Ouachita Stories

Thirty-seven students from Ouachita Baptist University will be included in the latest edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. 

The students were chosen by OBU’s faculty, staff and the 2017 senior class based on their academic performance, leadership in extracurricular activities, community service and potential for success.

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

Kimberley Attaway, 21, is a choral music education major from Austin, Texas. A graduate of McNeil High School, she has been named to the Ouachita President’s List and received the Rachel Fuller Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Music Education Student. As a member of OBU’s Carl Goodson Honors Program, she was named a Carl Goodson Scholar and Blue Ribbon Finisher and served as Fine Arts Ambassador. Attaway also is a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation, Alpha Chi national college honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society and was recognized by OBU’s Huckabee School of Education as a Phi Delta Kappa Teacher in Training. She has served as Women’s Chorus assistant director, Ouachita Honor Choir assistant director, Campus Ministries leader for the Monticello Children’s Home project, Tiger Tunes director and president of Ouachita’s student chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. While at Ouachita, she has worked as a children’s ministry intern at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and Bible study leader and store manager for CentriKid Camps. Attaway has been involved as an elementary school Sunday School teacher at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and children’s choir director at Beech Street Baptist Church and also has volunteered with Backyard Bible Club and Tiger Serve Day. She plans to earn her master’s degree in children ministry and serve as a children’s minister.

Mari Bednar, 22, is a dietetics and nutrition major from Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Arkansas Baptist High School, she was awarded the Shelby Seabaugh Spirit of Tunes Award and was first runner-up to Homecoming Queen. Bednar has served as president of the Ouachita Student Foundation and as a Welcome to Ouachita’s World orientation leader and is a member of the Student Senate and Dietetics Student Association. She is a member of Tri Chi women’s social club and has served as the pledge class 2014 president, historian, philanthropy chair and Tiger Tunes assistant director. She has volunteered with the Arkadelphia Human Development Center and Tiger Serve Day. She has worked as the interim children’s pastor at First Baptist Church, Little Rock. Bednar plans to continue her work as a children’s pastor and later do mission work overseas with malnutrition.

Natalie Bingaman, 21, is a psychology major from Fayetteville, Ark. A graduate of Fayetteville High School, she has received the Study Abroad Service Leadership Award. Bingaman is a member of EEE women’s social club and has been an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart. She has been involved in K-Groups at Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia and volunteered through ElderServe and Tiger Serve Day and created and co-led a freshmen girls Bible study. She loves to cook, spend time with the elderly and travel. She plans to get a job in human resources.

 

Jace Bradshaw, 22, is a biology, chemistry and applied physics triple major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, he was awarded Ouachita’s highest academic honor as the university’s Overall Academic Achiever and also was named Senior Outstanding Man, an honor selected by faculty and staff. He also was named top academic achiever in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences, and earned the Outstanding Graduate in Chemistry and Outstanding Senior in Biology awards. Other awards he has won include: Mondy-Provine Chemistry Scholar, Freshman Chemistry Student of the Year, Brown Biology Award, Central Arkansas Summer Research Symposium Oral Presentation Award and School of Natural Sciences Outstanding Research Award. Bradshaw also has received the Alpha Chi National Research Edwin W. Gaston Scholarship and Region II Scholarship and was a member of the team that won first nationally for Collaborative Research Project. His grant awards include University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Student Research Grant, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Grant, Kluck Service Enrichment Grant, Cone Foundation Grant and a Ouachita Student Research Grant. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, where he served as Ouachita’s chapter president and vice president; Tri Beta biological honor society; Alpha Chi national college honor society, where he served as Ouachita’s chapter president; American Physics society; and Astronomical Observation Society, of which he was co-founder. Bradshaw volunteers as a youth intern at Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia and has served on four mission trips during his time at Ouachita: two to New York City, one to Romania and one to Haiti. He has served more than 1,000 volunteer hours during his college years. Bradshaw plans to go to medical school and become a practicing physician.

Titus Brooks, 21, is an accounting major from Houston, Texas. A graduate of North Shore Senior High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List. He also has served as a Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team member, Campus Ministries Leader, Freshmen Family Group leader, TRIO program mentor and Rowing Club treasurer. As a member of Ouachita’s Enactus organization, Brooks served on the Dr. Jack’s Project and the Presentation Team. He also has worked as a RecLife official and as a dean’s assistant.

 

Haley Brown, 21, is an elementary education major from Stuttgart, Ark. A graduate of Stuttgart High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. Brown has served as Student Senate president as well as T-shirt chair and Tiger Tunes director for Tri Chi women’s social club. She also is a member of Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education. She has volunteered as a DNOW leader, Special Olympics worker and through Tiger Serve Day. She has worked at Camp Siloam and in the nursery at Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. Brown plans to move to the Memphis area to teach underprivileged students.

Seth Bubbus, 22, is a finance major from Russellville, Ark. A graduate of Russellville High School, he has been a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team, Refuge Band and Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. He has served on the worship teams of First Baptist Church in Benton, Ark.; Fellowship Bible Church in Cabot, Ark.; and Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark. Bubbus also has worked with the youth at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. He has worked as an admissions office student worker, Kanakuk Kamp summer staffer and FUGE Camps summer staffer. He plans to begin his career with Kalos Financial in Bentonville, Ark.

Mikala Butler, 22, is a Christian studies/Christian missions and sociology double major from Paragould, Ark. A graduate of Greene County Tech High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List. She has served as vice president of Tri Chi women’s social club and has been a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society and Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology. Butler has been actively involved in Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia and is a leader of Kids K-Group. She also works as an OBU apartment manager and volunteers through Backyard Bible Club and as a conversation partner with an exchange student. Butler plans to work for a non-profit “meeting practical needs of people for the sake of sharing the Gospel,” she said.

Will Combs, 22, is a physics/engineering major from Hot Springs Village, Ark. A graduate of Jessieville High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s lists. He has been a member of the Student Senate Executive Committee, Ouachita Student Foundation and College Republicans and has served as a cadet in ROTC and the Arkansas National Guard, Kappa Chi men’s social club president and Campus Ministries photography chair. Combs has worked as a Camp War Eagle counselor, computer draftsman at Summerford Engineering and sales associate at Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters. He has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day and America Counts. Combs plans to pursue a graduate degree in accounting or business administration to work in public accounting before transitioning to the private sector.

Katie Cunningham, 21, is a secondary education and English double major from Frisco, Texas. A graduate of Frisco High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and has earned several recognitions as a member of the Ouachita cross country team, including: OBU Cross Country Newcomer of the Year, Great American Conference (GAC) All-Academic Team, All-Ouachita Athletic Team and All-GAC Second Team. She also has served as captain of the cross country team, chaplain of EEE women’s social club and vice president of Ouachita’s Panhellenic Council. Cunningham also has been involved in Campus Ministries and the Student Athlete Athletic Committee. She has served as the girls intern at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia and has volunteere with the Pregnancy Resource Center of Southwest Arkansas, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Tiger Serve Day. She plans to become a high school English teacher and a cross country coach.

Drew Dodge, 22, is a psychology major from Conway, Ark. A graduate of Conway Christian High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List. He has worked as a counselor at Camp Solgahachia and has led worship at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. Dodge likes to sing, play guitar and piano. He also enjoys playing soccer, tennis and Frisbee. He plans to work in a church.

 

 

Brooklynne East, 22, is a sociology major from Royse City, Texas. A graduate of Royse City High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists. She has served as student recruitment co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation, projects leader on the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and a member of the OBU Judicial Council. She has worked as a Ouachita resident assistant, Kanakuk Kamps summer staffer, OBU admissions telecounselor, OBU development phonathon caller and afternoon teacher for Second Baptist Church Weekday Preschool in Arkadelphia. East plans to pursue a graduate degree in Christian higher education.

