Tiger For Life Podcast Ouachita Alumni Relations

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, we catch back up with NFL and Ouachita alumnus Julius Pruitt ('09). Our interview was recorded live in Jones Performing Arts Center at Homecoming Chapel on October 4, 2022. When we last heard from Julio in our November 16, 2020 episode, Julio and his family were planning a move from Miami back to his hometown of Newport, Arkansas. After visiting with Ouachita's Head Football Coach, alumnus Todd Knight ('86), the Pruitts now call Arkadelphia home as Julio now serves as Assistant Coach for running backs for the Ouachita Tiger Football Team. Coach Pruitt is well-loved and respected by his players and the Ouachita community and we are so thankful he's returned to his alma mater. We hope you enjoy this update from Julio as he shares about his faith, his family, football and more.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, we hear from Ouachita graduate Ransey Joiner from the class of 2019. Ransey currently lives in Waco, Texas, and started his own company, Brilliant, where he helps companies and organizations with brand strategy and development. He also shares about his work with Ukrainian refugees in trauma centers in Poland and about his Ouachita story -- including the sign his family received in a Tennessee Walmart that confirmed Ransey was meant to be at Ouachita.

To learn more about how you can help Ukrainian refugees, visit www.actsofmercy.com. To connect with Ransey about Poland or his brand development work, you can e-mail him at ranseyjoiner@gmail.com.

On this episode of the Tiger for Life podcast we hear from Ouachita graduate, lawyer, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and Arkansas State Representative for District 6, Matthew J. Shepherd ('98). Matthew shares how he navigates politics while putting people first, what he's most proud of so far in his time as a State Representative and Speaker of the House and his favorite Ouachita memories like his first date with his now-wife Alie (Hill) Shepherd ('99) at EEE 50's TWIRP night, being a Beta Beta baby in Tiger Tunes and learning lessons from his outstanding political science professors that have served him well in the House.

This episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, featuring Ouachita graduate Hannah Pilcher ('13), was recorded live on the JPAC stage as part of Ouachita's weekly chapel service. Hannah shares about her nine years serving as Resident Director of Frances Crawford Hall, commonly referred to as "Francie," stories from life in the dorm, her faith journey and how her faith influences her service at Ouachita, her favorite Ouachita memories and her love for the caf's chocolate chip cookies. Hannah has a rich family history at Ouachita, which she shares about on the podcast, and was Ouachita's 2012 Homecoming Queen.

On this episode of the Tiger For Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate Jacob Keith Watson ('11) shares about life as an actor, singer and performer on Broadway in Violet, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel and Hello Dolly! as well as the national/international tour of Chicago the Musical and Annie Live! on NBC. As the podcast is released, Jacob is currently in the cast of Into The Woods at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre from April 22 through May 8 and then heads to the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey to join the cast of Sister Act.

You can learn more about Jacob at https://jacobkeithwatson.com/.

Tickets for Into The Woods are available here: https://www.therep.org/into-the-woods/

On today's episode of the Tiger for Life Podcast, Ouachita graduate Michael Krikorian ('10) shares about his career in acting including roles on American Horror Story, NCIS: New Orleans, The Thing About Pam and many more. We chat about life in New Orleans, his career and his favorite memories at Ouachita like being a Tiger Tunes host, working in the scene shop with Eric Phllips and performing in numerous productions.

Learn more about Michael and his career here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5184555/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1&fbclid=IwAR053FLTGVunb7DKYxL3Eh5zaiwjYqjYwWV2qiV-QGeF306l5YiRhp_fgWQ.

Michael has also co-founded Pyxis -- an educational virtual reality production company. Learn more here: https://www.pyxisvr.com/.