Education Commons^™

Ouachita Student Foundation Sets New Tiger Tunes Fundraising Record, Anna Roussel, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

The Ouachita Student Foundation raised more than $205,000 during Tiger Tunes 2023, surpassing its $200,000 goal and securing the most money raised in one year by the event. Held each year in Jones Performing Arts Center during the university’s Homecoming weekend, Tiger Tunes is a song and dance production that parodies popular music as a competition among student organizations.

The Ouachita Circle Summer 2023, Ouachita Baptist University

The Ouachita Circle: The Alumni Magazine of Ouachita Baptist University

Finding Home in Unfamiliar Places: Justin Hardin '98, vice president for academic affairs, on finding home away from home.

New Master's Program in Counseling Developing: Ouachita seeks accreditor approval for M.S. to address mental health crisis.

Business Plan Turns a Passion into a Product: Senior Jullian Woodruff's Waderbuddy plan earns top honors, meets a personal need.

Commencement Celebrates Milestones: Inaugural master's degrees awarded in nutrition and curriculum & instruction.

Campus Update: Tacos 4 Life opens on-campus location.

Faculty Profile: Julyse Horr guides ABA scientist-practitioners.

Staff Profile: Karen Matros '92 helps make OBU a financial fit.

Sports Update: Tigers earn All-America, …

Sara (Wheeler) Mcdaniel '98 (Renovation Takes Root), Jon Merryman

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If you’ve ever wondered why Minden, La., is called “the friendliest city in the South,” one visit with Sara McDaniel ’98 explains it all. She is genuine, friendly, humble and kind – much like others you’ll meet in this sweet, Southern town.

After teaching elementary students in Texas for 10 years, McDaniel shifted to a career that supported teachers through educational sales and consulting. During this time, she went through a difficult divorce, struggling with what was next.

After feeling the Lord leading her to return home to Louisiana in 2014, McDaniel set her sights on restoring a cottage built …

Ann (Owen) Chami '83 (Caring Builds Connection), Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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It’s often been said that you can’t kid a kidder. Ann Chami ’83 would say that you can’t kid a kid.

“Children have the unique ability to discern how adults feel about them,” said Chami, a veteran educator who serves as head of lower school at Little Rock Christian Academy. “If they know you genuinely care for them and love them, they will do anything for you.”

Chami earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in early childhood education from Ouachita in 1983 and spent the next 20 years teaching first, second or third grade before becoming an …

Chris Babb '99 (Instructor Of Communications And Director Of Sports Media Productions), Anna Roussel, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

As a senior communications major at Ouachita, Chris Babb ’99 sat across the desk from his advisor, Dr. Bill Downs, and told him he might want to teach. He was not sure what was pulling him in that direction but knew his future job also would involve sports.

“Dr. Downs told me, ‘Don’t do that. Go out in the world and get some experience, and then in 20 years if something comes available, you’ll have experience and you can teach,’” Babb said. “That was in the spring of 1999. In the spring of 2019, exactly 20 years later, was when …

Honoring Firsts (Green-Blevins Rotunda Dedication To Ouachita's First African American Graduates), Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Carolyn Jean Green and the late Gustine Blevins, who in 1966 became the first African American graduates in Ouachita’s history, were celebrated Nov. 12 when the Green-Blevins Rotunda was dedicated in their honor.

The community-wide service and reception brought a standing-room-only crowd of students, faculty, staff and visitors to the refurbished rotunda in McClellan Hall at 10 a.m. for a program featuring guest speakers Green and Dr. LaJuan Martin, Blevins’ son.

“I have felt like I’m truly coming home,” said Green, the first Black student to live in a Ouachita dorm and pledge a social club, options she didn’t have …

Ouachita To House One Of The First Two University-Based Locations Of Tacos 4 Life, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University will be one of the first two colleges to welcome Tacos 4 Life to its campus when the Arkansas-based restaurant chain launches an outlet in Ouachita’s Evans Student Center in Fall 2023.

The addition of a Tacos 4 Life venue reflects the university’s momentum in enhancing the student experience at Ouachita, where 98% of undergraduates live in one of nine residence halls or six apartment complexes and source most of their meals on campus. A remodel of Evans Food Court in the student center will make space for Tacos 4 Life to be located next to Chick-fil-A; …

Ouachita Alumni Further Technology In Schools With Apptegy, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University has sustained momentum in equipping students for postgraduate success, consistently reporting career outcomes rates that far exceed the national average. Graduates are pursuing opportunities in a variety of fields, including technology. For example, five alumni working at Apptegy, an education software company in Little Rock, Ark., are developing software for K-12 school marketing. Their contributions include software engineering, designing user-friendly interfaces and ensuring client success with Apptegy products.

Jacob Keith Watson ('11) (Captivating Audiences On Broadway And Beyond, Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Actor, singer, Broadway performer and Ouachita graduate Jacob Keith Watson fell in love with the university while attending Super Summer camp on campus as a teenager. He was drawn by the discovery that the school had a musical theatre major—the only one in Arkansas at the time.

"One thing that was important to me was experience," Watson said. "I could do the operas, I could do the Shakespeare, I could do the contemporary plays, I could do the musicals." He was also able to stage-manage and design lighting and sound, which helped him become a "whole theatre artist," he said.

Matthew Shepherd ('98) (Pursuing People-First Politics), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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There are a few things that seem to be in Matthew Shepherd's DNA—politics, law, Arkansas and Ouachita. He is a fifth-generation Ouachitonian, a family legacy starting with his great-great-grandfather, who attended Ouachita in the 1890s. It was his father's career that exposed him to the possibilities in the legal field, and he became an elected official somewhat unexpectedly.

"Growing up with my father as an attorney and later a judge—and my mother being a U.S. history teacher—law and politics were subjects I grew up around," Shepherd said. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from Ouachita in 1998 …

Holly (Burris) Kyzer ('00) (Director Of Dietetic Internship Program And Assistant Professor Of Dietetics), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Growing up around Ouachita's campus, Holly Kyzer knew Ouachita was going to be an integral part of her life, but she never guessed she would be a faculty member, much less an instrumental part of re-launching graduate programs at the university.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Ouachita in biology, with the goal of serving the community as a doctor. When she discovered the sight of blood was a problem for her, she recalibrated her career plans to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Ouachita To Present "A Service Of Lessons And Carols" On Dec. 6, Kaelin Clay, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present its 24th annual “A Service of Lessons and Carols” on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The service is free and open to the public.

A Service of Lessons and Carols features Advent scripture reading alternated with Christmas carols, inviting audience members to explore and celebrate Jesus’ birth and sing along to familiar songs.

The Ouachita Singers, featured choral ensemble for the evening, is directed by Dr. Joshua Brown, director of choral activities at Ouachita.

Ouachita Presents 30th Annual Festival Of Christmas On Dec. 2-3, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its 30th annual holiday program, A Festival of Christmas, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2–3, in Jones Performing Art Center.

The Friday performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Saturday show starts at 2:30 p.m.

“We are so excited to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Festival of Christmas and Jones Performing Arts Center,” said Dr. Joshua Brown, co-director of the performance and director of choral activities at Ouachita. “This year we will have cookies and hot chocolate with Santa one hour prior to each performance, as well as an alumni …

Ouachita's Ian Cosh Receives Honorary Doctorate From Liverpool Hope University, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ian Cosh, vice president emeritus for community and international engagement at Ouachita Baptist University, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Education degree from Liverpool (England) Hope University in July 2022 at the university’s graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Gerald Pillay, vice chancellor and rector of Hope, notified Cosh at the end of the Spring 2021 semester that he was to receive the degree in recognition of his contributions to international education and support of Hope over many years. Cosh said he was “blown away by the honor because it was totally unexpected and one of the greatest honors …

Outstanding Alumni Honored During Ouachita's Homecoming Festivities Oct. 8, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Five Ouachita Baptist University graduates received the university’s Alumni Milestone Award on Saturday, Oct. 8. Based on their professional achievements, community service and dedication to their alma mater, the honorees were selected by a committee of Ouachita faculty and staff and Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president.

“Exemplary graduates are nominated every year for the Alumni Milestone Award,” Sells said. “Our goal is to select inductees who, by the way they live their lives, represent our amazing alumni and demonstrate the qualities that make Ouachita, Ouachita.”

Scholarship Endowed At Ouachita To Honor David Sharp, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

An endowed athletic scholarship has been established at Ouachita Baptist University in honor of David Sharp, the university’s director of athletics, and his more than four decades of service to Ouachita.

“I’m not sure there’s a better feeling than being recognized by your teammates, peers, colleagues, fellow alumni and friends,” said Sharp. “I am so honored that all these people had a part in establishing this endowed scholarship. It’s quite humbling, and it’s good to know that we’ll be able to assist future Ouachita football players in pursuing their dream of playing college football and earning a college degree.”

Stepping Up For Ouachita 2022 Honorees Announced, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Development will host its annual Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon Friday, Nov. 4, at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock, Ark. Simmons Bank is presenting sponsor for the 2022 luncheon, which will honor Nancy Benton of Jonesboro, Ark.; Sheila Powell Strickland of Fort Worth, Texas; Sarah Shell Teague of Fayetteville, Ark.; and Toni Thrash of Little Rock, Ark.

“Stepping up for Ouachita began with the purpose of increasing scholarship dollars for women,” said Terry Peeples, Ouachita’s vice president for development. “The honorees always represent women who love their family and their Lord. They are all …

Tolbert Named Vice President For Finance At Ouachita, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Jason Tolbert, formerly the chief financial officer at Ouachita Baptist University, has been named the university’s vice president for finance effective June 1.

“Jason has been a key partner in our university-wide journey to make Ouachita’s mission more viable financially,” said Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita’s president. “Ouachita is financially stronger than at any time in the past two decades, and Jason’s leadership has been instrumental. His new title also reflects the additional responsibilities he’s assumed during his tenure.”

These include overseeing Ouachita’s budget and coordinating budget audits, stewarding the university’s endowment and supervising several administrative areas including business services, …

Dr. Jeremy Greer Returns To Ouachita As The Next Dean Of The Pruet School Of Christian Studies, Brooke Zimny, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Dr. Jeremy Greer, a 1998 Ouachita graduate and second generation pastor, has completed his first semester as the new dean of Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies. Greer has long ties to the university as well as Arkansas Baptists in addition to higher education experience through teaching and administrative roles.

“My overarching feeling is gratitude,” Greer said. “I am grateful to once again be an Arkansas Baptist. I am grateful to serve an institution for which I have such deep affections and appreciation. I am grateful to serve alongside faithful men and women whom God has used to transform me …

Jason Tolbert ('97) (Chief Financial Officer), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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As soon as Jason Tolbert started his college search as a high school student in Wynne, Ark., he knew if he could afford to go to Ouachita, he would. It’s not hard to believe that, even then, making the numbers work was a top priority for Tolbert, who now serves as Ouachita’s chief financial officer (CFO).

Tolbert grew up visiting Ouachita each summer for Arkansas Baptist camps like Super Summer and Music Arkansas (now Praise Works). He’d continue visiting campus more as his sister, Jennifer (Tolbert ’97) Byrd became a student; soon, Ouachita felt like home.

Robert S. Moore Jr. Given Distinguished Alumni Award, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Robert S. Moore Jr. received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service to the State of Arkansas from Ouachita during an August luncheon held on campus in his honor.

The award was presented to Moore by Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita president, and Taylor King, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Terry Dewitt ('88) (Chair, Department Of Kinesiology, And Professor Of Kinesiology), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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As a high school senior in Gravette, Ark., Dr. Terry DeWitt didn’t have college on his radar until just before graduation. A first-generation college student, DeWitt enrolled as a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas. But he transferred after just one semester when his aunt, Nancy Hardman, encouraged him to consider Ouachita and Coach Buddy Benson offered him a work-study job as an athletic trainer.

“I knew I needed to make a change, and Ouachita was the place for me,” DeWitt said. “I also knew I needed to grow in my Christian faith and my walk, which at the …

John Barber ('99) & Becky Ellis ('08) (Helping Those Impacted By Disability), Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Alumni John Barber and Becky Ellis will tell you that life can lead to unexpected places.

