publication grant, he noted, “We’ve shown that not only could students do research, they could also do publishable research.”

Photos by Meghann Combs ’25

Photo by Coleman Callan

MOSELEY & GOODRUM CROWNED; ETA ALPHA OMEGA & CAMPUS MINISTRIES WIN TUNES

Abby Moseley ’25 and Hannah (Moss) Goodrum celebrated big moments during their respective senior Homecoming weekends, each being named Queen by student vote.

Moseley, a secondary education and mathematics graduate from Centerton, Ark., was crowned during a pregame ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium in 2024. She represented the Tri Chi women’s social club, where she served as president. A member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education, she also served as an Academic Success Center tutor, a Campus Ministries leader and a Tiger women’s basketball team manager.

Goodrum, escorted by husband Tate, was named the 2025 Homecoming Queen, crowned by Moseley, who returned along with many previous winners for the weekend. Goodrum, a senior biology

HICKINGBOTHAM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CELEBRATES FIRST MBA GRADUATES

Ouachita conferred its first Master of Business Administration degrees as faculty and staff gathered with students and their families at the Hickingbotham School of Business on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

Dr. Marshall Horton, Regions Bank Professor of Economics & Finance and MBA program director, joined Dr. Ben Sells, Dr. Bryan McKinney ’93 and Dr. Chris Brune ’94 in conferring Master of Business Administration degrees to Ethan Blackmon ’16 from Hot Springs, Ark.; Kelsey Blackmon ’16 from Hot Springs, Ark.; Karley Cline ’21 from Mena, Ark.; Mollie Eldridge ’19 from Whitehouse, Texas; Madison Goodman ’20 from Texarkana, Ark.; Mallory Lester Jennen ’18 from Conway, Ark.; Trey Lynch ’14 from Conway, Ark.; Lori Ramsey ’11 from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Emily Trigg ’20 from Hot Springs, Ark.; and Payne Warren ’21 from Bentonville, Ark.

The university also awarded Frank D. Hickingbotham an honorary Master of Business Administration degree.

“We’re not just grateful for you helping us launch this MBA program; we loved the engagement and time with you,” McKinney told the graduates. “I learned so much from you. And I know each of our professors can say that. Thank you for giving to this program, and not just taking from it.”

major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. A member of the Carl Goodson Honors Program, a leader for Campus Ministries’ first-place Tiger Tunes show and an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart, Hannah stays active on Ouachita’s campus.

“I am unbelievably honored to represent OBU,” Goodrum said. “Every aspect of this university has fostered spiritual growth, community and a desire to pursue a life of meaningful work."

Eta Alpha Omega took first place in 2024’s Tiger Tunes with their show titled “Penguins.” Campus Ministries won the top award in 2025 with the theme “Dogs.” Tiger Tunes has raised more than $400,000 for student scholarships over the last two years.

DR. NICOLE PORCHIA NAMED VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Ouachita began the Spring 2025 semester with a new vice president for student development, Dr. Nicole Porchia ’09.

Ouachita President Ben Sells announced the appointment to the campus December 2, 2024. “After careful consideration of the vice president for student development position, I concluded that the best person for this role is already serving at Ouachita,” Sells said.

Porchia previously served as associate vice president for student success and retention. A native of Prescott, Ark., Porchia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from Ouachita, a Master of Education in higher education leadership from the University of Arkansas and a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“Ouachita has been a transformative influence in my life, shaping me into the professional I am today,” said Porchia. “I’m excited to collaborate with gifted colleagues and dedicated students to foster a vibrant campus community where students can thrive academically, socially and spiritually.”

Photo by Bridget Bloxom

Photo by Mckinley Melcher

Photo by Meghann Combs ’25

WORSHIP STUDIES SUITE DEDICATED IN HONOR OF LARRY GRAYSON

Ouachita dedicated its new worship studies facilities in Mabee Fine Arts Center in honor of Larry Grayson ’75, instructor and chair of the university’s Department of Worship Studies, on April 24. The suite includes a lab-style worship space and multipurpose lobby area.

A Ouachita graduate and Camden, Ark., native, Grayson has served in worship ministry since he was 18. He earned a master’s degree from Samford University and completed additional studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having worked with congregations in four states, Grayson spent 10 years as a music and worship consultant with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention before returning to Ouachita as a full-time faculty member in 2020.

Equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, the lab was designed to prepare students to lead worship, per Grayson’s motto, at “any church, any style, any size.” The project was made possible by generous donors seeking to honor Grayson’s lifelong dedication to ministry.

“It feels like the provision of this lab completes the circle of the foundation of the worship studies degree,” Grayson said. “God has now provided a place for incredible growth and maturity for those who are willing to dedicate themselves to the call.”

TIGER SERVE DAY CONTINUES, ADAPTS

Ouachita students completed more than 120 combined service projects during the 55th and 56th editions of Tiger Serve Day.

The 56th edition, which took place this past spring, offered a unique challenge to the TSD leadership team of 29 students and two staff members. With a sequence of storms set to hit the city on the planned date of the event, leaders made the decision to pivot to indoor projects for the safety of the campus and community.

On Saturday, April 5, nearly 30 teams served through indoor projects, with other teams conducting additional projects the following week. In an impromptu effort, TSD members helped the local Humane Society tend to animals and clean up its main building in the wake of severe flooding.

“I am proud of how incredibly prepared the team was,” Jackson Lipscomb ’25, a senior TSD Leadership Team member from Sherman, Texas, said. “It was a blessing to be a part of it.”

SENIORS WIN FIRST PLACE AT GOVERNOR’S CUP BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

Joel Allen ’25 and Jake Norman ’25 took home firstplace honors and a $10,000 prize in the small business category at the 25th Annual ACC Capital Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition on April 16.

Allen, a business administration/management graduate from San Antonio, Texas, and Norman, a business administration graduate with double emphases in marketing & entrepreneurship from Katy, Texas, won with their planned business called Retra. Their primary product is a retractable gun sling that stays tight to the weapon when not worn on the shoulder. Created with hunting rifles, shotguns and crossbows in mind, the product can also be used on law enforcement weapons.

Mason Brotherton ’25, a business administration/entrepreneurship graduate from Mena, Ark., was also a finalist with his business titled HydroSling. Dr. Andy Almand, associate professor of accounting & analytics, advised both of Ouachita’s finalist teams.

“They represented Ouachita and the Hickingbotham School of Business very well,” Almand said of the students. “They worked hard and persevered over the last six or seven months. Both Joel and Mason have already moved forward with their businesses and contacted manufacturers. They have truly lived Colossians 3:23, our theme verse, with these projects.”

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS’ PRODUCTION OF “HELLO, DOLLY!” EARNS RAVE REVIEWS

Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts presented its spring musical, “Hello, Dolly!,” to rave reviews from April 10 to April 13, 2025. One glowing review came from Theresa Bertram of BroadwayWorld – one of the internet’s largest international theatre review sites.

“I know for a fact that graduates of OBU’s Theatre and Music Departments go on to do wonderful things – both onstage and off –and after seeing this production, it’s easy to see why,” Bertram said.

Amaya Hardin ’25, a graduate from Maumelle, Ark., who played the lead role, Dolly Gallagher Levi, described the show as a “celebration of love, second chances and living life to the fullest.”

“I was excited to bring Dolly’s larger-than-life personality to the stage and share her joy with the audience,” Hardin said. “It’s such a lively, heartwarming show, and I couldn’t wait for people to experience its energy and charm.”

Photo courtesy of ACC Capital

GRADUATES CELEBRATED DURING RECORDSETTING SPRING COMMENCEMENT

Ouachita honored a record-breaking graduating class in its 138th Spring Commencement on the front lawn of historic ConeBottoms Hall on Saturday, May 10.

The record-breaking class of 442 included those who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education and Master of Business Administration degrees in August 2024, December 2024 and May 2025.

The ceremony recognized 205 honor graduates, 42 Carl Goodson Honors Program completers, 28 Alpha Chi National Honor Society members and six graduates commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Myra Houser ’07, associate professor and chair of the Department of History and University Committee chair, led the procession as Commencement marshal. Honorary marshals included retiring emeriti faculty: Dr. Terry Carter, professor emeritus of Christian ministries; Dr. Jay Curlin ’83, professor emeritus of English; Jeanie Curry, assistant professor emerita of accounting; Dr. Byron Eubanks ’80, professor emeritus of philosophy; Dr. Jim Files, associate professor emeritus of accounting; Dr. Johnny Wink, professor emeritus of English; and Dr. Anping Wu, professor and director emeritus of library services.

OUACHITA STUDENT MEDIA RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL, STATE AWARDS

The Rogers Department of Communications’ Ouachita Student Media earned national and state recognition during the 2024-25 academic year.

The Ouachitonian received both the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown and the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award – the nation’s top awards for yearbook student media. Ouachita students also won a combined 20 CSPA Gold Circle Awards for their individual work.

“I’m so proud of our students and the work they do to tell Ouachita’s story,” Dr. Deborah Root ’81, professor of communications and director of assessment & institutional research, said. “These awards speak to the quality of our students and their dedication to our student media.”

JOHNSON WINS CLIFF HARRIS AWARD

Since 2013, Ouachita alumnus and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cliff Harris ’70 has given out awards in his name to small college football’s top defensive players. Until this past year, Harris hadn’t presented the award to a Ouachita Tiger. Josiah Johnson ’25 changed that. Johnson ended his collegiate career on a high note in 2024, helping the Tigers win their seventh Great American Conference championship and advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the sixth time. The Little Rock, Ark., native recently graduated from Ouachita with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and was named GAC Defensive Player of the Year, receiving AllAmerica honors from three different organizations. Johnson then learned of his selection as the winner of the Cliff Harris Award as the best defensive player at the NCAA Division II level.

This past April, Johnson and winners from other levels enjoyed a VIP experience hosted by Harris at The Star – headquarters of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys – in Frisco, Texas.

During the presentation, Johnson noted the significance of the trophy going “from one Tiger to another.”

The month of April saw the department bring home 56 awards from the Arkansas College Media Association. Ouachita’s top award winners included TV Anchor of the Year Haley Shourd ’25 of Conway, Ark.; Yearbook Editor of the Year Erin Key ’25 of Benton, Ark.; Designer of the Year Addie Chumley ’24 of Benton, Ark.; Online Editor of the Year Sydni Worley ’25 of Little Rock, Ark.; Television Producer/Director of the Year Josh Engle of Clarksville, Ark.; and Photographer of the Year Meghann (Bledsoe) Combs ’25 of Plano, Texas. The Ouachita Sports Digital Network received ACMA’s Television General Excellence Award for the third consecutive year.

Photo by Isaac Edwards ’24

Photo courtesy of Rogers Department of Communications

“BUT WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT THAT WAY.”

How many times have we heard this from a parent wanting to hold on to traditions, from a child who is afraid of change, or from a student who believes that change is somehow erasing history?

Thumbing through old yearbooks, one can see photos of some classic Ouachita behaviors: women lining up on the sidewalk of Cone-Bottoms Hall to walk to church, the Battle of the Ravine on Thanksgiving Day surrounded by Model T cars, freshmen meeting at the Tiger in the early morning to hear instructions from the senior class president sitting atop the statue, and pledges rowing a boat on dry land in front of Conger Hall.

Today, all of these photos would look very different. Women no longer line up on Sundays, the Battle of the Ravine is played in early November, freshmen have a new Traditions Night, and induction takes place after classes. And that’s OK.

While we often want to hold on to the comfort of traditions, I think it’s important to ask why they were important to us. What about the behavior do we long to preserve? I often remind students to think beyond the behavior of a tradition and consider the belief behind it. What is it about the tradition that is important? Often, the importance is found in the why.

I’m not sure anyone disapproved when women no longer lined up for church. Despite what some of my students think, I was not here at that time. What I do cherish is knowing that our students can find a local church home and worship with believers of all generations. It’s such a blessing to chat with my students after a worship service and sit with them at a potluck. I not only know my students in the classroom, but I experience daily life with them. The tradition continues because the belief in fellowship continues.

Moving the Battle of the Ravine did not erase the importance of the game or the town rivalry that lives on today. It did allow students to return home for Thanksgiving. The tradition of a holiday game may have changed, but the traditions of the visiting team walking across the highway, Rho Sig setting up a tent to guard the Tiger, and welcoming alumni who return to campus are still etched on the calendar. The tradition continues because the belief in the Tiger spirit continues.

Photo by Andy Henderson ’18

I remember those mornings of getting up early, putting on my freshman beanie and heading to the Tiger. We wanted to be a part of the group, connect with our new community and get to know the upperclassmen. Instructions were given for various activities, and punishment was an appearance in Kangaroo Court in Mitchell Auditorium. All in the name of fun. Now, when you see a photo of the freshman class at the Rachel Fuller & Ouachita Singers Amphitheater with beanies on and holding candles during Traditions Night, you know the tradition continues, just in a different way — because the belief in community continues.

And for induction week and other social activities, things have changed, and for the better. There is a renewed focus on purpose. I’m just glad a tone-deaf person doesn’t have to sing a solo to the cool kids in the cafeteria, or crawl on the floor looking for a good attitude. And I’ve personally watched as club traditions have improved. I had the privilege of stuffing crepe paper poms in chicken wire for the EEE float, and as a member of OSF, I watched as the Homecoming tradition evolved from a float competition to a Tiger Tunes competition. Both resulted in a display of school spirit and club unity because of the belief in a common purpose.

I’ve witnessed new traditions, both in behavior and purpose, emerge and flourish. When I moved my parents to assisted living in Arkadelphia several years ago, my family was blessed by the ElderServe ministry through the Elrod Center for Family & Community. While service has always been an important part of

Christian ministry, an emphasis on it has become a central part of who we are and who we want our students to be in their work, their church, their family and their community. Our students tutor in public schools, host veterans for lunch, deliver holiday food baskets and host backyard Bible clubs because we believe in service to others.

Old yearbooks tell us a lot about Ouachita traditions. We are fascinated by them, motivated by them and feel connected to them. We have most of the 116 volumes of the Ouachitonian in our Student Media Newsroom, including the very first edition from 1908. The pages tell the Ouachita story across generations. We may not have lined up to go to church or attended a Battle of the Ravine on Thanksgiving Day. Freshmen no longer gather at the Tiger at sunrise, and club activities have evolved. New traditions such as Tiger Serve Day, Tiger Tunes and Spring Fling have found their way onto the pages.

Yet we can see ourselves in both the century-old photos and the recent ones. When I look at the faces in photographs and think about the “why,” I’m thankful for 139 years of traditions of fellowship, spirit, community, service and purpose.

I often remind students to think beyond the behavior of a tradition and consider the belief behind it. What is it about the tradition that is important? Often, the importance is found in the why.

Deborah Root ’81 is a professor of communications and the director of assessment & institutional research at Ouachita.

by Joshua

Photo

Rhine

Bob Riley

Professor Emeritus of Political Science

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1957-1980

Ivisited Ouachita for the first time on a winter day in 1975, during my senior year of high school. My college decision was looming.

I remember having a cold grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of lukewarm tomato soup in the cafeteria, thinking, “This isn’t as bad as I thought it might be.” But my primary recollection from that day is of a person who would shape much of my life. That person was Dr. Bob Riley, arriving back on campus that January morning after completing two terms as the lieutenant governor of Arkansas and — in a fascinating twist of Arkansas history — a few days as governor.

His distinctive eye patch in place, he was overseeing the placement of boxes and furniture in the old bookstore, the home of the political science department. Jim Ranchino, his faculty colleague and the leading political pollster in the state during that era, was on hand as well, laughing and following orders. Dr. Riley was back home, in his element. All in one, he was gregarious, authoritative, vocabulary-expanding, hilarious and performative. He was larger than life.

My college decision was done. I would come to Ouachita, and I would study with Dr. Riley. I completed the application and paid the deposit that day.

Dr. Riley — I could never bring myself to call him Bob and can’t do it, even today — was unlike anyone I had ever known. He was a war hero, having barely survived action in the South Pacific during World War II. He enlisted as a Marine after Pearl Harbor at the tender age of 17. Blinded, he also suffered from a body racked by the horrors he experienced as a soldier for the remainder of his life. Decades after returning home, deeply embedded pieces of shrapnel would work their way to the surface of his back.

He was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in his 20s. He completed his bachelor’s degree, his master’s degree and his doctoral degree at the University of Arkansas, preparing for a life in higher education and politics. He was an ordained Baptist preacher. He maintained a strong social conscience during tense moments in Arkansas history. His sense of humor was literally explosive. He knew firsthand that each day of life is a gift, and that moments are meant to be seized, not squandered. He loved his wife, he loved his daughter, and he loved his students. Oh, how he loved his students.

Avoiding hagiography just a bit, let me admit that Dr. Riley was not the best teacher I had in college. His style was rambling and his words and sentence structure so complex that I can remember hoping he would not call on me to offer some commentary on what I had just heard. But Dr. Riley was one of the most intelligent, sensitive and insightful people I have known across the arc of my seven decades. War had wounded his body but not his soul. He taught me to think and to look far beyond my circumstances, seeing what to me during those days looked impossible. Semper Fi, Dr. Riley.

Dr. Andrew Westmoreland ’79 served as the 14th president of Ouachita and is President Emeritus of Samford University.

Mary Shambarger

Professor Emerita of Music

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1966-1998

My first week on Ouachita’s campus, someone suggested that I try out for Ouachi-Tones because they were going to Hawaii during Christmas break. I knew very little about the singing group or its director, Mary Shambarger, but hey, who doesn’t want to go to Hawaii? Turns out, I got WAY more than a trip to Hawaii when I became a Ouachi-Tone.

Mrs. Shambarger’s ensemble served as ambassadors for the university. We performed for churches, banquets and conventions across Arkansas and beyond. Like playing a college sport, Ouachi-Tones was our top priority, and Mrs. Shambarger was our coach. We were a team and a sisterhood that I still hold dear to this day.

Mrs. Shambarger was also my voice teacher, and as I got to know her better, she became the mentor I didn’t realize I needed. She was like my mom away from home. I observed her strong work ethic, her sincere devotion to her students and job, and her firm leadership style. I also learned from her correction. She never hesitated to tell me if I was doing something wrong or if I was late. For Mrs. Shambarger, being on time meant arriving 10 minutes early! But mostly, I learned from her detailed instruction, knowing that she was just trying to make me better.

One semester, she asked me and two other girls to meet with her once a week to go through a book about becoming disciplined, godly women. We also held each other accountable to memorize scripture. It was a special privilege for me and the other girls, but as I think back on it, I feel like she was doing it for her benefit as well. She always worked to better herself and took her responsibility of mentoring young people seriously.

Every year, after our annual Ouachi-Tones concert, we went to her house for a home-cooked meal — poppy seed chicken, with all the sides, finished off with her famous banana caramel pie! She was an excellent cook, and it was always something I looked forward to.

After graduating from college, I occasionally dropped her notes and sent her Christmas cards. I saw her sporadically over the next 25 years. But in 2010, my family moved to Northwest Arkansas, near where Mrs. Shambarger had moved to retire. During the four years we lived there, I saw her often. We made it a priority to get together. One Sunday, she invited my family to her house for one of her delicious home-cooked meals! It warmed my heart to see her interact with my family.

I was sad to leave her when we moved, but I will forever cherish those four years being close to her again. And I am eternally grateful for my four years at Ouachita, where I met my teacher, mentor and dear friend, Mary Shambarger. I will always love and miss her.

Christine Street ’85 is a Ouachita communications graduate. She has remained involved with the university through service on the Alumni Board and the Stepping Up for Ouachita committee.

Kenneth Sandifer ’49

Professor Emeritus of Biology

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1961-1995

Ifirst met Kenneth Sandifer as a freshman biology major at Ouachita in 1980. He became my academic advisor, and little did I know how that would affect my life. There were several influential people at Ouachita who helped me navigate my academic career — people like Joe Nix, Vic Oliver and Bill Dixon. They were as much friends and mentors as teachers, and I stayed in contact with them even after graduation. But it was my connection with “Sandy” Sandifer that would change my life. Sandy passed away in 2019. If you read his obituary, you’ll find out he earned a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita before attending graduate school at Peabody College. Upon graduating from Peabody, he spent two years in the Medical Corps during the Korean War. After a five-year run teaching at Arkansas A&M (University of Arkansas at Monticello), Sandy returned to Ouachita in 1961, where he stayed until retiring as department chair. Although his exams – especially lab exams – were difficult, Mr. Sandifer had a knack for making everything fun. He loved teaching and working with students. I distinctly remember his courses in microbiology, histology, parasitology and comparative anatomy. I don’t have space for all the stories I could tell! One of his favorite sayings was, “I showed my wife this exam, and she just started crying she felt so bad for all of you.”

When he hired me as a biology instructor at Ouachita in 1989, Mr. Sandifer, the teacher, became “Sandy,” the colleague. I found out a lot about him in those years before he retired. He loved his family more than anything. He was a deacon and usher at First Baptist Church, where my wife Tracey and I joined. He loved refinishing furniture, but he loved the back-and-forth of selling pieces even more, always driving a hard bargain.

He gave me tidbits of wisdom while I learned to teach, and I was grateful. Between Sandy and other key people, I had strong role models. The success we now enjoy in Ouachita’s natural sciences was built on their shoulders.

Early in my career, during a Wednesday night service at First Baptist, the pastor asked us to stand up and share something we were thankful for. Sandy stood up and said, “I’m thankful I hired Tim Knight.” He had no idea what that meant to me. Nearly 35 years later, I remember it like it was yesterday. There’s no doubt many alumni have similar stories about Sandy. Ouachita has a rich history of people like him making a lasting difference in this world.

After retirement, Sandy could be seen around town in his old pickup. He’d been working on furniture, fishing or hunting, but he always wanted to know about you. In addition to work with Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief, he established appreciation dinners for law enforcement, first responders and city utility workers. Everyone knew Sandy. When I run into classmates or alumni, we often mention him. Every person has a Sandifer story, and each will be smiling and laughing while telling it!

Sandy Sandifer was pure gold as a person. He and Ouachita were perfect for each other. If you visit campus, drop by and see me in Jones Science Center. I would like nothing better than to tell Ouachita stories – especially Sandy stories!

Dr. Tim Knight ’84 is a professor of biology and dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences at Ouachita.

Bill Downs

Professor Emeritus of Mass Communications

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1966-2007

As I started my sophomore year at Ouachita, I needed a job. I was assigned to the print shop. On my first day, I met Dr. Bill Downs, head of the Department of Communications. I quickly realized he’d be a tough but enthusiastic teacher.

Instead of working in the print shop, I became Downs’ assistant. I graded papers, helped with lesson plans – anything he needed to juggle all the plates. In addition to teaching, Downs was Ouachita’s public relations director, an Arkansas Educational Television Network commissioner and director of the Arkansas High School Press Association – and that’s the short list!

Downs became my best mentor. We enjoyed a student-teacher friendship that lasted 35 years, until I held his hand as his earthly life slipped away in a Bryant nursing home.

“Your students always loved you,” I told him. “You were tough, but we loved you.”

It’d be difficult to measure his influence in 41 years at Ouachita.

Starting at Ouachita in 1966, Downs was the only member of the journalism department. By his retirement, Ouachita had one of the country’s strongest programs, including a state-of-the-art television station.

Everyone mattered to him. One day, he stopped by a stone marker on campus for 36 students who fought in World War II – a memorial most walked by without notice. Three years later, Downs released his first book, “The Fighting Tigers,” detailing those soldiers’ lives. A few years later, he published another book about Arkansas farmers who survived the Depression. These stories could’ve been forgotten. Downs made sure they weren’t.

He made sure we could tell stories, too. Assignments came back covered with red pen markings. Every Downs student can recite his mantra for checking sources: “Trust no one, assume nothing.” If he was feeling particularly feisty, he’d add, “If your mother says she loves you, find another source.”

Yet it didn’t take long to sense this former drill sergeant had a softness inside – the family photos around his office, the three sons he adored and the tender wood carvings he crafted showed that.

As his health declined, speech became difficult. On one of our last visits, I told him about an upcoming trip to the Holy Land, and my plans to write about it.

“I hope I’m talented enough to do it,” I said quietly, not even sure he’d heard me.

“You know you will be,” he whispered back.

More than once, bigger universities came calling. He’d show me letters of inquiry, asking, “Melinda, do I want to go to (insert school or city name here)?”

“No, Dr. Downs, I don’t think you do. You love it here.”

“That’s what I thought. See you tomorrow!”

How lucky we are that he came back for so many tomorrows and so many years. Ouachita is who she is today because he did.

Melinda Mayo is a certified meteorologist and the host of Daybreak for KATV in Little Rock.

Kathy Collins

Associate Professor Emerita of Education

YEARS OF SERVICE: 2009-2023

Dr. Kathy Collins and I had the opportunity to attend a professional development training at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Ga. On the plane ride home, Kathy started talking to a woman sitting beside us, and soon the conversation focused on education. Kathy began describing our roles as teachers of teachers, and the woman quickly picked up her purse to look for something. To our surprise, she pulled out three $100 gift cards to Sonic and asked if Kathy would share these with the teachers in her local community.

Much to the woman’s delight, Kathy asked what she did for a living. The woman then told us she was the CEO of Sonic and that she had always admired how much teachers gave of themselves to make a difference in the lives of their students.

If you know Kathy, then you know this serendipitous encounter encompassed some of her favorite things. First, she was an avid lover of Sonic. I cannot remember a day that a Sonic drink, or two, was not in her hands. Second, she was a lifelong learner. She was always perfecting her craft of teaching by finding professional development opportunities and collaborating with her colleagues.

And she was a life-changing educator. Stories are often told about Kathy’s enthusiastic support for her students outside the classroom, and the stories are true. She poured her heart and soul into her students and made sure that each one was set up for success with strong lessons, detailed conferences and meaningful relationships. After she had been teaching all day, you would be able to find her at a Tiger softball game, then a baseball game, then over at the tennis courts and finally ending the day in her reserved seats at a concert in Jones Performing Arts Center. She went to every event an education student was involved in and made sure they knew they were seen, valued and loved.

I am forever grateful to have worked with Kathy for 12 years. Our vision in the education department is to equip students to teach like Jesus. Kathy did just that. I know she is forever with the Master Teacher, and I can only imagine the eternal impact she has made by fulfilling her calling to teach.

Dr. Rachel Pool ’07 is a professor of education and dean of the Huckabee School of Education at Ouachita.

Carolyn Moffatt ’56

Women’s Head Basketball Coach

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1965-1984

When I think about Miss Carolyn Moffatt, I remember coming to Ouachita from Texas in 1981 to study and play basketball, far away from home and in need of a steady presence in my life. I think about a woman who was always there for us, in the gym, in her office or wherever her Tigerettes needed her. She was not only a mentor and counselor for someone who did not get to go back home very often; she was also a dependable example of hard work, humor and determination.

She always had creative ways to motivate us, whether it was with a tough practice, a personal conversation or even a t-shirt. Once, when we were preparing for a game against the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Miss Moffatt had shirts made for us with “BEAT UAM” printed on the back. She told us to wear them every day to practice until we went down to Monticello to play. When she and UAM’s Coach Alvy Early greeted each other at the gym, there was a bit of banter between them. But it was evident Miss Moffatt had one thing on her mind: leading her Tigerettes to a road win.

We won by three points. We all celebrated a little more than usual with our assistant coach, Rick Allen, and Miss Moffatt that day.

Different people measure a person’s character in a variety of ways, but to me, the best measure of Miss Moffatt was her love for people. The Lord knew her heart best, but I think the Tigerettes recognized her care and concern for them was genuine and went way beyond the basketball court.

One February night, with the snow falling, a bunch of us walked to Miss Moffatt’s house to have a snowball fight (like we couldn’t have it anywhere else) and ended up drinking hot chocolate and crashing on her sofa, recliner and even on Duffy the Pomeranian’s tiny dog bed. I’m not sure how we dodged Dean Neno Flaig’s office for that, but I am sure of Miss Moffatt’s love for her students.

Other times, we would rush into Walton or Rockefeller Gym for practice and were greeted with an endearing chuckle and “Good grief, girls, what are you doing?”

I’m so thankful to the Lord for leading me to Ouachita through my high school basketball coach, Bill Goff, and his late wife, Hazel Ann. They took me to a college tryout all those years ago, with some tough basketball players and a fearless and wise Ouachita coach that, at the time, I didn’t know would have such an impact on me. But now I can see how privileged I was to know and love her.

Marian (Frias) Killgore ’85 is a Ouachita health/physical education graduate. After college, she became an English teacher and coach.

Phil Rice

Professor

Emeritus of Business Administration & Founding Dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1993-2018

What an honor it is to share a few words about a man who impacted my life so profoundly. As a good Baptist, I thought I would arrange my thoughts around three alliterative points: paper, people and purpose.

I want to begin by highlighting a unique quality of Phil’s: the man loved paper. He wasn’t incapable of navigating a computer. But for some reason, he preferred a yellow legal pad, a pencil and an eraser. When I inherited his dean’s office, I was amazed at how many paper files he kept. For example, he kept unsubmitted drafts of accreditation documents from the 1990s. We kept them because … well … I don’t know why we kept them. Initially, I refused to dispose of all those documents because I feared Phil might one day ask for a document from 1999 that no one else had thought about in decades. Now I just cannot get rid of them. They are an extension of Phil, and I have become rather fond of those old pages. They make me smile when I see them.

Phil always wanted what was best for his people. I remember a time when a valued faculty member told Phil he was leaving to take a job at a university closer to his family. This was a significant loss for the school. But knowing the move was best for the faculty member, Phil supported him along the way. I saw him do this on numerous occasions, and I respected him so much for his ability to look beyond any burden a faculty change might create for him to see the meaningful opportunity for his departing friend and colleague. As a young faculty member myself, this spoke to me. I know I have failed on many occasions, but I have always tried to model Phil’s commitment to valuing people first and foremost.

Phil consistently encouraged his students to pursue their purpose with passion, persistence and professionalism. Apparently, Phil appreciated alliterative Ps as well. His purpose was to follow God faithfully. His purpose was to love and honor his family. And his initial purpose at Ouachita was to help the Hickingbotham School of Business become the smallest business school in the world to earn accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Without Phil’s dogged determination and singular focus on achieving accreditation, it never would have happened. Phil always had a purpose behind his actions. He never wandered aimlessly, and I admired him so much for that.

To honor Phil’s memory, I wrote several drafts of this on a yellow legal note pad using a pencil and an eraser. I also hope to honor Phil’s memory by prioritizing the people within my sphere of influence — my family, my students, my colleagues. And I plan to pursue the purposes to which God has called me with the same passion, persistence and professionalism that Phil modeled.

Thank you, Phil, for being such an example for each of us. Our lives are better because of you.

Bryan McKinney ’93 is a professor of business law, dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and general counsel for Ouachita.

GCecil Sutley Professor

Emeritus of Religion

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1954-1987

rowing up dirt poor in the panhandle of Florida, Cecil Sutley’s dream of attending college – much less teaching at Ouachita for 33 years – was mostly just that: a dream.

His father was a Primitive Baptist minister who thought college was a waste of time for anyone hoping to become a pastor.

“Papa strongly opposed all colleges in general and every Baptist school in particular,” Dad recalled in his 2002 memoir, “These I Remember: Memories and Other Thoughts.”

My grandfather’s lack of success holding a pastorate during the Depression forced his family to move 20 times over 10 years. That itinerant upbringing convinced my dad to give his family much-needed roots when he eventually landed his dream job as a professor at Ouachita Baptist College in 1954.

When Dad died two weeks after his 100th birthday in September 2020, our family was overwhelmed by heartwarming remembrances of him as a professor, adviser, colleague, pastor, hospice chaplain and corny joke teller. The G.I. Bill made most of that possible. He enlisted in the Army in 1942, just months after Pearl Harbor and weeks after embarking on his near 75-year marriage to our mother, Ellajane, who died in 2016.

Dad moved from soldiering to studying at Mississippi College on Jan. 1, 1946. The G.I. Bill also paid for most of his master’s coursework at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. One of his professors there was Ralph A. Phelps Jr., who would become Ouachita’s 11th president, serving from 1953 to 1969.

By the time Dad finished his doctorate at Southwestern Baptist, he was established as a full-time pastor of Roff (Okla.) Baptist Church. But as 1954 dawned, he got a call from President Phelps asking him to consider joining the Ouachita Baptist College faculty. Dad preached Roff’s evening service on Jan. 31, 1954, then drove all night to report for work at Ouachita on Feb. 1.

Dad eventually became comfortable with teaching, borrowing from his favorite professors. He got better, he said, by allowing students to submit unsigned critiques of the course and his performance each semester — long before academia formalized evaluations.

Another of Dad’s dreams had been to travel. Driving a Ouachita Chapel speaker to the Little Rock airport in the late 1950s, Dad listened carefully as he mentioned his foreign travels. When Dad doubted he would ever be able to do the same, the speaker encouraged him to organize tours himself, which he did, leading 53 tours and visiting 85 nations on six continents. Twenty-five trips were to the Holy Land, which enhanced his teaching.

Dad’s three decades at Ouachita meant that, by the 1970s and 1980s, he was teaching the children of some of his earliest students. His tenure also meant that there was a special dividend for spending his first day at Ouachita planting tree seedlings on campus with other faculty during one of President Phelps’ all-hands workdays.

He got to see some of those seedlings turn into towering oaks still shading Ouachita’s campus, just as he saw many of his students enjoy success and blessings beyond Ouachita.

Bill Sutley ’77 is a retired newspaper journalist, university PR manager and journalism professor. He returned to Arkadelphia in 2014.

Rosemary Chu

Hall Director, Frances Crawford Residence Hall

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1967-2009

Igive the newly arrived freshmen a taste of Ouachita history before classes start each fall. Since I follow the marching band and cheerleaders in orientation, I begin with a light-hearted, game-showish approach. I finish, though, with a serious story expressing the heart of what I think it means to be a Ouachitonian. I tell the inspirational story of Rosemary Chu.

Born in the Shandong Province of China, Shu Fang was raised in a Christian family. She was a college student when the Communist government began to severely limit religious expression and isolate the country. When her father learned the borders were closing, he told Shu Fang she was in a unique position. She left campus and, before her absence from either college or home was discovered, she caught a train headed for the border.

Eight days later, Shu Fang was at the border pleading with a guard to be allowed to cross into Hong Kong. She had seen many in the huge crowd turned away or arrested. Despite the facts that she had no papers granting permission to leave the country and she spoke Mandarin while the guard spoke Cantonese, he let her through.

Shu Fang (now Rosemary) came to America and met Finley Chu, a Chinese Ph.D. candidate who had migrated to America after World War II. Finley earned two doctorates, and his teaching career flourished. The family, now including daughter Jane, arrived at Ouachita in 1963. Life in Arkadelphia was ideal for a time, but by 1964, Finley was seriously ill. After months of tests and visits with specialists, he was diagnosed with cancer. Following surgery in 1965, Finley rallied for a time. He never missed class in the Fall of 1966, even though he sometimes needed help from a student to get from his car to the classroom. Dr. Finley Chu died on January 17, 1967.

Being a young widow and single mother is surely difficult now. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for Rosemary in 1967. She had no significant income. She had limited traditional job skills. She had a nine-year-old daughter.

This is the part I try to drive home to our freshmen. What Rosemary Chu had was the investment she made in Ouachita. And Ouachita invested in her. By January 1967, construction was well underway on a facility that would become Frances Crawford Hall. Rosemary was named “dorm mom,” and she and Jane moved into a small apartment on the west side. Rosemary ministered to the young women in that dorm for the next 41 years. She devoted her life to them. I see the eyes of freshmen women light up when I mention Frances Crawford Hall. They live there. My message is that they will make their own decisions about how to react to what college life at Ouachita has to offer. I want them to know if they embrace their university, they’ll always be part of a close-knit, Christ-led community.

Dr. Jeff Root ’83 is a professor of communications and dean of the School of Humanities at Ouachita.

Sonny Jackson

Facilities Management

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1957-1989

The 1960s and 1970s were a special time to grow up in the Ouachita family. Though I didn’t start at Ouachita as a student until 1977, I was part of the family from birth since I grew up in the Ouachita Hills neighborhood. My mother (’47), father (’48) and sister (’72) all graduated from Ouachita.

One member of the Ouachita family in those days was Sonny Jackson. Once a professional middleweight boxer in the Pacific Northwest, Sonny wasn’t a Ouachita graduate. He was a Black man, you see, at a time when Ouachita was still a segregated institution. But he was very much part of the family as a member and later the head of Ouachita’s grounds crew from the 1950s (before I was born) until 1989. I grew up with one of Sonny’s children, Sumner Jackson, a former Ouachita student.

