By Katie Owens, Staff Writer
Tiger Tunes is one of Ouachita Baptist University’s most anticipated traditions, involving more than half of the student body each year. Among the participants are approximately 200 freshmen divided into two groups: Campus Ministries and Student Life. Participating in Tiger Tunes gives freshmen an early opportunity to get involved in the Ouachita community, meet lifelong friends and make lasting college memories. This year, the freshman groups performed “Exodus” for Campus Ministries and “Under Construction” for Student Life.
Campus Ministries placed fifth in Saturday night’s competition, however, participating in Tiger Tunes offers more than the chance to win an award. Freshmen involved in the shows say the experience helps them form friendships and navigate the transition to college.
Kenzi Fain, a freshman in the Campus Ministries show, said participating helped her connect with people experiencing similar changes in their lives. “[Being a part of Tunes] helped me meet a lot of new people that I probably wouldn’t have been able to meet if I wasn’t in that group. [I loved] just having fun with people who are in the same season as us, because it feels like sometimes no one else is going through this, but we’re actually all going through it together,” Fain said.
Fain said the transition to college can be a difficult time for students as they adjust to life away from family and longtime friends. “I just feel like college is a very pivotal moment for a lot of people, because they’re not with their family and they’re not with their best friends, so it’s just interesting to see how people are doing in the season that they’re going through right now,” Fain said.
The beginning of freshman year brings significant changes, which can help explain why students in the freshman shows bond so quickly. The experience also offers a unique opportunity to connect with students outside their usual circles. In later years, many students participate in Tiger Tunes through their social clubs, providing a different experience from the freshman shows.
Tiger Tunes also gives freshmen opportunities to showcase their talents in a college setting. Madelyn Oliver, a freshman in Student Life’s “Under Construction,” played the foreman, a role that included speaking lines and singing parts. Oliver said the experience exceeded her expectations and that she appreciated how her directors made rehearsals enjoyable. Oliver said her favorite memory was the group’s Christmas party. “We rehearsed for a bit, did a show swap, and then everyone drank hot cocoa with their pajamas on,” Oliver said.
Freshmen involved in the shows leave their first Tiger Tunes season with new friendships and memories of the time spent preparing for the performances. The directors of both shows dedicated time to preparing their groups for the competition while also creating an enjoyable experience for participants.
For the class of 2030, the season ends with new friendships, lasting memories and a few extra hard hats or tunic to remember their first Tiger Tunes.
