Ouachita Stories

Terry Peeples competed as Miss Ouachita Baptist University in the 1983 Miss Arkansas Pageant. Thirty years later, she wasn’t just a spectator at this year’s state pageant. She also was an honoree.

Peeples was named to the Miss Arkansas Hall of Fame along with Adrielle Churchill who reigned as Miss Arkansas USA 2010. According to pageant officials, the Miss Arkansas Hall of Fame is designed to recognize former pageant participants and showcase their success as personal and professional role models.

In addition to Peeples’ recognition, three recent Ouachita alumnae and one current student earned awards during this year’s Miss Arkansas Pageant, including three who placed in the Top Ten.

Miss Ouachita River Abby Lindsey, a junior business administration/management major from Van Buren, was named second runner-up and received the Shannon Albright Miss Congeniality Award. Miss Ouachita Baptist University Kiley Wright, a 2013 OBU graduate from Glenwood with a major in biology, was named third runner-up. Miss Greater Little Rock Brooke Ault, a 2012 OBU alumna from Little Rock with a major in musical theatre, was a semi-finalist. Miss Frisco Springs Cortnie DeVore, a 2011 OBU alumna from Beebe with a musical theatre major, received the Lyons Overall Vocal Talent Award.

Peeples, who was honored for her business achievements, has served since 2008 as Ouachita’s vice president for development. She previously served 20 years as community relations director for Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. Among other honors, she was named the 2005 Sherwood Woman of the Year and the 2003 Arkansas Woman of the Year by the Central Arkansas chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

"I was very honored to be selected for the Miss Arkansas Hall of Fame,” Peeples said. “It was a total surprise at the pageant. I was not prepared but felt very blessed that God had this honor in store for me.

“Most importantly, I am thankful that the Miss America system encourages women to be their best intellectually, physically and artistically,” she added. “The system also encourages the contestants to be involved in worthy causes they believe in.”

Affirming that the competition is designed as a scholarship pageant for young women, Peeples said, “I am very proud of the track record of the Ouachita Baptist University contestants. That alone speaks volumes about OBU and the caliber of the women who study here."

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications