Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

New Venture Challenge Raises $4,442 For Entrepreneurship Programs, Missions, Addie Woods, Ouachita News Bureau

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Five teams of students in Ouachita Baptist University’s entrepreneurship program competed to develop and execute an idea to raise money for the program, which is housed in the university’s Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business. The competition, called the New Venture Challenge, raised $4,442.40, to be directed back into the entrepreneurship program along with helping fund a student-led mission trip to Honduras in the spring.

Ouachita Team Places In Regional Ethics Bowl Competition, Abigail Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

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A team of Ouachita Baptist University students earned fifth place in the 25^th Annual Texas Regional Ethics Bowl on Friday, Nov. 12, in San Antonio.

Team members are Carter Bunn, a sophomore political science and history double major from Farmington, Ark.; Trey Nichols, a junior political science major from Cabot, Ark.; Parker Nelson, a sophomore biology major from Alexander, Ark.; Nathan Scolaro, a junior criminal justice major from Mount Pleasant, Texas; and Sarah Titus, a junior biology major from Alexander, Ark. They are coached by Dr. Byron Eubanks, Ouachita professor of philosophy, and Dr. Matt Douglass, assistant professor of …

A Life-Changing Experience, Kaitlyn Norris, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Many Christians have a chance to go on a mission trip, whether it be local or somewhere no one would ever think about going. At Ouachita, students are given the opportunity to travel and share their gifts and talents with people around the world. This summer, I got to travel to Poland to work with Breakthrough, teaching English to university students as well as having the opportunity to share God’s word.

Before going to Poland, I was tasked with choosing a chapter of the Bible to read while I was there; I chose Mathew 28. Verse 19 states, “Therefore go …

A Life-Changing Experience, Kaitlyn Norris, Ouachita News Bureau

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Many Christians have a chance to go on a mission trip, whether it be local or somewhere no one would ever think about going. At Ouachita, students are given the opportunity to travel and share their gifts and talents with people around the world. This summer, I got to travel to Poland to work with Breakthrough, teaching English to university students as well as having the opportunity to share God’s word. Before going to Poland, I was tasked with choosing a chapter of the Bible to read while I was there; I chose Mathew 28. Verse 19 states, “Therefore go …

Reyna, Plymale, And Pruett Publish Research Paper On Ar-Cure Program, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University professors Dr. Nathan Reyna, Dr. Ruth Plymale, and Dr. Christin Pruett collaborated with colleagues at other universities on a research paper that has been published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, vol. 50, issue 5. Their paper, titled, “From genetics to biotechnology: Synthetic biology as a flexible course-embedded research experience,” details the implementation and assessment of the Arkansas Course Embedded Undergraduate Research Experience (AR-CURE) teaching model developed at Ouachita by Reyna and Plymale.

Reyna is professor of biology, Plymale is associate professor of biology and J.D. Patterson Chair of Biology, and Pruett is associate professor of biology. …

Ouachita Concert Band Presents Christmas Concert Dec. 5, Addie Woods, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Ouachita Baptist University Concert Band will present its Christmas concert Monday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

“The Ouachita Band is proud to present a concert of Christmas music,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands at Ouachita. “We will end the program with our traditional Christmas sing-a-long to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”

The program will include “Christmas Winds Overture” by Douglas Wagner “Wassail” by Robert W. Smith and “Holst Winter Suite” by Gustav Host, arranged by …

Ouachita Student Foundation Raises Record $170,000 Through Tiger Tunes, Addie Woods, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF) raised $170,000 during Tiger Tunes, surpassing their goal of $135,000 for the entire 2022-23 school year. Tiger Tunes is an annual song-and-dance production that parodies popular music as a competition among student organizations. It is held each year during the university’s Homecoming weekend.

The money was raised by five sold out shows Oct. 5-8, including a first-ever sponsorship with Two Rivers Credit Union in Arkadelphia, 170 tickets sold for the Tuesday night dress rehearsal, $10,000 in a silent auction and $15,000 in People’s Choice donations. Tiger Tunes is OSF’s flagship fundraising effort for the year …

Tending The Greenhouse, Brooke Zimny, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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I've always had what can fairly be called a black thumb. Even the most resilient houseplants haven't stood a chance in my care. I went so far as to tell my husband not to buy me flowers or plants of any kind when we were dating. I didn't want him to read too far into the analogy of a dead love fern.

Lately, though, things have changed. In the fun of cultivating a small family garden, I've finally begun to understand the enjoyment my parents have in tending their yard. As I've learned about different plants and the care they …

Jacob Keith Watson ('11) (Captivating Audiences On Broadway And Beyond, Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Actor, singer, Broadway performer and Ouachita graduate Jacob Keith Watson fell in love with the university while attending Super Summer camp on campus as a teenager. He was drawn by the discovery that the school had a musical theatre major—the only one in Arkansas at the time.

