Education Commons^™

"Stepping Up" Luncheon To Honor Huckabee Women In November, Anna Roussel, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Development has announced its annual Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon, presented by Simmons Bank, will be held Friday, Nov. 17, at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock, Ark. The event will recognize its first mother-and-daughter honorees, former Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at obu.edu/steppingup.

Since its inaugural event in November 2010, Stepping Up for Ouachita has raised more than $840,000 toward scholarships for women at Ouachita and is looking toward surpassing $1 million in 2023. Every year the university honors outstanding Ouachita women …

Courtney Ragsdell Receives Bsn Young Leadership Award, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Courtney Myers Ragsdell, a senior nursing major at Ouachita Baptist University, received the 2022 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Young Leadership Award as a part of the “40 Nurse Leaders Under 40” leadership program from the Arkansas Center for Nursing, Inc.

The ACN presents this award to the top five BSN students in the state, recognizing recipients for their commitment to service, dedication and leadership for the advancement of nursing in Arkansas.

Ragsdell, from Kansas City, Mo., received her award in the fall during a ceremony held at the Benton Event Center.

Haley Shourd Crowned 2023 Miss Ouachita Baptist University, Kaelin Clay, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Miss Ouachita Baptist Scholarship Competition took place Saturday, Feb. 4, in Jones Performing Arts Center where sophomore communications & media major Haley Shourd was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University. Shourd, 20, is a Conway, Ark., native.

Ouachita's Kaneil Purifoy Joins Panel Of Speakers During Ncaa Convention, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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KaNeil Purifoy, university counselor and resident director at Ouachita Baptist University, was a panelist at the 2022 NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. in January. Purifoy was one of four speakers during a panel discussion titled, “Coping With Pandemics: The Effects of Racism and COVID-19 on Student-Athlete Mental Health.” The conversation was hosted by Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer.

Purifoy spoke to the mental wellness needs of student-athletes as a representative of Division II colleges and universities. His fellow panelists were moderator Dr. Stephany Coakley, senior associate athletics director for mental health, wellness and performance at Temple University; …

Miss Obu Kaelin Clay To Represent Ouachita In The Miss Arkansas Pageant, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Miss Ouachita Baptist University Kaelin Clay, 19, will compete for the title of Miss Arkansas 2022 from June 11-18 during the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition at Robinson Center in Little Rock.

Clay, a sophomore communications & media/strategic communications and music industry double major from Idabel, Okla., was crowned Miss OBU during the 54^th Annual Miss Ouachita Baptist University Scholarship Competition on Saturday, Feb. 12. Reflecting on her win, she said that when she toured Ouachita as a prospective student two years ago, “I instantly knew that by choosing this university I would choose a world of opportunities. I had …

Dr. Rickey Rogers Named Ouachita's Vice President For Student Development, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Rickey Rogers has been named vice president for student development at Ouachita Baptist University, effective June 1.

Rogers has served as dean of students and director of residence life at Ouachita since 2017. When he takes on his new role, he will succeed Dr. Wesley Kluck. Although Kluck is stepping down as vice president for student development, he will continue to serve Ouachita as university physician.

From The "Ouachitonian": Carli Copell, Spencer Benway, Ouachita News Bureau

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Most people have had good experiences with glowsticks and dance parties, but Carli Copell, a junior psychology and sociology double major from Canton, Texas, couldn’t say the same due to an injury that involved a glow-stick and her losing her hearing.

From The "Ouachitonian": Colin Mcwhorter, Ben Swagner, Ouachita News Bureau

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Colin McWhorter, a business major from Rogers, Ark., is a sophomore baseball player, but roaming the outfield and hitting a baseball is not all he’s passionate about. On December 24, McWhorter’s grandfather Jim McWhorter passed away. The family was searching for someone to administer the funeral, and Colin stepped up.

From The "Ouachitonian": Kyleigh Stevens, Madison Cresswell, Ouachita News Bureau

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Being the new kid can be intimidating, but also overwhelmingly exciting. Kyleigh Stevens, a freshman music major from Hot Springs, Ark., knew this feeling all too well after she moved to Serbia when she was only 8 years old.

From The "Ouachitonian": Mallory Wallace, Emily Barton, Ouachita News Bureau

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The idea came in seventh grade when Mallory Wallace, a sophomore Biblical studies and strategic communications double major from Longview, Texas, was inspired by the ice cream truck circulating the neighborhood. What started as money for trips to the movies with friends became a way Wallace could pay for college.

