Campus Activities introduced one of their two new assistant directors this year by stealing her from across the ravine. Courtney Kemp, a 2014 Henderson State University graduate from Benton, Ark. now serves in the Campus Activities Office by working closely with social clubs as well as working as the residential director in Gosser Hall.
Kemp completed her undergraduate degree in December of 2014 with a Speech Communications major and Mass Communications minor. During her time at Henderson, Kemp was active on the debate team, Chi Alpha, a Christian sorority as well as working as a residential assistant for three years.
Despite the rivalry between colleges, Kemp was able to enjoy receiving her education at Henderson as well as meeting friends and participating in Ouachita events. Kemp said she became familiar with the Ouachita campus and culture when she had a friend invite her to spend time studying with her in the student center. By her junior year, Kemp said she was ready to transfer to Ouachita but she felt that God was telling her to stay at Henderson.
“I had a love for Ouachita that continued to grow the more I became introduced to the school,” Kemp said. “I did try to transfer but some things didn’t work out and I saw that as God calling me to stay at Henderson and continue to be a witness to the dorm hall I worked on.”
After graduating a semester early, Kemp immediately applied for a job on Ouachita’s campus. She worked in the Business Office as an account receiver and also worked the switchboard.
“I worked in the Business Office for six months but I really felt that I was missing out on the student interaction,” Kemp said. “So when the job to work in Campus Activities opened up I applied and accepted the job offer.”
Inside of the Campus Activities Office Kemp will be working specifically with the social clubs on campus. She is excited to become familiar with Ouachita’s rush process and see how it compares to her rush and sorority experience at Henderson.
“I’ve learned a lot about the Ouachita culture over the years, and I grew to love it even more when I began working here,” Kemp said. “Now that I am in a new office I am excited to learn how it all works and start building relationships with students.”
When asked about the her feelings on the rivalry between Ouachita and Henderson as a former Henderson student, Kemp answered that she believes a sense of rivalry is good as long as it does not get out of hand.
“Honestly I think when it comes to some of the pranks they’re silly,” Kemp said. “We have a really unique rivalry because we are across the street and in other rivalries you won’t find someone like me who loves both sides, but I will say my loyalties do stand with Ouachita now.”
On the topic of rivalry, an education is not the only thing that Kemp is bringing with her from across the street. Kemp recently got engaged in August to her fiancé Jordan Clark who is a fellow graduate from Henderson.
“My fiancé is a Henderson fan, but I definitely have respect for both sides,” Kemp said. “However when it comes time for the Battle of the Ravine I will definitely be there cheering on the Tigers from now on.”
By Sydney Bratton
