Jon Merryman
Tiger for Life Podcast: Blake Ligon ('08), Pastoring during a pandemic
June 22, 2020On this episode, Dr. Blake Ligon ('08) shares about pastoring his congregation at Central Baptist Church Jonesboro's Paragould Campus in the midst of the pandemic, his call to ministry and his favorite Ouachita memories like meeting his wife Joy, being in the Beta Beta "Glove Makers" Tiger Tunes show and his love for the caf's shrimp alfredo.
Alumna Vanilla (Nelson) Hannah ('72), counselor at Arkadelphia High School and Goza Middle School, shares about education during the coronavirus pandemic, reflections on the peaceful protest in Arkadelphia following the death of George Floyd and some of her favorite Ouachita memories like singing with Ouachita Singers and listening to Cliff Harris ('70) and the Dallas Cowboys in the Student Union.
Tiger for Life Podcast: Rhonda Sanders ('83), Feeding Arkansans through the Arkansas Foodbank
June 08, 2020With unemployment numbers on the rise due to COVID-19, the work of the Arkansas Foodbank is so important. Ouachita alumna and Arkansas Foodbank CEO Rhonda Sanders ('83) shares how foodbanking works, how the work of the Arkansas Foodbank has changed during the pandemic and how we can get involved as well as her memories of Walt's mashed potatoes and building Homecoming floats with her Chi Delta sisters.
Tiger for Life Podcast: Melinda Mayo ('87), Broadcasting from home during the pandemic
June 01, 2020Award-winning journalist and co-host of KATV's Daybreak and Good Morning Arkansas, Melinda Mayo ('87), shares about broadcasting from home during the pandemic with her sidekick weather dog Ozzie, her favorite Ouachita memories and highlights from her recent trip to the Holy Land.
Alums Brad-Hunter Heird ('15) and his wife Lauren Dunklin Heird ('15) share what it's like serving as nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Heirds also share about finding Ouachita, finding each other and the things they love and miss about Ouachita.
Tiger for Life Podcast: Dr. Ben and Lisa Sells, Reflections and remarks for the Class of 2020
May 18, 2020This episode features Ouachita President Dr. Ben Sells as he shares a brief update and is joined by his wife, Lisa, sharing memories and reflections with the Class of 2020. The interview with Dr. Sells was added to audio from a video message Ben and Lisa recorded for the class during what would have been their last week on campus before Commencement.
Tiger for Life Podcast: Candace Sharp Payne ('01), From #ChewbaccaMom to #QuarantineMom
May 11, 2020Episode 2 features Ouachita alumna, author & speaker Candace Sharp Payne (’01). Candace is most widely known as "Chewbacca Mom" after her video laughing it up in her car with a Chewbacca mask on went viral. Candace shares about quarantine life with her family, her viral fame and her love for table-side guacamole and Ouachita.
On this very first episode of Ouachita's Tiger For Life Podcast, which was actually just recorded to practice recording and editing, we hear from alumna Monica Leagans Hardin (’98), Ouachita's Associate Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies. Monica shares how her family is surviving quarantine, about the new master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, how her husband Tad proposed to her in a practice room in Mabee and how the Kappas transformed Tiger Tunes costuming by introducing groups of costumes in different colors.
As a first-generation college student himself, James Richards said that helping other first-generation students navigate paying for and getting settled into college was a perfect fit. “I believe this job was sent from the Lord,” James shared. “I wasn’t looking for new opportunities when Karen and Brant Matros shared this opportunity with me. I love what I get to do every day now at Ouachita.”
Faculty profile: Allyson Phillips
February 27, 2020Dr. Allyson Phillips began her studies in psychology assuming her path would lead her to counseling, but a professor encouraged her along the way to consider focusing on research. It was Ouachita’s empirical approach to studying psychology, research and observation-based learning that drew her to OBU. She now serves as assistant professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology.