No. 15
Vol. 1
April 29, 2021
A Rocking Good Time at A Big Squawk About Bird Island Guitarmageddon
Photo by Lance Brownfield
The students of Dr. Bruce Johnston’s Guitar Seminar class put on a big and loud performance at Guitarmageddon. The biannual event took place in the Evans Student Center at OBU. Lance Brownfield venues, parties and weddings. you might see. They’ve been Salmon had never even heard Contributing Reporter Johnston has put on the event accompanied by everything of the band before taking the Five microphones, four elec- once a semester for five years. from opera singers to keyboard class. This last show was the tric guitars, one acoustic guitar, This time it was a special per- players in the past. sixth and final one for Salmon. one electric bass, and a drum formance for the class since Josh Salmon and Ethan “We all had a really good kit. Sounds like a show at one COVID-19 cancelled the show Kuntz, both senior music in- time playing some classic of the big venues in Little Rock, for the last two semesters. dustry majors at OBU, took songs,” Salmon said via email. right? Well, it actually took Instead of performing live the lead on most songs. Kuntz’s “We started running through place at OBU’s Evans Student this last fall, the class did a gravelly voice was fitting for the songs at the beginning of Center last Tuesday. recording project. While John- “Best of You” by The Foo Fight- the semester, and each week The showcase of students ston said it went really well, ers. The two both had elaborate we would meet to work on two shredding and soloing was they made the decision to mask pedalboards to help them craft to three.” accompanied by Dr. Bruce up and get back on the stage unique sounds. If you missed out on the Johnston, a lecturer of music this time around. Salmon sang “Use Some- show, do not fret. You can at the university. Johnston While the show is mostly body” by Kings of Leon, be- always see the next Guitarmaplayed drums during the hour centered around the guitars, cause according to Johnston geddon this November in the and a half set. there’s no real limit to what his “voice is perfect for it.” Evans Student Center at OBU. “I named it Guitarmageddon because in all honesty, I expect it to be a bit on the ‘excessive/bordering on obnoxious’ side of things,” said Johnston via email. “There is never really a need to have five or six guitars on stage at the same time.” During the performance, the band covered hits from The Beatles, Steve Miller Band and The Doobie Brothers as well as several instrumentals. Their rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was slightly darker and more brooding than the original on account of the thick, rich sound made by so many guitars. Austin Murberger’s expressive tremolo picking really set the song off. Murberger is a sophomore music major at Henderson. Him and junior music major Zach Tabor both participated in the OBU event as Reddies. “It’s kind of an exchange program for guitar,” said Johnston. The event is part of a course Photo by Lance Brownfield called Guitar Seminar and is Josh Salmon takes the lead during a song at Guitarmageddon on Tuesday, April 20. This designed to get students used to playing popular songs for guitarmageddon was the first since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelly Stiles HSU Oracle Editor-In-Chief The sound of soft waves and chirping birds fills the warm summer air. As the sun drops below the mountainous horizon, orange, pink, and blue shimmer off the lake water. Thousands of birds swarm the sky in artistic display. This is a typical July evening at Bird Island. “It’s a God thing,” Dad said. “It’s such a miracle.” In 1965, my father Lamar Currington first saw the birds when he was six-years-old. He and my Papaw Charles came across the island while fishing on Lake Ouachita, the cleanest lake in Arkansas. The manmade lake became available to the public in 1956, three years before my dad was born. The pristine waters have been my father’s summer home since infancy. “It’s better seeing your kids experience it,” Dad said. As an adult, my dad found himself wanting more than summer visits. In 1986, he bought a piece of land right off the coast and lived in a tent until he finished building a house. Born and raised on the water, Bird Island is a part of me, a part of my family. My older sister and I would lie on the hard top of Daddy’s pontoon and name the birds above us. We would follow our named birdies until they eventually got lost in the darting mess of black dots. “Around dusk they come from all directions and swirl like a loose tornado before settling down, wing-to-wing, for the night,” Dan Scheiman, bird conservation director of Audubon Arkansas, said. Bird Island is Arkansas’ largest known Purple Martin roost. The patch of Bald Cypress is located in the middle of Lake Ouachita. It is 1,260 feet long, and about 100 feet at its widest point. Much of the land beneath the trees may be submerged when the water level is up, but trees are all the birds need. “At less than a tenth of an acre, Bird Island’s size is disproportionate to its huge importance for Arkansas birds,” Scheiman said. The island is about a mile from the nearest mainland shoreline. The closest boat launch sites are Brady Mountain Use Area and Buckville Use Area. Bird Island is dubbed an Important Bird Area by the Arkansas Audubon Society because it is one of a handful of migratory roosts in Arkansas that consistently hosts a large number of Purple Martins. Cattle Egrets and possibly Little Blue Herons nest on the southern end of the island as well. An estimated 20,000 to 40,000 Purple Martins have roosted on Bird Island at the end of June and beginning of August every year. My father argues that these Purple Martins are actually
Great Swifts, a species that looks quite similar from far away, but is easily distinguishable from up-close. He has seen some of the birds wear a ring around their neck that is characteristic of Great Swifts. Also, he believes that the dark color of the birds better aligns with the black Great Swifts versus the dark purple Purple Martins. Most experts agree, however, that Purple Martins are indeed the primary hosts of Bird Island. The sheer numbers, constant influx and movement of birds, tree cover, and fading light make counting Purple Martins a daunting task. Students from the Mountain Pine High School Environmental and Spatial Technology (EAST) program experimented with several techniques, including photographing the sky through a fisheye lens and later counting all the birds in the photo, as well as counting the birds on a branch and then multiplying by the number of branches and trees. Birds roosting on Bird Island have been disturbed by boaters using fog horns and floodlights, and visitors leaving trash behind. The Arkansas Corps of Engineers and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission were told of the disruptions, so they allowed EAST students to post signs at access points around the island to reduce interference. Preventing foot traffic during roosting will protect the birds who are already at risk due to the lack of natural roosting environments. Occasionally, the birds will make their home on a nearby island similar in size and amount of trees. One year, the water level was so high that both islands were completely submerged, so the birds chose to inhabit a piece of land near Brady Mountain Marina. In preparation for their arduous journey to the Amazon Rainforest, the Purple Martins congregate for about a month at places like Bird Island because there are plenty of bugs to eat. “They build up enough fat to fuel them for their migration south,” Joe Siegrist, president and CEO of the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA), said. About 80-90% of Purple Martins breed east of the Rocky Mountains during the summer. They only eat flying insects, so the birds leave the area when winter comes to drive away their food. Purple Martins are quite social; they breed colonially in groups anywhere from as few as 20 birds, all the way up to 50,000. In the morning, the birds disperse up to 100 miles in different directions, swooping and diving to catch insects. They arrive back at their roost close to sunset to rest in the crevices of trees or other tall objects. Bird Island has filled generations with awe. I look forward to experiencing the feathered flyers through the eyes of my children and grandchildren. Until then, I hope to share this
Ouachita’s Stephany Quintero chosen among 2% of students nationwide for Educational Delay Program to pursue U.S. Army JAG Corps Mandy Halbert OBU News Bureau
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Since high school, Stephany Quintero has been passionate about serving as a member of the U.S. Army. Now a senior accounting and finance double major and member of ROTC at Ouachita Baptist University, Quintero has been named in the 2% of college students around the country accepted to the Army’s Educational Delay Program. Originally from Arkadelphia, Ark., Quintero will graduate from Ouachita in May 2021 as a 2nd Lieutenant and has been chosen – among 6,000 cadets – as one of 136 cadets nationwide for the U.S. Army’s Educational Delay, an honor that defers service years and allows cadets to further pursue their studies for medical or law degrees. Of those 136 cadets, Quintero is one of 23 who were selected for the law school option. “The Army’s Educational Delay program is a highly selective process that goes through several boards, and for good reason,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Moyer, professor of military science at Ouachita. “The
Department of Defense is taking a financial gamble on a student by allowing them to delay their service commitment in pursuit of a specialized degree such as being a doctor or lawyer.” The Educational Delay Program’s law school option is designed to produce active-duty Judge Advocates from current ROTC cadets. During their third year of law school, cadets compete for selection into the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, the military justice and military law branch of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Navy. Quintero has been accepted to the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville with plans to become an Army lawyer. “I met Stephany at the beginning of her junior year in college while she was serving as Ouachita and Henderson State University’s cadet company commander and was considering law school,” Moyer said. “Stephany is an excellent student, peer mentor and a dedicated leader. She was my best company commander and has always impressed me with her commitment to others.” “I could not believe it when I was first told I re-
ceived Active Duty, and then it was even more exciting that I had been accepted for an Educational Delay,” Quintero said. “I immediately called my parents after and told them the great news.” After sharing with her parents, Quintero sought out Bryan McKinney, dean of Ouachita’s Hickingbotham School of Business, who not only helped her prepare for the application process but who she said also inspired her to pursue a career in law. “I have loved every moment of visiting with her about a future career in the law,” McKinney said. “I walked alongside her as she navigated the law school application process, and some of my best memories of the year were celebrating with her when she learned of her acceptance for Educational Delay, and when she told me she’d been accepted into the law school of her choice. “I will always be proud of Stephany, and I have 100% confidence that she will move on from Ouachita and make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he added. Quintero participated in JROTC as a student of Arkadelphia High School and was encouraged by
mentors to pursue the officer route rather than enlistment. Through ROTC, she was able to receive a college education at Ouachita as well as work toward becoming an Army officer. “I remember the first time I met her when she came to visit [Ouachita’s] campus,” McKinney said. “She was dressed in her JROTC uniform. She brought a notebook and took notes and asked great questions. She was so professional. I knew that she came from a supportive family, but I was impressed that she came alone. This was her journey – the first in her family to attend college – and she was ready to tackle it.” While under Moyer’s command at Ouachita, Quintero made the connection between military service and law studies through a meeting with a former JAG officer. This inspired Quintero to use her passion for law to serve members of the military, specifically. “I want to represent soldiers and help them with their troubles before they deploy, or if they seek legal counsel,” Quintero said. “I want them to have peace of mind that their wills and contracts are safe as they make their way to danger-
ous areas. I just want to put the skills that I have to best use by being the best lawyer for soldiers and care for the U.S. in that way.” Quintero’s intentions to serve have been a trademark of her college years. She was chosen as the Henderson and Ouachita ROTC cadet company commander in Fall 2019, and she currently works as a resident assistant in Ouachita’s Susie Everett Hall. Quintero consistently has been named to Ouachita’s President’s or Dean’s List each semester, and she is a member of the Carl Goodson Honors Program and Tri Chi women’s social club. “I am very blessed to not only be Stephany’s colleague, but her friend, as well,” said Michelle Smead, resident director of both Susie Everett and Maddox Halls at Ouachita. “She is a very humble and kind individual who has worked extremely hard – and overcome many obstacles – to accomplish her dreams. Stephany is one of the most positive role models that I know, and I truly believe that the sky is the limit for this amazing and determined young lady.” Because of the influence and guidance of her profes-
sors, ROTC mentors and her parents, as well as her own determination to succeed, Quintero will complete her degree in May and as a firstgeneration college graduate. “Stephany has the unique quality of being the type of leader who can balance emotional and mental intelligence,” Moyer said. “Whether the credit goes to her family, faith, instructors or peers, Stephany’s demeanor and compassion at such a young age is commensurate with effective military leaders today.” “I definitely trusted God with everything, and I would pray that He would guide me to what was best for me,” Quintero said. “I tried to not take things in my own hands, but rather let God make the decisions for me. It has been very hard, both mentally and physically, but here I am demonstrating that it is possible to get it done.” The Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University ROTC Program are part of the 5th Brigade and the Golden Lion Battalion. For more information, call 870-2454352.
2 News
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Arkansas could help on the rebound Stacy Hurst AR Dept. of Parks, Heritage & Tourism
The travel industry in Arkansas and across the globe has been hit hard over the past year. We’ve all the seen the headlines about lost revenue and economic instability because of COVID-19. Yet, hope is now on the horizon, and people are ready to get back out and explore. Travel’s ability to bounce back after periods of economic hardship is why the theme of this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week, May 2-8, is the Power of Travel. The week serves as an opportunity to remind visitors and Arkansans alike about the incredible value the travel industry holds not just for our local economy and workforce, but to our community’s identity and culture — and to illustrate travel’s ability to help power recovery efforts. Travel and tourism are an important part of who we are as a community. Nationally, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51
billion trade surplus to the U.S. in 2019, according to the U.S. Travel Association. In Arkansas, tourism contributed $7.68 billion to our state in 2019, and during that time more than 36 million visitors traveled throughout The Natural State. Also in 2019, the tourism industry provided jobs for more than 68,000 Arkansans. However, this vital revenue source stemming from business and leisure travelers was severely diminished during the pandemic. In 2020, the entire U.S. travel industry lost half a trillion dollars in travelrelated spending. With such losses, a broader economic recovery hinges on recovery within the travel industry. Arkansas’s tourism industry was also significantly impacted, but fortunately, we were well-positioned for the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re known as The Natural State for a reason, from our outdoor recreation opportunities to our wide-open spaces — which are exactly what travelers have been looking for during this public health emergency.
While the rapid pace of vaccinations has provided hope that a return to normal is on its way, a resurgence in travel demand is not inevitable. With the right measures in place, we can get people moving again in a safe and healthy way, restore our workforce and help power a broader economic recovery. The road ahead is challenging, but the travel industry is resilient and has an incredible ability to bounce back from hard times. This is the toughest challenge the U.S. travel industry has ever faced, but we know travel is one of the best-equipped industries to lead a revival. About Arkansas Tourism Arkansas Tourism, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. The division manages 14 Arkansas Welcome Centers and employs more than 60 staff members across The Natural State. For more information, visit www. arkansas.com.
Fyears, we have struggled to find enough teachers, nurses, and other licensed professionals to fill jobs in Arkansas, and today I’d like to talk about Act 746, a law that will help overcome that challenge by enlarging the field of employees. I signed it into law this week. Senator Bart Hester, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said that Arkansas has worked hard to find solutions to the shortage of professionals while a solution that could fill thousands of jobs was right in front of us. Representative Clint Penzo co-sponsored the bill, which allows certification of a professional who is in Arkansas legally but isn’t a U.S. citizen. The bill says that agencies that grant certificates or licenses for certain professions may certify or license a person who “fulfills the requirements to practice an occupation or profession in this state and … who holds
[the] Federal Form … known popularly as a ‘work permit. …’” Under this new law, as many as five-thousand residents of Arkansas who were born in another country can work, which immediately enlarges the potential workforce for dozens of occupations from teacher to nurse to veterinarian to architect to civil engineer. Mireya Reith, founder of Arkansas United, has worked on this and similar legislation for a decade. During past legislative sessions, we passed a law that allowed the certification of teachers and nurses who weren’t U.S. citizens. But that left out those that need a license. Legislators from both parties supported the bills enthusiastically for all other professions. So this year, the General Assembly passed what became known as Act 746, which covered a multitude of professions and was a big victory for the young people who are talented and ready to build their future in our great
state. The certification bill, combined with bills that allow qualified noncitizens to apply for the Governor’s Scholarships and instate tuition, opens up many paths for noncitizens and helps fill critical gaps in certain industries. The laws have made the future brighter for Javier Luna, a senior at Central High who was born in Mexico City but has lived in Arkansas since he was four. He had recently learned that under the current laws, he could not get his engineering license in Arkansas. When he learned about this possibility of the new law, he volunteered to support it in the General Assembly. He testified before two committees, and he joined us at the capitol this week when I signed it into law. This is a special Arkansas moment. The General Assembly passed Act 746 across party lines with unanimous support. All of Arkansas benefits.
Westerman: conservation is conservative in nature Bruce Westerman AR Representative
Conservation is inherently conservative. While the Left has radicalized the narrative on environmental issues, I’m here to set the record straight. A strong economy and a clean environment go hand in hand. I was proud to re-introduce my bill, the Trillion Trees Act this week as a part of House Republicans’ energy innovation agenda. The Trillion Trees Act is an important step in supporting market-based solutions to climate issues that we can all get behind.
Simply put, the goal of this bill is to plant more trees, grow more wood, and store more carbon. Trees significantly benefit the environment when forests are properly managed. As trees grow, they absorb carbon from the atmosphere to be stored in the wood forever. When the tree is chopped down and used as a renewable resource in our homes and businesses, carbon continues to be stored. Arkansas is one of the United States’ leading timber producers, harvesting more than 24 million tons per year, worth an estimated
Oracle: CE
Upcoming Events Upcoming Events
Disaster Response Training for National Park College students & 2020 graduates is free and available for sign up now. Go to EventBrite. com for more details. >>> <<< Showing at the Arkadelphia Arts Center, “Springtime! Window Exhibit”, a collection of Spring-themed art by several members of the Caddo River Art Guild. Contact information for each of the artists is listed on ID cards on the art. For more information about the Caddo River Art Guild and the Arkadelphia Arts Center go to Facebook, or visit CaddoRiverArtGuild.com or CCAHC.org.
Ongoing >>> <<< Alcoholics Anonymous hosts two meetings a week in Arkadelphia.
Licensing law may help fill gap in workforce Asa Hutchinson AR Governor
$445 million to landowners. By encouraging the use of wood as a renewable resource through sustainable building tax credits and incentivizing the growth of more trees on the land currently utilized, new timber markets will be created in Arkansas and the nation. As the only licensed forester in Congress, I am uniquely passionate about forestation and conservation. I look forward to seeing the bill continue through the legislative process with bipartisan support as we work toward a cleaner environment.
The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. every Tues. in the Sturgis Building at North 9 and Caddo Streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group Meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. every Thurs. on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-230-2975 or 870-260-9277. >>> <<< H& R Block has a new location at 2749 Pine St in Arkadelphia, AR! Visit their new office today to put their expertise to work on your refund. >>> <<< The Arkadelphia Arts Center directors are looking forward to the day when we can open the doors to the public. Meanwhile, enjoy our rotating exhibits that may be seen through the window and glass door. Contact information is listed on identification cards near each piece. For more information about the Arkadelphia Arts Center and the Caddo River Art Guild find their pages on Facebook or visit CaddoRiverArtGuild.com or CCAHC.org. >>> <<< With Late ‘til 8, local businesses stay open to 8:00 pm so that customers can shop and also win door prizes! this is a monthly event that happens every first Thursday of every month. >>> <<< Pediatrics Plus is excited to announce that our brand new facility is now open. Our new facility is located at 702 Hickory Street. The new facility offers includes a Developmental Preschool and Therapy Services that include: ABA, Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. In addition, our brand new, state-of-the-art facilities include a House Next Door suite which offers a homey feel for children learning daily living activities like cooking, feeding therapy, making the bed, getting dressed, and more! Other features of the new facility include a new playground, gross motor gym, high stimulation and low stimulation gyms, and a library! Enroll Now to get a spot in our new location! >>> <<< Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held three days a week in the Arkadelphia area:
- Tues. at 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9 and Caddo.
870-403-2019; Thurs. at 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church.
870-403-2019; Fri. at noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St.,
side door. 512-750-2292.
Oracle:CE
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Page 3
Obituaries for the Month of April
Raymond Peters Raymond “Dickey” Pe-
Loy; six grandchildren; two
ters, age 73, of Arkadel-
step-grandchildren; two
phia, passed away Saturday,
great-grandchildren; one
April 17, 2021 at Hot Spring
sister-in-law, Becky Peters;
Lois Ann Powell Lois Ann Powell, age 76,
her son, Scott Peters (Wen-
of Curtis, passed away April
dy) of Springdale; daughter,
15, 2021. She was born
Kelli Loy (Lee) of Arkadel-
County Memorial Hospital
one special nephew, Michael
in Malvern. He was born to
Peters; and “Mom” Anita December 25, 1944 to the
phia; seven grandchildren;
Richard and Hazel Wing-
Peters of Arkadelphia.
field Peters on September 16, 1947.
late Lester Norman and
two great-grandchildren;
tion will be Monday, April Thelma Barfield Norman in
brother, William Norman
A walkthrough visita-
Dickey was a member of
19, 2021 from 6:00PM to
Third Street Baptist Church
7:30PM at Ruggles-Wilcox
in Arkadelphia. He was a
Funeral Home, 517 Clay
retired Volunteer Arkadel-
St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
phia Fireman, and retired
Funeral Service will be Tues-
South Western Bell after 30
Memorial Service will be
from Wal-Mart. Dickey
2:00PM, Wednesday April
Campground and never
day, April 20, 2021 at 10AM years of service. She had a at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, with Bro. James passion for her dogs, work-
missed a camp meeting. He
Guthrie officiating. Burial to
also loved attending Badger
follow at Rest Haven Memo-
Football games.
rial Gardens.
loved attending Davidson
Dickey was preceded in
Memorials may be made
death by his father, Richard
to a Church of your choice or
Peters, and brother, Gary
to Davidson Campground,
Peters. He is survived by his
C/O Austin Wingfield, 620
mother, Hazel Peters; two
Pine St., Arkadelphia, AR
sons, Scott (Wendy) Peters,
71923.
