Ouachita Stories

The week of fun dress-up events known to Ouachita as TWIRP Week began in the 1970s as the rules and restrictions on women’s curfew and dress code began to ease up. Sadie Hawkins Day sparked the idea to celebrate girls asking guys on dates instead of the stereotypical other way around. This started as a one night event and branched into the current week-long festivities now known as TWIRP Week (The Woman Is Required to Pay). In the early days of TWIRP here at Ouachita, Sadie Hawkins was themed after “Dogpatch USA” and was celebrated with events like balloon darts, a dunk tank, outdoor games and even a kissing booth. As the event expanded into a full week, more events were added onto the agenda, such as a talent show, the “Grand ‘S’ Opry,” Dad’s Day, Beta Beta Coffeehouse and the Rho Sigma Horror Film Festival.

The different events during the week have fluctuated some over time, with themes such as “Pre-K Play Day” and “Planet Ouachita” however, many have become tradition and are held each year. This year’s line-up includes International Club’s Around the World Night, Chi Mu Masquerade, Tri Chi ’80s Night, EEE ’50s Night, Chi Delta Neon Carnival, Campus Ministries Barn Bash and Gamma Phi Angels in the Outfield. In the spirit of TWIRP, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite pictures of TWIRP Weeks from the past that can be found in the Ouachita Archives, along with a picture of one of the library’s own staff members from TWIRP.

Paul Thurman, Shannon Scott, Wade Dosier and Bruce Webb at “Grand ‘S’ Opry” in 1979.

 

Gamma Phi Sadie Hawkins 1983-84

 

Campus Activities Board Movie Night 2001

 

Pre-K Play Day 2001

 

Brian Tucker and Karissa Ferguson at Campus Ministries Barn Bash 2002

 

Sadie Hawkins early 2000s

 

Amy Arego and Emily Cooper (Assistant Archivist at Ouachita) at Chi Mu Geezer’s Night Out 2017

 

By Emily Cooper, a 2018 Ouachita graduate, serves as Ouachita's archival assistant & weekend supervisor.