Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University recognized six outstanding alumni in the ninth class of Ouachita Alumni Milestone Award recipients at its recent Homecoming football game. This year’s honorees represent the graduating classes of 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008. Honored for their professional achievements, community service and dedication to their alma mater, they were selected by a committee of Ouachita faculty, staff and President Ben Sells to represent their respective classes.

Daniel Gaske (’68): After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita with majors in economics and mathematics, Gaske earned a PhD in economics from Rice University. He served 43 years as an international economics analyst with the federal government, earning more than 25 awards of excellence and international honors. The author of two books on economics and statistics, he also received an Outstanding Teaching Award from George Mason University. Gaske is a member of the Ouachita Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1964-65 basketball team. He and his wife, Susan, live in Williamsburg, Va., and have two children and three grandchildren. He noted that his time at Ouachita taught him to serve Christ, honor his profession and reserve time for self and family.

Dwight McKissic (’78): Interested in attending Ouachita from a young age, Rev. McKissic earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Christian studies. He served for six years as pastor of St. Peter’s Rock Baptist Church in Pine Bluff before relocating to Arlington, Texas, where he serves as senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church. The church, which he founded in his home in 1983, has grown to 3,000 members. The author of several books and articles, he often is referred to as the “racial conscience of the Southern Baptist Convention.” He and his wife, Vera, have four children and 12 grandchildren. McKissic said he is thankful for his four years at Ouachita that provided him a foundation for professional ministry, service and leadership.

Terri (Smithson) King (’88): Attracted to Ouachita’s size and its faith-based curriculum, King graduated from Ouachita with a major in accounting. After graduating from Ouachita, she married Taylor King, also an alumnus of Ouachita. They have lived in Arkadelphia for 32 years where they started their own business, Taylor King Law, which now has offices throughout the state. King has been active in her alma mater, church and community, including serving seven years as a member of the Arkadelphia School Board. She and her husband are the parents of two adult children. King said she is thankful for the countless friends and mentors she has gained through her connection to Ouachita.

Carmen (Byrd) Lane (’98): Sensing God’s call to ministry as a senior in high school, Lane felt Ouachita was the ideal place to continue her education. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita with a major in Christian studies, Lane married her husband, Brian, and went on to earn her Masters of Christian Education degree at New Orleans Theological Seminary. She serves as the camp coordinator for Super Summer Arkansas which is hosted by Ouachita. The annual youth camp brings thousands of students to campus, introducing them to our university. Lane affirmed that Ouachita gave her the ability to approach life holistically by preparing her academically, socially and spiritually. She and her husband live in Vilonia, Ark., and are the parents of two children.

Austin & Ashton (Berry) Samuelson (’08): After graduating from Ouachita, the Samuelsons got married and moved to California. During that time, God gripped their hearts about the plight of childhood hunger. They moved back to Arkansas in 2010, and Austin sensed God’s direction to open a restaurant that donates a meal for every meal sold. They opened Pitza 42, a fast, casual pizza restaurant, in 2011. In 2014, they opened Tacos 4 Life, a taco shop with the same concept. The Tacos 4 Life mission has been embraced and supported by the extended Ouachita family. The Samuelsons live in Conway, Ark., and now operate 12 Tacos 4 Life locations in three states and have donated more than 7 million meals to children around the world through Feed My Starving Children. The couple welcomed their first son, Jet, in 2014 and their second son, Finn, in 2016. They are expecting their third son, Ford, this December. Ashton and Austin emphasized that they are thankful for the support Ouachita has offered them on every step of their journey.

 

Photo above: Ouachita President Ben Sells (left) congratulates the 2018 class of Alumni Milestone Award recipients, including (from left): Austin Samuelson, Ashton Samuelson, Carmen Lane, Daniel Gaske, Terri King and Dwight McKissic. Photo by Wesley Kluck. Download full photo.

October 15, 2018

• Tags:
• Alumni
• Awards/Honors
• Homecoming