Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host its 2014 Homecoming Week Sept. 30-Oct. 4 with the theme “Traditions, Touchdowns and Tunes.” Each year, Homecoming brings current students and alumni together and introduces new and prospective students to Ouachita traditions.

“Homecoming is an exciting time because there is so much going on and alumni are coming home,” said Ouachita Student Foundation President Gracie Lundstrum, a senior mass communications and speech communication double major from Springdale, Ark. “It’s a time for students to bond over the pride they hold for this university and the people they have grown to call family.”

Jon Merryman, director of alumni, expects a number of returning graduates this year. He said the completion of the new Cliff Harris Stadium is a major draw, as well as the excitement surrounding Tiger Tunes, OSF’s fall fundraiser for student scholarships.

“Ouachita is such a unique place,” Merryman said, “and everyone is so strongly bonded to her that Homecoming is really fun and exciting and a reason to come back.”

A new event, the Purple Plaza Party, is also something Merryman said he expects students and alumni to attend and enjoy.

“Instead of the social clubs doing little stuff every day throughout the week, we’re going to have one big party on Friday,” Merryman said. “All the clubs will have a booth of their favorite homecoming activities, and it’s all going to be out there in the middle of campus.”

In addition to social club booths, the Purple Plaza Party will include lunch on the lawn, a pep rally and an appearance by the Homecoming Court. It also is timed to coincide with the conclusion of GROW (Getting Ready for Ouachita’s World), Ouachita’s premier campus visit event for prospective students.

GROW, which will begin Thursday, Oct. 2, allows high school juniors and seniors to spend the night in a residence hall, attend classes, meet students and faculty, and attend Tiger Tunes. Ouachita admissions counselor Hannah Bishop said GROW offers prospective students an inside look at campus life.

“GROW is one of the best ways to get a taste of the Ouachita college experience in a short amount of time,” she said.

Other campus-wide events and reunions for alumni will be held in various locations throughout the week, including a celebration of the 40^th anniversary of OSF on Saturday afternoon. Alumni of the organization are invited to gather in Tiger Alley for snacks and fellowship.

"Alumni should come home to connect with current members and have the opportunity to reconnect with past members,” Lundstrum noted. “Traditions are carried down when stories are told. I know that I always look forward to hearing traditions and stories and how they can be applied today. Learning about the past can help us preserve those memories and protect them in the future in OSF."

To keep up with the most up-to-date Homecoming schedule and to purchase tickets for Homecoming events, visit www.ouachitaalumni.org or download the Homecoming 2014 guide on Ouachita’s mobile app. Tiger Tunes tickets may be purchased at www.obutigertunes.com. To register your high school junior or senior for GROW, call the Ouachita Admissions Office at (800) DIAL-OBU or visit www.obu.edu/grow. For more information, call the Ouachita Alumni Office at (870) 245-5111.

By Rachel Gaddis

Homecoming 2014 Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 30

• 10 a.m. – Homecoming Chapel: Presentation of Homecoming Queen candidates, music by the 2014 Tiger Tunes Hosts & Hostesses


• 9 p.m. – Sigma Alpha Sigma S’mores on the lawn by WWII Memorial

Wednesday, Oct. 1

• 9:30 p.m. – Tiger Tunes After Party at Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse, hosted by Student Senate

Thursday, Oct. 2

• 5 p.m. – GROW begins


• 7:30 p.m. – Tiger Tunes in Jones Performing Arts Center


• 10 p.m. – Refuge (Ouachita’s weekly student-led worship service) in Student Village Circle

Friday, Oct. 3

• 11 a.m. – Homecoming Purple Plaza Party on campus lawn


• 12:30 p.m. – Buddy Benson Memorial Golf Tournament at DeGray Lake Golf Course


• 6 p.m. – Class of 1974 40-Year Reunion in Walker Conference Center Lounge; Class of 1984 30-Year Reunion in Walker Conference Center Room A; Class of 1994 20-Year Reunion in Ouachita Commons Alumni Room; Class of 2004 10-Year Reunion in Walker Conference Center Room B


• 7:30 p.m. – Tiger Tunes in Jones Performing Arts Center


• 10:30 p.m. – Kappa Chi Cookout in Tiger Alley

Saturday, Oct. 4

• 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Ouachita Store is open in Evans Student Center


• 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. – Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse open for breakfast in Evans Student Center


• 9 a.m. – OcTiger Fest on campus lawn


• 11 a.m. – OcTiger Feast on campus lawn; Kappa Chi Reunion Tailgate at Cliff Harris Stadium; Swimming & Diving Reunion Tailgate at Cliff Harris Stadium


• 12:30 p.m. – Pre-Game Activities: Presentation of the Homecoming Court and the crowning of the 2014 Homecoming Queen at Cliff Harris Stadium


• 1 p.m. – Homecoming Football Game vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State at Cliff Harris Stadium


• 4 p.m. – 40 Years of OSF Reunion in Tiger Alley (5th St. between JPAC and JSC; OSF VIP passes are required)


• 5 p.m. – Homecoming Street Festival in Tiger Alley; Tiger Tunes in Jones Performing Arts Center


• 6 p.m. – Dinner Honoring Craig Ward’s 25 Years at Ouachita in Ouachita Commons Alumni Room


• 8 p.m. – OSF Founders Reception in Cone-Bottoms Hall


• 8:30 p.m. – Tiger Tunes Final


• 11:30 p.m. – Eta Alpha Omega “Muggin” on the campus lawn