"One thing that was important to me was experience," Watson said. "I could do the operas, I could do the Shakespeare, I could do the contemporary plays, I could do the musicals." He was also able to stage-manage and design lighting and sound, which helped him become a "whole theatre artist," he said.

Learning To Serve (New Undergrad Programs Equip For Careers That Invest In People), Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Equipping students to integrate faith and career as they build lives of meaningful work is a priority at Ouachita. And this fall, brand-new tools will be available to help them.

Ouachita has approved new undergraduate degree pathways for Fall 2022 in order to better support students following a call to pursue a profession that invests in others. Additions to the curriculum include a pre-counseling program of study, a Christian foundations co-major and new clinical and human services emphases within the community and family services major, as well as a dual degree program to prepare students for careers in psychiatric nursing.

Matthew Shepherd ('98) (Pursuing People-First Politics), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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There are a few things that seem to be in Matthew Shepherd's DNA—politics, law, Arkansas and Ouachita. He is a fifth-generation Ouachitonian, a family legacy starting with his great-great-grandfather, who attended Ouachita in the 1890s. It was his father's career that exposed him to the possibilities in the legal field, and he became an elected official somewhat unexpectedly.

"Growing up with my father as an attorney and later a judge—and my mother being a U.S. history teacher—law and politics were subjects I grew up around," Shepherd said. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from Ouachita in 1998 …

Dr. Casey Motl Takes On New Mission As Sutton School Dean, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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When classes at Ouachita resume in August, Dr. Kevin C. "Casey" Motl will have a cool story to share about what he did during his summer vacation: He flew the Millennium Falcon. The pinnacle of a family trip to Disney World came when Motl slipped into the Falcon's cockpit for a turn as pilot on the motion simulator ride Smuggler's Run. For the next 4 1/2 precious minutes, Motl no doubt was the happiest guest at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Completing the fantasy mission and sending the Falcon into hyperspace—twice—was a giant thrill for Motl, a lifelong Star Wars …

Steve Guymon (Head Coach, Men's And Women's Cross Country, Men's And Women's Track & Field And Women's Indoor Track & Field), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Some might think starting a track program would require a track. Not Steve Guymon. Sure, it would come in handy. But while plans are in the works to build one on campus, Guymon went ahead and grew Ouachita's cross country and track & field teams from seven athletes in 2019 to 90 this fall.

Guymon's road to Ouachita started with his son Austin's decision to play football here. Beginning as a consultant, he found himself in Summer 2019 on Ouachita's coaching staff, bringing 38 years of coaching experience and a string of honors including multiple Gulf South and Great American …

Holly (Burris) Kyzer ('00) (Director Of Dietetic Internship Program And Assistant Professor Of Dietetics), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Growing up around Ouachita's campus, Holly Kyzer knew Ouachita was going to be an integral part of her life, but she never guessed she would be a faculty member, much less an instrumental part of re-launching graduate programs at the university.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Ouachita in biology, with the goal of serving the community as a doctor. When she discovered the sight of blood was a problem for her, she recalibrated her career plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Growing Pains (Immediate Change Does Not Equal Long-Term Growth), Hannah Pilcher, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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What did we learn? Where do we go from here? These two questions have been at the forefront of my mind after attending a professional development conference that was equally challenging and inspiring. In a room full of higher education professionals, the speaker posed these questions in relation to the last two years as we have dealt with the reality of how COVID-19 affected our work life and the lives of our students.

We were challenged not to give in to the urge to skip these questions because they felt too daunting to answer. She asked the audience to reflect …

Ouachita To Present "A Service Of Lessons And Carols" On Dec. 6, Kaelin Clay, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present its 24th annual “A Service of Lessons and Carols” on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The service is free and open to the public.

A Service of Lessons and Carols features Advent scripture reading alternated with Christmas carols, inviting audience members to explore and celebrate Jesus’ birth and sing along to familiar songs.

The Ouachita Singers, featured choral ensemble for the evening, is directed by Dr. Joshua Brown, director of choral activities at Ouachita.

Ouachita Presents 30th Annual Festival Of Christmas On Dec. 2-3, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its 30th annual holiday program, A Festival of Christmas, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2–3, in Jones Performing Art Center.

The Friday performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday show starts at 2:30 p.m.

“We are so excited to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Festival of Christmas and Jones Performing Arts Center,” said Dr. Joshua Brown, co-director of the performance and director of choral activities at Ouachita. “This year we will have cookies and hot chocolate with Santa one hour prior to each performance, as well as an alumni …

Ouachita's Ian Cosh Receives Honorary Doctorate From Liverpool Hope University, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ian Cosh, vice president emeritus for community and international engagement at Ouachita Baptist University, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Education degree from Liverpool (England) Hope University in July 2022 at the university’s graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Gerald Pillay, vice chancellor and rector of Hope, notified Cosh at the end of the Spring 2021 semester that he was to receive the degree in recognition of his contributions to international education and support of Hope over many years. Cosh said he was “blown away by the honor because it was totally unexpected and one of the greatest honors …

Hartsell Awarded Mid-America Regional Emmy For Battle Of The Ravine Video Essay, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University junior Chase Hartsell was awarded a Regional EMMYⓇ for his video essay about the Ouachita-Henderson State University football rivalry Battle of the Ravine, titled “A November Morn.” The award was presented to him by the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) at the 46th annual Regional EMMYⓇ Gala on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, Mo.

