Education Commons^™

Leading And Learning In A Pandemic Year--And Beyond, Anna Roussel

Press Releases

Navigating college always has its unique challenges, but doing so in the midst of a global pandemic is a feat that seemed nearly impossible a year ago. When we left campus suddenly in March of 2020, the uncertainty surrounding my college career was enough to literally move me to tears. I had spent my entire life hearing family members and friends tell stories of their time at Ouachita and longing for the day I was on campus, and I did not want to come to terms with my time being cut short. However, in the middle of the chaos, I …

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

Press Releases

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 …

Ouachita Launches Graduate Dietetic Internship During Pandemic, Rachel Gaddis, Office Of Communications & Marketing

Press Releases

To say you started anything new in 2020 would, well, raise eyebrows – especially launching something as involved and hands-on as an academic program including clinical healthcare. But that’s exactly what Ouachita did during the 2020-2021 academic year, launching its first graduate programs in more than 20 years. The new programs are producing quick fruit, with seven students earning Ouachita’s first-ever post-baccalaureate certificate for dietetic internships in May 2021. (The first cohort of applied behavior analysis master’s degree students will graduate in August 2021.)

“Ten years ago, the placement rate for nutrition & dietetics students in a post-graduate internship was …

Ouachita's Department Of Nursing Receives Grant From Blue & You Foundation, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Nursing is among 41 recipients of a grant from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. Totaling $3,360,327, the grant will fund health initiatives in 71 of Arkansas’ 75 counties.

Ouachita’s nursing program received $131,000 from the Blue & You Foundation to purchase simulation equipment for its new state-of-the-art Nursing Education Center. The 6,600-square-foot simulation and teaching center will include a clinical skills lab, five simulated hospital patient rooms and a pharmacy. Use of high-fidelity simulation mannequins will replicate real-life scenarios, allowing nursing students to practice assessment, clinical and communication skills without risk …

Ouachita Department Of Theatre Arts To Host One Act Play Festival Dec. 9-10, Mackenzie Hall, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

The Ouachita Baptist University Department of Theatre Arts will present its One Act Play Festival on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 9-10, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theater. The bi-annual event, which is free and open to the public, features six short plays directed by students in completion of end-of-semester projects in Ouachita’s play directing course. All plays will be presented both nights of the festival.

Matthew Murry, visiting assistant professor of theatre, said, “Students direct, perform, design, crew, assist and run the shows. For directing students, this festival provides the opportunity to enjoy their work alongside an audience.”

Ouachita Concerto Competition To Be Held Dec. 10, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host the 16th annual W. Francis and Mary McBeth Wind and Percussion Concerto Competition on Friday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. in Ouachita’s McBeth Recital Hall, located in Mabee Fine Arts Center. The competition is designed to identify the best instrumental soloist and is open to all wind and percussion students.

The competition is sponsored by Mary McBeth, who also provides the competition prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners. The first-place winner receives $500, second place receives $300 and third place receives $200. The first-place winner may also be granted the opportunity …

Ouachita Preparing To Launch New Engineering Program, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University is preparing to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering as early as Fall 2022, pending approval from the university’s institutional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The new 4-year program is being designed to meet standards set by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) and will be housed in the J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences at Ouachita.

A general engineering program provides solid preparation for graduates to move into any field of engineering, in addition to a wide range of related careers-–some of which require additional training or graduate study-–including robotics, renewable …

Ouachita Baptist University Presents Steel Band In Concert Dec. 8, Emma Dennis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present the Steel Band in concert Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

“Each year, the steel bands choose one famous calypsonian (calypso singer) from Trinidad and perform multiple songs by that artist,” said Dr. Ryan Lewis, associate professor of music at Ouachita, adding that this year’s calypsonian is Aldwyn Roberts, known by the stage name Lord Kitchener. “He is known for his calypso songs about steel drums, playing steel drums and Panorama, the national steel band competition in Trinidad …

Ouachita Baptist University Band Presents Christmas Concert Dec. 7, Emma Dennis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

The Ouachita Baptist University Band will present its Christmas concert Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

“The Ouachita Band is excited to celebrate the season with a concert of all of your Christmas favorites, plus a few you might not know,” said Jim Lloyd, instructor of music and athletic band director at Ouachita. “Come celebrate with us during this joyful time of year.”

Ouachita Student Awarded Advancing Diversity In Dietetics Scholarship, Mackenzie Hall, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Latina Robinson of North Little Rock, Ark., a Dietetic Internship graduate student at Ouachita Baptist University, is one of two recipients a $25,000 Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Foundation.

