Ouachita Stories

Thirty-seven Ouachita Baptist University students have been selected for inclusion in the 2013 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 2013 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: 

Catie Bennett, 21, is an early childhood education major from Houston, Texas. A graduate of Nixa High School in Missouri, Bennett has served as president of the EEE women’s social club, student recruitment co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation and secretary of OBU’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education. She also was a member of the Homecoming Steering Committee. Bennett was a nursery worker and a college homegroup member at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. She logged more than 400 hours of service through TranServe by volunteering for Tiger Serve Day, giving campus tours and helping to establish Boomalacka.com, a student blogging site for Ouachita. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Bennett seeks to earn her Texas Teaching Certification, earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from Baylor University and eventually become an elementary principal.

Brandon Briscoe, 22, is a Christian studies major with an emphasis in Christian ministries from Prosper, Texas. A graduate of Prestonwood Christian Academy, Briscoe has been a member of the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, OBU Student Senate and Beta Beta men’s social club, which he served as chaplain and master of the handshake. Briscoe worked as a student worker in OBU’s Pruet School of Christian Studies and as an intern at Prestonwood Baptist Church and attended Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia. He also worked at Kanakuk Kamps and has participated in mission trips to San Diego and Brazil. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Briscoe plans to become a youth minister and a high school strength and conditioning coach.

Judith Brizuela, 22, is a double major in psychology and business administration with an emphasis in management from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A graduate of Educacion Cristiana Sampedrana, Brizuela has served as president and project leader for OBU’s chapter of Enactus and history and traditions co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation and has been a member of Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society for business, Alpha Chi national college honor society, Psi Chi honor society for psychology, Pi Gamma Mu international honor society in social sciences, the Hickingbotham School of Business Student Advisory Board and OBU’s International Club. Brizuela has been a recipient of the Hickingbotham School of Business Academic Achiever award, the Weldon Vogt Outstanding Psychology Senior Award, the International Service Award, the Zeitgeist Psychology Award and the Psychology Faculty Award and has been named to OBU’s President’s List. She has served as a resident assistant at Ouachita, has been involved in Campus Ministries Tiger Tunes and has been a member of Southern Bancorp’s Student Advisory Board and Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia’s worship team. Brizuela also has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and TranServe. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Brizuela plans to attend law school in San Pedro Sula.

Lacey Brooks, 21, is a mass communications major from Benton, Ark. A graduate of Benton High School, Brooks has been a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation and was the assistant director of Campus Ministries’ Tiger Tunes show in 2012. She has been named to OBU’s Dean’s and President’s Lists, taught Sunday school classes and volunteered with AWANAS at Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Youth United and is involved with Crossroads College Ministry at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. She worked at Ashley Home Furniture and the Ouachita Post Office. Brooks is a December 2012 graduate of Ouachita and is pursuing a career in public relations.

L.J. Brooks is being honored posthumously after passing away Dec. 2, 2012, at age 21. Brooks was a Biblical languages and Christian studies double major with an emphasis in Biblical studies from Houston, Texas. A graduate of North Shore Senior High School, he served as assistant pastor and freshman K-Group leader at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia. Brooks served as a Campus Ministries ministry leader and speaker in CM’s weekly student worship service, Refuge, and served as chaplain for OBU’s Reaching Out to Multicultural Students organization and as a Welcome to Ouachita’s World group leader. Additionally, he volunteered with Tiger Serve Day. Following his anticipated graduation, Brooks had planned to pursue a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and serve as a full-time minister and adjunct professor.

Deborah Caldwell, 22, is a instrumental music education major from Siloam Springs, Ark. A graduate of Siloam Springs High School, Caldwell has been a member of OBU’s International Club, Alpha Chi national college honor society, Phi Kappa Lambda national music honor society, and Tiger Bands. She has attended First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia and has been involved in its college home groups. Caldwell has served as secretary for Ouachita’s chapter of College National Association for Music Education and has been a Welcome to Ouachita’s World group leader. Caldwell was named a Presser Scholar and has volunteered to help with disaster relief efforts, music theory and aural skill tutoring and the FBCA nursery. She has worked on the grounds crew at John Brown University and at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Caldwell plans to pursue a Master of Music degree in performance from Kansas State University.

