Ouachita Stories

Thirty-eight Ouachita Baptist University students were recently selected for inclusion in the 2009 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

The students were chosen for Who’s Who by OBU’s faculty, staff and senior class 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:

Richard Atkinson, 21, is a mass communications and political science double major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Atkinson has been a Jim Elder Good Sports Fund Scholarship recipient, a member of the Community Emergency Response Team, OBU Student Senate, The Signal staff and Ouachita’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators. He served as a radio commentator for Ouachita’s football and basketball teams and worked for KDEL and KYXK radio; he also completed internships at KTHV channel 11, Hooten Publishing and the U.S. Senate. Atkinson has been involved in intramural sports, Tiger Tunes, Tiger Serve Day and a relief trip to work with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans as well as EEE Women’s Social Club as a beau. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Atkinson plans to pursue a career in public relations.

Heather Baker, 21, is a musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas. A graduate of Cleburne High School, she has served as chaplain of OBU’s Theta Alpha Phi national honor fraternity for theatre arts and as an OBU resident assistant and has served as a Campus Ministries ministry leader as Rough Draft drama team director. Baker has been a member of Ouachita’s Honors Program and Ouachita Singers and has been involved in Backyard Bible Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Tiger Serve Day. She has earned an Honors Program summer study scholarship and a Best Makeup Design award from Theta Alpha Phi for her work for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Baker is involved with her church’s drama and children’s ministries and, upon graduation from Ouachita in May, plans to “praise God with the theatrical gifts he has given me,” she said.

Brooke Belcher, 21, is a math and secondary education double major from Alma, Ark. A graduate of Alma High School, she has been a three-time recipient of OBU’s math and computer science award, a Campus Ministries Big Brother/Big Sister ministry leader and a Homecoming Queen second runner-up. She has been a member of Judicial Council, EEE Women’s Social Club and Panhellenic Council and has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List. Belcher has been involved in Transerve, Tiger Serve Day, intramural sports and K-Groups at Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church. She has worked at Alma Aquatic Park, Kiddie College and Ouachita work-study. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career as a high school math teacher.

Phillip Bridges, 21, is a business finance/marketing major from Clarksville, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, he has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has been a member of Campus Activities Board, OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators and Tri Chi Women’s Social Club as a beau. He has served as vice president and Tiger Tunes director for Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club, junior and senior class vice president on Student Senate and student ambassador for Ouachita Student Foundation. He has been involved in Beach Reach Spring Break missions, Tiger Serve Day and Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Bridges plans to pursue a career in real estate.

Mark Cain, 21, is a kinesiology and secondary education double major from Pine Bluff, Ark. A graduate of Pine Bluff High School, he has been a two-year letterman on the OBU football and baseball teams and has been a four-time member of the Gulf South Conference Honor Roll. Cain has also served on the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, served as vice president and treasurer for Rho Sigma Men’s Social Club and has been a beau for EEE Women’s Social Club. A member of Interfraternal Council, he has been the recipient of the crowd favorite award at the Mr. Tiger competition. Cain is a member of First United Methodist Church and has worked with the youth, Vacation Bible School and maintenance; he has also worked in Ouachita’s student services and baseball offices and as a Seabrook YMCA counselor. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December 2010, he plans to pursue a career as a high school coach and teacher.

Katelyn Cash, 21, is a Christian studies and speech communication double major from Southlake, Texas. A graduate of Southlake Carroll High School, she was elected OBU Homecoming Queen in 2007 and has served as Campus Ministries chaplain, Refuge leader and Tiger Tunes director. She is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and has served as chaplain for Red River Baptist and resident director of O.C. Bailey Hall as well as a Ouachita resident assistant and tutor. Cash has been involved in K-Groups at Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church, intramural sports and Tiger Traks. She has been an Eta Alpha Omega sweetheart and has participated in Tiger Serve Day, ElderServe, Manna Ministry and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Cash plans to pursue a career in church mediation and international missions.