The scholarship was established to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and access for dietetics students to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the field. The $25,000 scholarship is for the 2021-2022 academic year to support students as they pursue dietetic careers.

Ouachita To Present A Service Of Lessons And Carols Dec. 6, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present A Service of Lessons and Carols on Monday, 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 has been a Ouachita tradition since 1997.

“This service is a true worship service in the English tradition,” said Dr. Gary Gerber, dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts. “It’s one of the most meaningful events that Ouachita has during the Christmas season.”

Ouachita Students Earn Honors During Regional Nats Competition, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Three Ouachita Baptist University students earned honors during the National Associate of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Southern Region Conference held Nov. 12-13 at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Erin Bagley, a junior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, earned second place in upper college musical theatre, treble division; Kieran Malmer, a freshman music education major from Little Elm, Texas, won first place in classical first year, treble division; and Veronica West, a sophomore music education major from Benton, Ark., was a semifinalist in the classical second year, treble division and the lower college musical theatre division, treble …

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 Presents A Festival Of Christmas Dec. 3-4, Mackenzie Hall, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its annual holiday program, A Festival of Christmas, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The theme of the production is “Christmastime,” from Michael W. Smith’s 1998 album of the same name.

Dr. Joshua Brown, co-director of the performance and director of choral activities at Ouachita, said that A Festival of Christmas is “a treasured Ouachita tradition that was dearly missed last year. We are excited to have this opportunity to kick off the Christmas season at Ouachita.”

Festival of Christmas will also be …

Ouachita Department Of Nursing Receives Governor's Quality Award, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Gov. Asa Hutchinson presented the Ouachita Baptist University Department of Nursing with the 2021 Governor’s Quality Award earlier this semester during a banquet hosted by the Arkansas Institute for Performance Excellence (AIPE), award sponsors, in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Little Rock.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress our nursing program has made in such a short period of time,” said Dr. Tim Knight, dean of the J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences at Ouachita. “To be recognized in this way affirms our efforts to have a quality nursing program at Ouachita.”

Ouachita Students Honored For Their Work Published In "Assayers 30", Mackenzie Hall

Press Releases

Three Ouachita Baptist University students received awards for their nonfiction work featured in “Assayers 30,” the annual publication by Ouachita’s Department of Language and Literature.

The top three winners from this year's publication are Cora Saddler, a senior English and Spanish double major from Cabot, Ark.; Sydney Motl, a sophomore English major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; and Sabaoot Esho, a junior graphic design and psychology double major from Erbil, Iraq. Their work was chosen by a panel of faculty members led by Dr. Doug Sonheim, professor of English and holder of the Clarence and Bennie Sue Anthony Chair of Bible and …

Still, Toles To Perform Senior Instumental Recitals At Ouachita On Nov. 19, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present Katelyn Still and Taryn Toles in their senior instrumental recitals Friday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Thomas Burritt To Perform Nov. 22 As Part Of Ouachita's Guest Artist Series, Mackenzie Hall, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will host percussion soloist and concert marimbist Dr. Thomas Burritt on Monday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. Burritt will perform as part of Ouachita’s Guest Artist Series and will be joined on stage by the Ouachita Percussion Ensemble. The concert is free and open to the public.

Burritt has recorded two solo albums, “All Times Identical—New American Music for Marimba” and “Groundlines,” and also has performed on Grammy-nominated recordings “Conspirare Concert” and “Pablo Neruda: The Poet Sings.” He earned a Bachelor of Music in education and performance from Ithaca …

Ouachita's Division Of Music To Present Chamber Winds In Concert Nov. 18, Emma Dennis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will present its Chamber Winds fall concert Thursday, Nov.18, at 7:30 p.m. in the McBeth Recital Hall. The concert is open to the public and free of charge.

“I am looking forward to hearing our students perform a variety of fun and interesting music on stage for an audience again after a long hiatus due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music at Ouachita and concert conductor. “I hope that audiences will have a renewed appreciation for the importance of listening to live music and an appreciation for the opportunity to hear …

Dr. Lewis Shepherd Jr. Named Ouachita's Vp For Community And Intercultural Engagement, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Dr. Lewis Shepherd Jr. has been named vice president for community and intercultural engagement at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.

Since August 2020, Shepherd has served on Ouachita’s executive leadership team as special assistant to Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president. In his new role, Shepherd’s responsibilities include leadership of Campus Ministries, the Elrod Center for Family and Community, the Grant Center for International Education, Multicultural Student Programs and TRIO Programs.

Shepherd follows Ouachita’s former Vice President for Community and International Engagement Ian Cosh, who retired in August.

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.

Cornerstone Fund Stories: Gregory Bryant, Ouachita News Bureau

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Gregory Bryant spent a lot of time at Ouachita as a high school student, visiting his older sister Sarah Ashley Bryant Rutherford ’19. He discovered early on that there was more “family” than he could have possibly imagined waiting to welcome him to campus.

Ouachita Baptist University's Jazz Band To Perform Fall Concert Nov. 16, Emma Dennis, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Jazz Band will perform its fall concert Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public; masks are required inside the auditorium.

“I just love sharing great music with my students and the audience. It is so nice to be able to have live music at Ouachita,” said conductor Jim Lloyd, instructor of music and athletic band director at Ouachita. “Jazz music is fun! Especially when you attend a live concert.”

Ouachita To Add Undergraduate Degree Program In Criminal Justice, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University has established a residential undergraduate degree program in criminal justice, to be offered beginning in Fall 2022.

The innovative program is distinctive among criminal justice degree programs in Arkansas and is designed to equip graduates for careers in the criminal justice system at every level. Housed in Ouachita’s Department of Sociology, the Bachelor of Arts degree track will offer a multidimensional approach that includes classes exploring the intersection of criminal justice, sociology, political science and psychology. It will add 30 new credit hours – or new 10 courses – to Ouachita’s catalog as part of the 120 …

Ouachita To Present The Comic Opera "H.M.S. Pinafore" Nov. 4-7, Madison Mcghee, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University's Division of Music and Department of Theatre Arts will present the comic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan from Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 4-7, in Jones Performing Arts Center. Performances will take place Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.

The production takes place in the 1920s aboard the Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Pinafore, anchored off of England’s south coast at Portsmouth. It tells the story of what happens when a captain's daughter is in love with a lower-class sailor, even though her father intends her to marry a lord.

“I think …

Ouachita Expands Part-Time Campus Police Force, Mandy Halbert, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Campus Safety & Emergency Management has expanded its part-time police force to include members of the Ouachita community committed to building positive relationships with students and serving in a manner consistent with the Christ-centered principles of the university.

The new officers are graduates of Ouachita’s law enforcement training course, developed by Jeff Crow, director of Safety & Emergency Management at Ouachita, and certified by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. They are Ouachita graduates Cori Gooseberry, Devin Price and Quantel Williams; current student Hayden Reedy, a senior communications & media/communications studies major …

Ouachita Appoints Dr. Julyse Migan-Gandonou Horr As Director Of Applied Behavior Analysis Program, Kiki Schleiff Cherry, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Dr. Julyse Migan-Gandonou Horr has been named director of the master’s degree program in applied behavior analysis (ABA) at Ouachita Baptist University, effective January 2022.

Horr (pronounced HAW) is a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) as well as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). She has worked in the field for more than 10 years as a clinician, educator and researcher and is the owner and founder of ABA Clinical & Training Solutions consulting agency. Horr has published three research studies and has presented her work at national and international conferences. She has also developed and implemented training curricula for …

Ouachita To Host Cellist Christopher Adkins On Nov. 9 As Part Of Guest Artist Series, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University will host cellist Christopher Adkins in concert Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. Adkins’ performance is part of Ouachita’s Guest Artist Series and is funded through a gift from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Chair Endowment Program. The recital is free and open to the public; masks are required inside the auditorium due to COVID-19.

Adkins held positions with the Milwaukee, Denver and New Haven symphonies before joining the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as principal cellist and Fannie & Stephen S. Kahn Chair. As the longtime cellist and conductor of contemporary music group Voices …

Dr. Myra Houser Presents At Baptist International Scholars Roundtable, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Dr. Myra Houser, associate professor of history at Ouachita Baptist University, presented her paper, “Baptists and Social Concern.” during the Baptist International Scholars Roundtable in August 2021.

"Dr. Houser has become one of the most prolific scholars at Ouachita,” said Dr. Chris Mortenson, chair of the Department of History at Ouachita. “Myra's ability to relate research interests to her faith—while also producing yet another presentation and book chapter—reflects very well on the Department of History. We are proud to call Dr. Houser a colleague and friend."

Houser chose to write on the subject after her work on the anti-apartheid movement …

Sanders, Taylor To Perform Senior Voice Recitals At Ouachita On Oct. 22, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host Karlee Sanders and Clara Taylor in their senior voice recitals Friday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public. It also will be streamed live online at livestream.com/obu/taylor-sanders.