In 1972, The Ouachitonian yearbook was dedicated to Sonny. One of Ouachita’s great traditions is everyone being part of the family, from students to faculty to those working in maintenance. I’m sure Sonny had bad days like the rest of us, but he never showed it. His smiling face was as much a part of Ouachita in those years as the Tiger statue.

The yearbook dedication read in part: “There are usually many people on a campus who deserve the distinction of a yearbook dedication. The 1972 Ouachitonian, however, saw one person who particularly stood out from among the rest. He is Sonny Jackson. Mr. Jackson came to Ouachita in 1954, left for a two-year period in 1964 and, upon his return, was named head of the maintenance department’s grounds crew. ... It is a joy to be around Sonny. He is enthusiastic and concerned with doing his job well. Sonny has often helped students in distress and will always take time to talk to anyone about anything.”

“The way the kids took to me reminded me of time I spent in Vancouver and Portland, when there wasn’t so much prejudice,” Sonny once said.

In fact, Sonny was so much a part of the Ouachita family, you’ll find that the short street running through the school’s tennis facility is known as Sonny Jackson Drive. The street was named in 1989, just after Sonny’s retirement and four years after he was given the Purple and Gold Heart Award during Ouachita’s homecoming celebration.

I grew up on Carter Road, named after major Ouachita supporter Nick Carter. Nearby Phelps Circle was named for Ouachita President Ralph Phelps. The third street in the neighborhood named after a member of the Ouachita family was Sonny Jackson Drive.

“Sonny Jackson has given all of us the gift of a more beautiful place in which to work and play,” Ben Elrod ’52, Ouachita’s president at the time, said. “This street will be a constant reminder of the man who helped make and keep Ouachita beautiful.”

Sonny died in 2003 at age 75. But his name lives on at Ouachita thanks to Sonny Jackson Drive. For those of us who were lucky enough to be members of the Ouachita family when he worked here, we’ll always have the memories of his broad smile, his enthusiastic greetings and his laugh.

People like Sonny made Ouachita Hills the perfect place to grow up. Mayberry had nothing on us.

Rex Nelson ’81 is senior editor and columnist at the Arkansas DemocratGazette and is the voice of the Tigers for Ouachita football broadcasts.

CONE-BOTTOMS TURNS 100

By Anna Roussel ’22, director of Alumni Relations and OSF

When Ouachita opened its newest women’s dormitory on Sept. 17, 1923, the Siftings Herald dubbed it the “Gem of the City.” The school’s news publication, The Signal, stated that “beauty and love were in evidence throughout the building.” Since then, many new buildings have been erected, and the old have been torn down – but one stood the test of time. Cone-Bottoms Hall, once home to over 100 female students and now the hub of Ouachita’s administration, remains the physical cornerstone of the university.

If you drive by the front lawn of Ouachita, you might see any number of scenes: students taking first day of class pictures for their parents, Tiger Tunes groups celebrating their latest award, friends enjoying Frisbee and spike ball on a sunny day or even a worship service on the steps of the building. It’s those memories and so many others that bring a sense of nostalgia and pride when a

Ouachitonian thinks of this iconic structure. Because of this, as her 100th year approached, we knew a celebration was in order.

In September 2023, the campus gathered to recognize this milestone together. While we enjoyed popcorn in cones displaying the original Signal article about Cone-Bottoms and drank purple lemonade, acrobats and a hot air balloon flew overhead. Pressed pennies made for the perfect souvenir, and popular music with a classic twist played in the background. It was the perfect 1920s-inspired party to recognize our 1923 landmark. The entire campus even came together that semester for a group photo on the lawn, recreating other iconic photos from our campus community’s past.

Like so many Ouachita traditions, what was true for ConeBottoms in 1923 still rang true in 2023: its strength, beauty, consistency and ability to bring people together. All characteristics that also embody our beloved school.

Photos by Sarah Dean ’24 and Meghann Combs ’25

NEW TRADITIONS: SUFO & FORE

By Anna Roussel ’22, director of Alumni Relations and OSF

Every tradition starts somewhere — at Ouachita, two of our newest traditions have quickly become favorites of alumni and friends. Stepping Up for Ouachita (SUFO) and FORE Ouachita both serve as fundraising events for student scholarships, but what attendees get out of these events far exceeds their ticket cost: connection.

The Office of Development created FORE Ouachita, an annual golf tournament in Little Rock, in 2009 as an event to raise funds. Originally hosted at Pleasant Valley Country Club, the event quickly picked up steam, outgrowing the course. It has been at Chenal Country Club ever since.

Teams at FORE often consist of classmates connecting for a day on the course or alumni who want to introduce friends and colleagues to the world of Ouachita. Players take on a full 18 holes, surrounded by people who share a common goal of supporting students at the school they love. A recent spin-off of this event has also taken place in Northwest Arkansas the last two springs at Top Golf in Rogers.

As the Development team launched FORE, an idea for a second event to honor women in the Ouachita community was born. With the first year of the golf tournament under their belts, Development hosted the first Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon in 2010, honoring Sharon Heflin.

While SUFO’s primary goal is to raise scholarship funds, it is also a time to recognize women who love both Ouachita and their neighbors well. Honorees are pillars of their communities, serving faithfully in their churches, service groups, local schools and civic organizations. Whether they work as a business owner, a homemaker or the Governor of Arkansas, these women are all tied together by their love for God and their love for Ouachita.

Over the past 16 years, 26 women have been honored at the luncheons, with four more set to join their ranks in 2025. Each year, the room is filled with attendees who see the value in scholarships and who wish to honor women whose common purpose is to faithfully serve others.

What makes Ouachita traditions special is the connection that takes place. FORE Ouachita and Stepping Up for Ouachita have always meant more to people; they are a chance to continue building bonds with lifelong friends while considering how our stewardship might benefit the next generation of Ouachita students. They are prime examples of our steadfast circle of alumni and friends.

Photo by Abby Blankenship ’22

Photo by Alex Blankenship ’19

Photo by Erica Wilmath ’22

OUACHITA HONORS WOMEN AT RECENT STEPPING UP LUNCHEONS

Six women were honored for their service to Ouachita and their communities during annual luncheons in 2023 and 2024. Hosted by presenting sponsor Simmons Bank and Ouachita’s Office of Development, the two events raised more than $175,000 combined for scholarships. In 2023, Ouachita honored Janet (McCain) Huckabee and Governor Sarah (Huckabee) Sanders ’04. The 2024 event honored Susan (Williams) Doshier ’81, Shari (Deaver) Edwards ’85, Carol Miller Gresham ’76 and Kathy (Mitchell) Rainwater. Kristen (Glover) Belew ’11 chaired the 2023 committee and Lindsey (Fowler) Catlett ’14 lead the group in 2024. Read more about each honoree and view their videos at obu.edu/sufo

Photos by Alex Blankenship ’19

On Feb. 10, 2024, the campus celebrated 50 years of the Ouachita Student Foundation with a program in Jones Performing Arts Center. Prior to the event, former presidents of the organization gathered for a dinner to share stories and reflect on their time in leadership – including OSF’s first president, Andrew Greene ’75.

The main event’s program included a history lesson prepared by Dr. Jeff Root ’83, an OSF President Panel led by Rex Nelson ’82 and an encore performance of the Men of Beta Beta’s winning 2024 Tiger Tunes show, “Christmas.” To close out the evening, the four original members of Point of Grace – Shelley Phillips Breen ’91, Denise Masters Jones ’91, Heather Floyd Payne ’92 and Terry Lang Jones ’92 – sang through some of their group’s biggest hits. This night was not simply a fun event for campus – it was an intentional time to commemorate half a century of students who devoted their college years to serving their peers.

In 1974, Dr. Daniel Grant ’45, serving as president, Dr. Ben Elrod ’52 and Larry Bone ’67 set out to create a student organization that would serve as university ambassadors and advocates for their peers. They handpicked 23 juniors and seniors who they knew to be leaders among their classmates, and together, this group formed the Ouachita Student Foundation. While these OSF founders knew they were committing to serve their fellow students by the raising of funds for scholarships, looking back, they all agree on one thing: they had no idea how much the organization would continue to grow.

Over its 50 years, the Ouachita Student Foundation has provided campus leadership opportunities to hundreds of students, given over $2.5 million in scholarships to upperclassmen and served countless hours in the community. OSF has hosted 50 Tiger Traks Weekends (proclaimed “Arkansas’ Most Exciting College Weekend” by five different Arkansas governors) and presented the 47th annual Tiger Tunes this fall. From the time it arrived on campus, the Ouachita Student Foundation and its signature events have been pillars of the Ouachita experience.

In recent years, OSF’s role on campus has grown and changed. Dinners for 20 and the annual Phonathon have been traded for working concession stands, giving tours to prospective students and ushering performances in Jones Performing Arts Center. They’ve added more events to their calendar, including Deck the Delph, a student holiday market; Tiger for Life (T4L) Week, focused on philanthropy and encouraging lives of service; and Fund Run, which is a 5K that now finishes out T4L Week.

What ties each past and present member of the Ouachita Student Foundation together isn’t the events they’ve run or the leadership positions they’ve held – though those are important. OSF’s mission of “students helping students” is the theme you can see connecting them all together. They are dedicated students who have decided year after year to set aside their own time and resources to ensure their peers can continue their education. That mission is why year after year, since 1974, this group has come together to serve and advance Ouachita’s campus community.

By Anna Roussel ’22, director of Alumni Relations and OSF

CELEBRATING OUACHITA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY

by Chase Hartsell ’24, content specialist

For more than a century, women’s basketball has provided Ouachita with a sisterhood like no other. It began as an unsanctioned club of 12 players in 1907 – a time when team members were not allowed to play off campus and advised not to play in public at all. This pioneering spirit carried into the 1950s, when Carolyn Moffatt ’56, a sophomore from Crossett, Ark., formed an unofficial team with friends from her residence hall at Cone-Bottoms. The group snuck out past curfew to play in their first game. Less than a year later, they were playing in the Arkansas State AAU Tournament with the guidance of Bill Vining Sr. In 1955, Moffatt and her teammates became the first Ouachita-sanctioned women’s basketball team. By 1968, the program had 10 AAU state titles, including two under Moffatt, who had returned as head coach of the Tigerettes in 1965.

In addition to the AAU championships, Moffatt led Ouachita to conference titles in the Arkansas Women’s Extramural Sports Association in 1970 and Arkansas Women’s Intercollegiate Sports Association in 1982. Her teams reached four AAU national tournaments, placing in the top six three times and as high as runner-up. It’s no surprise, then, that she was selected for the Ouachita Athletics Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2003.

Photos by Sarah Dean ’24

Moffatt is not the only women’s basketball member recognized among the university’s all-time greats. Lin Gamble ’71, a National Rookie of the Year at Ouachita and silver medalist in the 1971 Pan American Games and 2013 Senior Olympics Games, joined the Hall of Fame in 2007. Kathy Hobbs Williams ’76, an All-AWISA selection in both basketball and volleyball, was inducted in 2010. Carol Bollinger ’71, a multi-sport star in basketball and tennis, was also selected that year. Myrna DeBerry ’69, a two-time All-American and U.S. Olympic Committee player representative, received her spot in 2011.

Other program alumnae have also left their mark at Ouachita and beyond. Lynn Hickey ’73 coached at a Hall of Fame level at Kansas State and Texas A&M before serving as a pioneering Division I athletic director at Texas-San Antonio and Eastern

Washington. Yolonda Summons ’92 became the U.S. Army’s first African American female evacuation pilot, eventually earning the rank of brigadier general. Countless others have positively impacted their teammates, families, friends and communities.

On Feb. 17, 2024, Ouachita honored its sisterhood of women’s basketball with a new display in the lobby of Bill Vining Arena. The combined effort of team alumnae, Ouachita Athletics and Ouachita’s Office of Communications & Marketing, the display shares artifacts and stories from every era of the program’s history.

“This display gives recognition to the great players and teams that came before us,” Madeleine Tipton, a senior and all-conference player from Vilonia, Ark., said. “It is a constant inspiration for all of us, as the current team, to strive to uphold that rich legacy. It’s a reminder of the honor it is to be a Lady Tiger.”

Scan to view photos from the display and see a full list of Ouachita women’s basketball individual and team records.

“It is a constant inspiration for all of us, as the current team, to strive to uphold that rich legacy. It’s a reminder of the honor it is to be a Lady Tiger.” — Madeleine Tipton

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S SOCCER

BEST YEAR EVER!

By Chase Hartsell ’24, content specialist

This was widely considered the best year for athletics in school history, and it’s easy to see why. Ouachita won conference championships in five different sports, posting its best finish ever in the Great American Conference’s all-sports standings.

At the end of October, women’s cross country earned its second GAC title in three years to give the university its first conference championship of the 2024-25 academic year. Within a month, the Tigers would add three more GAC championships to their trophy case.

November saw Ouachita’s football team defeat rival Henderson State in the 97th Battle of the Ravine, securing the program’s seventh GAC title – the most in conference history – in the process. The following day, the women’s soccer team bested Oklahoma Baptist in penalty kicks to win its third conference championship in five seasons. Later in the week, the Tiger volleyball team collected three straight victories over higher seeded opponents to clinch its first-ever GAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament bid.

Ouachita’s winning ways didn’t end with the fall semester. In February, the men’s swimming and diving team won the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championship, topping two nationally ranked teams to do so. What can we say? Best. Year. Ever!

EXNER KEY IN MEN’S TENNIS TEAM’S RUN TO NATIONALS

The Tiger men’s tennis team reached nationals for the second time in four years this spring, thanks in large part to senior captain Phil Exner ’25.

Exner, a finance and business administration/management graduate from Konstanz, Germany, opened 2025 as the No. 2 singles player in the ITA NCAA Division II Men’s College Tennis Rankings. He would never drop below that spot, even rising to No. 1 in the country for four straight weeks to close the regular season. The senior was selected as an All-American for the third straight season, and he also finished at No. 12 in ITA’s national doubles rankings alongside teammate Ramon Strassmann.

On top of his athletic success, Exner was named the Hickingbotham School of Business’ Outstanding Scholar Athlete and received the Grant Center’s Outstanding International Student Award.

“Phil is a unicorn,” former Ouachita head coach Craig Ward said. “In my 35 years of coaching, he stands out as a man of unmatched character. He has no ego, is unselfish, supportive and consistently does what is asked for the betterment of others. He leads quietly by example and proves himself more impressive the more you get to know him.”

PRITCHARD NAMED HEAD COACH FOR SWIMMING & DIVING

By Brian Ramsey, assistant athletic director for communications

Director of Athletics David Sharp ’80, M.S.E. ’82 announced Dawson Pritchard ’14 as the new head coach for the men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams on June 27.

Pritchard has been on campus since 2010, first arriving as an undergraduate student and member of the Tigershark swimming team. After graduation, he served as a senior admissions counselor, an instructor for the Department of Kinesiology, and an assistant coach for the swimming & diving teams.

Most recently, Pritchard held the title of head diving coach and assistant swim coach. He was instrumental in recruiting and developing the student-athletes who won the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championship in 2025 – Ouachita’s first men’s swimming & diving conference title since 2000.

“We searched globally for the next head coach for our swimming & diving teams, but everything kept pointing back to Coach Pritchard as the best fit for the job,” said Sharp. “Dawson is all-in for Ouachita and has done an exceptional job in all of his roles here on campus. Our swimming & diving program is in great hands, and I look forward to seeing what our teams will accomplish under Coach Pritchard’s leadership.”

By Chase Hartsell ’24, content specialist

BEST MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON IN 38 YEARS

The legendar y Bill Vining Sr. ’51 led the Tiger men’s basketball team to 23 wins in the 1986-87 season. Since then, there had only been two 20win seasons for the program. The 2024-25 Tigers became the third.

Dennis Nutt led the Tigers to a 22-8 overall record this past year in his 14th season as head coach, marking the most successful campaign for the program in terms of total wins since joining the NCAA ranks in the mid-1990s. The 200708 Tigers went 20-10, and Nutt led the 2014-15 squad to a Great American Conference regular season championship and a final record of 20-6.

This past year, the Tigers went 16-6 in GAC games, which ended up being one win away from the regular season title. Leading the way individually was Hobert Grayson, who made history by being the first student-athlete in GAC history to win three superlative awards in the same season. He was voted GAC Player of the Year, GAC Defensive Player of the Year and GAC Newcomer of the Year.

Photo by Matthew Branch ’22

Photo by Wesley Kluck ’77

A FIRST FOR

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

By Brian Ramsey, assistant athletic director for communications

The Ouachita cross country and track & field programs are on the rise.

In addition to the women’s cross country team winning its second Great American Conference Championship in the past three years, the track & field program had a first this year with Kate Nachtigal becoming the first-ever track athlete to earn a trip to compete at the NCAA Division II National Championships. This year’s event was held in Pueblo, Colo.

The junior business administration/entrepreneurship major from Rogers, Ark., was one of the best athletes in the nation this past year in the 3,000-meter steeplechase event. She hit multiple NCAA provisional marks throughout the year, but her time of 10:34.66 at the 2025 Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif., punched her ticket to nationals as the 21st best time in all of NCAA D2. She also earned her second-straight GAC Championship in steeplechase.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Nachtigal also became a twotime College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honoree with her selection this spring.

TODD KNIGHT ENSHRINED INTO ARKANSAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME

By Brian Ramsey, assistant athletic director for communications

Ouachita head football coach Todd Knight ’84 has never liked the spotlight.

Throughout his 30-year coaching career, it’s always been about those around him, such as assistant coaches, student-athletes and staff. But the light was too bright to avoid when Knight was enshrined into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame on April 11, 2025.

Still, Knight embraced the opportunity as a chance to focus on the players, the long-time assistant coaches on his staff and other support staff that he says are the most significant factors in receiving honors such as the Hall of Fame.

In addition to becoming one of the newest members of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Knight was also selected as the Great American Conference Coach of the Year for the seventh time and picked as the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year for the fifth time.

Knight has led the Tigers to 17 consecutive winning seasons – the longest active streak among all Arkansas colleges – along with seven GAC championships and six NCAA Division II playoff appearances. He entered the 2025 season just one win away from breaking a tie with the late Buddy Benson, accomplishing the feat on Sept. 13 to become Ouachita’s — and Arkansas’ — all-time winningest football coach.

Photo by Matthew Branch ’22

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

CLASS NOTES

connecting the circle

1960s

Linda (Harris) Clements ’66 has converted Ouachita basketball game film to digital media. You can find years ’61-’65 on YouTube under “Linda Clements OBU Basketball.”

Joe Jeffers ’66, professor emeritus of chemistry, is chair of the History of Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society for 2025-2026.

Barry Wilson ’69 opened an insurance agency, Wilson Group Strategies, in Tulsa, Okla. A benefits consultant, broker and Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Barry is a past president of Oklahoma’s chapter of the National Association of Business & Insurance Professionals. He is serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa.

1970s

Bill Massey ’70 is senior counsel at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., and serves as an adjunct professor of energy law at Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University School of Law.

Donald McCutcheon ’71 retired in 2015 from Citizens Bank of Rhode Island.

Stephen M. Butler ’75 became president and CEO of Texas Baptist Institute & Seminary on July 1, 2023. Steve and wife Monty (Roach) ’75 are part of the Calvary Baptist Church family in Henderson, Texas, and have been blessed with three sons, three daughtersin-law and seven grandchildren who live in Henderson and are also active in Calvary Baptist Church.

Hershel Yancey ’75 served in the United States Army (19752000), retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Since then, he has served as a Presbyterian pastor in Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. He has also been an adjunct professor in Christian ethics, philosophy of religion, and leadership. Currently, he is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla, Fla.

Wesley Kluck ’77 was named the Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives’ 2023 Volunteer of the Year for making a positive impact through his efforts to improve the business climate and quality of life in Clark County and Arkansas.

1980s

Tonda Ratterree ’80, M.S.E. ’81 retired in October from FIS in Little Rock after 34 years as an I.T. consultant.

Gayla (McBride) Edwards ’81 teaches gifted and talented education in Hackett, Ark., and has written educational and children’s books. Honors earned for her work include an Outstanding Program award from the Arkansas Governor’s Advisory Council for Gifted & Talented Education. Curriculum that she developed received the 2023-24 Outstanding Gifted & Talented Education Curriculum Unit Award for Arkansas elementary schools.

Keith Melson ’78 is senior vice president, director of loan review at First Community Bank in Batesville, Ark. Keith has over 45 years of experience in the banking industry, including eight years as a bank regulator for the Arkansas State Bank Department. Keith and his wife, Ellen — together 36 years — have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Mary (Peters) Bradshaw ’79, M.S.E. ’80 retired in 2016 from the Hope (Ark.) School District after 36 years as a teacher. During retirement, she taught for three years at First United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten. She keeps busy with gardening, traveling, loving her three dogs and cat and attending her four grandchildren’s numerous, year-round sporting events.

Charles Smith ’81 earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University. His dissertation was titled, “Experiences in Church Relocation: A Multiple Case Study.” Charles serves as minister of education at First Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas.

LaJuana (Terrell) Warner ’81 and her husband, Steve, received the 2024-2025 Distinguished Educator Award from the Foundation for Jonesboro Public Schools. LaJuana taught elementary music and was choral director at Annie Camp Junior High School, while Steve was director of bands at Jonesboro High School and the school district’s instrumental music supervisor. Since their retirements in 2015 and 2016, respectively, they’ve continued to support and contribute to music education in the district and community.

Richard ’85 and Janet (Crouch) Wentz ’79, M.S.E. ’85 moved to Texarkana, Texas, to be closer to their family, especially their granddaughters Ruth Anne and Hannah.

Ellen Neill ’87 retired after 32 years of coaching and teaching. She moved to the country to be closer to family.

Lea Anne (Haver) Brooks ’89 retired after 32 years as an educational speech-language pathologist. She volunteers for Manes & Miracles, works part time for the Sebastian County Election Commission and enjoys time with family.

Brent Houston ’89 has been elected to serve as a board member on the Arkansas Judicial Council, which represents all state court circuit judges as well the Arkansas Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and are the parents of twins Harrison and Harmony.

Chris Turner ’89 celebrated his 10th anniversary as director of communications for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He is also an online instructor for Ouachita. Chris and his wife Michelle (Crockett) ’89 live in Franklin, Tenn.

1990s

Steve Galatas ’91 is associate professor of government at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Steve received the University Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, the university’s highest teaching award for faculty, for 2023-2024.

Tony Christensen ’93 began studying mixed martial arts in September 2022.

Bruce ’93 and Dana (Hubbard) Guthrie ’98 live in Atlanta, Ga., where Dana is a senior reporter with The Trucker Media Group and Bruce is the digital content producer for WSB radio station, affiliated with WSBTV, one of the top local news stations in Atlanta. He also serves as web editor at The Trucker Media Group.

Cris Belvin ’94 was recently named as director of university communications and media relations at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.

Shawn Kemp ’95 is a regional trainer for church planter assessment for Send Network.

Hubert Spann ’98 serves as program director at the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes Ranch in Millington, Tenn.

2000s

Kristen (Clark) Hutchins ’00 was named dean of the School of Science & Mathematics at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.

Steven Lewis ’00 is in his 11th year of teaching in Arkansas and his sixth year at White Hall (Ark.) High School, where he teaches AP U.S. History and concurrent credit.

Phillip Runyan ’00 has been promoted to director of clinical services and business development at Therapeutic Family Services.

Ryan Alexander ’01 is the executive director of Harvest Baptist Association in Decatur, Texas. Sarah (Thompson) Alexander ’00 is a church accountant with the Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation.

Jamie Bauman ’01 is director of MCH Family Outreach at Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas.

Amber Conrad ’01 married John McCaskill on Nov. 12, 2016. They welcomed son Eli Conrad on April 6, 2018, and daughter Evelyn Elizabeth on June 12, 2020.

Emily (Maifeld) Miller ’01 and family serve as high school boys dorm parents and teachers at Rift Valley Academy, a missionary boarding school in Kijabe, Kenya, primarily serving missionary families across the continent of Africa.

Gary ’01 and Terri (Grinage) Miller ’02 moved to Waco, Texas, where Gary became nursing professional development market manager for Ascension Providence Health. Terri homeschools their children, Nathan and Titus.

Ben Utter ’02 was honored to earn tenure in 2023 as a professor of English at Ouachita.

Chrystal (Edwards) Ball ’03 works in virtual education with K12, Inc. Previously serving in special education at Arkansas Virtual Academy, she has moved to the national team as special programs auditor. She manages a team of certified special education teachers who recently received Tech & Learning’s 2024 “Best Tools for Back to School” award in the secondary education category.

Shealyn Sowers ’03 joined Ghidotti, a Little Rock-based public relations and content marketing agency as an account supervisor. In her role, Sowers oversees campaign strategy development and execution for clients and helps lead the media relations team.

Joshua Moore and Leah Tobey-Moore ’06 were married Oct. 10, 2023, at Anahola Beach on Kauai, Hawaii. They live in White Hall, Ark. Josh is a scientific reviewer for the FDA, and Leah is an assistant professor and physical therapist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Angela (Franklin) Rector ’07 released her first single, a Christmas song named “Snowfall.” It’s available on streaming platforms including YouTube and Spotify.

Jeremy Langley ’08 earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty University.

Jesse Pruett ’08 earned a Ph.D. in Hebrew bible and northwest semitic languages at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

HONORING RECIPIENTS OF PRESIDENT’S MEDALLION AND

MILESTONE AWARDS

by Chase Hartsell ’24, content specialist

Ouachita’s 2023 Alumni Milestone Award honorees (from left): Daniel Aylett, Devan Malone Elbert, Jeff Conaway, Emily Byers Smith, Jay A. Hines, Beth Anne Rankin Baker, Bobby Gosser Jr., Cheryl Bass Williams and Junanne Reynolds Brown, joined by Ouachita President Ben Sells.

by

The President’s Medallion Award is given to recognize outstanding contributions in support of Ouachita’s Christian higher education mission.

Todd ’93 and Amy Denton were the inaugural recipients of the award, presented for advancing the university and the Arkadelphia community through their work with Pediatrics Plus.

In September 2024, Sharon Bale ’69 was presented with the award for her support of women, especially through her dedication to the Miss OBU Scholarship Program.

2010s

Umid Khasanov ’10 and Lorna Kirkpatrick ’14 were married July 27, 2024, in Hot Springs, Ark.

Graham Cole ’11 moved to Arkadelphia with his wife, Christin, and two children to serve as an instructor of kinesiology at Ouachita.

Kristen (Belew) Glover ’11 is a pharmacy specialist and insurance consultant with EBRx in Little Rock, Ark.

Mikki (Gaines) Curtis ’12 was named the 2024 Hempstead County Educator of the Year. She is the dean of secondary programs at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana.

Dean ’24

During Homecoming 2023, eight Ouachita graduates received the university’s Milestone Award at Cliff Harris Stadium. “It’s always a joy to celebrate alumni during Homecoming,” said Dr. Ben Sells, president. “Each of these individuals represent our alumni with excellence and a spirit of service.”

Honorees also reflected on their time at Ouachita. “Ouachita helped prepare me through one-on-one relationships, solid teaching, a safe environment to grow and faculty and staff living out their faith before me,” said Cheryl Williams ’83.

Kelsey (Frink)

Nwokoro ’14 and her husband adopted two sons on Feb. 26, 2024, after 15 months of fostering.

Marissa Selden ’14 adopted a daughter this year.

THE 2023 HONOREES WERE:

Junanne (Reynolds) Brown ’73, a retired assistant principal and former director of Arkansas Girls State from Hope, Ark.

Randy Rice ’73, an attorney with Rice & Associates in Little Rock, Ark.

Cheryl (Bass) Williams ’83, a writer, volunteer and retired teacher from Roland, Ark.

Bobby Gosser Jr. ’83, the president and CEO of Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. from Scott, Ark.

Beth Anne (Rankin) Baker ’93, the president of Rankin Consulting in Magnolia, Ark.

Jay A. Hines ’93, the owner of Jay A. Hines Insurance Agency from Marysville, Ohio.

Emily (Byers) Smith ’03, children’s ministry specialist at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from Benton, Ark.

Jeff Conaway ’03, associate director of athletics and head football coach at The First Academy in Orlando, Fla.

Devan (Malone) Elbert ’13, community relations coordinator for Mountaire Corp. from Little Rock, Ark.

Daniel Aylett ’13, connections pastor at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills from Lowell, Ark.

John Givler ’16 finished his residency program in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in June 2024.

John and his wife, Kenzie (Lionberger) Givler ’16, will remain in Tyler, where he will be the director of hospital education and core internal medicine faculty at the University of Texas East Texas hospital, while serving as an assistant professor of medicine at UTHSC.

Will Houston ’17 married Lauren Elizabeth Ray of Kirby, Ark.

Photo

Sarah

Photo by Sarah Dean ’24

Will Combs ’17 was promoted to captain and became a company commander in the Arkansas Army National Guard. He also completed U.S. Army Pathfinder School. Will is a value stream team leader at Parker Hannifin in Benton, Ark.

Cameron Alexander ’18 was announced as superintendent of Magnet Cove (Ark.) Schools, effective July 1, 2025.

Jen Bracey ’18 is a Registered Financial Paraplanner working with a financial planning firm in Sacramento, Calif., and is studying for her CPA designation. In 2020, she earned an MBA with a concentration in international finance from Abilene Christian University.

Hannah Hines ’18 married Tyler Banks on Aug. 5, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Russellville, Ark. The couple lives in Little Rock, Ark.

Alex Holder ’18 married Matthew Thibodeaux on Feb. 24, 2024. The couple lives in Port Neches, Texas, where Matt works in the refineries and Alex is a CPA in local government.

Katelyn Myers ’19 joined Garver firm in downtown Little Rock. Myers works with national business line teams to plan and execute events, including involvement in industry tradeshows.

William Timothy Goodson ’19 married Alexia Nicole Spanos on May 31, 2024, at Villa Medicea di Lilliano in Tuscany, Italy.

2020s

Alex Terry ’20 married Corey Young on Nov. 19, 2022.

Kathryn Knight ’20 married Eric McGee on March 11, 2023.

Margaret Campbell ’20 married Chase Ballard on April 22, 2023.

Cori Gooseberry and Victoria Barnhill ’20 were married Nov. 3, 2023.

David Rainwater ’21 and Catie Shirley ’20 were married May 18, 2024, at their church in New Orleans, La. They live in New Orleans, where Catie is a dentist and David finished his final year at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in May 2025.

Melody Stotts ’21 and Sam Futrell were married Feb. 24, 2024, in Wynne, Ark. Melody earned a master’s degree from Southern Arkansas University and is the library media specialist at Jonesboro (Ark.) Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School.

DO YOU HAVE A CLASS NOTE? SUBMIT ONLINE AT obu.edu/alumni/classnotes or email alumni@obu.edu

Faith Melton ’23 married Bryan Honeck ’21 on May 18, 2024, at Greers Ferry Lake, Ark.

John Michael McCollett ’22 and Selby Tucker ’20 were married on Dec. 29, 2023, in Little Rock.

Christy Dunavan ’23 married Kayedon Lyvers on Sept. 23, 2023.

FACULTY AND STAFF UPDATE

TOLBERT ELECTED AASFAA PRESIDENT

Gina (Daulton) Tolbert ’97, assistant director of student financial services, was elected president of the Arkansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators for 2026. AASFAA presidents also chair the organization’s spring conference, and Gina hosted it this year on Ouachita’s campus.

As part of Ouachita’s financial aid team, Gina works closely with parents and students. In her involvement with AASFAA, she advocates for state and federal aid programs that help students. Gina will also serve on a regional board – the Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, which includes Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

HAMILTON NAMED ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PRESIDENT

Dr. Sharon Hamilton, associate chemistry professor and the E.A. Provine Chair of Chemistry, has been named president of the Arkansas Academy of Science, which serves as a way for scientists across the state to communicate with one another, share the work they are doing and promote science statewide. She is the organization’s first female president in nearly 10 years.

“What’s most rewarding about my involvement in AAS is getting to develop relationships with colleagues across Arkansas and with our students, especially the executive committee

of the Ouachita American Chemical Society chapter,” said Hamilton.

SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Jan Lowry, manager and admissions assistant in the Office of the Registrar, and Rachel Martinez, office manager for the RileyHickingbotham Library, received Ouachita’s Support Staff Member of the Year Award in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

The award is presented each year to a member of the campus support staff who demonstrates excellence in work responsibilities, support for the university’s mission and positive engagement with students, coworkers and members of the public.

HUBBARD ELECTED AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY REGION CHAIR

Dr. Sara Hubbard, professor of chemistry and holder of the Nell I. Mondy Chair of Chemistry in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences, has been elected chair of the Southwest Region of the American Chemical Society.

There are more than 7,000 members in ACS’ Southwest Region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Mississippi and New Mexico. Hubbard’s newly elected position includes leadership of regional meetings and the steering committee. She also serves as the National Chemistry Week outreach coordinator for the Central Arkansas section.

FUTURE TIGERS

2000s

Danielle (Buck)

White ’03 and her husband, Ben, welcomed daughter Fendley Marie on Oct. 28, 2019.

Natalie (Hamilton) Osborn ’03 and her husband, Joshua, welcomed son Alaric Rowan on Dec. 8, 2022.

Tad Moore ’03 and his wife, Anna, welcomed daughter Celia Jean on March 3, 2023.

Michael Nutt ’04 and his wife, Kelsey, welcomed daughter Stella Ruby on July 30, 2023.

Lisa (Cromer) Whitmire ’06 and husband, Eric, welcomed son Ryan Atlas on June 10, 2023. He is welcomed by big sisters Evelyn (7) and Charlotte (5).

Melody (Taylor) Turnbow ’08 and her husband, Matthew, welcomed son Jonathan Elias on Sept. 5, 2023.

Chris ’10 and Paige (Cate) Shepard ’09 welcomed son Grant Christopher on Aug. 16, 2023.

2010s

Richard Atkinson ’10 and his wife, Ashley, welcomed son Truett Kavanaugh on Nov. 1, 2023.

Sarah (Berry) Davis ’10 and her husband, Ian, welcomed son Jackson Robert on June 12, 2023.

Allie (Hodges) Leftwich ’10 and her husband, John, welcomed son George Texas on Oct. 23, 2023.

Mallory (Bussey) Semanco ’10 welcomed daughter Willa Evan on Nov. 10, 2022.

Sarah (Greeson) Bearden ’11 and her husband welcomed daughter Wren Alexandra on Sept. 11, 2024.

Kelly (Magee) Cates ’11 welcomed son Campbell Allen on Dec. 12, 2023.

Graham Cole ’11 and his wife, Christin, welcomed son Rhett Harrison Cole on June 2, 2023.

Callie (Miller) Efird ’11 welcomed daughter Elle Sloan on June 27, 2023.

Logan and Molly (Johnson) Kucginski ’11 welcomed daughter Posie McCrae on July 15, 2023.

Drew Moore ’11 welcomed daughter Charlotte Kathleen Frances on Nov. 29, 2022.

Lindsey Pearson ’11 welcomed son Gryffin Oliver Gass on Oct. 14, 2023.

John and Lauren (Tallakson) Bacon ’12 welcomed son Luke on Sept. 9, 2023.

THE WOMEN OF EEE CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD

By Anna Roussel ’22, director of Alumni Relations and OSF

The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the EEE women’s social club being founded on Ouachita’s campus. On Saturday, March 1, women spanning seven decades of the club’s history gathered at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock to celebrate a century of sisterhood at an event planned by the club’s sponsors, current members and a committee of alumnae.

The group filled the venue with over 400 women dressed in their signature red to reflect on a legacy of sisterhood, faith, leadership, tradition and academic excellence. Current club president Haley Shourd ’25 shared an

update on the club, followed by a time of reminiscing on traditions and memories from members of all ages as well as a moment of remembrance for sisters who had passed since the founding.

As part of this 100th year celebration, the Women of EEE are raising funds for a gift to Ouachita: the Ouachita Cross Project. Those interested in making a tax-deductible gift can make an online donation at obu.edu/give or contact Carrie Roberson ’95 in the Office of Development at 870-245-4278 or robersonc@obu.edu for more information.

Devan (Malone) Elbert ’13 and her husband, Ernie, welcomed son Nathan Clark Elbert on Jan. 11, 2024.

MyLisa (Speer) Thiels ’13 and her husband, Daniel, welcomed daughter Hannah Katherine on June 15, 2023.

Emily (Hastings) Dunn ’14 and her husband, Jeremy, welcomed daughter Ivy Alice on March 13, 2023.

Sarah (Cate) Montgomery ’14 welcomed daughter Tracy Elaine on Feb. 11, 2024.

Stephen ’14 and Allie (Hegi) Williams ’16 and big sister Jane welcomed son Walker Bryant on June 12, 2023.

Colby ’14 and Jessica (Ashcraft) Harper ’16 welcomed daughter Eloise Grace on Oct. 28, 2024.

| OUACHITA CIRCLE

Artist rendering

Photos by Madeline Circle

Kayla (De La Cruz) Harden ’15 welcomed daughter Mary Emerson on May 31, 2023.

Spencer and Megan (Clay) Knight ’15 welcomed son Knox Tiger Knight on April 30, 2024.

Jamie (Thompson) Morgan ’15 and her husband, Cody, welcomed son Colby Oliver on Sept. 6, 2023.

Annie (McMurray) Beaty ’16 and her husband, Chris, welcomed son Josiah on Feb. 22, 2023.

Jocelyn (Ho) Hadaway ’16 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed son Caleb James on Sept. 17, 2023.

Jacob ’16 and Erin (Jackson) Calhoon ’17 welcomed twin sons Jackson Dale and Bennett James on Sept. 24, 2023.

Kaitlyn (Clark) Sisk ’16 and her husband, Jeremy, welcomed son Theodore Daniel on July 19, 2024.

RECOGNIZING 700 YEARS OF SERVICE BY RETIRING FACULTY & STAFF MEMBERS

“Ouachita will not be the same without you. We thank the Lord and thank you for coming to Ouachita – and for staying at Ouachita. While there will be a transition from being co-workers, we’re grateful that we will remain friends as brothers and sisters in Christ.” — Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president

2025 RETIREES (353 YEARS)

Terry Carter

34 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Christian Ministries

Kristi Clay ’87

7 years of service

Director of Business Services

Jay Curlin ’83

27 years of service

Professor Emeritus of English

Jeanie Curry

8 years of service

Assistant Professor Emerita of Accounting

Byron Eubanks ’80

38 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

Jim Files

20 years of service

Associate Professor Emeritus of Accounting

Tracey Knight ’84 25 years of service

Executive Assistant to the President Emerita

Elaine Minton ’78 20 years of service

Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Natural Sciences

Gary Loe

13 years of service

Facilities Management

Diane Runyan ’75 20 years of service

Administrative Assistant for the Elrod Center

Molly Wallace ’86 30 years of service

Director Emerita of Health Services

Johnny Wink 52 years of service

Professor Emeritus of English

Anping Wu

29 years of service

Professor and Director Emeritus of Library Services

2024 RETIREES (346 YEARS)

Brenda Bradley-Philson

29 years of service

Director of TRIO Programs and Director of Educational

Talent Search

Leda Burrow 12 years of service

Facilities Management

Jim Clark 15 years of service

Facilities Management

Linda Clark 2 years of service

Facilities Management

*Kathy Collins 15 years of service

Associate Professor Emerita of Education

Maurice Davis 13 years of service

Facilities Management

Kathy Green

30 years of service

HR Payroll and Fringe

Benefits Specialist for Administrative Services

Craig Hamilton

41 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Music and Director Emeritus of Bands

Rob Hewell 23 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Music and Director Emeritus of Instruction & Learning

Carol Morgan 33 years of service

Associate Professor Emerita of Communication Sciences & Disorders

Marvin Pate 23 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Christian Theology

Misty Thacker 20 years of service

Facilities Management

Brenda Trigg 6 years of service

Professor and Director Emerita of Nursing

Bill Viser ’70

36 years of service

Professor Emeritus of Christian Ministries

Craig Ward 34 years of service

Head Coach and Coordinator Emeritus of Tennis

Kim Ward

9 years of service

Manager of the Tennis Center

* Named posthumously by Ouachita’s Board of Trustees

ALUMNI, WE’RE RAISING YOUR VISIBILITY. Wherever an alum’s name is noted in print throughout the magazine, it will be accompanied by their class year. Those years reference bachelor’s degrees unless otherwise noted. It’s exciting to see more Ouachita master’s degree graduates coming each year! Additionally, references to married women alumni will include their maiden name in parentheses.

Will Wallace ’16 and his wife, Hallie, welcomed daughter Logan Kate on June 8, 2023.

Houston ’16 and Brittany (McElroy) Crow ’17 welcomed son Benjamin Cole on Aug. 31, 2024.

Kimberly (Attaway) McElroy ’17 and her husband, Dan, welcomed son Dawson Wayne on March 31, 2024.

Will ’17 and Sarah (Fish) Combs ’18 welcomed son Henry Ernest on Jan. 11, 2023.

Stephen Frizzell ’17 and his wife, Delaney, welcomed daughter Lyla Grace on Aug. 21, 2023.

Will and Brook (East) Hanna ’17 welcomed son John Shepherd on July 27, 2024.

Tanner ’17 and Taylor (Dooly) Thomas ’18 welcomed son John Bryant on April 9, 2023.

Evan ’17 and Margaret (Geoffrion) Wheatley ’18 welcomed daughter Iris Rae on May 23, 2023.

Sydney (Allen) Gere ’18 and her husband, Robert, welcomed daughter Elaine Marie on Nov. 4, 2023.

Layne and Cyntanna (Coker) Hawkins ’18 welcomed son Emmett Warren on July 31, 2024

Braden and Erin (Lundy) Lunday ’18 welcomed son Beau Franklin on June 22, 2023, and daughter Eloise Faye on Dec. 31, 2024.

Brady and Layten (Moseley) Thompson ’18 welcomed son Palmer Graham on July 6, 2023.

Michael Worley ’18 and his wife, Julia, welcomed son John Thomas on Dec. 4, 2024.

Madeline (Smith) Beardsley ’19 and her husband, Joshua, welcomed daughter Selah Dee on Aug. 4, 2023.

Cole and Elizabeth (Bennett) Jester ’19 welcomed daughter Charlotte Ann on June 1, 2024.

Mallory (Tabler) Flores ’19 and her husband, Kervin, welcomed daughter Elena Joyce on Aug. 2, 2024.

Callie (Dunlap) Oxner ’19 and her husband, Chris, welcomed daughter Sophia Shields on March 19, 2024.

Dakota and Mackenzie (McEntire) Shelton ’19 welcomed son Robert Cash on Jan. 23, 2023.

Esther (Horton) Threadgill ’19 and her husband, David, welcomed son Jesse Garrett on July 24, 2024.

2020s

Glory (Pinkerton) Blair ’20 and her husband, Camden, welcomed daughter Ellie Kate on Jan. 6, 2023.

Sadie (Prejean) Perrin ’20, M.S. ’21 and her husband, Alex, welcomed son Charlie Grey on June 15, 2023.

Mike and Callie (Rogers) Andrus ’21 welcomed son Bennett Michael on Dec. 2, 2024.

Katie (Kemp) Boone ’21 and her husband, Brennen, welcomed son Micah on Nov. 10, 2023.

Felicity (Johnson) Chen ’21 and her husband, James, welcomed son Gilbert James on Nov. 4, 2023.

Hannah (Smith) Edwards ’21 welcomed son Paul Leon III on Jan. 5, 2024.

Johnny and Ansley (McDonald) Webb ’21 welcomed son Callahan Cole on Aug. 18, 2024.

Noah ’23 and Lindsay (Jefferson) Yeamans ’22, M.Ed. ’23 welcomed daughter Hunter Leigh on Dec. 24, 2023.

Sam Youmans ’22 and his wife, Victoria, welcomed daughters Audrey Mechell and Mabel Patricia on June 1, 2024.

IN MEMORIAM

We remember the following alumni who have passed away, listed with their class years and dates of death.

Ouachitonians who passed away in 2025 will be included in the next edition of the Ouachita Circle, but may be viewed at obu.edu/obituaries25 or by scanning the QR code.

1940s

Mary Jo (Lile) Mizell ’40 • Sept. 26, 2023

Mable Louise (Childers) Humble ’42 • Dec. 22, 2024

Bettye (Stout) Davey ’45 • Dec. 20, 2023

Doris (Cornell) Knight ’47 • March 27, 2024

Grover Doyle Wilson ’47 • Jan. 26, 2024

Doris (Smith) Beeson Faulker ’48 • Jan. 27, 2024

A. Joan (Dyer) Boerne ’49 • Dec. 12, 2020

Anna Gallaher Farris ’49 • Nov. 4, 2024

Jeanne (Hampton) Newberry ’49 • Aug. 31, 2023

1950s

Ila Marie Westerman ’50 • Sept. 30, 2023

Elizabeth (Moore) Church ’51 • Aug. 11, 2023

Robert Hartsell ’51 • Dec. 10, 2023

Dorothy (Vernado) Higginbotham ’51 • Sept. 9, 2022

Jo Ann (Hightower) Knight ’51 • Dec. 29, 2023

Bobbi (Shelton) Roberts ’51 • Jan. 12, 2024

John Bates ’52 • June 17, 2024

Betty (Berry) Crews ’52 • Dec. 11, 2023

Barbara (Buffington) Lamb ’52 • March 16, 2024

William Pratt Jr. ’52 • April 27, 2024

Robert Smith ’52 • Aug. 29, 2024

R. Annette (McKinney) Watson ’52 • July 23, 2024

M. Cathryn (Davis) Brockwell ’53 • June 1, 2024

Fred Davis ’53 • April 22, 2024

Chieko (Sato) Dieken ’53 • May 27, 2023

Jane (Gulley) Jackson ’53 • Jan. 1, 2021

Mary Jean (Emrich) Landrum ’53 • Dec. 18, 2024

Donna (Weaver) Lawson ’53 • Feb. 4, 2020

Bennye (Sims) Meredith ’53 • April 26, 2024

Bobbie (Stephens) Sparkman ’53 • Sept. 26, 2023

James Wilson ’53 • Aug. 21, 2023

Patricia Ann (Lowrey) Wootten ’53 • Nov. 1, 2024

Rosa (Barnes) Darr ’54 • Nov. 5, 2023

Sally (Sullivan) Johnson ’54 • Aug. 16, 2023

Everett Dale Pogue ’54 • Nov. 8, 2024

Jack Dieken ’55 • Oct. 29, 2023

Byron Reeves ’55 • Sept. 5, 2023

Mildred (Hale) Borth ’56 • July 2, 2023

William Borth ’56 • May 18, 2022

Lawerence Taylor Jr. ’57 • Nov. 5, 2023

Gordon Bachus ’58, M.A. ’68 • July 31, 2023

Ella (Blackmon) Braden ’58 • Oct. 4, 2024

Charlotte (Hill) Bryant ’58 • Sept. 13, 2022

Paul Caldwell ’58 • Aug. 24, 2023

Helen Louise (Hart) Dixson ’58 • Oct. 25, 2023

Curtistine (Nutt) Harrington ’58 • Oct. 7, 2024

Robert Mayhan Jr. ’58 • Sept. 30, 2024

Carolyn (Royal) Neal ’58 • Sept. 15, 2024

Billy Pryor ’58 • Sept. 29, 2023

Virginia Sue (Plumlee) Taylor ’58 • Oct. 30, 2023

Walter Boone ’59 • June 17, 2024

Tom Poole Jr. ’59 • May 22, 2023

Mary Elizabeth (Jones) Whitlow ’59 • Nov. 10, 2024

1960s

J. Conrad Carroll ’60 • May 28, 2024

James Edward Heard ’60 • Dec. 9, 2023

Lucy (Jacobs) Kehmeier ’60 • July 8, 2024

Billy Scrimshire ’60 • Sept. 5, 2024

Tommy Williams ’60 • Dec. 23, 2023

Shirley (Wood) Baker ’61 • June 22, 2024

Drollene Mae (Plattner) Brown ’61 • Nov. 23, 2024

Mary Beth (Wingfield) Downey ’61 • Sept. 19, 2023

Charles Emrick ’61 • Aug. 18, 2023

Dolan Hawkins ’61 • Oct. 29, 2023

Suzanne (Miller) Humphreys ’61 • Oct. 25, 2023

Edward McDonald ’61 • Feb. 16, 2024

Linda (Surman) Rose ’61 • Sept. 18, 2024

Billy Vaughan ’61 • Aug. 22, 2023

James Campbell ’62 • Nov. 3, 2023

James Davis ’62 • Oct. 8, 2024

John Lovett ’62 • Sept. 21, 2023

Jerry McMillion ’62 • July 16, 2024

Margaret (Shackleford) Andrus ’63 • Dec. 1, 2024

James Blackmon ’63 • Oct. 7, 2023

Sarah (Jarboe) Brownlee ’63 • June 15, 2024

Edgar Gannaway ’63 • Dec. 11, 2022

Cal Sanders ’63 • Sept. 17, 2023

Dee Webb ’63 • Aug. 30, 2023

Alyce (Mansfield) Wilkie ’63 • Oct. 14, 2023

Doyle “Glen” Arnold ’64 • Nov. 23, 2023

Richard Chatman ’64 • May 13, 2022

Robert Clark ’64 • Jan. 13, 2024

James Foshee ’64 • Dec. 9, 2023

Suzanne (Higgs) Parker ’64 • July 21, 2023

Bruce Sims ’64 • Nov. 11, 2023

Robert Leon Clements ’65 • Feb. 13, 2005

David Michael Dacus ’65 • Jan. 6, 2024

Benjamin Johnson ’65 • Nov. 24, 2023

Brenda (Cash) Kee ’65 • Oct. 24, 2024

Aaron David Kossover ’65 • Nov. 14, 2024

Ona Leggett ’65 • Dec. 12, 2024

Joseph “Joe” Arthur Franz ’65 died Sept. 14, 2023. A twotime conference champion with the Tiger basketball team, Joe served the university for 37 years as business manager and vice president for development. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia for more than 50 years, acting as a deacon, finance committee member and treasurer. Joe is survived by wife Bonnie, daughters Christina, Holly and Katherine and grandchildren Brooklynn, Lauren and Logan.