From The “Ouachitonian”: Mitchell Waite & Logan Daust, Anna Roussel, Ouachita News Bureau

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What started as just an idea in the minds of sophomores Mitchell Waite and Logan Daust soon turned into the campus-wide sensation known as Caf Reviews. Daust had seen a similar pizza review segment on the Barstool Instagram accounts, and the two decided to post a parody on Waite’s Instagram story.

From The “Ouachitonian”: Melissa Lee, Houston Kirkpatrick, Ouachita News Bureau

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A year and a half ago, Melissa’s life changed forever, all by a coincidence. Through her faith, the Lord guided her here to Ouachita where she uprooted her entire life.

From The "Ouachitonian": Luke Hill, Emily Barton, Ouachita News Bureau

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Luke Hill, a junior biology major with chemistry, military science and a math triple minor is from Sheridan, Ark. Hill spent his summer doing research at UAMS and ROTC training.

From The "Ouachitonian": Tyler Riebock, Ben Swagner, Ouachita News Bureau

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With dozens of NCAA Division I athletes getting an invitation into the Coastal Plain League, standout Tiger baseball third baseman Tyler Riebock, a junior biology major from Rockwall, Texas, had the opportunity to spend his summer playing against top competition

From The "Ouachitonian": Mattie Motl, Abby Leal, Ouachita News Bureau

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For many students, college was a time when an abundance of new opportunities were in their grasp. Mattie Mae Motl, a senior English major from Arkadelphia, took advantage of one such opportunity when she applied for a travel grant through Ouachita's Honors Program

From The "Ouachitonian": Madison Burch Offenbacker, Houston Kirkpatrick, Ouachita News Bureau

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Madison (Burch) Offenbacker, a 2020 Christian studies graduate from Benton, La., knew she had a heart for God, and people knew it even in elementary school.

From The "Ouachitonian": Austin Clements, Spencer Benway, Ouachita News Bureau

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Throughout his teen life, Austin Clements, a senior history and social justice double major from North Little Rock, Ark., suffered from chronic pancreatitis. This is when the pancreas is inflamed and prevents some functions of the body to not perform as well.

4 Ways To Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Have The College Experience You Want, Gabrielle Davis, Ouachita News Bureau

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As a rising senior, it’s incredibly easy for me to look back at my college experience and say, “College was a time for growth.” I started my time at Ouachita as a shy freshman who just wanted to earn her degree, maybe go to a few events and get out. I was afraid to try anything outside of my comfort zone, lest I jeopardize my education.

How To Improve Your Mental Health, Coping Skills While In College, Dan Jarboe, Ouachita News Bureau

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Everyone learns to cope, regardless of their situation in life, in ways that are healthy and unhealthy. For many young adults, college is a time when stress levels run high, sleep patterns are inconsistent and having one-too-many cups of coffee and stress eating – among other things – are common aids students use to keep themselves going. While this is often considered normal, the college years are a pivotal time for learning how to cope well in the adult world.

From The "Ouachitonian": Morgan Masengale, Emily Johns, Ouachita News Bureau

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It is not uncommon to hear of a student who went on a mission trip during the summer months as a Ouachita student. Morgan Masengale, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from West Memphis, Ark., experienced something that you will not hear when talking about mission trip experiences.

From The "Ouachitonian": William Read, Ana Oelenburger, Ouachita News Bureau

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The art of magic is wielded wisely by few. One of those skilled persons is freshman William Read. From illusion to hypnosis, this young man achieves it all.

From The "Ouachitonian": Dani Imrie, Madison Cresswell, Ouachita News Bureau

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In Uganda, deaf children are commonly abandoned and left without assistance with medical needs or education. Within three months of visiting Uganda for the first time, Dani Imrie, a sophomore elementary education major from Jonesboro, Ark., saw a need and helped create a nonprofit overseas.

It's About Outcome: Look For Colleges That Care, Ben Sells

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Now that spring break has come and gone, high school seniors and their parents will be finalizing a college choice for fall. They have more independent and objective information available to them to help make that choice than ever before.

Ouachita To Host 52nd Miss Obu Scholarship Pageant Feb. 2, 2019, Tiffany Lee

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University will host the 52^nd Miss Ouachita Baptist University Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. Fifteen contestants will compete for the crown, which is twice the number of contestants in the last few years. Tickets are $12 at the door.

The winner of the pageant will compete in the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant, part of the Miss America Organization, this summer. Along with the honor of representing Ouachita at Miss Arkansas, the winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship, along with a prize package. Throughout the year, Miss OBU’s responsibilities …