According to John Paul, chair of the NATAS Mid-America education committee, the Mid-America chapter honors high school and college students with awards called crystal pillars that …

Ouachita To Offer Masters Of Arts Degree In Applied Behavior Analysis, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University is preparing to offer Arkansas’ first Master of Arts degree program in applied behavior analysis – an additional option to the university’s existing Master of Science degree. The M.A. program will launch in Fall 2023, pending Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Verified Course Sequence (VCS) approvals.

Hamilton, Hubbard Use Inbre Grant To Bring New Instruments To Ouachita Chemistry Program, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University chemistry instructors Dr. Sharon Hamilton and Dr. Sara Hubbard were awarded a $14,135 small instrument grant by the Arkansas IdeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which they used to purchase a spectrophotometer and a fluorometer for use by students in Ouachita’s Department of Chemistry. The grant was made possible by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in the National Institutes of Health.

Hubbard, associate professor and Nell I. Mondy Chair of Chemistry, and Hamilton, associate professor of chemistry, were notified of their award in January. They collaborated with Dr. Christen Pruett and Dr. Ruth Plymale, …

Ouachita's Department Of Theatre Arts To Present "A Servant To Two Masters", Sierra Hoss

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present “A Servant to Two Masters” from Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19, and Monday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. A matinee performance is set for Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

Written by Carlo Goldoni in 1746 and adapted by David Turner and Paul Lapworth, “A Servant to Two Masters” is a comedy that tells the story of Truffaldino, a hungry servant who, upon realizing that working for two masters could ensure him a greater supply of food, tries to do the job of two men while working desperately to conceal …

Ouachita's Division Of Music Presents "This Is My Father's World" From Nov. 3-6, Abigail Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present an opera and musical theatre experience titled “This Is My Father’s World” from Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 3-5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall.

“The show is based on a concept that I developed over the summer,” said director Dr. Kara Claybrook, visiting assistant professor of music at Ouachita. “It has different genres from different shows; the hymn ‘This is My Father’s World’ serves as the connecting device. The idea is to explore how our senses draw us closer to God or …

Ouachita's Hickingbotham School Of Business To Launch Mba Program, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Hickingbotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University is preparing to launch a fully-online Master of Business Administration degree program, set to begin in Fall 2023 pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The HLC is Ouachita’s accrediting agency; additionally, the Hickingbotham School of Business is also accredited by the AACSB. It is Arkansas’ only private AACSB-accredited business school.

Savannah Pierce Crowned 2022 Homecoming Queen At Ouachita, Addie Woods, Ouachita News Bureau

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Savannah Pierce, a senior Christian studies major from Dover, Ark., was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2022 Homecoming Queen during a pregame ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8. Pierce represented the Ouachita marching band. A member of the Ouachita marching band color guard and Tri Chi women’s social club, Pierce is a resident assistant and a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sis.

From The "Ouachitonian": Meghann Bledsone, Emma Dannis, Ouachita News Bureau

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Meghann Bledsoe was one of many people in America who grew up bilingual. Her second language is not spoken, though. Bledsoe grew up fluent in American Sign Language.

From The "Ouachitonian": Allie Bailey, Addie Woods, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Ouachita Baptist University Elrod Center has provided many opportunities for students to get involved with various programs to serve the Arkadelphia community along with students and professors alike on campus. In particular, ElderServe allowed students to be paired with an elderly couple or elder and visit them, bring them food or write them letters.

From The "Ouachitonian": Kevin Merino, Katie Moore, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Ravine Rovers began their journey during the first semester of the 2021-2022 academic year at Ouachita as a group of students looking for an organized league in which to play soccer. The team was initially created by Kevin Merino, a senior biology major from Wylie, Texas, and Logan Daust, a senior business administration/sport management major from Plano, Texas.

From The "Ouachitonian": Caroline Derby, Madi Darr, Ouachita News Bureau

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Growing up in Arkadelphia and serving as Miss OBU has given Caroline Derby the opportunity of a lifetime. A junior communications & media/multimedia and political science double major, Derby has grown up dreaming about being a student at Ouachita. Derby has seen Ouachita from many different perspectives including coach’s daughter, faculty and staff daughter and student leader, as well as Miss Ouachita Baptist University.

From The "Ouachitonian": Gabe Goodman, Madi Darr, Ouachita News Bureau

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It was the fourth quarter with 57 seconds left. The Henderson Reddies and the Tigers were tied at 28-28. The Ouachita fans were silent as Gabe Goodman, a junior finance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., prepared for a 53-yard field goal to win the game. The Henderson Reddies’ cheers shook Cliff Harris Stadium as he approached the football.