Communication Commons^™

Ouachita To Host Called To Teach Conference On July 19, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Huckabee School of Education will host its annual Called to Teach Conference on Friday, July 19, in Walker Conference Center, 485 Campus Drive. The 2024 conference theme is “Keeping the Joy.” Registration costs $50 and includes lunch and a conference T-shirt and bag.

Attendees can receive six hours of professional development credit through the Arkansas Department of Education.

Celebrating Juneteenth, Lewis Shepherd

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Today we pause to celebrate one of the most recently acquired federal holidays; yet, it has been in the making for 156 years. What created the first Watch Night Service was the same event that declared all African Americans free from bondage. That service was held on Dec. 31, 1862, just a few hours before midnight.

The purpose of this initial Watch Night Service was to pray, sing and fellowship, as people who were in bondage for so many years would gain their freedom on Jan. 1, 1863, by way of the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, there are African American congregations …

Reflections On A Trip To Remember: 2024 Ouachita Mba Retreat, Mallory Lester, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Jackson Hole, Wyo., with my Ouachita MBA cohort, and it was a blast!

The day we took a scenic float trip down the Snake River, it was unbelievably cold. I'll be honest – it was a rocky start! We were all huddled down in the bottom of the boat because the wind was so cold on our backs. We passed a goose that was floating across the river, and I made the corny joke, "I bet that goose sure is silly."

Everyone laughed except Dr. Madison Ngafeeson, one of our …

Ouachita Names Students To Spring 2024 Dean's List, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University has named more than 385 students to its Dean’s List for Spring 2024.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must compile a 3.5–3.9 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours and no incomplete or failing grades for the semester.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university, is in its 137th year as a Christ-centered learning community and is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Ouachita continues to break enrollment records, reporting its highest headcount in 57 years during the Fall 2023 …

Ouachita Names Students To Spring 2024 President's List, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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More than 415 students were named to the President’s List for the Spring 2024 semester at Ouachita Baptist University.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must compile a 4.0 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours and no incomplete or failing grades for the semester.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university, is in its 137th year as a Christ-centered learning community and is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Ouachita continues to break enrollment records, reporting its highest headcount in 57 years during …

Stewardship In Every Season: 2024 Commencement Address, Ben Sells

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This year’s university theme has been “lives of meaningful work,” a phrase in our mission statement focused on one purpose of a Ouachita education. There are many dimensions to a life of meaningful work. This morning, I want to highlight one: that we’re called to be stewards in every season of life. This notion is illustrated in Scripture, and you exemplified it at Ouachita.

The Master Teacher, Jesus, tells a story about stewardship known as The Parable of the Talents that’s recorded in Matthew 25.

Ouachita's Batson Honored By Arkadelphia Chamber Of Commerse, Addie Woods, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Arkadelphia native Blaise Batson, a freshman communications & media and political science double major, received the President’s Accomplished Youth Award from the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce. Batson was presented her award during the 2024 Arkadelphia Alliance and Chamber Annual Banquet, held Thursday, April 11, in the Garrison Center Grand Ballroom at Henderson State University.

The President’s Accomplished Youth Award recognizes a young person in Arkadelphia who has been involved in helping the community through leadership and service. As a student at Arkadelphia High School, Batson was the women’s soccer captain and cheer captain. She …

Ouachita's Kinesiology Department To Co-Host Kids' Triathlon May 3, Ashleigh Estes, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Kinesiology will partner with Community Connections to host the first Arkadelphia Kids’ Triathlon on Friday, May from 5-7 p.m. at the Sturgis Physical Education Center on Ouachita’s campus.

Hallie Wallace, instructor in the kinesiology department at Ouachita, teaches a course that focuses on adaptive kinesiology. Wallace said her work gives her a natural affinity for the mission of Community Connections and its parent program, Pediatrics Plus, a pediatric outpatient therapy provider that creates spaces for disabled children to participate in sports and athletic competitions. Community Connections invited Ouachita’s kinesiology department to join them in hosting …

Ouachita To Hold Commencement Exercises May 11, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University will host its 137th Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Cone-Bottoms Hall.

The ceremony will honor more than 360 graduates, which includes those who have earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, as well as Master of Science degrees and post-baccalaureate certificates for Dietetic Internship. Graduates recognized will have completed their degree requirements in August 2023, December 2023 or May 2024.

Ouachita Announces 2024 Stepping Up Honorees, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University will host its annual Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon Friday, Nov. 8, at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock. The event will honor Susan Doshier of Frisco, Texas; Shari Edwards of North Little Rock, Ark.; Carol Miller Gresham of Springdale, Ark.; and Kathy Rainwater of Little Rock, Ark. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at obu.edu/steppingup.

Each year during Stepping Up for Ouachita, the university honors women alumni or friends of Ouachita who have demonstrated grace, leadership, integrity and faith.

You Trust Me To Do What? (Growing & Learning Through New Experiences), Coleman Callan, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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If there’s one thing life at Ouachita has taught me, it’s that sometimes, people trust you to do things you never imagined yourself being capable of. From directing major events to handling social media for campus spectacles, my Ouachita journey has been a rollercoaster of challenges and growth.

Let’s rewind to my freshman year when I was tasked with directing the live stream for the Battle of the Ravine, a monumental event in Ouachita’s calendar. The catch? I had never worked an OSDN broadcast before, let alone directed one. The enormity of the responsibility hit me like a ton of …

Equipped, Called And Capable (Thoughts On The Worship Studies Program), Michael Pasman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita’s worship studies degree has been, to me, a beautifully answered prayer. I first answered a call to ministry at my home church, Summit Church of Little Rock. Although we don’t know each other personally, Bill Elliff – the founding pastor of that church – served as one of my biggest motivators for ministry. Seeing his authentic reverence and passion for God helped spark that same fire in myself.

At the time I decided on ministry, I didn’t know it was something you could go to college for. I had already dropped out of college once; my chances of returning …

Nell Mondy (You Never Fail Until You Stop Trying), Ashleigh Estes, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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As we recognize Women’s History Month this March, we’re remembering some of the notable women in Ouachita’s history. Nell Mondy '43 was a chemistry professor at Ouachita before going on to teach at Cornell University. The Nell Mondy Lecture series, along with several other areas of campus named in her honor, continue to show the legacy she left at Ouachita. This blog is a small look at her many accomplishments both in education and the nutrition field.

Throughout Dr. Nell Mondy’s life, as she faced the challenges of being a pioneering woman in science, addressing food insecurities in third-world countries …

Resurrection Purpose, J. Scott Duvall

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Humanly speaking, besides a few of the disciples, Jesus's closest friends were undoubtedly Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were like family, and their house in Bethany was a place of safety and refuge.

One day the sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was extremely sick and about to die. After a two-day delay Jesus began his four-day journey to Bethany. I don't always know what to make of God's delays, but I'm convinced they don't mean he doesn't love us. We hope for a greater purpose.

The worst happens, Lazarus dies.

Estelle Mcmillan Blake ("Auntie" Blake), Donald Tatman

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As we recognize Women’s History Month this March, we’re remembering some of the notable women in Ouachita’s history. Estelle McMillan Blake was an original faculty member of Ouachita Baptist College when its doors opened in 1886. Blake taught English at Ouachita for 53 years. Because of her support of the school’s library, the former Blake Library on campus was named for her in the 1930s. The Arkansas Baptist paper once noted about this beloved faculty member, “every student that has known her has created in his heart an undying love for this great Christian character and teacher.” The following is …

Kluck Takes On His Latest Leadership Challenge, Brooke Zimny, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Dr. Wesley Kluck did not have a restful 2020. As university physician and vice president for student development at Ouachita, he led the university’s health efforts in response to COVID-19, chairing Ouachita’s Health Monitoring and Action Team (HMAT).

“The worst thing was waking up in the middle of the night, thinking of things,” he said. “There was a lot of that. Sometimes I would get up and make a PowerPoint real quick, just type it all down and go back to sleep.”

HMAT, a group of 13 faculty and staff members as well as the Student Senate president, worked through …

David Glaze Music Competition To Be Held At Ouachita On March 14, Matthew Cheatham, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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The Division of Music in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts will host the Third Annual David Glaze Music Competition on Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

The competition will showcase performances from five student musicians who made it past the preliminary rounds of video entries. All participants must be Ouachita students taking private lessons and pay a $30 entry fee to qualify. This year’s finalists, chosen from 18 entrants, are Katie McManus, a senior instrumental music education major from Buford, Ga.; Amaya Hardin, a junior …

Maddy Moore To Present Senior Recital March 8, Abby Kemmer, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Maddy Moore, a musical theatre major from Mesquite, Texas, will perform her senior recital March 8 at 11 a.m. in McBeth Recital Hall at Ouachita Baptist University. This recital is a project Moore has been working on since last semester and will include music, theatre and dance pieces. The performance is free and open to the public.

Moore will sing six songs, dance to two songs and perform two theatrical scenes. Some of her pieces include “Climbing Uphill” from The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, “I Want to Go to Hollywood” from Grand Hotel by Maury Yeston and …

Maddy Moore To Present Senior Recital March 8, Abby Kemmer, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Maddy Moore, a musical theatre major from Mesquite, Texas, will perform her senior recital March 8 at 11 a.m. in McBeth Recital Hall at Ouachita Baptist University. This recital is a project Moore has been working on since last semester and will include music, theatre and dance pieces. The performance is free and open to the public.

Moore will sing six songs, dance to two songs and perform two theatrical scenes. Some of her pieces include “Climbing Uphill” from The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown, “I Want to Go to Hollywood” from Grand Hotel by Maury Yeston and …

Beyond The Spotlight (Embracing Our Shared Narrative), Nicole Porchia

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March is often associated with celebrating and empowering women and recognizing the contributions of historical figures and trailblazers. This year, I was fortunate to be recognized during Women's History Month, and the experience sparked a deeper reflection on the impact of "ordinary" women like myself.

Honestly, a part of me felt hesitant. While I'm proud of my work and journey as a wife, mom and higher education practitioner, the spotlight felt intimidating. It's easy to admire the iconic figures whose stories fill history books, but to have your own story spotlighted feels different. But then, I remembered the true purpose …

Ouachita's Symphonic Band To Perform Spring Concert March 7, Ashleigh Estes, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present the Symphonic Band in concert Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Preforming Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public.

“I am very proud of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and excited to play our programs for the audience,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, director of bands and Trimble Professor of Music at Ouachita.

Ouachita's Symphonic Band To Perform March 7, Ashleigh Estes, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present the Symphonic Band in concert Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Preforming Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public.

“I am very proud of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and excited to play our programs for the audience,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, director of bands and Trimble Professor of Music at Ouachita.

“Tharsos” by Jeff Jordan will open the concert, followed by Robert Sheldon’s “Appalachian Morning.” The program also includes “Country Gardens,” “My Dark-Haired Maid” and “The Gypsy’s Wedding Day” from A Tribute to Grainger …

Ouachita's Wind Ensemble Presents Concert March 4, Coleman Callan, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music in the School of Performing Arts will present the Wind Ensemble in a spring concert Monday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

The program will feature “March,” “Song Without Words,” “Song of the Blacksmith” and “Fantasia on the ‘Dargason’” from Gustav Holst’s Second Suite in F, Op. 28 No. 2; “Despedida (Farewell)” from Concerto for Marimba and Symphonic Band by Ney Rosauro; “Lisbon,” “Horkstow Grange,” “Rufford Park Poachers,” “The Brisk Young Sailor,” “Lord Melbourne” and “The Lost Lady Found” from Percy …

Barnes' Composition Performed At National Music Conference, Abby Kemmer, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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A composition by Ouachita Baptist University student Jenna Barnes was presented in October at the 66^th College Music Society National Conference in Miami, Fla. Barnes is a senior music industry major from Sheridan, Ark.

Barnes submitted her original saxophone quartet titled, “Into the Fire,” which she described as “daring” because she challenged herself in the process of creating it.

Ouachita Announces Another Increase For Spring '24 Enrollment, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University has reported its highest spring enrollment in more than 40 years with a total Spring 2024 headcount of 1,722.

The university has sustained momentum in student recruitment and retention, maintaining steady growth with a total enrollment surge of 20% since 2016 in contrast to reports of declining enrollment in colleges and universities nationwide.

Submitting Plans With Open Hands, G. Allen, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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There’s a truth God has taught me throughout college and I’m sure will continue to teach me as I get older. Two passages of wisdom the Lord has used in service of continually reminding me of this lesson are Proverbs 16:9 – “The heart of a man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.” – and James 4:14-15, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’– yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your …

The Greatest Miracle, Anna Katherine Green, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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I believe a testimony is a lot more than just when you came to know Jesus as your personal savior – it’s about everything the Lord has done in your life. So, I’m going to start at the very beginning of my life, when God miraculously saved my physical life before I was saved spiritually.

There are a lot of things you can probably tell about me from the outside and even just by my walking around on campus. I’m a senior, I’m an elementary education major, I love to go on walks, and I am a part of the …

Tips For Handling The Holidays, Dan Jarboe

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While the holidays can be a wonderful time as we get together with family celebrating the arrival of our Lord and Savior, the activities and demands can leave us feeling stressed and depleted. It’s important to care well for ourselves as we care for others. To support you and enhance your family harmony during the holidays, the Counseling Center staff offers the following tips. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

The Heart Of A Servant Leader, Lewis Shepherd

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On Monday, January 15, people across America and in many places of the world will pause to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It is often when we reflect on the life of Martin King that we pay particular homage to his intellectual accomplishments. Yes, they are quite impressive when one considers he entered college at the age of 15 and completed a bachelor’s degree by 19, a master’s by 21, and a Ph.D. at 26, but Martin King was more than mere diplomas and academic regalia.

Ouachita Students Named To Fall 2023 President's List, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Ouachita Baptist University has named more than 425 students to its Fall 2023 President’s List.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must compile a grade point average of 4.0 and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours and no incomplete or failing grade for the semester.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university, is in its 138th year as a Christ-centered learning community and is ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Ouachita continues to break enrollment records, reporting its highest headcount in 57 years during the Fall 2023 …