OBU BLOG ABOUT

Today is an OBU BLOGABOUT day.  Every Tuesday in September Ouachita Students, Alumni, and Staff, are encouraged to answer the question of the day.  To see my last blogabout go here This is my blog post in regards to the question:

What does OBU mean to me today?

OBU is home.  Home is where your family is and that is exactly what Ouachita has become to me over the past 4 years, actually a lifetime.  I have grown up at OBU - my family went to Ouachita - so when choosing which college to attend they told me,

"Abby, you can go anywhere, but we will pay for Ouachita."

My dad played football under Coach Buddy Benson and played football with the current athletic director, David Sharp.  My mom was in the EEE pledge class with Dr. Deb Root.  My Aunts sung under the very talented Mrs. Shambarger. My grandparents were very close with Dr. Elrod and Dr. Santifer in the Science Department.  My aunt is the Dean of the Speech Path department and just last year a portion of the Student Village was named after my family, The Gossers.

My life has revolved around Ouachita - and so in it's 125th year I am in great appreciation to it's history and what it has meant to me.  It is my home.  It is where I have met some of my closest friends and made memories that will last a lifetime.

I missed last week's blog post about my favorite Student Organization - but it would be the Women of EEE.  I was pledge class president, more like Pledge Class NAZI , and held the position as Social Chair for a season. I love the EEE's with all my heart and as my younger sister Molly Anne embarks on her own memories with the social club, I am thankful for it's history and what they have been able to give to me.  If I had not come to Ouachita I would not have been afforded all of the opportunities on campus that it gave me!  I would not have been able to develop physically (losing 80 pounds thanks to Sally Dann and Dr. Kluck), Mentally (thanks to the countless professors that poured into me inside and outside of classroom time), and Spiritually (thanks to the friends, professors, chapels, and mentors that I had while at Ouachita).

In conclusion, Ouachita is more than a university.  It is my home.  It is where I met friends that became family, learned skills that have led to success, and developed a winning attitude that will last a lifetime.

Ouachita means family. And after 125 years and over 30 immediate family members attending the school and 11 more Gosser grandkids to graduate - Ouachita has been, is currently, and will remain for a lifetime - my home and a piece of my family.

DISCLAIMER::  IF YOU HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT ATTENDING OUACHITA GO HERE: OUACHITA AND CHECK IT OUT -   YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!

Pictures of my OUACHITA FAMILY!

Last weekend, 7 of my EEE sisters came from Ouachita to support me in the Miss Diamond Lakes Pageant:

EEE Alumni - including my mom (2nd row from top, on far right in black) and my aunt (2nd row from bottom in bright red).

My family at the Gosser Dorm Dedication!!  

My EEE family (this was after graduation at Miss Arkansas 2011).  I am so impressed and so blessed to have such a great wonderful support system even after graduation.

 EEE sisters at weddings - this is our family!  This is how family works.  We support each other - and we always attend each other's big moments!  I love it!  This is how Ouachita has impacted me and has forever left a mark on my life.

 And I will leave you with this:

I thank God for you whenever I think of [Ouachita]. I always have joy as I pray for all of you. It is because you have told others the Good News from the first day you heard it until now. I am sure that God Who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again. It is right for me to feel like this about all of you. It is because you are very dear to me. While I was in prison and when I was proving that the Good News is true, you all shared God’s loving-favor with me.

PHILLIPIANS 1:3-7

ABBY TURNER

2011 OBU GRAD AND LIFETIME SUPPORTER