Kyle (Emily) Peters; and one daughter, Kelli (Lee)
Okolona. Lois Ann retired from
of Gurdon; and sister, Doris Ham of Hot Springs.
21, 2021 at Ruggles-Wilcox
ing in the yard and tending
Funeral Home, 517 Clay
to her flower beds. She
St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
valued her quality time with
Inurnment will be at South
her grandchildren, great-
Fork Cemetery.
grandchildren and reading in her spare time.
Online Guestbook: www. ruggleswilcox.com
Online Guestbook: www. ruggleswilcox.com
Lois Ann is survived by
Neil Ursery Neil L. “Buddy” Ursery, of Bismarck, died April 15, 2021, following a lengthy illness. Buddy was born to the late Carrie and T.L. “Jack” Ursery on November 12, 1932. A graduate of Gurdon High School, Buddy began his work career at Cabe Lumber Company and retired from Halliburton Oil Industries. When he was 20 years of age, Buddy was called to serve his country during the Korean conflict. His length of service lasted from February 1953 to February 1955. In his youth, Buddy was saved and baptized in First Baptist Church in Gurdon. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Bismarck. Buddy held a previous membership at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Trinity, TX, a church which held a special place in his heart. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, and a son-in-law, James Schmitt; and brother-in-law, Carl Mauldin. Buddy is survived by his wife, Linda Hardage
Ursery of the home; son, Randy Ursery and wife Kim of White Fish, Montana; daughter, Lisa Standridge of Bismarck; five bonus sons: Terry, Charles, Randy, Darrell, and Roger Hardage; two grandsons, Josh Ursery, and Dylan McRay; four granddaughters, Tiffany Grubb, Candace Standridge, Madison Hardage, Alora Dannon Winters; eleven great-grandchildren; and was looking forward to the birth of his twelfth in July; one brother, Jack Ursery and wife Sue of Okolona; two sisters, Virginia Mauldin of Arkadelphia, and Carolyn Kuhn and husband David of Gurdon. Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Monday, April 19, 2021 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, with Brother Kenneth Meyers, Brother Randy Murphey and Sonny Weatherington officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will be at Easley Cemetery in Gurdon. Online Guestbook: www. ruggleswilcox.com
Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Update Editor in Chief: Pete Tubbs Ads Manager: Harley Whisenhunt
Oracle Editor: Kelly Currington Sports Editor: Donovan Lee Staff Reporter: Lance Brownfield
Staff Reporter: Caroline Derby Adviser: Steve Listopad
oracle@hsu.edu
Arkansas Department of Health
According to the Arkansas Department of Health Administration in its CO-
VID-19 update, there are a total of 72,476 probable cases in the state as of April 19. In reference to ADH’s graph, there are a total of 334,769 cases with 327,188
Crites & Tackett Tree Service
Tree removal, trimming, topping and stump removal. Free estimates, worker’s comp, and liability insurance. 501-337-1565 or 501-337-9094
recovered. The counties are colored by light to dark in terms of density of cases. The Dispatch will post an updated version of this graph weekly according to what is available from the Department of Health and state officials. Vaccines are now available for a limited amount of people. Baptist Health in Arkadelphia has been supplying shots for weeks for selected employees across town. Golf, softball, women’s volleyball, and basketball are in full swing, so sports teams are keeping an eye
on COVID guidelines. That’s not to say that there aren’t precautions, however, as games are being cancelled left and right to coincide with regulations. With Joe Biden as the new President of the United States and vaccines being given to those that meet the needed qualifications, things are changing week by week. People are encouraged to continue social distancing and staying at least six feet away from others. Testing is widely available in most cities.
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870-230-5221 1100 Henderson Street, Arkadelphia, AR - 71923 Calls will be returned. Mailed subscriptions now offered -$60 for 6 months -$100 a year All views and opinions are those of Oracle writers and editors and they do not represent the beliefs of Henderson State University. The Oracle: CE is printed by the Nashville Leader in Nashville, AR*
4 Sports
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Oracle: CE
HSU Coach Brenda Joiner to retire
Photo courtesy of Henderson State University Sports.
Henderson State University’s cross country and tennis coach Brenda Joiner will be retiring at the end of the 2020-21 season. She’s been coaching at the university since 1993. Courtlin Haygarth HSU Sports
Longtime Henderson State head cross country and tennis coach Brenda Joiner has announced her retirement, effective at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year. Joiner, who began coaching women’s tennis at her alma mater in 1993, cross country in 1995, and also briefly coached men’s tennis from 1996-2001, has been a staple of the athletics department at Henderson for nearly three decades and has mentored hundreds of Reddie student-athletes. “I want to thank Brenda for her 28 years of exceptional service to her alma mater,” director of athletics Shawn Jones said. “She has devoted her life to this university and been a role model to hundreds of young men and women over the course of her career. Her student-athletes have always been of high-character and displayed toughness
and sportsmanship on the court. We wish Brenda the best in her well-deserved retirement. She will always be a beloved figure in the Henderson State community.” A 1979 graduate of Henderson State and the great niece of Reddie legend Duke Wells, Joiner has coached over 40 all-conference players during her time at HSU. Joiner’s tennis teams have qualified for the conference tournament 27 times and reached the NCAA Tournament in 1997. The Reddies won their first GAC Tournament match in program history over Southern Nazarene in 2017 and defeated defending Central Region champion Southern Arkansas in the league tournament this season. In cross country, the Reddies have won 14 different meets in Joiner’s tenure, including their most recent win at the Bob Gravett Invitational in 2019. “I have been so blessed to be able to coach at Henderson State for the last 28
years,” Joiner said. “I’m so grateful for the memories I’ve made and the friendships I’ve formed over the years doing a job that I absolutely love. This university has meant so much to me and my family, and getting to work with countless amazing young men and women has been a special journey. My studentathletes mean everything to me and I hope they know the impact they have had on my life. I will always love them more! I want to thank all of the administrators at Henderson during my time as head coach for their support, encouragement, and leadership. The Reddie Spirit will always be a part of who I am and I look forward to cheering on the new head coach and these young women.” During her time at HSU, Joiner has coached three Hall of Honor inductees — Stephanie Devine-Fincher (Tennis), Carrie Freeman (Tennis), and Penny Whelchel (Cross Country)
c i n Pic ct e f r Pe
— as well as tennis players Annie Shannon and Sydnee Parker, who were each named to the Great American Conference’s AllDecade Team in 2020. Under Joiner, Henderson’s tennis and cross country programs have been elite in the classroom. Joiner coached two Academic All-Americans — Whelchel in cross country and Matt Hardee in men’s tennis — and had more than 80 student-athletes earn academic all-conference recognition. Joiner’s tennis team has achieved the highest GPA of any athletic program at HSU in 12 different semesters. Sportsmanship has also been a foundational principle for the Reddies under Joiner. Henderson’s tennis program has been honored with the GAC Team Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by all the schools in the conference, three different times in 2013, 2014 and 2019. A lifelong Reddie, Joiner’s parents were both Hen-
derson State alums and her mother taught in the English Department at HSU for 35 years. As a student at Henderson, Joiner played tennis under the legendary Bettye Wallace, was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, served as a Golden Heart for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and was named a Who’s Who at American Colleges and Universities in 1979. Both of Joiner’s children, Reid and Leah, also graduated from Henderson State. Plans to honor Coach Joiner are in the works for the fall. Full details will be released at a later date. A national search for the next head coach of the Henderson State women’s tennis and cross country programs will begin immediately. Statement from Dr. Charles Welch, Arkansas State University System President and Former President of Henderson State Uni-
versity: “Brenda has loved and served her alma mater in so many ways for a long time. From student to coach to mentor, she has made Henderson a better university and positively impacted countless student-athletes.” Statement from Dr. Jim Borsig, Chancellor of Henderson State University: “I want to thank Brenda Joiner for her nearly three decades of outstanding service to this university. Brenda and her family are synonymous with Henderson State and she has built a lasting legacy during her time as the head coach of the women’s tennis, men’s tennis and women’s cross country programs. Her deep love and care for her student-athletes has been a joy to watch. We wish her nothing but the best as she enters this new chapter of life.”
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