Tiger For Life Podcast

Today is a unique episode of the Tiger for Life podcast featuring a Henderson State "Reddie!" Mark Peyton has served the past two years as Production Manager for Sodexo at Ouachita. He's fallen in love with Ouachita and students, faculty and staff have embraced Mark as a Ouachitonian and honorary Tiger for Life. While working at Ouachita, Mark and his brother Matt have been growing their YouTube channel which features fun, family-friendly content encouraging teenagers that they are meant for greatness and that Jesus loves them. Mark shares about his time working at Ouachita, his faith, how and why he started making videos and his favorite things about working at Ouachita like working with Mr. Scott and Miss Jeanette, the delicious cheesy chicken and rice and more.

You can check out Mark's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkPeyton

This episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast features Ouachita graduates Clay Chapuis ('10) and Meredith Butler Chapuis ('12). On a late-night run, Meredith and two friends were burdened about the needs in their community. Not being able to sleep, the three women began to dream of how they could make an impact in their community -- especially in the area of food insecurity with so many losing jobs during the pandemic. Soon, the For The Love food truck was born -- a food truck on a mission to feed the hungry, cultivate community and fight poverty. Hear how the truck became a reality, how Clay dreams up the menu items and how you can get involved in Northwest Arkansas or wherever you live. Clay and Meredith also share some of their favorite Ouachita memories like Clay serving in Peru with Hands On and rappelling off the old bridge, Meredith getting shin splints as a Tri Chi Soccer Mom and their love for Chick-fil-A.

To learn more about For The Love, visit https://www.forthelovenwa.com/.

On this episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, we hear from Ouachita graduate Mari Bednar ('17). After serving in children's ministry while attending Ouachita and after graduation, Mari felt called to the mission field and moved to Haiti to teach fourth graders in August of 2020 -- in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mari shares about her call to Haiti, what it was like to make the move during the pandemic, how others can get involved in ministering to kids in Haiti and some of her favorite Ouachita memories like directing the Tri Chi MaTChes Tiger Tunes show, learning to cook from Dr. Brech and Interim Ouachita President Dr. Charles Wright ('60) letting her wear the presidential medallion.

You can learn more about Mission Haiti and get involved here: https://www.mission-haiti.org/. To connect with Mari, visit www.facebook.com/maribednar/ or www.instagram.com/marikbed/.

On this episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, alumna, blogger and chair of the Ouachita Alumni Advisory Board, Keisha (Pittman) McKinney ('04), "flips the seat" and interviews the host of the podcast Ouachita's Director of Alumni Relations Jon Merryman ('00). Keisha and Jon share memories and moments from the first year of the podcast, talk about what's new on campus, discuss how alumni can stay connected to their alma mater and Jon shares his own "Fast Fave Fives."

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate Paige Cate Shepard ('09) shares about starting her own business, Shepard Organizing Solutions, after serving 10 years on staff at Geyer Springs. Paige helps clients with home and office organization, wedding and event planning and productivity consulting. Paige shares tips for spring cleaning and decluttering, how to know when it's time and PAST time to call a pro and her favorite Ouachita memories like laughing at Amy Sonheim's jokes in class, directing Tiger Tunes through OSF and her first and last visit to Dean Henley's office after an unexpected party planning fail. Learn more about Paige's work at www.shepardorganizing.com.

This episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast features double Ouachita graduate Dr. Lewis Shepherd ('80). After earning his bachelor's degree in religion and his master's degree in education at Ouachita, Dr. Shepherd began serving as a bi-vocational pastor and has served since 2000 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. While serving local churches, Dr. Shepherd has also served in various roles at Ouachita and Henderson including his current position as Ouachita's Special Assistant to the President where he focuses on advancing racial diversity while supporting and creating a sense of belonging for students, alumni and faculty and staff of color. Dr. Shepherd shares about integration at Ouachita in the 1960s, how Ouachita has continued to welcome and support students of color, how the work continues today and some of his favorite Ouachita memories as a student and now as a staff member.

This episode of the Tiger for Life podcast features Ouachita graduate Christa (Bennett) Neal ('08). Christa currently serves as the Executive Director of the Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center in Arkadelphia which provides forensic interviews, trauma-focused therapy, advocacy and education surrounding child maltreatment and abuse. Christa shares about the center's work, how you can get involved and help protect children in your community and her favorite Ouachita memories like being in Tiger Tunes and meeting her husband Jay.

To learn more about the Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center, to volunteer or make a donation, visit www.pdmcsc.org.

This episode of the Tiger for Life podcast features alumnus Julio Pruitt from the class of 2009.

Julio finished his 4-season career with the Ouachita Tigers with 171 catches for 2,406 career yards – a school record at that time. He also set a school record for receiving yards in a season with 1,116 in 2008. His other school records at the time include 77 receptions and 11 touchdown catches in a season. Julio also had a career-high 4 touchdown catches during his favorite game as a Tiger in the Battle of the Ravine at Henderson State in 2008 which landed him on ESPN Sports Center’s Top 10 that night.

After wrapping up his final season with the Tigers, Julio was signed by the Miami Dolphins joining their practice squad and then being promoted to the team’s active roster playing for three seasons. Julio shares about his time in the NFL, about finishing his degree this fall with Ouachita Online, his favorite memories playing football at Ouachita and for the Dolphins and his plans to return to Newport, Arkansas to invest in youth in his hometown with the opening of his Upfront Performance Enhancement training facility.

You can also read about Julio on Ouachita's blog here: https://obu.edu/stories/blog/2020/11/julio-pruitt-former-nfl-player-harnesses-work-ethic-finishes-ouachita-degree.php

This episode of the Tiger For Life podcast features Ouachita graduate Sara Wheeler McDaniel ('98). After teaching elementary students for 10 years, Sara worked in educational sales and consulting -- still working with teachers around the country today to help them be better educators. After feeling led to move home to Louisiana in 2014, Sara set her sights on restoring a Louisiana cottage. Her journey and her beautiful home have been featured in magazines and on social media accounts like Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Cottages and Bungalows and more. Sara shares about her journey to reclaim her life and restore her home as well as her favorite Ouachita memories.

You can connect with Sara on social media at simplysoutherncottage on all platforms or visit her website at www.simplysoutherncottage.com.

On this episode of the Tiger for Life podcast, alumna Lindsey Fowler Catlett from the class of 2014 shares about life in Birmingham with her husband Jacob, also a 2014 grad, their son Rodney and their dogs Lily and Daisy. Lindsey tells listeners about her work supporting small businesses through PPP loans and forgiveness, their journey adopting a teenager and some of her favorite Ouachita memories from Tiger Tunes to Tiger Traks and more.

This episode is sponsored by Baba Java Coffee. By sourcing coffee directly from farmers in Yemen, China, and other origins around the world, Baba Java provides valuable business to these communities in exchange for quality coffee worth celebrating. Baba Java roasts coffee for their cafe and for customers to buy directly online. Ouachita alumni will receive 15% off their purchase at www.babajavacoffee.com until November 15th. Use the code OBUALUMNI at checkout to receive this offer.