Nancy Christner, 22, is a dietetics/nutrition major from Denton, Texas. A graduate of Denton Calvary Academy, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has been a recipient of a Ouachita Student Foundation scholarship, an OBU grant and the Edna Lynn Scholarship. Christner has served as chaplain of EEE Women’s Social Club and co-president of the Dietetics Club and has been a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and the 2009 Homecoming Court. Having earned more than 160 Transerve community service hours, she has been involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, community health fairs and other volunteer efforts. Christner has worked as a nanny and waitress and has been involved in Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church in its K-Group and discipleship programs. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career in missions and nutrition education.

Rance Collins, 21, is a mass communications major from Hillsboro, Texas. A graduate of Bynum High School in Bynum, Texas, he has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has received the Outstanding Mass Communications Sophomore Award. Collins has served as a Welcome to Ouachita’s World leader, student editor of Ouachita’s video production department, history and traditions co-chair of the Ouachita Student Foundation, columnist for The Signal campus newspaper and contributor to OBU’s Ouachitonian yearbook. A member of Young Democrats, Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society, OBU’s Film Society, OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators and the Carl Goodson Honors Program, Collins has served as student director of OBU’s motion picture production class and co-executive producer of the Online Signal’s sketch comedy show, “Live @ 9” and has participated in Ouachita’s Ten-Minute and One-Act Play Festivals. He served as director, co-writer, co-producer, editor and star in the student-produced films A Movie Musical and AMM2: Another Movie Musical. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Collins plans to pursue a career in the film industry.

Eli Cranor, 21, is an English and political science double major from Russellville, Ark. A graduate of Russellville High School, he is a three-year letterman on the Ouachita football team. A member of OBU’s Judicial Council and Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church, Cranor has participated in Tiger Serve Day and a mission trip to work with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. He helped bring about the establishment of Ouachita’s regulation disc golf course and has annually contributed scripts to OBU’s One-Act Play Festival. Cranor enjoys writing, music and the outdoors, especially fishing and playing guitar. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December 2010, he plans to pursue a career as either an attorney or English teacher.

Katie Crow, 21, is a speech pathology major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and is a member of Arkadelphia’s Second Baptist Church. She has served as a New Student Retreat leader and social chair of OBU’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and has been a member of EEE Women’s Social Club and Dietetics Club. Crow has worked for the Clark County Library and Ouachita Alumni Office and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Transerve. She enjoys shopping, painting, spending time with family and traveling and participated in OBU’s European Study Tour. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Crow plans to attend graduate school and eventually open her own speech clinic.

Lauren English, 22, is a mass communications major from Hot Springs, Ark. A graduate of Lakeside High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has been elected to Ouachita’s Homecoming Court and Ouachitonian Beauty Court. She served as Miss OBU in 2008 and earned first runner-up honors in the Miss Arkansas pageant that year. A member of Ouachita Student Foundation, Ouachita Sounds, Alpha Chi national college honor society and The Connexion Praise Team Worship Singers at First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs, English has served as president, social chair and pledge class president of EEE Women’s Social Club; vice president of OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators; and news reporter for the “This Week at Ouachita” radio show. She has been named KARK Channel 4’s youth volunteer of the year, serves as an advocate and fundraiser for Arkansas Children’s Hospital and founded and developed “Matters of the Heart,” an award-winning non-profit organization for heart health awareness. She is involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and has been a Tiger Serve Day volunteer. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, English plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.

Samantha Frank, 22, is a business administration major from Sunnyvale, Texas. A graduate of North Mesquite High School, she has served as a Campus Ministries ministry leader, International Club historian and secretary and International Food Festival co-director and committee member. Frank has been involved in intramural sports, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church K-Groups. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and her K-Group and has worked at Caddo Valley Nursery and Produce. She has earned English as a Second Language teaching certification and is a Kluck Student Enrichment Grant recipient. Frank enjoys traveling, culture, people, reading, watching musicals and drinking tea. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career in human resources or international business.

