Education Commons^™

From The "Ouachitonian": Brad Richardson, Caroline Johnson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Brad Richardson, a junior Christian studies/Christian ministries major from Lonoke, Ark., grew up in a family with a tradition of military service. The Richardson family can trace their military history all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Because of this rich history, Richardson had a great example of what service looked like while he was growing up, and he started his journey with the military during his freshman year of high school.

From The "Ouachitonian": Christa Neal, Hanna Williams, Ouachita News Bureau

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Christa Neal accepted the position of program advisor for community and family services in June 2021. This major trains and equips students to pursue careers in fields of community, family and social services, as well as graduate education for counseling, social work and more. This program needed someone with a variety of experiences in these fields, and Neal was the perfect fit.

From The "Ouachitonian": Drs. Amy And Doug Sonheim, Emma Dennis, Ouachita News Bureau

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The infectious laughter of Dr. Amy Sonheim and the careful clicking of a keyboard from Dr. Doug Sonheim would help fill the language and literature department for years before their combined retirement from Ouachita in Spring 2022. In the years that they have worked at Ouachita, the couple has made some amazing changes to the university.

From The "Ouachitonian": Harry Jeffrey, Kathryn Totty, Ouachita News Bureau

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Years before attending Ouachita, Harry Jeffrey, a senior biology and chemistry double major from Camden, Ark., knew that he wanted to become a Tiger Tunes director.

From The "Ouachitonian": Dr. Tim And Coach Todd Knight, Rose Robinson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita’s favorite set of faculty football brothers – Head Football Coach Todd Knight and Dr. Tim Knight, dean of the J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences – continue to make a lasting impact on campus. As Coach Knight led his team to wins on the football field year after year, Dr. Knight experienced his victories in the classroom. This purple-and-gold bleeding set of brothers truly make Ouachita a better place. Coach Knight keeps Ouachita’s successful football program on the map as his brother is the face behind the entire Jones Science Center operation. These two brothers are special assets to …

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.”

Parsons Wins First Place In Student Juried Art Show At Ouachita, Abigail Blankenship, Ouachita News Bureau

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Jill Parsons was named winner of the 2022 Student Juried Art Show sponsored by the Art Club at Ouachita Baptist University. An exhibit featuring works created by students and entered in the juried competition is on display in the Hammons Art Gallery in Mabee Fine Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public through Oct. 8.

Parsons is a junior graphic design and communications & media/strategic communications double major from Celina, Texas. She earned first-place honors in the competition for her ceramics piece “Hercules and Hydra,” which features an octopus encompassing a coil pot, …

Living The Dream, Johan Eriksson, Ouachita News Bureau

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What a year it has been! As I reflect on my first year at Ouachita and the opportunity to co-create learning, engage with students and do life in Arkadelphia, having the opportunity to “build a better you” personally, spiritually, professionally and academically in a vibrant and caring environment has been good – and a lot of fun!

Destiny Diaz Named Winner Of Ouachita's David Glaze Music Competition, Abigail Blankenship, Ouachita News Bureau

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Destiny Diaz won the first David Glaze Music Competition, held Thursday, April 28, at Ouachita Baptist University. Sponsored by the Division of Music in Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, the competition featured performances from outstanding students in vocal and instrumental music performance programs at Ouachita.

Diaz is a senior instrumental music education major from Malvern, Ark. She received a $1,000 award for her winning performance on flute of “Allegretto Malincolico” by Francis Poulenc and “Fantasie, Op. 79” by Gabriel Fauré.

Ouachita Awards First Johnny And Susan Wink Scholarship, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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Alex Moore, a junior English and philosophy double major from Gulfport, Miss., was named Ouachita Baptist University’s inaugural Johnny and Susan Wink Scholarship Award winner. He was recognized during an April ceremony in Ouachita’s Young Auditorium.

“He’s been a student of mine in several classes,” said Dr. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck Professor of English and namesake of the award along with his wife, the late Dr. Susan Wink, professor emerita of English. “He’s a splendid fellow and a stellar student. I’m pleased as punch to have him be the first awardee of this scholarship.”

Hardage Named Ouachita's Support Staff Member Of The Year, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Jana Hardage, gifts processor in the Office of Development at Ouachita Baptist University, has been named the university’s 2021-22 Support Staff Member of the Year. Hardage was recognized in March by the university’s staff development committee and Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita’s president.

She was selected from a group of nominees who demonstrated outstanding performance in their work responsibilities; in relating positively to students, coworkers and members of the public; and in supporting the mission of the university.

Ouachita Sophomore Sydney Motl Wins Alpha Chi Scholarship, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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Sydney Motl, a sophomore English major from Arkadelphia, Ark., won the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society Alfred H. Nolle scholarship at the 2022 National Scholarship Competition, held in March in Austin, Texas.

Upon being nominated for the scholarship by Ouachita’s Alpha Chi sponsor, Dr. Myra Houser, associate professor of history, Motl submitted her winning essay titled “Women among the Ruins: Sexuality in the Female Gothic.” She chose the topic of her paper in an English literature course taught by Dr. Amy Sonheim, professor emerita of English.

Ouachita Announces Students Named To Spring 2022 Dean's List, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University has named more than 350 students to its Spring 2022 Dean's List.

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

Thirty Students At Ouachita Named Who's Who, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Thirty students at Ouachita Baptist University have been named to the latest edition of Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

The students were chosen by Ouachita’s faculty, staff and 2022 senior class based on their academic performance, leadership in extracurricular activities, community service and potential for success.

Ouachita Confers Degrees On 360 Students During May 14 Commencement, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University conferred degrees on 360 graduates during its 135^th Spring Commencement held Saturday, May 14, on the front lawn of Cone-Bottoms Hall. Graduates received Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate certificates for those completing a Dietetic Internship.

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, led Commencement exercises and delivered the Commencement address, in keeping with Ouachita tradition. He recalled the preparation involved in ensuring that Ouachita would be one of the few universities …

Ouachita Student Achievers Honored During May 5 Ceremony, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University students were honored for scholastic achievement Thursday, May 5, in Jones Performing Arts Center during an academic awards ceremony sponsored by Ouachita’s Student Senate.

Ouachita Student Media Earn Top National, State Awards, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University student media have earned three national awards and a Gold Medalist rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) for the Ouachitonian yearbook and 64 state awards for the Ouachitonian, Signalnewspaper and Ouachita Digital Sports Network, as well as online and television coverage, from the Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA).

Ouachita Wins National First Prize At Baptist Communicators Association Awards, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Communications and Marketing won a national first prize for “A Ouachita Christmas Special 2021” at the Baptist Communicators Association’s (BCA) 2022 W.C. Fields Awards.

Ouachita's Elrod Center Hosts Annual Volunteer Awards Banquet, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community at Ouachita Baptist University held its annual University Community Service Awards banquet on Tuesday, April 12, in Walker Conference Center. The banquet honors volunteers and their service through programs organized by the Elrod Center.

Hannah Martin Competes In Final Round Of 2022 Arkansas Governor's Cup, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University student Hannah Martin, a senior psychology major from Conway, Ark., competed in the final round of the 2022 Arkansas Governor's Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, held during the competition awards luncheon on March 31 in Rogers, Ark. The Governor’s Cup is presented by Arkansas Capital Corporation, a private, nonprofit special project finance company based in Little Rock, Ark.

Ouachita Student Named Outstanding Dietetic Student Of The Year, Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Ouachita News Bureau

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Latina Robinson of North Little Rock, Ark., a Dietetic Internship graduate student at Ouachita Baptist University, has been named the 2021-2022 Outstanding Dietetic Student of the Year in Dietetic Internship by the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was selected from among students in all of Arkansas’ dietetic internship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Ouachita Voice Students Place In District Competition Feb. 25-26, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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Four Ouachita Baptist University voice students earned honors at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Arkansas District Conference, held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at Harding University in Searcy, Ark.

AnnaMarie Cobb, a freshman choral music education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., was a semifinalist in lower college musical theatre, treble division; Bella Owen, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., earned third place in upper college musical theatre, treble division; Erin Bagley, a junior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, was a semifinalist in upper college musical theatre, treble division; and Kieran Malmer, a freshman choral …

Payton Mixon, Sammy Campione Win Shambarger Competition At Ouachita, Abigail Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

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Payton Mixon, a junior musical theatre major from New Caney, Texas, and Sammy Campione, a senior musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, tied for first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 24^th Annual Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers held Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Ouachita’s McBeth Recital Hall.

The competition is named for the late Mary Shambarger, professor emerita of music at Ouachita. Shambarger served on the music faculty for 32 years, teaching voice and directing student choral groups until her retirement in 1998. The Shambarger Competition provides students the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain experiences in performing and …

Ouachita Recognizes Faculty, Staff For Combined 720 Years Of Service To The University, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Faculty and staff marking from 10 to 40 years of service to Ouachita Baptist University were recognized during a January 18 meeting on campus. Service awards were presented by Jason Tolbert, chief financial officer; Sherri Phelps, director of human resources; and Kathy Green, payroll & fringe benefits specialist.

“Our institutional commitments and our highly personalized approach to students’ academic progress, personal development and spiritual growth distinguish Ouachita from all public universities and most private colleges,” said Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita president. “Our faculty and staff help set us apart by making time to know, encourage, challenge and support our …

Ouachita Announces Students Named To Fall 2021 Dean's List, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University has named 416 students to its Fall 2021 Dean’s List.

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 have no incomplete or failing grade for the semester.

A Degree Of Difference: Haylee Cook Among Ouachita's First Master's Cohort In Aba, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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A couple years out of college, Haylee Cook knew her calling. She just didn’t know what it was called. After Cook earned a degree in psychology from Henderson State University, she and her husband, Matthew, a 2014 Ouachita graduate, left Arkadelphia so that he could pursue family ministry at a church in Alabama. When the couple’s daughter, Leland, was born, “I had zero motivation for graduate school,” Cook said. “I wanted to be the best mom I could be, and support Matthew in his ministry.”

From The "Ouachitonian": Abbigale Sullins, Caroline Johnson, Ouachita News Bureau

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The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic left many students with ruined plans during the summer of 2020. For sophomore music and chemistry major Abbi Sullins from Benton, that was not the case. Sullins worked as a medical screener for the coronavirus at the Saline Memorial Hospital in her hometown of Benton. Sullins had a history at Saline Memorial as her mother Amy worked in the hospital for many years when Sullins was a child.

From The "Ouachitonian": Caroline Johnson, Sophia Talley, Ouachita News Bureau

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In the summer of 2020, the United States was a breeding center for historic riots and the battle grounds for a pandemic. While most citizens watched these historic happenings on the news, Caroline Johnson, a sophomore political science major from Springdale, interned in Washington, D.C., aiding the nation’s leaders in a time of crisis.

From The "Ouachitonian": Allyson Oliver, Gracen Goudy, Ouachita News Bureau

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With the unknowns that carried into the summer, junior political science and psychology major Allyson Oliver from Conway wondered if the internship she had in place would carry through. She had the privilege to intern in the public affairs office of Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. Fortunately, Oliver’s experience was only delayed a month due to the pandemic and was virtual only a portion of the time.

From The "Ouachitonian": Hannah Pilcher, Madi Darr, Ouachita News Bureau

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Hannah Pilcher, the resident director of Frances Crawford Hall, found a unique opportunity for ministry within her job in the freshman girls’ dorm. Pilcher is originally from Little Rock and has spent the past eight years pouring into the lives of freshmen girls and resident assistants, as a student and as an RD. Her time at Ouachita inspired Pilcher to build relationships with others that directly parallels her experience as a student.