Lederer, a sophomore musical theatre major from Carrollton, Texas, is a member of Theta Alpha Phi national theatre honors fraternity and has been named to Ouachita’s President’s List.

The recital will begin with Alan Menken’s “Home” from Beauty and the Beast. Lederer will then perform Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s ”Take It Like a Man” from Legally Blonde and Ken Friedman’s “Decisions, Decisions.” Cody Myers, a sophomore musical theatre and psychology major from Van Buren, Ark., will assist her for these two selections. Lederer will conclude the recital with Richard Rodgers’ “Cain’t Say No” from Oklahoma! She will be accompanied by Susan Monroe on piano.

For more information, contact OBU’s School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

This year’s theme, “Rooted,” is based on Colossians 2:6-7, which says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

“Christian Focus Week is a time of spiritual emphasis designed to inspire, challenge, teach and equip students, faculty and staff to be more effective disciples of Jesus Christ,” said James Taylor, OBU director of campus ministries.

Students will have the opportunity to attend daily worship services as well as breakout sessions and special events. This year’s keynote speakers include Steven Weathers, a PhD student and former teaching pastor and campus minister, and Justin Hardin, who teaches New Testament at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. In addition to the Sunday night concert, Jarrod Morris will lead worship during the morning sessions Monday through Friday. Missionaries and student mobilizers will also be on campus to show students how they can serve Christ during the summer and after college.

“I think it’s incredibly important that our students have a special time of focus and renewal to help them live faithful lives of throughout the year,” Taylor said. “This week obviously doesn’t replace all we can and should be doing throughout the year, but it allows us to be encouraged and energized to serve throughout the year.”

The Campus Ministries staff and CFW student leadership team have been planning the week for several months, establishing a theme, booking guest speakers and musicians, setting the week’s schedule and organizing publicity. Members of the student leadership team are Mark Bartels, a senior music major from Henderson, Texas; Abbey Jamieson, a junior Christian studies/Christian missions major from Sachse, Texas; Stewart Kelly, a junior church music major from Keller, Texas; and Jillian Sharp, a former student from Little Rock, Ark.

“The leadership team worked to establish the theme and has been praying for this week since last semester,” Taylor said. “They’ve provided great feedback for our office as we try to reach our campus through CFW.”

The week will kick off Sunday, Feb. 12, with a concert featuring Phil Wickham in Jones Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 each purchased in advance and $8 each on Feb. 12. They may be purchased at the JPAC Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or anytime at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

On Monday, Feb. 13, the opening worship service will be held in JPAC at 9 a.m., followed by Noonday in Berry Chapel at 12 noon. The 4 p.m. breakout session, “Rooted & Worshipping” will be held in the Evans Student Center Banquet Rooms. There will be a devotional for students in social clubs at 6 p.m. in JPAC, followed by Pancakes & Prayer at 9 p.m. on the ESC Bridge.

On Tuesday, the women’s discipleship group will meet at 7:30 a.m. on the ESC Bridge. The morning worship service is at 10 a.m. in JPAC led by Steven Weathers and Jarrod Morris. A breakout session on church planting led by Grant Harrison and Nathan James from Epoch Church in Little Rock will be held at 4 p.m. in the Elrod Center. Dinner with Steven Weathers will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Commons Alumni Room, followed by Coffeehouse in the Tiger Den from 9-10:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s morning worship service will be at 10 a.m. in JPAC, followed by Noonday at 12 noon in Berry Chapel. The 4 p.m. breakout session, “Rooted but Mobile,” discussing mission opportunities for college students, will be at the Elrod Center. There will be a worship service at 7 p.m. in JPAC.

On Thursday, the morning worship service will be at 10 a.m. in JPAC, and the breakout session led by Justin Hardin will be at 4 p.m. in Berry Bible Building room 218. Refuge, Ouachita’s weekly, student-led worship service, will be held at 9 p.m. in JPAC.

Christian Focus Week will conclude with a final worship service Friday morning at 11 a.m. in JPAC.

“I hope each student will experience the transforming grace of the gospel,” Taylor said. “That will look a little different for every person, but it will come from the same God in whom we are rooted and who bears fruit in our lives.”

Steven Weathers is a PhD student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). His passion for interethnic and interracial leadership in the church has driven him to pursue academic and practical research that leads to healthy interethnic relationships and structures in church organizations. Prior to TEDS, Weathers served as a teaching pastor at Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas. He also served for six years with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention as a campus minister to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas College. Steven received his Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Morehead State University in Kentucky. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children, Steven II, Johnathan and Nia.

Justin Hardin teaches New Testament at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Before moving to England, Justin taught New Testament at Oklahoma Baptist University. Hardin earned his undergraduate degree from Ouachita and went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from Beeson Divinity School at Samford Univeristy. He then earned his Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Cambridge University. He and his wife, Jill, are both from Henderson, Texas. They have three children, Ethan, Drew and Annie.

Jarrod Morris, the worship leader for the week, studied musical theatre at Ouachita and is a native of Arkadelphia. He met his wife, Laura, at Ouachita and they have two children, Morgan and Keenan. He currently serves as a worship pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tenn.

Phil Wickham is a singer/songwriter from San Diego, Calif.  His most recent albums include “Canons,” “Heaven & Earth” and “Response.”

Trey and Elise Atkins represent the Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) and currently serve as OBU’s missionaries-in-residence and teach English as a Second Language. The Atkinses have served with the IMB in Europe for 14 years and have two college-aged children, Brett and Ryan. Individuals interested in student missions opportunities with the IMB may contact Trey Atkins at atkinst@obu.edu.

Amy Garrett represents English Language Institute China. She graduated from Ouachita with a degree in mass communications and history. She has spent a total of three years teaching English in China through ELIC. Garrett also has a Master of Arts degree in intercultural studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Wheaton College and has taught in a variety of ESL contexts, including teaching one semester at OBU. A Hope, Ark., native, Garrett resides in Fort Collins, Colo., working with recent college graduates who are preparing to teach English in Asia with ELIC’s Teaching Fellowship Program.

Matthew Miller served for two years in East Asia and for 2010-11 at Ouachita as a representative of the IMB, helping college students find ways to serve overseas during and after school.

Nathan James is a co-pastor of Epoch Church, Little Rock, which he planted with Grant Harrison. He graduated from Ouachita in 2004 with a degree in Biblical studies. He attended Golden Gate Seminary in Brea, Calif., before moving back to Little Rock in 2005. James has served on staff at Memorial Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas; First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark.; and California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif. He and his wife, Natalie, have one daughter, Audrey.

Grant Harrison is a co-pastor of Epoch Church, Little Rock, and also works as a photographer. He graduated from Ouachita in 2004 with a degree in theology. He also attended Golden Gate Seminary in Brea, Calif., before beginning work with Epoch in 2005. Harrison has served on staff at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark., and California Baptist University in Riverside, Calif. He is married to Kim, who is also an OBU graduate.

For more information about Christian Focus Week, visit www.obu.edu/cfw or contact James Taylor at taylorja@obu.edu or (870) 245-5536.

By Lara Overman

Elyse Senteney (center) earned first place in Ouachita’s Wind and Percussion Concerto Competition.
Megan Massey (left) earned second place, and Deborah Caldwell (right) earned third place.

Thirteen OBU students participated in the competition, which is open to Ouachita music majors or minors who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study and received permission from their private lesson instructor to participate.

Senteney performed Otar Gordeli’s Flute Concerto in D. As first place winner, she received $500 and the honor of a solo performance with the Ouachita Wind Ensemble on their spring tour. She is a student of Kristin Grant, OBU instructor of music.

Second place and a $300 prize was presented to Megan Massey, a bass clarinet player from Weatherford, Texas. Massey is a sophomore music education major and a student of Dr. Caroline Taylor, OBU professor of music. She performed Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B Flat Major.

Deborah Caldwell was named as third place winner and received a $200 award. Caldwell is a junior music education major from Siloam Springs, Ark., and a student of Dr. Craig Hamilton, OBU’s Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands. She performed Sonata for Trumpet and Piano by Kent Kennan on trumpet.

All three of the competition winners were accompanied by Susan Monroe, OBU staff accompanist, on piano.

For more information, contact Kristin Grant at grantk@obu.edu or (870) 245-5518.

Among recent changes, Lauren Land has been named director of career services, Jon Merryman has been named director of alumni, Clayton Chapuis and Lauren Hardy have been named development officers and Issac Dulaney has been named assistant baseball coach.

Land, who has served since 2006 as Ouachita’s director of alumni, is a graduate of Louisiana State University. Prior to beginning work at Ouachita, she served as operations manager at Shaker Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., and as public relations manager of the Atlanta Community Food Bank in Georgia. Land is a former vice president of the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce and was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Tri-Lakes edition “20 to Watch in 2010.” She and her husband, Kendal, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Arkadelphia, are the parents of three children.

In her role as OBU’s director of career services, Land succeeds Mallory Moddelmog, who resigned in January to move to Colorado. Land is responsible for providing resources to students in the areas of internships, resumes, job placement and related areas as well as coordinating campus career fairs and other events.

Merryman, who succeeds Land as director of alumni, is a 2000 Ouachita graduate. He is responsible for directing alumni programming, communications and campus events as well as coordinating the Ouachita online community and the annual Tiger Network Leadership Award.

He previously served four years in communications, events and church partnerships at Sweet Sleep, a non-profit organization that provides beds to orphaned and abandoned children, and seven years in children’s ministry as associate children’s minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., and as children’s pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, Tenn. As a student at Ouachita, he was involved in the Ouachita Student Foundation, Campus Activities Board, Kappa Chi men’s social club, Ouachita Sounds, Praise Singers and Ouachita Singers. Merryman and his wife, Emily, who serves as Ouachita’s Annual Fund director, are the parents of one son.

Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for institutional advancement, supervises both Land and Merryman.

“Lauren will bring a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to her new position,” Kluck said. “Her alumni experience will open doors to career opportunities for our students with our alumni and her knowledge will help expand our internship program through alumni.

“Jon is excited about the opportunities in the area of alumni,” Kluck added. “His own Ouachita experience will help provide a link to the university with not only established alumni but also with younger alumni.”

In the Office of Development, Chapuis is responsible for development work in north Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Hardy will call on donors and prospective donors in south Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Chapuis, a 2010 Ouachita graduate, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Christian studies. He has served at Ouachita for the past year and a half as hall director of O.C. Bailey Hall and director of outdoor recreation.

Hardy is a 2007 Ouachita alumnae with a double major in political science and mass communications. She also holds her juris doctorate from Mississippi College. As a student at Ouachita, she served on the Tiger Serve Day leadership team and the Signal staff. She also was a member of Student Senate and was a Tiger Tunes director for Tri Chi women’s social club.

“I am pleased to welcome Lauren and Clayton as new development officers,” said Terry Peeples, vice president for development. “Both are energetic and eager to tell the story of Ouachita and raise money from their areas. Both were highly recommended by their former employers and board members. I am so excited to have them on the team. They both love the Lord and love Ouachita.”

Dulaney, assistant baseball coach, is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University and played for the 2006 Gulf South Conference championship team. Before joining the Ouachita staff as a graduate assistant in 2010, he coached baseball and basketball at Trinity Christian Academy in Texarkana. In his new role, he will work with Jeremy Haworth who was named Ouachita’s head baseball coach effective Jan. 1.

By Trennis Henderson, OBU vice president for communications

The new hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday from 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 12 noon-5 p.m. and Sunday from 6-11 p.m. The library previously opened at 8 a.m. on weekdays and was open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8-11 p.m. on Sundays.

The change was sparked by a December article by Mauri Sparks in OBU’s student newspaper, The Signal, that expressed concern about inconvenient library hours as well as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and local business hours.

Ray Granade, director of library services, explained the reasoning behind the revised library hours, saying, “The library consistently evaluates operations, usually on an annual basis. We try to be open to questions about operations and particularly how we might better serve our campus patrons. Even though no one had approached any of us about a change in hours, we took the article in The Signal in early December quite seriously and took a look at what we were doing and what might need changing.”

In his research, Granade compared OBU library hours to other academic libraries around the state and with Baptist and Christian academic libraries around the nation.

“We considered a complete range of ideas within the library,” Granade said. “Providing unsupervised open hours would require physically altering a structure built on an open plan, a costly alternative.” He said significantly expanding available hours would require adding staff, which is currently not an option.

The library also decided against the option of creating an annual library fee to cover the cost of expanding hours “on the grounds that it would increase the cost of an OBU education,” Granade said. “So, shifting hours with a slight increase was the only option available to us.”

The new plan was formulated based on current usage statistics and is being implemented as a pilot project. If usage during the new hours justifies the change, the hours will remain. If not, the library will either revert to the previous schedule or make additional adjustments.

For more information, contact Ray Granade at granade@obu.edu or (870) 245-5121.

By Nicci Fillinger

Ouachita Sounds, an audition-only vocal group including 10 men and women will open the show with song selections such as “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Singing in the Rain,” “Here Comes the Rain” and “Purple Rain.”

Ouachita Sounds is under the direction of Leslie Harper, a staff accompanist in the Division of Music.  Members of the group include John Doss, a freshman music theory/composition major from Rogers, Ark.; Connor Goad, a freshman musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Ark.; Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre and vocal performance major from Springdale, Ark.; DeCarl Jones, a sophomore vocal performance major from Garland, Texas; Stewart Kelly, a junior church music major from Keller, Texas; Lola McClendon, a senior musical theatre and Spanish major from Springdale, Ark.; Shay Michael, a junior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas; Tyler Rosenthal, a freshman music and mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark.; Bethany Swiontek, a junior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo.; and MaryLacey Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas.