Samantha Jo George, 21, is a speech pathology major from Fayetteville, Ark. A graduate of White Hall High School, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and is an Edna Lynn Scholar. George has served as spirit leader and intramural director for EEE Women’s Social Club and secretary of OBU’s chapter of National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and has been a member of Ouachita Singers, Concert Choir and Gridiron Girls. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, church mission trips and Relay for Life and has served as a Disciple Now group leader. George has also worked as a mentor for Ouachita’s Upward Bound program and as a resident assistant in Francis Crawford and O.C. Bailey Halls. She has worked in OBU’s career services office as well as served as apartment manager for OBU’s Pine Square Apartments. She is involved as a youth leader and praise band singer for The Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock and plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Jeff Harmon, 21, is a Biblical studies and mass communications double major from El Dorado, Ark. A graduate of El Dorado High School, he has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. He has been a member of OBU’s chapters of International Association of Business Communicators as well as Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and has served as the Online Signal’s co-editor. Harmon has served as a youth intern and interim youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and plans to enter the ministry upon graduation from Ouachita in May. He enjoys graphic design, sports, photography and outdoor recreation.

Audreyanna Harrell, 21, is a communication sciences and disorders major from Russellville, Ark. A graduate of Russellville High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has been a recipient of the Maude Wright and Heifner Scholarships. A runner-up in the Miss OBU Pageant, Harrell is a two-time intramural sports champion and has served as pledge class secretary for Tri Chi Women’s Social Club, treasurer for OBU’s chapter of National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, ministry leader for Campus Ministries’ Christian Focus Week and a member of Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, President Horne’s Student Planning Team and Alpha Chi national college honor society. She attends Second Baptist Church where she has participated in mission trips to Kenya and New Mexico. Harrell has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Operation Christmas Child, Project Linus and the Everlasting Smiles Project. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to attend graduate school to become a speech therapist and continue participating in mission work.

Sky Howard, 22, is a church music major from Nacogdoches, Texas. A home school student, he has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has worked as a guitar instructor and youth/college intern for First Baptist Church of Hot Springs and First Southern Baptist Church of Bryant, Ark. Howard has also served as a men’s discipleship leader, New Student Retreat leader and a Tiger Tunes host. He has been a member of Campus Activities Board and the Refuge band and has been a beau for EEE Women’s Social Club. He enjoys song writing, playing guitar and piano, spending time with friends, critiquing movies and eating great food. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December of 2010, Howard plans to pursue a music career as a singer/songwriter or worship pastor.

Emily Jackson, 21, is an English major from Mesquite, Texas. A graduate of Mesquite High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. Jackson has been a member of Ouachita’s women’s soccer team, International Club and Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society. She has worked at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia as a youth volunteer, co-interim youth director and college international Sunday school teacher and has been involved in Tiger Serve Day, Arms Around Arkadelphia and intramural sports. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Jackson plans to pursue a career teaching English, possibly to international students. She enjoys women’s ministry, soccer, British literature and B.B. King’s music.

Stephen Johnson, 21, is an accounting and business administration double major from Bowling Green, Ky. A graduate of the International School of Curitiba, he has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has served as president, internal vice president and sophomore class president for Student Senate. He has also served as treasurer, historian and chaplain for Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and director of Freshman Family Groups. He has led a men’s discipleship group and volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Beach Reach, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Compassion Center of Little Rock. A member of Ouachita Student Foundation, Johnson has worked in Ouachita’s Riley Hickingbotham Library, business services office and campus activities office. Johnson, who plans to graduate from Ouachita in May, enjoys sports, spending time with friends and traveling.

Cami Jones, 21, is an early childhood education and Spanish double major from Mansfield, Texas. A graduate of Mansfield Summit High School, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has been a recipient of a Kluck Student Enrichment Grant, the Silvia Gates Webb Award and the Arkadelphia Rotary Club’s Ray of Light Award. Jones has also been the winner of Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education’s Share the Love contest. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, OBU Marching Band, Concert Band, Tiger Jam and the Tiger Serve Day leadership team. She has been involved in Tiger Tunes, Tiger Traks, intramural sports, Transerve and the International Food Festival. Jones has worked as a volunteer youth minister for First Baptist Church of Bismarck, Ark., and as a telecounselor in OBU’s office of admissions. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Arkadelphia Public Schools, Arkadelphia Human Development Center, OBU’s disaster relief team, youth camps and mission trips, Disciple Now weekends and Mission Waco. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Jones said she plans to “pursue a master of arts in global leadership degree from Dallas Baptist University with hopes of one day teaching on the mission field in a Spanish-speaking country.”

Laura Grace Kirby, 21, is a speech communication major from Mesquite, Texas. A graduate of Poteet High School, she has served as co-president of Ouachita Student Foundation and as a member of OBU’s Student Planning Team and Homecoming Committee. She has also been a Welcome to Ouachita’s World leader and two-time intramural sports champion with Freshman 15 Athletics. Kirby has been involved in Crossroads at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and Tiger Serve Day and has worked in Ouachita’s speech communication department. She enjoys country dancing and plans to pursue a career as a professional speaker upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Megan Lindsey, 21, is a mass communications major from Camden, Ark. A graduate of Camden Fairview High School, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Relay for Life. Lindsey has served as editor and assistant editor of the Ouachitonian yearbook, social chair and keeper of the beaus for EEE Women’s Social Club and Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club little sister. She has been a member of Campus Activities Board and OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators, has been a writer for Ouachita’s news bureau and has served as a leader for Welcome to Ouachita’s World and New Student Retreat. Lindsey enjoys writing, designing and traveling and participated in OBU’s European Study Tour. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career in print media.

Molly Magee, 21, is a mass communications and Spanish double major from Conway, Ark. A graduate of Conway High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s List and has been the recipient of the Mrs. J.R. Grant Award. Magee was named Homecoming Queen 2007 and has been an Arkansas Distinguished Governor’s Scholar and two-time intramural flag football champion. She has served as sophomore, junior and senior class secretary on Student Senate; spirit officer, historian and pledge class secretary for Tri Chi Women’s Social Club; and president and secretary for Panhellenic Council. A Christian studies minor, she is a member of Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Race for the Cure and Operation Christmas Child and has worked as a Camp War Eagle counselor. Magee has been a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology, OBU’s student chapter of International Association for Business Communicators, Ouachita Student Foundation and Campus Activities Board and has been a Freshman Family Group leader. She also studied abroad in Costa Rica. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to attend law school.

Barry McCaskill, 22, is a physics major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, he has been named to OBU’s President’s List and has been the recipient of the Sidney Rowland Scholarship for physics. McCaskill has served as chaplain for Beta Beta Men’s Social Club and has been on the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. A member of OBU’s men’s soccer team, he has been named to the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team and is a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society. He has been involved in mission trips to work with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans and has served as a Disciple Now group leader. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue a career in geotechnical engineering.

Lauren Nelson, 21, is a biology major from Russellville, Ark. A graduate of Russellville High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She has served as external vice president and traffic court juror for Student Senate; pledge mistress, social chair and pledge class president for Tri Chi Women’s Social Club; vice president of public relations for Campus Activities Board; and Welcome to Ouachita’s World leader. Nelson has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Women of Faith Conference, Operation Christmas Child and Shoes for Orphan Souls and has been involved in Crossroads at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. A two-time intramural flag football champion, she enjoys water skiing, knitting, reading and cooking and plans to pursue a career in optometry upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Trinka Newman, 22, is a Biblical studies and graphic design double major from Monticello, Ark. A graduate of Monticello High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s List and has served as special events coordinator and Christian Focus Week ministry leader for Campus Ministries. A member of the Pruet Sisterhood, Newman has been involved in Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church and has worked as a Fall Youth Retreat leader at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and as a Disciple Now leader.  She has worked in Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies and OBU’s office of admissions, has served as children’s director at First Baptist Church of Monticello and has participated in a Ouachita mission trip to Zimbabwe. Newman is interested in photography, painting, people and sports, and plans to pursue a career in graphic design upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Hayley Nolan, 21, is a Spanish and psychology major from Sherwood, Ark. A graduate of North Little Rock High School, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and has been 2009 Homecoming Queen and the recipient of the Michael D. Murphy Spirit of the Discipline Zeitgeist Award. Nolan has served a chair of student recruitment for Ouachita Student Foundation and Noonday ministry leader for Campus Ministries and has been a member of Student Senate, the Pruet Sisterhood and Psi Chi national honor society for psychology. She is involved in K-Groups and Crossroads and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and the Women of Faith Conference. A two-time intramural flag football champion, Nolan enjoys crafts, hiking, reading and astronomy. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career in teaching or translating Spanish.