Meredith Ellis, 21, is an accounting major from Southlake, Texas. A graduate of Kingwood High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and is a recipient of the Ouachita Scholars Scholarship. She has been a member of OBU’s Carl Goodson Honors Program and the Ouachita Student Foundation. Ellis was OBU’s Enactus Presentation Team leader and has led the team to the semi-finals at the national level. She is a member of EEE women’s social club, where she has served as spirit leader. She has volunteered with TranServe and Tiger Serve Day. She has worked as an accounting intern at ECFA and as an audit intern at CapinCrouse LLP. She will begin her career as an audit associate for CapinCrouse LLP, which specializes in auditing Christian nonprofits and churches.

Abby Engelkes, 22, is a biology major from Conway, Ark. A graduate of Conway High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has earned Great American Conference All-Academic Team honors as a member of the OBU cross country team. She has been a member of Student Senate Executive Committee, EEE women’s social club, American Chemical Society and Astronomy Club. She has worked as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, a student researcher at Ouachita and a camp counselor at Kanakuk Kamps. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, Pregnancy Resource Center for Southwest Arkansas, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Girls in Science. She plans to attend UAMS College of Pharmacy to continue her education.

Damaris Garcia, 22, is a Christian studies/Christian missions major from Richland Hills, Texas. A graduate of Birdville High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and was second runner-up for Ouachita Homecoming Queen. She has been a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team, has served on Campus Ministries Leadership Team as a ministry leader for Noonday and Refuge and participated in Veritas Women’s Discipleship. Garcia also has served as secretary for the OBU Rowing Club. She has worked as a youth and worship intern at Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; as a missions intern with Evangelism Partners International; and as a counselor and programs co-director at Kids Across America. Garcia said she plans to “teach the Word of God to all people” and “write to inspire people to stir their affections for Christ.”

Barrett Gay, 22, is a mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Little Rock Christian Academy, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and has earned the William D. Downs Outstanding Mass Communications Graduate Award and the Bill & Vera Downs Outstanding Sophomore Mass Communications Student Award. She has served as editor-in-chief for The Signal, Ouachita’s student newspaper; social media chair for OBU College Republicans; and tutor for OBU’s Academic Success Center. Gay is a member of Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society, Alpha Chi national college honor society, International Club and Philosophy Club. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and attends Park Hill Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and Fellowship Bible Church of Little Rock.

Staci Gore, 22, is a finance and business administration/management double major from Centerton, Ark. A graduate of Shiloh Christian School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and was selected to be a member of the Eddie and Phyllis Ary Student Investment Fund Team. She has served as president and treasurer of EEE women’s social club; Campus Ministries ministry leader for Freshmen Family Groups, Special Events and Christian Focus Week; Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team member; sweetheart for Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club; and Student Senate representative. Gore has worked as an OBU football office student worker; middle school camp counselor at Pine Cove camp; receptionist at Gildner Auto Group; nursery worker at Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and business administration office intern at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, Ark. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day, ElderServe and Voice of the Refugees as well as EEE projects with the Pregnancy Resource Center for Southwest Arkansas, Lighthouse Ministries and Arkansas Children’s Hospital and has been involved in Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia. Gore plans to work for a corporation or real estate agency in Northwest Arkansas.

Arden Hall, 21, is an applied mathematics and physics double major from Springdale, Ark. A graduate of Har-Ber High School, she was the recipient of Ouachita’s Rowland Memorial Award for Academic Excellence in Physics. She has served through ElderServe, Student Senate, America Counts and TranServe and was a leader for OBU’s Global Focus Week. She has served as president and treasurer of Tri Chi women’s social club. Hall spent two months last summer teaching math, science and English to college students in the Philippines. She plans to go overseas to do ministry.

Lizzie Hall, 22, is an elementary education and Spanish major from North Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Arkansas Baptist High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and was named top academic achiever in OBU’s Huckabee School of Education as well as Senior Outstanding Spanish Major. She is a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society, Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education and the Ouachita Student Foundation. She has worked as a children’s church leader at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia and as an admissions telecounselor, development phonathon caller and alumni office student worker at Ouachita. She has volunteered through Backyard Bible Club, America Counts and the Big Sister program. She plans to pursue a career teaching in a Title I school in Little Rock.

Will Hanna, 22, is a biology major from Russellville, Ark. A graduate of Russellville High School, he has served as social director and Tiger Tunes director for Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club at Ouachita. He also has been a Tri Chi women’s social club beau, a charter member of Astronomy Club and a member of Campus Activities Board and Tri Beta biological honor society. He also has won intramural championships for soccer and softball. Hanna has volunteered with the youth group at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; as an athletic trainer with OBU Athletics; and through Tiger Serve Day. He has worked as a camp counselor at Kanakuk Kamps, camp counselor at Camp Solgohachia and crew member at Big Cheese Pizza in Arkadelphia.

Nina Hefner, 22, is a history and English double major from Poplar Bluff, Mo. A graduate of Poplar Bluff Senior High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List. She has served as song leader, recording secretary, sisterhood chair and secretary for Tri Chi women’s social club and as a small group leader and Leadership Team member for Veritas Women’s Discipleship. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society and has served on the Scope literary journal editing committee. She worked as a tutor for the OBU Academic Success Center as well as a development phonathon caller. She has volunteered with ElderServe and Tiger Serve Day. Hefner plans to attend the Kanakuk Institute, a nine-month discipleship program, and then attend law school at the University of Arkansas.

Kelsey Hogue, 22, is a communication sciences and disorders and Spanish double major from Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Arkansas Baptist High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and has received the Tiger Network Scholarship Award. She has served as special events chair of the Ouachita Student Foundation, development chair of EEE women’s social club, co-president of the OBU chapter of National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and as a member of OBU Diamond Dolls. She has worked at Adorn Boutique and Sky Ranch Summer Camps. Hogue has volunteered with child care at First Baptist Church in Benton, Ark., where she attends; Project Zero; Autism Awareness; Tiger Serve Day; and Kindergarten Round-Up and has been involved in Crossroads Bible Study through Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia. She plans to be a speech-language pathologist in a clinic or hospital.

Anna Holcomb, 21, is a biology major from Fayetteville, Ark. A graduate of Springdale High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and Dean’s List and was a 2015 Homecoming Queen nominee. She was a member of EEE women’s social club, Astronomy Club, OBU’s J.D. Patterson Research Program and American Chemical Society. She served on the Student Senate her sophomore, junior and senior years, including serving as junior class secretary. Holcomb volunteered in children’s ministry at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark., as well as with Girls in Science and is a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. She has worked as a foodservice training and culinary assistant at Tyson Foods, as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens and as an Arkansas INBRE research student. Holcomb graduated from Ouachita in December 2016 and plans to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Lauren Hutcheson, 21, is a musical theatre major from Bossier City, La. A graduate of Parkway High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and received the Friends of the Fine Arts Sophomore Theatre Scholarship. She is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology, Tiger Steel Drum Band and Campus Activities Board. She was a Tiger Tunes hostess, Kappa Chi men’s social club little sister and Welcome to Ouachita’s World orientation leader. Hutcheson has worked as a children’s intern at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, La.; nursery worker at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and as an OBU apartment manager. She volunteers on the worship team at Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia and through Tiger Serve Day. Hutcheson plans to attend seminary and pursue children’s ministry through musical theatre.

Aaden Jones, 22, is a musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, he has been named to Ouachtia’s Dean’s List and has been a finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Arkansas auditions. Jones has served as president of Ouachita Singers and vice president and Tiger Tunes director for Kappa Chi men’s social club and has been a member of Ouachita Sounds and the Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee. He also has been a Tri Chi women’s social club beau and has been in various Ouachita music and theatrical performances. He has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day.

Haley Martin, 21, is a mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of Little Rock Christian Academy, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and was awarded Ouachita’s Tiger Network Leadership Award and Mrs. J.R. Grant Endowed Award for an outstanding female freshman student. Martin served on the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team as teams chair, Campus Ministries Leadership Team as Christian Focus Week chair and as a founding member of Women in Business at Ouachita. Martin was involved in K-Groups at Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia and volunteered with Ouachita’s ElderServe program. She worked in the Ouachita Office of Communications as a news bureau writer. Martin is pursuing a career in public relations.

Marissa Pilcher, 22, is a mass communications and Spanish double major from Maumelle, Ark. A graduate of Arkansas Baptist High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and was awarded a Tiger Network Leadership Award. Pilcher is a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation and has worked as a Ouachita development phonathon caller and admissions telecounselor. She has served as missions and communications ministry leader for Campus Ministries and through the ElderServe program. Pilcher also ran the popular Humans of OBU Instagram account for The Signal student newspaper. She plans to pursue a job in the music industry or at a non-profit organization in Nashville, Tenn.

Drake Puryear, 22, is a biology major from Jonesboro, Ark. A graduate of Valley View High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and was named a Blue Ribbon Finisher in OBU’s Carl Goodson Honors Program. He has served as president, Tiger Tunes co-director and chaplain for Kappi Chi men’s social club, beau for Tri Chi women’s social club and Christian Focus Week co-director for Campus Ministries and also has been a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation. Puryear attends Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia, Ark., where he has served on the worship team, and is a member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. He has worked as a tutor in OBU’s Academic Success Center and at Kanakuk Kamps as counselor, unit coordinator, high elements instructor and campus representative. He has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day, Freshman Family Groups and Welcome to Ouachita’s World orientation. Puryear has participated in medical shadowing with Dr. Ryan Smith, Cooper Clinic, Dr. Eddie Cooper, Dr. Joe Sams and Dr. Michael Isaacson. He plans to work at a hospital in Jonesboro, Ark., complete the Kanakuk Institute discipleship program and then attend medical school.

Mitchell Richards, 22, is a biology major from Springdale, Ark. A graduate of Shiloh Christian School, he has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and received the Freshman Biology Student of the Year Award. He is a member of Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club where he has served as president, vice president and historian. He also has served on Student Senate and is a member of Tri Beta biological honor society, Alpha Chi national honor society and American Chemical Society. In addition to volunteering with his clubs and organizations, Richards has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day and worked as a researcher in Ouachita’s Patterson Summer Research Program. He plans to attend medical school to become a physician.

Emma Riley, 22, is a Christian studies/Biblical studies and Christian studies/Christian ministries double major from Fort Smith, Ark. A graduate of Southside High School, Riley has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and was named the top academic achiever in OBU’s Pruet School of Christian Studies. She also was named Outstanding Student in Biblical Studies, Outstanding Student in Christian Ministries, the Robert Stagg New Testament Greek Award, the Zondervan Elementary Greek Award and the Andrew & Harriet Grant Hall Sophomore Ministerial Award. She has served as Tiger Tunes director for Tri Chi women’s social club, student recruitment co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation and Refuge worship service speaker for Campus Ministries. Riley also is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology, Alpha Chi national college honor society and Pruet Sisterhood. Riley has worked as an OBU admissions telecounselor, youth intern for First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and Camp WOW leader. She has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day and plans to attend seminary at Palm Beach Atlantic University and pursue a career either in full-time ministry or higher education.

Nathan Street, 22, is a music and business administration/finance double major from Rogers, Ark. A graduate of Rogers High School, Street has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and has been a member of Ouachita Singers, Concert Choir and the OBU men’s tennis team. He has served as a Refuge worship leader for Campus Ministries, a tennis coach at OBU’s Ward Tennis Center and as music intern at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark. He plans to attend graduate school for information systems.

 

Kayla Walker, 22, is a musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark. A graduate of North Little Rock High School, she has been a member of Ouachita Sounds. She has served as vice president of Ouachita Singers, as an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart and as vice president of OBU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society. Walker has received first place awards in the upper musical theatre women division at state and regional National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions and receive OBU theatre recognitions as Best Leading Actress and Best Incoming Freshman. She also has been third runner-up to Homecoming Queen. Walker has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day and with a homeless ministry in Little Rock as well as with her church worship team, kids ministry and Celebrate Recovery program. She has worked in OBU’s registrar’s office. Upon graduation, Walker plans to join the cast at Disney World’s attractions division.

Jodie Webb, 22, is an elementary education major from Arlington, Tenn. A graduate of Macon Road Baptist School, she has been named to Ouachita’s Dean’s List and was named a Blue Ribbon Finisher and Ben Elrod Scholar through OBU’s Carl Goodson Honors Program. Webb is a member of the OBU Student Life Committee, Student Senate, Mat Maids and Kappa Delta Phi honor society for education. She has served Panhellenic Council as president, Tri Chi women’s social club as Tiger Tunes director and Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club as sweetheart. She also has worked as a resident assistant. Webb plans to pursue a career in teaching and writing children’s books to “inspire every child I come in contact with to be the very best they can be,” she said.

Emily Weeden, 22, is a worship arts major from Rogers, Ark. A graduate of Rogers High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s and Dean’s Lists and was named the top academic achiever in OBU’s School of Fine Arts. She also has received the James Harrison Scholarship, Presser Scholarship, Fine Arts Scholarship and Ouachita Scholars Scholarship from the School of Fine Arts. She has been a member of Ouachita Singers, Ouachita Sounds, Alpha Chi national college honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society and Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology. Weeden has served as a worship leader for Refuge, OBU Chapel and First Baptist Church in Benton, Ark., and has served with Campus Ministries on Tiger Tunes and Christian Focus Week leadership teams. She has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and has been involved in K-Groups at Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia. Weeden plans to pursue a career in worship ministry.

Stephanie Westberg, 22, is an elementary education major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and received the Mrs. Betty Oliver Grant Endowed Award, the Rotary Service-Above-Self Award and the Alice Searcy Award. Westberg is a member of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology and Alpha Chi national college honor society. She is a Campus Ministries ministry leader for Backyard Bible Club and has served as a conversation partner for exchange students and with Tiger Serve Day. She has been a children’s ministry volunteer, college small group Bible study leader and home group member at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and has worked tutoring and babysitting. She seeks to pursue a career to reach her goal “to mobilize local believers to do local missions,” she said.

Evan Wheatley, 22, is a music and mass communications double major from Camden, Ark. A graduate of Camden Fairview High School, he has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and received the William D. Downs Outstanding Mass Communications Graduate Award and the Matt Turner Outstanding Junior Mass Communications Student Award. He also was named a Blue Ribbon Finisher in OBU’s Carl Goodson Honors Program. Wheatley has served as features editor and staff writer for The Signal student newspaper, and his work has earned first place, third place and honorable mention awards from the Arkansas College Media Association. He has served as vice president, social media coordinator and secretary of OBU’s chapter of Alpha Chi national college honor society; as vice president of Ouachita Singers; as secretary of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology; and as Tiger Tunes director of Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. Wheatley also has been a member of International Association of Business Communicators, Welcome to Ouachita’s World Steering Committee, Ouachita Judicial Council, Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society and Concert Choir. He has worked as a contract media producer assistant for Lockheed Martin in Camden, Ark.; worship director for Fellowship Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and summer ministry intern for Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden. He also has volunteered with Monticello Children’s Home and PraiseWorks Arkansas. Wheatley will begin his career as a manufacturing support team member with Lockheed Martin in Camden.

Caroline (Poole) Winkler, 22, is a Christian studies/Biblical studies and mass communications double major from Arkadelphia, Ark. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School, she has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List and has received the Bill & Vera Downs Outstanding Sophomore Mass Communications Student Award. She has been a member of Alpha Chi national college honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology, Ouachita Student Foundation and Pruet Sisterhood. She has served as chaplain and social co-chair for Tri Chi women’s social club, as a small group leader for Veritas Women’s Discipleship and as copy editor and news editor for The Signalstudent newspaper. Winkler has worked as an admissions telecounselor, summer student worker for OBU’s Pruet School of Christian Studies and youth intern at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. She has volunteered through Tiger Serve Day and summer missions in the Philippines through Nehemiah Teams. Winkler plans to attend Dallas Theological Seminary to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Christian education.

 

By Sarah Davis

May 15, 2016