Mary Castleman, 22, is a Christian media/communications and mass communications double major from Batesville, Ark. A graduate from Southside High School, Castleman has served as special events leader for OBU Campus Ministries and has been involved in CM’s women’s discipleship. She has also served as special events co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation and as a Tiger Tunes director and participated in OBU’s study abroad program. Castleman has been the recipient of a Ouachita Trustee’s Scholarship, the Andrew and Harriet Grant Hall Sophomore Ministerial Award, the 125^th Anniversary Service Award and the Tiger Leadership Network Award and has been named to OBU’s President’s List. A member of Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia, Castleman has volunteered with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board’s Nehemiah Teams and has worked for as a Ouachita Annual Fund Phone-a-thon caller and as a media intern for First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. Castleman will graduate from Ouachita in May.

Karis Crosby, 22, is a speech communication major from Columbia, Mo. A graduate from Rockbridge High School and Heritage Academy, Crosby has served as vice president of PanHellenic Council, a member of the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, a ministry leader for Campus Ministries, a Freshman Family Group leader, a Noonday leader and chaplain of EEE women’s social club. She has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List, was a member of the 2012 Homecoming Court and was named Miss Congeniality in the 2010 Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant. Crosby has been involved at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia; has volunteered with Tiger Served Day, Relay for Live and Backyard Bible Club’s Princess Academy; and has participated in missions with WonbyOne in Jamaica. She has worked as an intern at First Baptist Church in Benton; as a member of Project: Columbia with The Crossing in Columbia, Mo.; and as a counselor at Kanakuk Kamps. Crosby will graduate from Ouachita in May.

Michael Curtis, 22, is a music major from Wylie, Texas. A graduate of Wylie High School, Curtis has served as president and treasurer of Kappa Chi men’s social club at Ouachita and as a Refuge Band bass section leader. He has been a member of the Ouachita Jazz Band, the Ouachita Jazz Combo, the Ouachita Wind Ensemble and the Ouachita Double Reed Ensemble. Curtis has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and has volunteered with the Refuge Band and Compassion International. He has been involved with Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia as a member of its worship team and as a K-Group participant. Curtis has worked as a bassist, audio engineer and lifeguard and plans to continue playing bass in studio and live settings and producing music upon graduation from Ouachita in May.

Jake Edwards, 21, is a business administration major with an emphasis in finance from North Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Central Arkansas Christian, Edwards has served as president and vice president of Beta Beta men’s social club and senior class president and has been a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and the Eddie Ary Student Investment Fund. A member of Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock, he has worked at Camp War Eagle as a camp counselor, Lakewood Pool as a lifeguard, Gildner Auto Group as an office assistant and at Ouachita as a Phone-a-thon caller. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Edwards will work as a sales representative for Advanced Tissue in Little Rock.

Lindsey Fowler, 20, is a political science, history and business administration triple major with an emphasis in finance from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Fowler has served as vice president of OBU’s Student Senate, special events co-chair of the Ouachita Student Foundation, spirit leader of EEE women’s social club and an Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce student ambassador. She has been elected Student Senate president for the coming year. She also has been a member of the Campus Ministries Africa summer missions team and OBU’s Hickingbotham School of Business Student Advisory Board. Her business plan for TrustedWills.com won the OBU and OBU/HSU Business Plan Competitions, and she was recognized in the statewide Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition for first place Undergraduate Elevator Pitch. Fowler has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has been the recipient of the Mrs. Betty Grant Award for Outstanding Sophomore Woman, the Lions Club Political Science Award and the Presidential Award for Volunteerism. Fowler has volunteered with the Elrod Center’s Thanksgiving baskets and Tiger Serve Day and has participated in mission trips to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity and to New York City to teach ESL to immigrants. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May of 2014, Fowler plans to attend law school.

Reece Franklin, 22, is a church media and production arts and Christian studies double major with a philosophy emphasis from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Franklin has been involved in intramural sports and the OBU marching band. He has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and had the opportunity to join former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s tour of Israel as a videographer. Franklin has been involved with First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and has served there as a youth helper, youth media intern and media intern. He also has enjoyed doing freelance videography. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Franklin plans to pursue a career in media ministry.

Landon Freeman, 22, is a kinesiology and Christian studies double major with emphases in fitness and Biblical studies from Midlothian, Texas. A graduate of Midlothian High School, Freeman has been a member of the Ouachita football team, a member of the Beta Beta men’s social club, a beau of the EEE women’s social club and has been elected president of the OBU Kinesiology Club for fall of 2013. He has been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Phi Epsilon Kappa kinesiology honor society and attended Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia. He has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and has volunteered his time to help with the football team’s Christmas project for kids. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May of 2014, Freeman hopes to work with kids as a coach, teacher, youth pastor or camp director/counselor.

Amberly Green, 21, is a dietetics and nutrition major from Batesville, Ark. A graduate of Batesville High School, Green has served as co-president of the fundraising committee for the OBU Dietetics Club, a director of Campus Activities’ Tiger Tunes show, a Sweetheart of Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club and a group leader for Welcome to Ouachita’s World, New Student Retreat and Freshman Family Groups. She has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has been a member of Ouachita Student Foundation and Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology. Green has been involved at Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia as a youth volunteer and mentor and has served as an AWANA volunteer at Park Hill Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and a youth intern at Eastern Hills Baptist Church. She also volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and at Camp des Cimes, the Head Start Nutrition Fair and the DanFoss Nutrition Screening and served meals at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, the Clark County Fair and Meals on Wheels. At OBU, Green has served as a resident assistant, an apartment manager and an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Financial Services in addition to holding a summer research position in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Green plans to pursue a master’s degree and licensing to become a Registered Dietitian.

Annelise Henley, 21, is a history, psychology and graphic design triple major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Henley has served as secretary of the junior class and on the executive committee for Tri Chi women’s social club and has been a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation and Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society. She has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists, has participated in mission trips with Campus Ministries and has volunteered as part of the Elrod Center’s TranServe program. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, and upon graduating from Ouachita in May of 2014, Henley hopes to continue studying history in graduate school.

Lauren Jackson, 22, is a biology and pre-dental hygiene double major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, Jackson has served as intramural director for EEE women’s social club and as a mentor for the Big Sister and TRIO programs. She has been a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and Tri Beta biological honor society and has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. Jackson also was named a runner-up in the Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant. She is a member of Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia and is involved in K-Groups there. She has also volunteered with Backyard Bible Clubs and disaster relief efforts. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Jackson plans to attend dental hygiene school.

Kristen James, 22, is a kinesiology and leisure studies major with an emphasis in recreation from Missouri City, Texas. A graduate of the High School for the Performing and Art and Design, she has served as president of Ouachita’s Reaching Out to Multicultural Students organization and special events chair of the OBU Kinesiology Club. James also has been a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation, Phi Epsilon Kappa kinesiology honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology, the Wind Ensemble, the Clarinet Ensemble and the Handbell Ringers. She has been named the Outstanding Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Recreation Student and received the Betty Oliver Grant Endowed Award. James has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and as a children’s ministry volunteer in Houston and has worked as a telecounselor in OBU’s Office of Admissions Counseling and as a Kids Club leader at Arkadelphia Health Club. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, James plans to own a recreation and sports facility and complex for Houston’s inner-city youth.

Ryan James, 21, is a biology major from Benton, Ark. A graduate of Benton High School, James has served as co-president of the Ouachita Student Foundation and as a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team, the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, the Homecoming Steering Committee and the American Chemical Society. He has been named Outstanding Senior Man and the Richard H. Brown Outstanding Student in Biology, a recipient of OBU’s Presidential Service Award, was a delegate to the Arkansas Leadership Forum and has been a beau of the EEE women’s social club. James has worked in Ouachita’s Campus Ministries office and in the summer research program of OBU’s Patterson School of Natural Sciences. He also has been a part of First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia’s home groups. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, James will work at Baptist Health Medical Center with ultimate plans to attend medical school.

Gillis Jones, 22, is an athletic training and biology double major from Andalusia, Ala. A graduate of Andalusia High School, Jones has been a member of the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, the Ouachita Student Foundation, the OBU Kinesiology Club, the OBU Athletic Training Club, Iota Tau Alpha athletic training educational honors society and Phi Epsilon Kappa kinesiology honor society. Jones has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and was named a Ouachita Scholar. He worked in the athletic department at Ouachita and at Camp War Eagle as a counselor and top staff member. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Jones plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham for physical therapy school.

Caleb Knight, 22, is a Christian studies major with emphases in Biblical studies and theology from Arkadelphia, Ark. An Arkadelphia High School graduate, Knight has been involved in the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team, Campus Ministries’ Tiger Tunes show and intramural sports. He participated in a Biblical studies summer trip to Turkey and Greece and in a Campus Ministries mission trip to New Orleans. Knight has been named to the Ouachita Dean’s List and is a beau for Tri Chi women’s social club. He has served at First Baptist Church of Benton as a student ministry intern and on its missions teams to New York and Ecuador, in addition to serving as a student ministry intern at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. Upon graduating from Ouachita in May, Knight plans to pursue a Master of Divinity degree in theology at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Casey Knight, 22, is a communication sciences and disorders major from Arkadelphia, Ark. An Arkadelphia High School graduate, she was named the 2012 Homecoming Representative for the Gridiron Girls and is president of the Gridiron Girls as well as the fall chair of the Tiger Nation Leadership Team. She has been a member of EEE women’s social club, the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the OBU Pom Squad. Knight has volunteered for Tiger Serve Day and is a member of First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and is involved with home groups there. After graduating from OBU in May, she will pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology from Louisiana Tech University.

Patrick Krauss, 21, is a business administration major with a management emphasis from Plano, Texas. A Prestonwood Christian Academy graduate, he has served as vice president and social director for Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club, president and vice president of the sophomore class, president of the junior class and beau for Tri Chi women’s social club. Krauss has been a member of the Tiger Nation Leadership Team and the New Student Retreat Steering Committee and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day. He has been involved in K-Groups and home groups at local churches and has worked at Ouachita as assistant sports information director and as a student assistant in Riley-Hickingbotham Library.

Lida Lee, 22, is a history, political science and Russian triple major from Arkadelphia, Ark. An Arkadelphia High School graduate, she has been a recipient of the Lion Club’s Curtis Echols Award and was named to the OBU Dean’s List. She has served as secretary for the Ouachita Student Foundation and secretary and treasurer for the Gridiron Girls. Lee is a member of Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society and Reaching Out to Multicultural Students. She has volunteered with Ouachita’s Tiger Serve Day and TranServe and the Henderson State University Archeological Digs and has participated in intramural sports. She has worked as an administrative assistant at Ouachita’s football field house, as a tutor for OBU’s Academic Success Center and as a tutor at HSU’s English as a Second Language summer workshop. She loves to travel and has studied abroad in Costa Rica and Russia. Upon graduation in May, Lee plans to pursue a master’s degree in international development at the University of Denver.

Devan Malone, 22, is a mass communications and speech communication double major from Benton, Ark. A Benton High School graduate, she has been named the top Academic Achiever for OBU’s School of Humanities as well as Outstanding Senior Speech Communication Major and first runner-up on the 2012 Homecoming Court, and she was a recipient of OBU’s 125^th Anniversary Community Service Award. She has served as missions and publicity leader for Campus Ministries; co-president and communications co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation; senior class secretary, junior representative and sophomore representative for Student Senate; and president, philanthropy chair, social chair and webmaster for Tri Chi women’s social club. She has been a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society, the Homecoming Steering Committee and the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee and attends Second Baptist Church’s Crossroads Bible Study. Malone has volunteered for Operation Christmas Child and Ouachita’s Christian Focus Week, Thanksgiving Baskets and Tiger Serve Day and has taken mission trips to New Orleans and South Africa. She has worked as a student caller for OBU’s Annual Fund Phone-a-thon and as a nursery worker at Park Hill Baptist Church. Upon graduation in May, Malone plans to pursue a career in non-profit public relations.

Hollyn McCarty, 21, is a chemistry and biology double major from Texarkana, Ark. A Fouke High School graduate, McCarty has received a Tiger Network Leadership Award and OBU Trustee Scholarship and has been named the Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Student and a Mondy-Provine Scholar. She has served as the Tri Chi Women’s Social Club treasurer, the president of OBU’s chapter of American Chemical Society and a research intern at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute. She is a member of the Alpha Chi national college honor society and Tri Beta biological honor society. She has volunteered her time with Ouachita’s ElderServe program and on Tiger Serve Day. Upon graduation in May, she plans to attend medical school to become a physician.

Nicole McPhate, 21, is a mass communication and graphic design double major from Conway, Ark. A Conway High School graduate, McPhate has been the recipient of the Bill Downs Outstanding Sophomore Scholarship and has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She has served as communications co-chair for Ouachita Student Foundation and has worked as the Photo Lab editor at Ouachita, communications intern at Arkadelphia Public Schools and graphic design intern at First Baptist Church of Conway. She was the 15^th Anniversary Kluck Student Enrichment Grant recipient for her work with Arkadelphia Smiles, a volunteer effort to provide family portraits for local public school children. She is involved with Second Baptist Church and its Crossroads college Bible studies and has also volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and participated in intramural sports. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, McPhate plans to pursue a career in communications or graphic design.

Noah Mitchell, 22, is a philosophy and Christian studies major with an emphasis in Biblical studies from Cabot, Ark. A Monticello High School graduate, Mitchell served as a ministry leader for Refuge, Ouachita’s weekly student-led worship service, as well as spiritual director of Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. He has served as assistant youth pastor at Midtowne Church in Benton, Ark., and as a youth intern at First Baptist Church of Farmington, Ark., in addition to serving as a worship leader for various individual youth events. He enjoys cooking and is the co-founder of Boss Team BBQ. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Mitchell will serve as an intern at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas and plans to pursue a career in music and music ministry.

Jordan Neal, 22, is a mathematics and secondary education double major from Gilbert, Ariz. A homeschool graduate, Neal twice has been a recipient of the Rowland Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Sciences and has been named to OBU’s President’s List. He has been a ministry leader for Campus Ministries’ Backyard Bible Club and a statistician for OBU athletics. Neal has also served as children’s minister at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia and youth worship pastor at First Baptist Church of Sheridan, Ark. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Neal plans to pursue a career in education by teaching high school mathematics, coaching men’s and women’s volleyball.

Hannah Pilcher, 21, is a Spanish major from Maumelle, Ark. An Arkansas Baptist High School graduate, Pilcher has served as the leader of Campus Ministries’ Big Sister program and co-chair of Campus Activities Board. She has been a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society, Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education, Ouachita Student Foundation’s Student Recruitment Committee and the New Student Retreat Steering Committee. She was named 2012 Homecoming Queen, has been the recipient of OBU’s 125^th Anniversary Service Award and an Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities Scholarship and has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She also was honored by the Arkadelphia Rotary Club with its Service Above Self Award and by the OBU senior class with the Stellar Senior Woman award. She worked as a tele-counselor for Ouachita’s Office of Admissions Counseling, a caller for OBU’s Annual Fund Phone-a-thon and a worker at the Arkansas Baptist School Summer Camp. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, TranServe, the OBU Experience course and Welcome to Ouachita’s World and has participated in Campus Ministries’ mission trip to Chile. She is involved at Second Baptist Church and its Crossroads college ministry. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Pilcher plans to enter Christian ministry.

Stephen Raines, 22, is a biology major from Camden, Ark. A graduate of Camden Fairview High School, Raines has served as president, vice president, secretary and athletic director of Beta Beta men’s social club. He has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has worked as a summer research assistant in Ouachita’s Patterson School of Natural Sciences and as a dental assistant. He has been a member of the worship team at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia and has served as an OBU Trio Talent Search mentor and as a lifeguard. Raines has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Beta Beta service projects and as a Big Brother. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, he plans to pursue a career in dentistry.

Hannah Ramsey, 22, is an English and secondary education double major from Naperville, Ill. A Neuqua Valley High School graduate, Ramsey served as a member of Ouachita Student Foundation’s Student Recruitment Committee. She has been a recipient of OBU’s 125^th Anniversary Service Award, the Outstanding Sophomore in English award, the Charles Chambliss Distinguished Educator Award and a Presidential Scholarship and was named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She also has been involved with the Big Sister program, Tri Chi women’s social club, International Club, Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society, Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education and OBU Women’s Chorus. She has volunteered with TranServe and Tiger Serve Day. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she is considering a career in teaching.

Caitlin Secrest, 20, is a vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark. An Arkadelphia High School graduate, Secrest has won the 2012 Friends of Fine Arts Vocal Scholarship, first place in the 2012 Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers and multiple finalist awards in state and regional levels at National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions. She is a member of EEE women’s social club, OBU Opera Theatre Workshop, OBU Musical Theatre Workshop, OBU Theatre Productions and OBU Concert Choir. She is a featured soprano soloist in the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia and works at J&S Framing in downtown Arkadelphia. Secrest has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Give Me a Chance Equine Rescue. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May of 2014, Secrest plans to pursue a career as a singing actress.

MyLisa Speer, 22, is a communication sciences and disorders major from Texarkana, Texas. A graduate of Ashdown High School, she has served as an OBU New Student Retreat leader, a Welcome to Ouachita’s World leader, a Freshman Family Group leader and a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sister as well as senior representative, junior vice president and sophomore representative on Student Senate and assistant Tiger Tunes director and keeper of the beaus for Tri Chi women’s social club. Speer also has been involved in Campus Ministries Tiger Tunes, Concert Choir and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. She has been named to OBU’s Dean’s List and was a member of the 2012 Homecoming Court. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Operation Christmas Child and has worked as an America Reads tutor and as a youth intern at First Baptist Church of Texarkana, where she is a member. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Speer plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology at the University of Central Arkansas.

Taylor Stanford, 21, is a chemistry major from White Hall, Ark. A graduate of White Hall High School, she has been a recipient of the Mondy-Provine Scholarship and was an OBU delegate to the Arkansas Student Leadership Forum. She also was the recipient of the Inner and Outer Beauty Award and the Academic Award at the 2011 Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant. Stanford is a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation, EEE women’s social club, Alpha Chi national college honor society, the Tiger Network Leadership Program and OBU’s chapter of the American Chemical Society, which she served as social events coordinator. She also has been involved in the K-Group Bible study at Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia, where she serves as a part of their youth mentorship program. Stanford performed research at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Ark., and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, the American Cancer Society and Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center in Pine Bluff, Ark. She is involved at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia and their K-Group ministry and youth mentorship program. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Stanford will attend the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals.

Samantha Street, 21, is an accounting and business administration double major with an emphasis in finance from Rogers, Ark. A graduate of Duncan High School in Duncan, Okla., she is a member of the OBU Women’s Tennis Team, EEE women’s social club, the Hickingbotham School of Business Student Advisory Board and the OBU String Ensemble. She has served as treasurer for OBU Student Senate and as president of Ouachita’s chapter of Alpha Chi national college honor society. Street has been named to OBU’s President’s List, was a Homecoming Court nominee and earned Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team honors for tennis. She worked as a tennis instructor at OBU’s Heflin Tennis Center, as a Camp War Eagle counselor and as a summer intern in Wal-Mart’s tax department. She has volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Relay for Life and Tiger Serve Day and has participated in mission trips. Street has served as a member of the orchestra at First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark., and has been involved in First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia’s home groups. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, Street plans to take the CPA exam and pursue a career in accounting with BKD accounting firm in Rogers.

Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, 22, is a kinesiology major with an emphasis in fitness from Garland, Texas. A graduate of Lakeview Centennial High School, he has been a member of the OBU football team and has served as a leader for OBU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served as captain of the football team, earned All-Conference honors and was named Special Teams Player of the Season, two-time Player of the Week and Super Tiger. He worked for OBU’s Upward Bound and Talent Search programs and volunteered with Special Olympics, the football team’s Christmas project, Tiger Serve Day and Helping Hands at the Beehive Resale Store. He also participated in a mission trip to New Orleans. Upon his graduation from Ouachita in December, Ume-Ezeoke plans to pursue a master’s degree in sports science while working as a graduate assistant for a college football team.

Mary Whisenhunt, 21, is a communication sciences and disorders major from Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Little Rock Christian Academy, she has been named to OBU’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She has served as special events coordinator for OBU’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and has also been involved in Campus Ministries’ women’s discipleship, Campus Ministries Tiger Tunes, intramural sports and the Ouachita Student Foundation’s Special Events Committee. She has volunteered with United Methodist Kids and worked at Kanakuk Kamps. Whisenhunt earned All-Conference honors for soccer and also made All-Academic and All-Conference Tournament Teams. Upon graduation from Ouachita in May, she plans to pursue her master’s degree in speech pathology at the University of Central Arkansas after getting married in June.

By Rachel Gregory and Ryleigh Salmon