Ouachita Stories

Forty Ouachita Baptist University students were recently selected for inclusion in the 2008 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

The students were chosen by OBU’s faculty, staff and senior class for Who’s Who based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and potential for continued success.

The following Ouachita students will be included in Who’s Who:

Tracey Beckett, 21, is a early childhood education major from Garland, Texas. A graduate of South Garland High School, Beckett has been a recipient of the Maude Wright Award, has been named to the President’s List and was named Ouachita’s 2005 Homecoming Queen. She has been an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart and a Freshmen Family Group leader. Beckett has worked in Ouachita’s development office and as missions intern; she has volunteered in the America Reads and Big Sister programs as well as with the Human Development Center in Arkadelphia. Beckett is a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society and Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December 2009, Beckett plans to become an elementary school teacher.

Danny Brown, 22, is a mass communications and speech communications double-major from Mesquite, Texas. A graduate of Horn High School, has been a member of the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Executive Team and Ouachita’s Photo Lab editor. He has served as an intern and life group leader at the Church at Rock Creek. Brown has been a production assistant and grip for Screensurge Studios, helping to produce documentary films in Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, New Orleans and Austin, Texas. He has also been a director of Ouachita’s motion picture production class’s feature film. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Brown plans to pursue a career in the television and film industry as a camera operator.

Whitney Burger, 21, is a Biblical studies and Christian ministries double-major from Texarkana, Ark. A graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, she has been a member of EEE women’s social club, Panhellenic Council and the Pruet Sisterhood. Burger has served Ouachita’s Campus Ministries as ministry leader for both Publicity and Freshman Family Groups and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Relay for Life. She has worked at Kanakuk Kamps, Heritage Baptist Church, Texarkana First Baptist Church and Arkadelphia First Baptist Church. Burger was on Ouachita’s 2008 Homecoming Court as 3rd runner-up to the queen. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Burger plans to pursue a career in women’s ministry.

Judah Burk, 21, is a mass communications major from Hurst, Texas. She has been the vice president of Ouachita’s chapter of Alpha Chi national college honor society, a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sis and the opinion editor of “The Signal,” Ouachita’s student newspaper. Burk has been Ouachita Scholar, a Welcome to Ouachita’s World leader and a Freshman Family Group leader. She has been named to the President’s List and is a member of Tri Chi women’s social club and Theta Alpha Phi national theatre honors fraternity. Burk enjoys languages, travel, photography, theatre and painting, and plans to graduate in May of 2009.

Sam Bushey, 22, is an accounting and business marketing double-major from Stuttgart, Ark. A graduate of Stuttgart High School, he has served on the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Executive Team and Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and has been a Freshman Family Group ministry leader for Ouachita’s Campus Ministries. Bushey has also worked with Arkadelphia Fellowship Church’s children’s church. An intramural sports participant, Bushey is interested in not only sports, but also movies and photography. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Bushey plans to pursue a career in the accounting division of Windstream Communications in Little Rock.

Paige Cate, 21, is an early childhood education major from Alexander, Ark. A graduate of Bryant High School, she has served as director of special events for the Ouachita Student Foundation and has been a recipient of the Betty Oliver Grant Endowed Award. Cate has been a member of the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Executive Team and Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education. She has volunteered with Arkadelphia’s Human Development Center and has been a Tiger Serve Day team leader. Cate has worked with Little Rock’s Geyer Springs Baptist Church and Arkadelphia Fellowship Church’s children’s ministries and has worked in Ouachita’s registrar’s office and education lab. She was named to Ouachita’s 2008 Homecoming Court as 1st runner-up to the queen. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Cate plans to pursue a career in elementary education or children’s ministry.

Laura Cox, 21, is an English major from Hot Springs, Ark. A graduate of lakeside High School, she has been named a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar and has been a recipient of Ouachita’s English award. Cox is a member of EEE women’s social club, Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and Alpha Chi national college honor society. She has been the assistant editor of “Scope” literary journal and has been named to the President’s List. A member of the women’s soccer team, Cox is a member of Lake Valley Community Church. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to teach English as a second language overseas.

Ashley Duvall, 21, is a Christian studies major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, she has been named to the Dean’s List and the President’s List.  Duvall has served as Ouachita’s Campus Ministries ministry leader for prison ministry and pledge class chaplain for EEE women’s social club. A member of Arkadelphia Fellowship Church, she has received Ouachita’s sophomore ministerial award, the Transerve award for over 50 hours of community service and the Campus Ministries award for her work with prison ministry. Duvall has also volunteered with disaster relief teams, Tiger Serve Day, Beach Reach and the Promise House pen pal program. She has worked at Gymnastics Plus, The Hamburger Barn, TRIO Talent Search, T Bar M Camps and San Antonio Community Bible Church. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Duvall plans to pursue a career in school-based counseling.

Heather Ferguson, 21, is a biology and Spanish double-major from Hot Springs, Ark. A graduate of Central Arkansas Christian, she has been named to the Dean’s List and President’s List. Ferguson has also been a Homecoming Queen nominee and a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar. She has served as pledge class chaplain, club chaplain and sisterhood chair for Tri Chi women’s social club

by OBU News Bureau