Education Commons^™

Dr. Lei Cai Inducted Into The Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall Of Fame, Addie Woods, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Dr. Lei Cai, professor of piano in the Division of Music in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts, has been inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame. He was recognized during a ceremony held at the historic Steinway piano factory in New York City in October.

“We were absolutely thrilled, but not the least bit surprised, to hear that Dr. Cai was selected for this incredible honor,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor and dean of the School of Performing Arts. “To have a pianist of his caliber on our faculty is truly a blessing.”

Cai was …

Dr. Kathy Collins Remembered For Investing In Students, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Dr. Kathy Collins, associate professor and chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University, died Sunday, Nov. 5. She was 69. Known as an educator who regarded teaching as a calling, Collins prioritized experiential learning and invested personally in her students to offer them the best preparation for careers in the classroom.

Ouachita's Dr. Johnny Wink To Be Honored For 50 Years Of Service, Addie Woods, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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The Department of Language & Literature at Ouachita Baptist University will honor Dr. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck Professor of English, during a campus reception on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. in McClellan Hall’s Green-Blevins Rotunda. Open to the public, the party will begin with a brief ceremony to be followed by an informal gathering celebrating Wink’s 50 years on the Ouachita faculty.

Dr. Caroline Taylor Named Dean Of Ouachita's School Of Fine Arts, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Caroline B. Taylor, professor of music and interim chair of the Division of Music at Ouachita Baptist University, has been named dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts. She will provide leadership starting June 2023 to the school’s divisions of and Applied Arts in pursuing their goal of producing artists and scholars who integrate their intellect and faith with their art, and their art with their worldview.

“I am thrilled to be appointed the next School of Fine Arts dean and excited to be in a position to continue the long-held tradition of excellence the arts have always held …

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

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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 …

Reyna, Plymale, And Pruett Publish Research Paper On Ar-Cure Program, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University professors Dr. Nathan Reyna, