Service is an idea to which every Ouachitonian commits themselves to. President Dr. Rex Horne often speaks to the student body about being difference makers, and Ouachita’s dedication to service is something that often makes a difference in the lives of students and community members.
“We commit to service by enrolling as students here,” said Reuben Cash, a senior accounting and business administration major. “We have been extremely blessed to attend this institution and we have a duty to give back to others because of it.”
Cash, a member of the Tiger Serve Day (TSD) leadership team, believes the best thing about TSD is it empowers the students to give back to the community.
“TSD is the most visible and effective day of servant leadership in Arkadelphia,” he said. “On this day, the campus comes together as a team with the goal of service in mind, which exemplifies the spirit of OBU in a special way.”
According to Judy Duvall, assistant director of the Elrod Center for Family and Community, TSD is “hands down the signature event.” On Saturday, Sept. 24, and Saturday, March 31, 2012, Ouachita students, faculty and other staff will hit the streets of Arkadelphia and engage in a variety of tasks from house cleaning to landscaping.
Jenna Lindsey, a senior kinesiology major who participated in last spring’s TSD, wanted a way to reach out and get involved in the community. With a group of fellow students, she went to a widower’s home and scrubbed the outside of his house, raked leaves, moved large branches and cleaned up his property.
“The best part of my day was when we went into Mr. Hickman’s house and had a gospel worship hour,” Lindsey said. “A few guys were on guitar, one was on the bass and Mr. Hickman played his harmonica and sang hymns. It was truly a [testament] to his love for the Lord.”
As is seen with Lindsey, the relationships Ouachitonians establish in their commitment to service are what truly bless and reward them.
And there are more ways than just TSD in which students can do their part for the community. America Reads/America Counts is one such opportunity, where students meet with an elementary student in either first or third grade and tutor them in either math or reading.
“In our lessons the children and I read books, practice spelling and writing and we do lots of fun activities together,” said Katelyn Mustain, a senior diatetics major who tutors at America Reads.
Mustain’s responsibilities include spending about half an hour each week with two different children, three times per week, aiding them in their ability to read.
“One of my favorite memories was from last year,” Mustain said. “One boy in particular would always bring me a gift from the book fair. He brought me several erasers and pictures he had made.”
Other opportunities include ElderServe, where students spend time with a local elderly person, and TranServe, where students document community service hours on their transcript. Students who wish to become involved in volunteer service can inquire at the Elrod Center.
“Serving others gives us the opportunity to show Christ to our community,” Duvall said. “Certainly we are commanded to share the gospel but people are impacted more by what we do than what we say. When we serve others we are demonstrating very clearly the love of God, and it’s powerful. Serving others takes the focus off of me, my problems and interests and places it on them. In the end that’s very satisfying.”
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