Tiger Blast is a performance instrumental band under the direction of Robert Hesse, director of athletic bands.  They will be presenting “fun sounds that you want to hear,” Hesse said, such as “I Like It,” “Body and Soul” and “Dynamite.”

“Blast combines music, movement, lights and some theatrics to present a really neat experience for the audience,” said Kelsey Bates, a senior music education and instrumental major from Marion, Ark., who plays French horn in the group.

Tickets may be purchased for $5 at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office from 1-5 p.m. weekdays or online at www.obu.edu/finearts. OBU students receive one free ticket with their student IDs. For more information, contact the JPAC Box Office at (870) 245-5563.

By Stephanie Hampton

Wood, a senior music theory and composition major from Longview, Texas, composed all of the pieces performed during her time at Ouachita, and she said each of her compositions holds special significance. Several Ouachita students and faculty members will participate in the recital as vocalists and instrumentalists.

During her time at OBU, Wood has served as the president, vice president of membership and treasurer of the Ouachita chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity. In 2011, she earned third place in the Virginia Queen Piano Competition and she earned honorable mention in the competition in 2010. She was awarded the Queen Piano Award of the Little Rock Musical Coterie and has also received Sigma Alpha Iota’s Honor Award.

Starting the recital with “Reflection” will be Elyse Senteney, a senior music education major from Plano, Texas, on flute and T.J. Bailey, a sophomore church music major from Fort Smith, Ark., on piano. “‘Reflection’ is special to me because it is the very first piece I ever composed,” Wood said. “I had never composed before starting at OBU, so I think of that piece as my introduction to composition.”

Bailey will also perform the piano solo “Paranoia.” “No Te Amo” will then be sung by Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, accompanied by Jenna Cummings, a senior church music major from Jacksonville, Ark., on piano.

Jillian Turner, a freshman vocal performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, and Cummings will then perform the piano duet “We’re Only Debating.” Wood described this piece as “a commentary on my childhood. When my mom would tell my younger brother and me not to argue, we would tell her, ‘We’re only debating!’ and that became the basis for the piece.”

A piece titled “High Ground” will then be performed by Senteney on flute; Kelsey Bates, a senior music education major from Marion, Ark., on horn; and Chris Hogan, a freshman music education major from Bartlesville, Okla., on marimba.

A vocal piece titled “Farewell” will follow, sung by Bekah Anthony, a senior vocal performance major from Roanoke, Texas, and accompanied by Lagunas on piano. “‘Farewell’ is probably the most significant piece on the program,” Wood said. “It is one of my most recent pieces, and I consider it to be my farewell to my time here at Ouachita.”

“Difficult Partings,” a saxophone quartet piece, will then be performed by Allan Bateman, a junior music theory/composition major from Perryville, Ark.; Alex Goff, a senior instrumental music education major from Nashville, Ark.; Bradley Lindsey, a junior instrumental music education major from Longview, Texas; and Brent Nessler, a sophomore instrumental music education major from Rowlett, Texas.

The Ouachita Singers, under the direction of Dr. Gary Gerber, will conclude the recital by performing two selections, “A Prayer” and “Dreams.” Wood said she finds these choral pieces significant “because I love composing for choirs, and these two pieces are set to really beautiful poetry by Edgar Allan Poe and Sara Teasdale.”

The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

By Nicci Fillinger

Janzen, a graphic design major from Tulsa, Okla., and Waymire, an art education major from North Little Rock, Ark., chose to exhibit their work together as roommates and friends.

“I decided to have an exhibit with Grace because she is one of my closest friends. It has been fun to go through the process of putting up an exhibit together,” Waymire said. “She is also a great graphic designer, so, of course, she will be hanging quality work in the gallery.”

“I’m really excited about being able to exhibit my work in the gallery with one of my friends,” Janzen said. “It’s a great opportunity that I don’t think I would have at most other schools, and I’m very grateful for the chance to show my work.”

Grace Janzen

Sarah Waymire

The exhibit, which serves as a culmination of the students’ art studies during their time at Ouachita, will offer them the opportunity to display their varied work.

“I was generally aware of the impact of design, but it wasn’t until I came to OBU and started taking art and design classes that I realized the huge effect of design,” Janzen said. “When I realized the influence good design can have, I got really excited about learning the principles of design and being able to use them to communicate non-verbally with an audience.”

Putting those principles into practice when working for specific clients, Janzen said she discusses with them “what messages they want to send and then try to align the visual design of the piece with those messages.”

“I realize that I’ve been spoiled having someone like Grace in my class for my first year as a professor,” said Ferris Williams, assistant professor of visual arts. “Sometimes students propose some ambitious project and I say to myself, ‘We’ll see if they can pull it off.’ I don’t have to say that with Grace; it’s more a matter of looking forward to what she comes up with. She never stops pushing for a better solution, which is also rare in a student.”

Waymire said her interest in traditional art began at a young age. “Even when I was a kid, I had sketchbooks and drew all the time,” she said. “It stuck with me all the way through high school, so I decided to major in something art-related.” Waymire attributes much of her work and development to Psalm 19, which describes the work of God’s hands.

In addition to Janzen and Waymire’s work, several art minors will be featured in the exhibit including: Dusty Barnette, a senior biology major from Dermott, Ark.; Sarah Barteaux, a senior history major from Jones, Okla.; and Kelly Boggus, a senior Christian studies and Christian missions major from Harrison, Ark.

For more information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

By Breanne Goodrum

Metropolitan Opera National Council district audition co-winners pose with the judges (L-R): judge Fred Potkin, co-winner Kristin Lassiter, judge Samuel Ramey, co-winner Jacob Watson and judge Jane Bunnell. photo courtesy Wayne Bryan, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Tri-Lakes Edition

Each competitor prepared five operatic arias. They presented one aria of their choice, and the judges selected one additional aria from their list of five. Watson sang “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from Das Land des Lächelns by Franz Lehar. The judges then selected “Questa o quella” from Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Winning this level of the competition “has definitely affected my future,” said Watson, a Wynne, Ark., native. “All through my career at OBU I focused on musical theatre (my first love) with only a secondary glance at opera. Working hard on my five arias all semester and winning this competition has shown me that I can have a future in opera as well.”

“Any award given during the audition circuit of the Metropolitan Opera National Council is extremely prestigious,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, Watson’s vocal coach at Ouachita. “The judges, nationally and internationally reputable performers and opera scholars with their own impressive credentials, select only the young singers who are demonstrating the most elite vocal skill set of those who perform. Even if Jacob advances no further in the competition, his award at the district level is quite an accomplishment.”

Describing the recognition as “quite an overwhelming feeling,” Watson said, “When I approach a competition, I try not to worry about the outcome. To me, it’s more about being on stage and creating at my top level. It was such a fun day full of great performances. The fact that I won was definitely icing on the cake!”

Because winning the district auditions allows Watson to move on to the regional auditions, he said his post-graduation plans have changed.

“My original plan was to move to New York City in mid-February, but the next round of this competition is in mid-February so I’m staying in Arkansas for a little longer than expected,” Watson said. “My plan now is to see this competition through and to take any and every audition that is available to me in musical theatre, theatre and opera. Eventually, I plan to move to New York City. I’ve always felt called to move there. But all I can do now is work hard daily and the Lord will place me where He wants me.”

Watson will compete in the regional auditions on Feb. 11 at the Germantown Performing Arts Center in Memphis, Tenn. The two winners of the regional competition will receive awards of $1,500 each and will compete for the opportunity to move on to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as a national semi-finalist.

OBU staff accompanist Phyllis Walker collaborated with Watson on his presentation. OBU coach accompanist Louis Menendez also played for 10 singers in the competition and assisted Watson in rehearsal. Ouachita seniors Rachel Harris, a vocal performance and musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., and Grace Johnson, a vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, also participated in the event and were accompanied by Walker.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu or (870) 245-5134.

By Nicci Fillinger

The recital will open with “Comfort Ye My People” and “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted” from George Frederic Handel’s Messiah, followed by “Adelaide” by Ludwig van Beethoven. Next, Garner will perform “Wohin?,” “Halt” and “Der Neugierige” from Die Schöne Müllerin by Franz Schubert; “Una furtiva lagrima” from L’Elisir D’Amore and “Fra poco a me ricovero” from Lucia Di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti; and “Nell” by Gabriel Faure.

The recital will continue with “L’Invitation au Voyage” by Henri Duparc, “Evening Hymn” from Four Hymns by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “How I Do Love Thee” by Norman Dello Joio and “Down by the Sally Gardens” by Herbert Hughes. Garner will conclude the recital with Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of “The Ploughboy” and “Ride On, King Jesus” by Hall Johnson. He will be assisted by Dr. Ouida Keck on the piano and Dr. Jir Shin Boey on the viola.

Garner earned his Bachelor of Music degree in church music from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., and his Master of Church Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Garner teaches voice and fine art music courses at Ouachita and previously served as chairman of OBU’s Department of Church Music from 1990 to 1996. He has served churches in Georgia and Texas as minister of music. Before coming to Ouachita in 1990, he taught at William Carey College and Dallas Baptist University.

He is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and is a frequent soloist at local and regional events and universities. He has been featured in Outstanding Young Men in America and Creator magazine.

Keck serves as OBU’s Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music and coordinator of keyboard studies. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Ouachita, her Master of Music degree from the University of Arkansas and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Keck has served on the faculty at Ouachita since 1996.

Boey joined the Ouachita faculty in 2011 as assistant professor of music and teaches music history and violin. She holds degrees in violin, church music and musicology from the University of Michigan and Indiana University. She previously taught at Indiana University and the University of Michigan.

For more information, contact Dr. Stephen Garner at garners@obu.edu or (870) 245-5146.

By Lacey Brooks

The annual competition was held Jan. 13-15 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.  Ouachita was the only Division II team from Arkansas and one of only two teams from the state, along with the Division I University of Arkansas cheer team. Ouachita also was the only Great American Conference school participating.

Ouachita competed in the semi-final round on Saturday and advanced to the finals on Sunday. The seventh-place finish not only marks the highest finish by a cheer squad from Ouachita, but also the highest finish ever by a university from Arkansas.

Describing the UCA/UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships as “the most prestigious college cheerleading competition in the country,” Ouachita head coach Brian Bridges said, “I am so proud of my team this year. They really gave it their all. They have worked so hard this year not only to prepare for this huge competition but also to lead the Tiger Nation in supporting our athletic teams at Ouachita.”

He added that squad captain Leah Harrington “has played such a vital role with the team as she has helped lead them to this prestigious finish.”

Bridges, the head coach for the Ouachita cheerleaders and spirit squads since 2008, has led his team to the national finals twice in the past four years. The team previously finished eighth nationally in 2009.

By Josh Fink, Sports Information Director

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must compile at least a 3.5 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, is ranked among “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine. Serving since 1886 as a Christ-centered learning community, Ouachita has a current enrollment of 1,594 students from more than 30 states and 40 nations.

The following students are included in the Dean’s List and are listed in order of hometown:

ABILENE, Texas—Chris Price

ALEXANDER, Ark.—Ashley Briggs

ALEXANDRIA, La.—Logan Distefano

ALLEN, Texas—Matt Day, Rebekah Dindak, Michelle Lanza, Megan McLaughlin

ALMA, Ark.—Celia Miller

ANNONA, Texas—Trinity Dial

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Craig Daniell, Max Ford, Lindsey Fowler, Annelise Henley, Lauren Jackson, Austin King, Lida Lee, Lindsey Pipkin, Kelly Strickland

ARLINGTON, Texas—Rebecca Cochrum

AUBREY, Texas—Sarah Stiles

AZLE, Texas—Kathryn Lee

BASTROP, La.—Sarah Beth Barlow

BATESVILLE, Ark.—Amberly Green

BAY, Ark.—Becca Rutherford

BEDFORD, Texas—Jessica Scoggins

BELLA VISTA, Ark.—Sarah Talley, Josh Wayne

BENTON, Ark.—Erica Armstrong, Bridget Bloxom, Lacey Brooks, Tyler Davis, Jeremy Dixon, Akane Forbess, Tyler Hawkins, Ryan James, Ryan McGhee, Stephanie Morse, Bryce Nalley, James Tucker, John Vire, Kaiti Walker

BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Aaryn Elliott

BERRYVILLE, Ark.—Savannah Motzko

BISMARCK, Ark.—Kelley Lester

BOLIVAR, Mo.—Leigha Hill, Tyler Kemp, Garet West

BOURBON, Ind.—Chelsie Kauffman

BRYANT, Ark.—Hannah Hunter, Grace Thomas

CABOT, Ark.—Allison Grigsby, Cody Webster

CAMDEN, Ark.—Barrett Burger, Brooks Burleson, Emory Clayborn, Kasey McLeane, Stephen Raines

CARBONDALE, Ill.—Caitlin Boren

CARROLLTON, Texas—Brooke Basinger, Caleb Cunningham, Alex Rijken, Melanie Spearman, Harrison Tomlinson

CHEROKEE VILLAGE, Ark.—Courtney Sharp

CLARENDON, Ark.—Jamie Thompson

CLARKSVILLE, Ark.—Hannah Bridges

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Bethany Swiontek

COLUMBIA, Mo.—Andrew Russell

CONWAY, Ark.—Jennifer Callaway, Jennifer Coon, Cassie Fikes, Christian Ichter, Taylor Lamb, Madison Lewis, Nicole McPhate, Mariah Miller, Katie Novy, Buck Schroeder, Daniel Sims

COOTER, Mo.—Seth Childers

CROSSETT, Ark.—David White

CROWLEY, Texas—Andrew Myers

CROWN POINT, Ind.—Leith Hobbs

DANVILLE, Ark.—Samantha Rial

DECATUR, Ark.—Eathen Ramsey

DENISON, Texas—Jessica Wasmund

DENTON, Texas—Tanner Simon, Tyler Simon

DERIDDER, La.—Ryan Hess

DESOTO, Texas—Gemma Guiomard, Lindi VanSlyke

DOUBLE OAK, Texas—Allison Rupp

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas—Brianne Baley

DUNCANVILLE, Texas—Grace Hevron

EADS, Tenn.—Holly Wray

EDNA, Texas—Kelli Wilson

EL DORADO, Ark.—Megan Clay, Dylan Haney

EL LAGO, Texas—Jordan Stewart, Josh Stewart

EL PASO, Texas—Brian Monk

ENGLAND, Ark.—Natalie Way

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Hannah Persing, Megan Scarbrough

FLINT, Texas—Cambri Morris

FORT SMITH, Ark.—T.J. Bailey, Jordan Beard, Audra Sargent, Andrew Sweatman, Preston Winstead

FORT WORTH, Texas—Allison King, Jillian Turner

FRANKLIN, Texas—Brandon Sanders

FRISCO, Texas—Brittany Green, Alex Nelson, Meghan Savage

FUKUOKA, Japan—Madoka Noda

GAINESVILLE, Ga.—Matt McMillan

GARLAND, Texas—Haley Fox, Lauren McElyea

GLENWOOD, Ark.—Adam Hansen

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas—Heather Francis, Alexis Johns

GRAPEVINE, Texas—Lauren Shawver

GREENBRIER, Ark.—Jordan Henry, Anna Sikes, Laura Sikes

GREENVILLE, Texas—LeeAnne Polk

GURDON, Ark.—Abbey Smith

HALLSVILLE, Texas—Stephanie Bayne

HALTOM CITY, Texas—Tiffany Ohman

HAMBURG, Ark.—Carli Sasser

HARARE, Zimbabwe—Theo Hone, Jason Kirk

HARDY, Ark.—Natasha May

HECTOR, Ark.—Carly Oetker

HENSLEY, Ark.—Chase Wheetley, Kaley Thompson

HOPE, Ark.—John Butler, Meredith Butler, Mikki Gaines

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.—Mallory Burroughs, Jackson Carter, Joel Coleman, Hanna Dean, Connor Goad, Megan Graves, Brock Green, Brittany Hughes, Alyssa Koen, Josh Lee, Paige Onyuru, J.K. Slyby, Mary Smethers, Emily Tucker, Neil Wacaster

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark.—Courtney Stanage

HURST, Texas—Sarah Fitch

IDABEL, Okla.—Bret Steed

IRVING, Texas—Bailey McMullen

JACKSONVILLE, Ark.—Evan Rogers

JONESBORO, Ark.—Kaitlyn Belk, Vikki Kay Bennett, Brittany Jackson, Allison Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Nick Holtgrieve

KATY, Texas—Teresa Mursuli, Amy Simon

KAUFMAN, Texas—Sarah Pugh

KINGDOM CITY, Mo.—Witt Wright

KINGWOOD, Texas—Mikey Sullivan

KOSTROMA, Russia—Ksenia Gromova

LEWISVILLE, Texas—Katelyn Mustain, Sara Strassemeyer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Brooke Ault, Stephen Curry, Andrew Davis, Emily Davis, Bri Girard, Kyle Hartman, Lorna Kirkpatrick, Alex Lomax, Anna McCulloch, Michael Rogers, Jillian Sharp, Hannah Shull, Anja Talbert, Whitney Turk, Mary Whisenhunt