Carolyn (Rorex) Stokes ’67 • Sept. 22, 2024

Colbern “Buster” Cox Stuart Jr. ’67 • Nov. 9, 2024

Willye (Newburn) Talley ’67 • June 24, 2024

Donald Upton ’67 • July 10, 2024

Oscar Greenwood ’68 • Oct. 7, 2023

Charles Kent ’68 • April 23, 2024

Pamela Diane Mills ’68 • Sept. 23, 2023

Gloria Ellen (Andrews) Montgomery ’68 • Jan. 7, 2024

Larry Seal ’68 • April 23, 2024

Dr. James Everett Young ’68 died Nov. 14, 2023. He dedicated his life to medicine, serving Arkansans – most notably in his home community of McGehee, Ark. – for almost 50 years. James was also a faithful member, deacon, Sunday school teacher and medical mission trip participant at First Baptist Church of McGehee. A lifelong supporter of Christian higher education, he served on the Ouachita Board of Trustees for several years. James is survived by wife Johnnie, daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Scott, grandson Jake, sister-in-law Mary and several cousins.

Shirley (Lock) Allen ’72 • Nov. 2, 2023

Robert “Gates” Booth ’72 • Jan. 4, 2024

Michael Brown ’72 • Nov. 21, 2023

Timothy Dean ’72 • Aug. 3, 2023

Timothy English ’72 • July 28, 2024

Thomas Gulley ’72 • Oct. 24, 2023

John Butler ’73 • Sept. 30, 2023

Maria (Pipkin) Davis ’73 • Sept. 12, 2024

Norman H. Helton ’73 • March 24, 2024

James Morison ’73 • Aug. 12, 2024

Charles Northcutt ’73 • May 2, 2024

Clyde Watson ’73 • Aug. 18, 2023

Kalla (Knight) Byrd ’74 • March 7, 2024

Jane (Garland) Crumby ’74 • Sept. 21, 2024

Sharon (Gilstrap) Dacus ’74 • Feb. 4, 2024

Kathryn (Vining) Delone ’74 • June 4, 2024

Sharon Ann (Ashcraft) Johnson ’74 • Nov. 20, 2023

Manson McCree Stroud ’74 • Dec. 31, 2024

James Thompson ’74 • June 16, 2023

Abram Wheeler ’74 • Oct. 14, 2024

Belinda (Bell) Birdsong ’75 • Dec. 16, 2024

Gary Rothwell ’75 • May 16, 2023

Dorothy (Squires) Mills ’76 • Oct. 11, 2018

Ronnie Nichoalds ’76 • Sept. 4, 2024

Marion (Williams) Peacock ’65 • Oct. 31, 2024

Mary (Bowden) Kidd ’66 • June 28, 2024

Phyllis Ruocco ’66 • Oct. 15, 2024

David Wallace ’66 • May 8, 2024

William Joseph Callaway ’67 • Jan. 19, 2024

Virginia (Hamilton) Green ’67 • April 6, 2024

Donna (McCoy) Hogan ’67 • June 18, 2024

Alberta (Howard) Momon ’67 • Sept. 3, 2023

Quinton Crumby ’69 • Nov. 24, 2023

James Franks ’69 • Oct. 11, 2024

Bobby Lamb ’69 • July 18, 2024

James Henry Ricks ’69 • Aug. 19, 2023

1970s

April (Dunham) Lane ’70 • Sept. 23, 2023

Marie Elizabeth Cash ’70 • Oct. 23, 2023

Carol (Gumper) Estes ’71 • April 4, 2024

Charles Garner ’71 • Aug. 25, 2022

Mona (Sperry) Glover ’71 • Nov. 11, 2023

Sandra (Warren) Glover ’71 • April 1, 2024

Rosemary (Massey) Harris ’71 • March 27, 2024

Spencer Honey ’71 • July 5, 2024

Robert Wilson ’71 • Sept. 21, 2024

Charles West ’76 • April 4, 2016

Bettie (Little) Barton ’77 • Aug. 5, 2024

Richard Brackett ’77 • Aug. 27, 2023

Brenda Kay (Delony) Cox ’77 • Oct. 28, 2021

Lydia (Duckett) Evanson ’78 • April 19, 2024

Francis Michael Dwyer ’79 • Nov. 13, 2024

Charles “Alex” Mazander III ’79 • Jan. 2, 2024

Olga (Palafox) Tommey ’79 • Aug. 29, 2024

1980s

Denny Cain ’79, M.S.E. ’80 • Sept. 19, 2023

Michael Eason ’80 • Nov. 9, 2024

Aretha (Proctor) Person ’80 • Oct. 14, 2024

Frances (Shackelford) Tarpley ’80 • Dec. 4, 2024

Thomas Verser ’80 • Dec. 28, 2023

Xaiver Yager ’80 • Oct. 1, 2023

Robert Mills ’82 • Jan. 2, 2024

Dixie Lynne (Moritz) Alter ’83 • Aug. 12, 2023

Gus Brady ’83 • Sept. 19, 2023

Ivory Davis ’83 • March 31, 2024

Rebecca Kathleen Griffis ’83 • Aug. 20, 2023

Barry Dobson ’85 • June 10, 2024

Mary Ann (Caldwell) Teague ’85 • Aug. 19, 2024

Don Walker ’85 • July 23, 2024

Marbalene (Beard) Armstrong M.Ed. ’86 • May 15, 2024

Leigh Bass ’88 • Dec. 28, 2023

1990s

Vernon Horneman ’90 • July 20, 2024

Thomas Jefferson Cunningham IV ’92 • Dec. 12, 2024

Mike Oliver ’93 • Sept. 4, 2023

Jondal “Bobby” Funderberg ’95 • Nov. 7, 2023

V. Denice (Dawley) Williams ’95 • May 11, 2024

Philip Price ’98 • Dec. 29, 2024

2000s

C. Ellen (Wade) Morris ’00 • Oct. 15, 2024

Danielle Tyler ’00 • March 13, 2022

William Ryan Viser ’00 • Sept. 1, 2023

Stephen Reed ’01 • Aug. 15, 2024

2010s

Kennon “K.C.” Knobloch ’11 • June 13, 2024

Joyce Ann (Pickett) Johnson ’14 • May 17, 2024

2020s

Mea Ta’Teauna Osha’Lee Heard ’24 • July 24, 2024

Betty Jo Rasberry McCommas died Oct. 6, 2023. Originally hired as the assistant to the president and a philosophy instructor, Betty Jo spent her entire 44-year teaching career at Ouachita. A professor emerita of English, she was voted the Ouachita Student Senate’s Outstanding Faculty Member in 1973. Throughout her life, she actively served in the congregations at First Baptist Church and First Christian Church in Arkadelphia. Betty Jo was preceded in death by husband Jim and is survived by special friends from Arkansas and beyond.

Kathy Collins • Nov. 5, 2023

GAMMA PHI FUNDS SCHOLARSHIP FACULTY/STAFF

In August 2024, the alumnae of Gamma Phi women’s social club announced the establishment of the Gamma Phi Endowed Scholarship. According to its committee, the program “aims to provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate exceptional academic potential, leadership skills and strong commitment to community service.” The scholarship is open to active junior and senior Gamma Phi members who meet the requirements issued by Ouachita’s Student Financial Services. Alumnae, members, families and friends of the club raised $50,000 in less than a year to start the program, making Gamma Phi the university’s first social club to successfully fund an endowment.

Photo by Josh Rhine

STRENGTH FOR TODAY AND BRIGHT HOPE FOR TOMORROW

“I love Chapel.”

I overheard one student say this to another as we walked into JPAC on a recent Tuesday morning. Those three words stayed with me because I feel exactly the same way. I rarely miss Chapel.

What makes this observation more than just personal preference is the research behind it. Studies show that prioritizing chapel is one of the top seven marks of Christian universities that sustain their sacred, Christcentered identity over time and successfully resist the drift toward secularization.

This is why Ouachita pauses campus life once a week. For 50 minutes, we gather as a community to sing, pray, listen and respond to God’s word and His people. But Chapel is more than what happens inside those walls. It’s the conversations that flow as we walk in and out, the connections made before and after. It’s why Chapel isn’t just a weekly event — it’s a living tradition.

in my tenth year as president, I find myself paying closer attention to the lyrics, to the biblical truths they represent and to how they challenge and encourage me.

Take “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” a hymn I’ve sung my entire life. Its words have taken on new meaning at this stage. The opening stanza emphasizes the permanent trustworthiness of God: “There is no shadow of turning with thee.” But the second stanza acknowledges our common experience of changing seasons in life: “Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest ...”

What moves me most in this great hymn is that the changing seasons aren’t contrary to God’s character. They testify to it. They “join with all nature in manifold witness” to God’s faithfulness, mercy and love.

As we sing about God’s enduring love, I’m reminded that it’s not only for me as an individual moving through seasons of life. It applies just as much to places like Ouachita that God has given us to steward for the season we are here.

One certainty remains: God’s faithfulness.

Chapel is spiritual, intellectual and relational. It forms and fosters the tightly knit fabric of our campus. Like other essential features of a Ouachita education, it remains a graduation requirement. And we’re intentional about making it engaging and meaningful.

In recent years, we’ve benefited from significant growth in our worship studies program. Now, three student-led Ouachita Worship groups rotate leadership, and I love every minute of it as I watch our students lead and hear them sing together. I can’t carry a tune to save my life, but I still sing. While worship is the primary purpose, there’s something unique about singing together that builds community and connection.

Our students usually prefer contemporary music, just like I did in college. But they wisely include traditional hymns during the semester. At 63, as a grandparent now

Ouachita has faced high times and low times. Years of strength and years of struggle. This campus community has watched a tornado devastate our city and rallied to help our neighbors. We’ve sent students off to war and watched graduates leave to serve and lead around the world. And we excitedly welcome alumni back to their college home for Tiger victories on the field and performances on the stage.

Through all these seasons — institutional and individual — one certainty remains: God’s faithfulness. It is the greatest, most steady tradition of our faith.

This great hymn ends with one of my favorite lines, and it has become my prayer for my family, for all who care deeply about Ouachita Baptist University and for this special place:

“Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

Ben Sells, Ph.D. President

AT OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

M.A. & M.S. IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

online coursework • 1 on-campus intensive • 22 months to complete

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

online coursework • 1 on-campus orientation • 12 months to complete

M.A. IN COUNSELING

online coursework • 4 on-campus intensives • less than 2.5 years to complete

M.ED. IN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

online coursework • 12 months to complete • 3 entry points

M.S. IN EXERCISE SCIENCE online coursework • 12 months to complete • 3 entry points

M.S. IN NUTRITION & DIETETIC INTERNSHIP in-person and online coursework • 1,000+ hours of supervised practice • 12 months to complete