Education Commons^™

Living The Dream, Johan Eriksson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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 President's List, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has named more than 375 students to its Spring 2022 President’s List.

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 have no incomplete or failing grade for the semester.

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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.

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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

Press Releases

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.

From The "Ouachitonian": Eric Phillips, Mallory Wallace, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Emily Watson’s family owns Joyhouse Coffee Company, a premium Haitian coffee company dedicated to providing joy with every cup of coffee. Being a part of such a special exchange represents everything Watson loves.

From The "Ouachitonian": Dr. Wesley Kluck, Madison Cresswell, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

After moving back to Arkadelphia, his hometown and town of his alma mater, following his time in medical school and residency, Dr. Wesley Kluck was asked what his dream job was while playing a newlywed game at church. “My answer was always to work at Ouachita Baptist University,” said Kluck.

Ouachita's Dr. Nathan Reyna Receives National Innovation In Education Award, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Dr. Nathan Reyna, associate professor of biology at Ouachita Baptist University, has won the first Innovation in Education Award from the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).

The Cell Bio Virtual 2021 conference was held online Dec. 1-10. Cell Bio is a joint international annual meeting of the ASCB and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). Reyna spoke and was presented with his award on the first day of the virtual meeting.

Dr. Julyse Horr: A Scientist-Practitioner Led By Faith, Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Dr. Julyse Migan-Gandonou Horr, Ouachita’s new director of applied behavior analysis, credits her faith with bringing her to where she is today. “I can look back now and see how God was guiding me every step of the way,” said Horr (pronounced “haw”). “In each chapter of my life, he put the right people in place at just the right time.”

Ouachita Student Participates In Arkansas Cinema Society's Filmmaking Lab, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Sarah Critton, a freshman communications and media major from Little Rock, Ark., participated in the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls from July 7-Aug. 6 in Little Rock.

The lab is held annually for high school girls who hope to follow in the footsteps of prominent women in directing, cinematography, costume designing, editing and screenwriting. Over the span of a month, Critton and eight other contributors chose a storyline, wrote a script, cast characters and shot a 5-minute short film.

A Ouachita Story Comes Full Circle, Jana Hardage, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. I was fortunate to grow up in a home where we were taught about Jesus and grew to love Him. My parents are both pillars of faith in the foundation of my life, and for that I am grateful.

Ouachita Honors 30 Graduates In Inaugural Applied Behavior Analysis Hooding Ceremony, Kiki Schleiff Cherry

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University honored 30 graduates during the inaugural Applied Behavioral Analysis Hooding Ceremony on Aug. 7 at Walker Conference Center with Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, presiding. The ceremony recognized the university’s first class of master’s degree recipients since the 1990s by presenting them with their traditional academic regalia.

5 Tips To Get Ahead If You Plan To Study Two (Or Three!) College Majors, Jessica Daniell, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

If you are scanning the multiple academic schools and academic programs offered at Ouachita, you are likely to come across several that may pique your interest. You probably have several passions and talents already, so declaring one major over another may be a difficult challenge.

Ouachita Awarded $37,000 Netvue Development Grant To Encourage Discovery Through Reflective Writing, Madison Cresswell, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Earlier this year, Ouachita Baptist University was awarded a $37,000 program development grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) for its proposal “Discerning Vocation Through Writing.” The two-year grant is intended to equip faculty to better assist students in discerning their vocation through reflective writing exercises.

Ouachita Ranked "#2 Regional College In The South" And More By "U.S. News And World Report, Rachel Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has been named “#2 Best Regional College in the South” for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The university landed high honors in other categories in the region, as well, including #4 rankings for “Most Innovative” and “Best Undergraduate Teaching” and #5 for “Best Value.”

The U.S. News rankings come as Ouachita has its highest fall enrollment in 20 years and the highest four-year graduation rate on record for the institution.

Ouachita Announces Students Named To Spring 2020 Dean's List, Rachel Moreno, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has named more than 400 students to its Spring 2020 Dean’s List.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must compile at least a 3.5 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.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Ark., is entering its 134^th year as a Christ-centered learning community. It is ranked the No. 1 “Best Value” college in Arkansas by Niche.com and the No. 2 “Regional College in the …

Ouachita Announces Students Named To Fall 2020 Dean's List, Rachel Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has named 396 students to its Fall 2020 Dean’s List.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must compile at least a 3.5-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.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Ark., is in its 134th year as a Christ-centered learning community and is ranked the No. 2 “Regional College in the South” by U.S. News & World Report. In fall 2020, Ouachita recorded its highest …

Ouachita Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society Members Present At 2019 Annual Convention, Ashly Stracener, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Seven Ouachita Baptist University students presented their academic work at the Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society’s 2019 national convention in St. Louis March 27-30. Ouachita chapter members presented academic papers as well as one of the convention’s 32 roundtable discussions, a first for Ouachita.

Ouachita Honors Student Achievements At 2018 Academic Awards Banquet, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University students recently were honored at the university’s 2018 Academic Awards Banquet. The event recognized various academic and leadership achievements of the students throughout the past academic year. The annual banquet is sponsored by Ouachita’s Student Senate.

Ouachita’S Annual Elrod Center Service Awards Banquet Honors Phil Hardin And Student Volunteers, Sarah Davis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

The Ouachita Baptist University Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community held its annual community service awards banquet on Tuesday, April 17. Phil Hardin, assistant to the president for administration emeritus at Ouachita, was honored with the Elrod Center’s Community Service Excellence Award. Several students, faculty and staff were also recognized for their service during the academic year.

Ouachita Faculty And Staff Honored For Combined 575 Years Of Service, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Gathering for Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, the university recently honored 29 faculty and staff members who have served a combined total of 575 years at Ouachita. Among the longtime faculty and staff members honored, Clark Kuyper and David Sharp were recognized for 35 years of service each.

“Congratulations to our 29 faculty and staff members who were honored for significant service milestones,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells. “Ouachita is known for its commitment to a love of God and a love of learning. Our dedicated faculty and staff are deeply involved in modeling and instilling those values as …