LONGVIEW, Texas—Brandi Hull, Katelyn Smith, Christina Wood

LONSDALE, Ark.—Marissa Beckwith

LUBBOCK, Texas—Jared Carlin

MAGNOLIA, Ark.—Kailen Johnson, Shelby Seabaugh, Will Wood

MANDELBACHTAL, Germany—Helge Knuth

MANSFIELD, Texas—Stephanie Batsel, Kendall Calvert

MARION, Ark.—Jake Kausler

MASAN, GYEONGSANGNAM-DO, South Korea—Sunhye Kim

MASON, Tenn.—Kinsey Ann Carpenter

MAUD, Texas—Sally Ferguson

MAUMELLE, Ark.—Madison Edwards, Joe Ochterbeck, Kayla Roop

MAYFLOWER, Ark.—Nate Malone

MCKINNEY, Texas—Tyler Hartman, Miranda Lytle

MESQUITE, Texas—Megan Evans, John Hewitt, Kaylee Nebe, Adam Wood

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas—Brie Munoz

MILTON, Fla.—Sean Jackson

MINDEN, La.—Coleson Lechner

MONTGOMERY, Texas—Whitley Hoppe

MONTICELLO, Ark.—Pete Brunson, K.C. Knobloch, Alex Morrison

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark.—Lacy Hollingsworth

MOUNTAINBURG, Ark.—Sam Riggs

NACOGDOCHES, Texas—Jake McLain

NASHVILLE, Ark.—Daniel Aylett, Hope Freel

NEW IBERIA, La.—Kyle Lamothe

NIXA, Mo.—Catie Bennett

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Mark Dewbre, Bailey Chitwood, Whitney Collier, Paige Schnaitman

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas—Sarah Pollock

PARAGOULD, Ark.—Josh Everett

PARKER, Colo.—Kelly Johnson

PARON, Ark.—Sarah Bishop, Delaney Thomas

PINE BLUFF, Ark.—Shelby Cobb, Jacob Sturgeon, Caitlyn Wamble

PLANO, Texas—Emily Coles, Beth Wendl, Katy Wood

POYEN, Ark.—Elise Teel

PRATTSVILLE, Ark.—Shannon Bennings

PRINCETON, Texas—Rachel Gilmer

RACINE, Wis.—Amanda Murray

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.—Cameron Johnson

RED OAK, Texas—Haley Dahl

ROANOKE, Texas—Kelli Caldwell

ROCKWALL, Texas—Baronger Bieger, Joyann Jackson, Ashley Pinales, Rachel Spencer, Kelsey Stawasz, Hannah West

ROGERS, Ark.—John Doss, Haley Prowell, James Simpson, John David Whitmore

ROLAND, Ark.—Melissa Elliott, Stephen Williams

ROMANCE, Ark.—Rebecca Sanchez

ROYCE CITY, Texas—Kathryn Coffey

SACHSE, Texas—Abbey Jamieson

SAGINAW, Texas—Hannah Garner

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Daniel Ogier

SANTIAGO, Chile—Clayton Case

SCURRY, Texas—Stoney Patton

SEARCY, Ark.—Macy Fouse, Chelsea Hill, Alexis Kamerman

SHERIDAN, Ark.—Alice Wheetley, Jessica Winston

SHERWOOD, Ark.—Kathryn Kellogg, Joanna Persson

SHREVEPORT, La.—Evan Malcolm, Joel Ubeda, Kaitlin Williams

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark.—Leah Anderson, Griffin Kretzer, Clayton Rowe

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—Erin Edge

SPRINGDALE, Ark.—Maegan Hodge, Gracie Lundstrum, Bailey Riggins, Justin Young

STUTTGART, Ark.—Andrea Lock

SUGAR LAND, Texas—Beulah Osueke, Alexis Pace

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas—Kate Cody

TEXARKANA, Ark.—Duncan Collins, Casey Cooper, Simon Knighten, Danielle Moses, Chelsey Nicholas

TEXARKANA, Texas—Heather Ellis, Katie Pesek, Marshall Pope, Wayne Smith, Colby Smith, MyLisa Speer, Lauren Telford, Zach Thompson

TILLAR, Ark.—Hunter Wargo

TUCSON, Ariz.—Kayley Willingham

TYLER, Texas—Chad Emmons, Grace Johnson, Alyssa White

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia—Tuyajargal Enkhbayar

VAN BUREN, Ark.—Jennifer Carney, Cody Myers, Jessica Smith, Monica Smith

WACO, Texas—Hunter Wolf

WAKE VILLAGE, Texas—Nick Burt

WAXAHACHIE, Texas—Meagan Moore, Cassie Wheeler

WEBB CITY, Mo.—Kelsi Bodine

WEST MONROE, La.—Charlton Diaz

WHITE HALL, Ark.—Bethany Gere, Tyler Robinson

WYLIE, Texas—Michael Curtis

YOSHKAR OLA, Russia—Lilia Sokolova