Ashley O’Sullivan, 22, is a Christian studies and sociology double major from Longview, Texas. A graduate of Pine Tree High School, she has been on OBU’s Homecoming Court and has been a nominee for Ouachitonian Beauty. O’Sullivan has served as pledge class and club chaplain for Tri Chi Women’s Social Club, missions leader for Campus Ministries and a resident assistant in Francis Crawford Hall.  She has been an OBU cheerleader and has volunteered with Beach Reach, Race for the Cure, Operation Christmas Child and Tri Chi mission trips and has worked as an intern with Buckner Orphanages International in Guatemala and Kenya. She has also been involved in church day care and has served as a small group and Disciple Now leader. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December 2009, O’Sullivan plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work and then, she said, “pursue social justice through whatever doors God opens.”

Neal Ozmun, 21, is a mass communications major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, he has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and attends Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia. A four-year member of OBU’s men’s soccer team and 2009 team captain, Ozmun has earned Gulf South Conference Player of the Week and OBU Defensive Player of the Year honors. He has worked as a Camp War Eagle counselor and high school soccer referee and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Arms Around Arkadelphia. Ozmun enjoys sports and outdoor recreation, and upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue “whatever God leads me to,” he said.

Blair Phelps, 21, is an athletic training and biology double major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. Phelps has served as secretary for EEE Women’s Social Club and OBU’s chapter of Iota Tau Alpha athletic training educational honors society. She has also been a member of OBU’s competitive cheerleading squad and the National Athletic Training Association. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Race for the Cure and is involved in Crossroads and other college ministry programs at Arkadelphia’s Second Baptist Church. Phelps has worked as an office assistant for Dr. Dorman and as a cheerleading coach and plans to attend nursing school upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Austin Phillips, 19, is a mathematics major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, he has been a member of Ouachita’s Carl Goodson Honors Program and has been a recipient of a Trustees’ Scholarship. Phillips is a member of First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia where he serves as substitute pipe organist. He has volunteered with Arms Around Arkadelphia and Habitat for Humanity and has worked as a private algebra, trigonometry and calculus tutor as well as a server at Cracker Barrel. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, philosophizing, playing and composing on the piano and pipe organ, reading and solving math problems. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue a career as a mathematics professor.

Gabrielle Sanders, 22, is a psychology major from Broken Arrow, Okla. A graduate of Mountainview International Christian School, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. Sanders has served as chaplain for Campus Ministries and as a part of its prison ministry and missionary kids ministry. She has been on the Tiger Serve Day leadership team and has been a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and a sweetheart of Eta Alpha Omega Men’s Social Club. Sanders has volunteered with ElderServe and worked in OBU’s health services office with nurse Molly. She has been involved in Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia’s K-Groups and Mentorship Program as well as Tiger Tunes and intramural sports. Sanders enjoys art, sports, reading and traveling and plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling and traveling as much as possible.

Greg Schwartz, 22, is a theatre arts and mass communications double major from Texarkana, Texas. A graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, he has twice been nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship regional auditions for “Excellence in Acting.” Schwartz has served as president, pledge master and song leader for Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and beau for EEE Women’s Social Club. HE has also been a member of Theta Alpha Phi national honor fraternity for theatre arts, Student Senate, Ouachita Student Foundation and OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators. He has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and worked in Ouachita’s film production and theatre departments. He enjoys playing bass guitar, film and outdoor recreation. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to move to St. Louis, Mo.

Jake Sligh, 21, is a business marketing major from Camden, Ark. A graduate of Harmony Grove High School, he has served as a Welcome to Ouachita’s World steering committee member, a Tiger Tunes director, an EEE Women’s Social Club beau, advertising manager for The Signal campus newspaper and a member of OBU’s student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators. He has worked as a youth and music intern at Little Rock’s Fellowship Bible Church and volunteered as a Freshman Family Group leader and Tiger Serve Day participant. He is a member of Solace Found and Refuge Band praise and worship bands and enjoys playing guitar, traveling and studying social media. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue a career in public relations or advertising.

Jarod Townsend, 23, is a speech communication major from Broken Arrow, Okla. A graduate of Mountainview International Christian School, he has been a member of the OBU men’s soccer team for four years, serving as captain his junior and senior years. He has been the recipient of the Outstanding Offensive Player Award and has been named Outstanding Men’s Soccer Athlete of the Year. Townsend has served as president, vice president, social director and secretary/treasurer of Eta Alpha Omega Men’s Social Club and has been a Tri Chi Women’s Social Club beau. He is a member of Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia where he occasionally plays bass with the worship team. Townsend has participated in work study at Ouachita and has worked at Journey’s and Pine Cove Christian Camps. He enjoys spending time with family and friend, sports, traveling, photography and the outdoors. Upon graduation from Ouachita in December 2009, he said, “I feel the Lord’s calling into ministry—more specifically, missions.”

Megan Tucker, 21, is an accounting major from Benton, Ark. A graduate of Harmony Grove High School, she has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List. She is a member of EEE Women’s Social Club and Hickingbotham School of Business Student Advisory Board. Tucker has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Relay for Life, Race for the Cure and other community service projects. She is involved in Crossroads at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and has worked as an intern with Southern Bancorp. Tucker enjoys health and fitness, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue a career in accounting.

J.L. West, 21, is a mass communications major from Bolivar, Mo. A graduate of Bolivar High School, he has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and is a member of the Carl Goodson Honors Program. He is involved with Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Freshman Family Groups, Tiger Traks and intramural sports, especially Benchwarmer’s football. West has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Tiger Serve Day, America Reads, Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans and Ouachita’s disaster relief team. He has worked in OBU’s video production department and is interested in broadcasting, Boggle, building furniture, discipleship and the St. Louis Cardinals. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to work as an Emergency Medical Technician and then attend medical school.

Adam Wheat, 21, is a mass communications major from Ruston, La. A graduate of Ouachita Parish High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s President’s list and has been a member of the Carl Goodson Honors Program and a Carl Goodson Honors Scholar. He has served as vice president for membership for Campus Activities Board, graphic design and PR specialist for Ouachita Student Foundation, leading member of Ouachita Art Society and contributing writer to Ouachita’s 10-minute Play Festival. Wheat has been a member of the Student Planning Team and Theta Alpha Phi national honor fraternity for theatre arts; has been involved with Ouachita’s Opera Theatre, musical theatre and One-Act Play productions; has worked with with the Jones Performing Arts Center box office and has served as student representative to the School of Fine Arts Student/Faculty Council. He has worked as sports editor for the Ouachitonian yearbook, graphic designer for Ouachita’s Campus Activities and Development Offices, OBU summer conference liaison and liberal arts tutor. Wheat has been involved at Arkadelphia’s First Baptist Church as a member of the Worship Planning Team; as a Vacation Bible School, Children’s Sunday School, Drama Team and Sign Language Team director; as the music/drama intern and as a member of the sanctuary and youth choirs. He has acted as writer and supervising producer for the Online Signal’s sketch comedy show, “Live@9,” and has served as writer, assistant director and performer in student-directed films. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to enter full-time Christian ministry.

Philip Williamson, 20, is a philosophy, political science and Christian studies triple major from Batesville, Ark. A home school student, he has been named to OBU’s President’s List and has been named a Ben Elrod Scholar. Williamson has served as president of Chi Iota Sigma Men’s Social Club, president of OBU’s chapter of Alpha Chi national college honor society, chairman of OBU’s chapter of College Republicans, chairman of Student Judicial Council, steering committee member and history and tradition co-chairman for Ouachita Student Foundation, ministry leader for Campus Ministries and sophomore class vice president and junior and senior class president for Student Senate. He has also been a member of the Tiger Serve Day leadership team, OBU’s Debate Team, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and the Carl Goodson Honors Program and has volunteered with Transerve. Williamson is involved in Arkadelphia’s Fellowship Church as a K-Group leader. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue a career in public service, culminating in the presidency.

By Brooke Showalter Zimny