Tiger For Life Podcast

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, we catch back up with NFL and Ouachita alumnus Julius Pruitt ('09). Our interview was recorded live in Jones Performing Arts Center at Homecoming Chapel on October 4, 2022. When we last heard from Julio in our November 16, 2020 episode, Julio and his family were planning a move from Miami back to his hometown of Newport, Arkansas. After visiting with Ouachita's Head Football Coach, alumnus Todd Knight ('86), the Pruitts now call Arkadelphia home as Julio now serves as Assistant Coach for running backs for the Ouachita Tiger Football Team. Coach Pruitt is well-loved and respected by his players and the Ouachita community and we are so thankful he's returned to his alma mater. We hope you enjoy this update from Julio as he shares about his faith, his family, football and more.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, we hear from Ouachita graduate Ransey Joiner from the class of 2019. Ransey currently lives in Waco, Texas, and started his own company, Brilliant, where he helps companies and organizations with brand strategy and development. He also shares about his work with Ukrainian refugees in trauma centers in Poland and about his Ouachita story -- including the sign his family received in a Tennessee Walmart that confirmed Ransey was meant to be at Ouachita.

To learn more about how you can help Ukrainian refugees, visit www.actsofmercy.com. To connect with Ransey about Poland or his brand development work, you can e-mail him at [email protected].

On this episode of the Tiger for Life podcast we hear from Ouachita graduate, lawyer, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and Arkansas State Representative for District 6, Matthew J. Shepherd ('98). Matthew shares how he navigates politics while putting people first, what he's most proud of so far in his time as a State Representative and Speaker of the House and his favorite Ouachita memories like his first date with his now-wife Alie (Hill) Shepherd ('99) at EEE 50's TWIRP night, being a Beta Beta baby in Tiger Tunes and learning lessons from his outstanding political science professors that have served him well in the House.

This episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, featuring Ouachita graduate Hannah Pilcher ('13), was recorded live on the JPAC stage as part of Ouachita's weekly chapel service. Hannah shares about her nine years serving as Resident Director of Frances Crawford Hall, commonly referred to as "Francie," stories from life in the dorm, her faith journey and how her faith influences her service at Ouachita, her favorite Ouachita memories and her love for the caf's chocolate chip cookies. Hannah has a rich family history at Ouachita, which she shares about on the podcast, and was Ouachita's 2012 Homecoming Queen.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate Jacob Keith Watson ('11) shares about life as an actor, singer and performer on Broadway in Violet, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel and Hello Dolly! as well as the national/international tour of Chicago the Musical and Annie Live! on NBC. As the podcast is released, Jacob is currently in the cast of Into The Woods at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre from April 22 through May 8 and then heads to the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey to join the cast of Sister Act.

You can learn more about Jacob at https://jacobkeithwatson.com/.

Tickets for Into The Woods are available here: https://www.therep.org/into-the-woods/

On today's episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate Michael Krikorian ('10) shares about his career in acting including roles on American Horror Story, NCIS: New Orleans, The Thing About Pam and many more. We chat about life in New Orleans, his career and his favorite memories at Ouachita like being a Tiger Tunes host, working in the scene shop with Eric Phllips and performing in numerous productions.

Learn more about Michael and his career here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5184555/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1&fbclid=IwAR053FLTGVunb7DKYxL3Eh5zaiwjYqjYwWV2qiV-QGeF306l5YiRhp_fgWQ.

Michael has also co-founded Pyxis -- an educational virtual reality production company. Learn more here: https://www.pyxisvr.com/.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate and chair of the Ouachita Alumni Advisory Board, Keisha Pittman McKinney ('04) interviews fellow alumna Jill Waldon Rowe ('03). While serving as a traveling speech pathology assistant for 15 years, Jill saw many children, including her own, getting sick often. Looking for products to better her family's health, Jill struggled to find products with clean, healthy ingredients she could trust. What started with pots full of elderberry syrup on the stove in her kitchen for her family and friends has turned into Rowe Casa Organics -- providing more than 160 natural products online and in 500 boutiques and stores across the country with the goal of helping families thrive. Jill shares about how Rowe Casa began, about the exciting growth of the company and her favorite Ouachita memories like leading Bible studies, spending time in the speech pathology department with Nancy and Carol and never missing breakfast at Walt's or the caf.

You can learn more about Rowe Casa Organics, purchase products online or find a local spot to check them out, like The Farmhouse in Arkadelphia, at www.rowecasaorganics.com

A note of warning: this episode contains strong language related to racism experienced during the desegregation of Arkansas schools. Listener discretion is advised.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, we hear from longtime educator and Arkansas State Senator Joyce Elliott. Joyce received her bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University in 1973 and her master's degree in education from Ouachita in 1981. Joyce shares about growing up in Willisville, Arkansas, difficult situations she experienced during desegregation while she was in high school, her career in education including what she learned as a teacher that has helped her in her work in the state legislature and her favorite memories of her time studying at Ouachita.

On this episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, Ouachita grads John Barber ('99) and Becky (Cunningham)Ellis ('08) share about their work with Joni and Friends -- an international ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada that shares the hope of the Gospel and gives practical help to people impacted by disability. John and Becky share about what led them to serve with Joni and Friends, how Ouachitonians can get involved in meeting the needs of people living with disabilities and their favorite Ouachita memories from Tunes to Traks and meeting their spouses at Ouachita. You can learn more about Joni and Friends at www.joniandfriends.org.

If you love fun podcasts, this one's a "wiener!" On this episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, we "ketchup" with 2019 Ouachita graduate Kallie Polk. After teaching elementary school for two years in North Carolina, Kallie was one of 4000 people to apply to be a "hotdogger" -- driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile around the country for a year. Only 12 people are picked each year and Kallie was chosen. Kallie shares what it's like traveling the country in a giant hot dog, what she's learned delivering miles of smiles along the hot dog highway and her favorite Ouachita memories like the annual Thanksgiving meal in the caf, EEE outings with friends and memories made on Cone-Bottoms Lawn.

You can find a nearby Wienermobile, request a Wienermobile visit or apply to be a hotdogger here: https://www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile