Education Commons^™

Confidence For Graduation, Tiffany Pickett, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

“Fake it until you make it.” While a common phrase in the leadership/business management advice genre, it’s genuinely how I survived my freshman year as a first-generation college student.

I smiled. I nodded. I tried to exude the confidence that I knew exactly what I was doing, but in reality, to quote Michael Scott from “The Office”: “I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” I would quietly ask questions to friends I could trust or pray that another classmate asked the question I wanted to ask in …

Mentorship Beyond Graduation, Gayla Parker, Bailey Buettner, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

My grandmother could make the best biscuits ever over an open fire. My dad could tune a guitar to perfect pitch without a tuner. Those were just a few of the many skills they taught me. But there was one skill they could not teach me: navigating the world of higher education.

As smart and gifted as they were, high school graduation was not a part of their stories, much less college. When I graduated from high school, they were thrilled. They never imagined there would be multiple graduations to follow.

The Secret To Graduation, Lisa Sells, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

My maternal grandparents grew up in the Depression-era poverty that surrounded the lumber mills around Ashdown, Ark. When World War II ended, and my grandfather came home from the front lines in Europe, there was no work in the Texarkana area. He and his young family moved to northeastern Oklahoma where he found a job at the newly opened BF Goodrich tire factory.

And so it is that my story starts in Commerce, Okla., and not Ashdown, Ark.

The Journey To Graduation, Addie Woods, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

This year marks my fourth and final year of college. It seems just like yesterday I was walking up the stairs of Frances Crawford Hall, too many bags in hand, to embark on my educational journey.

I grew up knowing I wanted to pursue a higher education to finish what my parents started. I didn’t know where and how to start my journey, but I leaned into my advisor, Dr. Deborah Root, who answered every question, met every need and solved every problem because she wanted to see me succeed.

Getting To Where You Want To Go: 2022 Commencement Address, Ben R. Sells, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Last academic year, Ouachita was one of the few universities to provide a fully in-person education. As we prepared for this year, we challenged ourselves to provide all the benefits of a traditional campus experience.In this effort to provide the typical in the least typical of times, we called on our seniors—the only class who remembered a year without COVID—to restore and revive the traditions that make Ouachita, Ouachita. You, our seniors, rose to the occasion, and I will forever be grateful for you, for the leadership you demonstrated and the example you set.

A Benediction Commencement 2021, John Mccallum, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Father, this has been an extraordinary year at Ouachita. Thank You for administration, faculty, staff, coaches and these graduating seniors who led the way in pulling off a full year of onsite instruction. We celebrate these graduates today, giving thanks for the education they’ve received, the spiritual nurture they’ve enjoyed and the lifelong friendships they’ve forged here. And we thank You for their families that have helped make this dream for their children come true

Ouachita Honors 364 Graduates During 134th Commencement, Rachel Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University celebrated 364 graduates from the class of 2021 during its 134^th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 8. University officials conferred Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees, with seven students receiving Ouachita’s first ever post-baccalaureate certificates for dietetic internship.

The ceremony was held outdoors at Cliff Harris Stadium on Ouachita’s campus, with Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, presiding over the commencement exercises. The ceremony also was livestreamed at www.livestream.com/obu for those unable to attend.

Progress Is More About Direction Than Speed: 2021 Commencement Address, Ben R. Sells Dr., Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

I feel a special relationship with this graduating class. Many of you began in the fall of 2017, but we first met during your senior year in high school – my first year as president. We’ve been on this journey for five years

Ouachita To Honor 364 Graduates May 8 At Cliff Harris Stadium, Rachel Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 134^th Commencement honoring the class of 2021 on Saturday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m. in Cliff Harris Stadium on Ouachita’s campus. The ceremony will honor 364 graduates earning Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees, with seven students receiving Ouachita’s first ever post-baccalaureate certificates for dietetic internship.

The gates to Cliff Harris Stadium open at 8 a.m. for guests, and guests must have a ticket to enter. Guest seating will be limited to allow for physical distancing due …

Ouachita Honors 309 Graduates During 133rd Commencement, Rachel Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University celebrated 309 graduates from the classes of 2019 and 2020 during its 133nd commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 5. The ceremony, which was rescheduled from its original date in May due to COVID-19, was held outdoors at Cliff Harris Stadium on Ouachita’s campus and followed Arkansas Department of Health protocols for guest and graduate safety.

University officials conferred Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, presided over the commencement exercises.

Focus On Graduates, Not Speakers, Ben Sells

Press Releases

I love the pomp and circumstance that marks commencement. It's the most important, picture-perfect day in the life of a university. And as a president, it's a great honor to present a diploma, shake hands and congratulate each graduate.

The tradition of commencement, one that spans hundreds of years, has a modern addition: the high-profile speaker. It's an approach I once supported. But my mind changed after becoming president of Ouachita Baptist University in 2016. I learned Ouachita's practice was not having an outside commencement speaker. It's a practice I've come to deeply affirm.

Here's why

Commencement Location Changed To Vining Arena, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Due to expected rain, Ouachita Baptist University’s 132^nd spring commencement will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Bill Vining Arena, located in Sturgis Physical Education Center. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will honor 345 graduates.

Ouachita Honors 336 Graduates During 131st Spring Commencement, Brooke Zimny, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University celebrated 336 graduates during its 131^st spring commencement on Saturday, May 12, with university officials conferring Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Associate of Arts degrees. Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, presided over the annual commencement exercises.

Ouachita To Hold 131st Spring Commencement Ceremony May 12, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 131st spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 12, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor 336 graduates earning degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees.

Ouachita Honors 293 Graduates At 130th Spring Commencement, Brooke Zimny, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University celebrated 293 graduates during its 130^th spring commencement on Saturday, May 13, with university officials conferring Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Associate of Arts degrees. Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, presided over the annual commencement exercises.

“Class of 2017, congratulations!” Dr. Sells said in his commencement address. “You completed a rigorous liberal arts program. You studied with talented faculty and worked alongside committed staff. You served your classmates, your campus, your community. … You worked hard. You had fun. You made lifelong friends. …

Ouachita To Hold 130th Spring Commencement Ceremony May 13, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 130th spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 13, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor 293 graduates earning degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees.

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, will preside over the annual commencement exercises. Dr. Ray Granade, director of library services and professor of history, and Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, will serve as commencement marshals. Honorary marshals are Dr. …

Ouachita Honors 331 Graduates, Awards Honorary Doctorate To Larry Kircher, Trennis Henderson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Celebrating Ouachita Baptist University’s 129^th spring commencement on May 14, university officials conferred a total of 337 degrees on 331 graduates, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees as well as Ouachita’s first Associate of Arts degrees earned through the university’s Ouachita at New Life Church program.

This year’s graduating class featured 142 honor graduates, including 21 who graduated summa cum laude with a grade point average of 3.95 or higher, 54 who graduated magna cum laude (3.75 GPA) and 67 who graduated cum laude (3.5 …

Ouachita Honors 357 Graduates In Largest Graduating Class In 30 Years, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University President Rex M. Home, Jr. honored Ouachita's largest graduating class since the early 1980's at the university's May 10 commencement ceremony.