They both work for Joni and Friends, an international ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, seeking to communicate the gospel and mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple and serve people living with disabilities.

Ouachita Dedicates Newly-Renovated Tatman Corner Apartments, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University welcomed community leaders to the newly-updated Tatman Corner student apartments April 15 for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event honored the Tatman family’s gift to the university and celebrated additional improvements to student housing.

Dr. Justin K. Hardin Named Ouachita's Vice President For Academic Affairs, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Justin K. Hardin has been named Ouachita Baptist University’s vice president for academic affairs, effective in summer 2022. He brings a strong background in teaching, scholarship and administration to his new role as the university’s chief academic officer.

Hardin succeeds Dr. Stan Poole, who is returning to the classroom as full-time professor of English after serving for 19 years as Ouachita’s VPAA.

Hardin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and Biblical studies from Ouachita in 1998, a Master of Divinity degree from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School in 2001 and two degrees from the University of Cambridge: …

Ouachita's School Of Fine Arts Hosts Alumna Caitlin Secrest In Concert Feb. 22, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host vocalist Caitlin Secrest in concert Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. Secrest’s performance is part of the university’s guest artist series. The concert is free and open to the public.

A native of Arkadelphia, Secrest graduated from Ouachita in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. She is in her sixth season performing in shows in Branson, Mo., including Thank You For The Music: A Modern Tribute to ABBA, Beach Boys’ California Dreamin’, Comedy Jamboree, Broadway’s Greatest Hits, Anthems of Rock and Sinatra …

The Ouachita Circle Winter 2022, Ouachita Baptist University

The Ouachita Circle: The Alumni Magazine of Ouachita Baptist University

Momentum: Applying The Science to Our Lives: Drs. Angela and Matt Douglass bring their physics and philosophy expertise to bear on momentum.

New Student Apartments Rising for Fall 2022: Ouachita broke ground on new housing to support residential life and beautify campus.

First Cohort in M.ED. Program Begins: New online grad program emphasizes teaching as a calling alongside skill development.

Alumni Milestone Awards Announced: Alumni from the classes of 1970, '71, '80, '81, '90, '91, '00, '01, '10, & '11 were honored this fall.

Campus Update: Plans for engineering program in progress.

Faculty Profile: Dr. Terry DeWitt seeks to elevate …

The Johnson Family (A Ouachita Legacy From A Parent's Perspective), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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When you think of Tigers for Life, the Johnson family may have set a record – six Ouachita graduates in eight years, and one more headed for the stage in 2023. The Johnson family legacy began with Sally (Sullivan) Johnson, a 1954 graduate, and the Ouachita connections continued in the next generation. Sally’s son, Jerry G. Johnson, didn’t attend Ouachita but came to know the institution through his work and friendship with Ouachita alumnus and benefactor Frank Hickingbotham. Neither Sally nor Jerry could have guessed that all seven of Jerry’s children would one day call Ouachita home.

Jerry and his …

Rachel (Waggener) Pool ('07) (Associate Professor Of Education), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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When Dr. Rachel Pool stepped onto Ouachita’s campus for Super Summer in high school, she fell in love. Not with a boy from another Arkansas town – she was in love with Ouachita.

“I was looking for a small, Christ-centered university where I could make quality Christian friendships, and I found that at Ouachita,” Pool said.

After graduation, Pool moved back to her hometown of West Memphis to teach high school algebra and later taught at McNair Middle School in Fayetteville, Ark., and Benton Junior High School in Benton, Ark. Since graduating from Ouachita, she earned her National Board Certification, …

Rickey Rogers ('02), Dean Of Students And Director Of Residence Life (Lydia (Gutierrez) Rogers ('02), Senior Woman Administrator And Director Of Athletic Compliance), Jon Merryman

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Rickey and Lydia Rogers have developed more than 20 years of history at Ouachita, in part due to simple geography. With Rickey recruited to play football from six hours away in Mississippi and Lydia coming from six hours away in Texas, Ouachita and Arkadelphia were right in the middle – which made attending college and settling after graduation here between their families a perfect fit.

They’ve made their mark on campus in a variety of ways over the years, but always making a direct impact on students. Lydia previously taught Spanish and served as a resident director and now is …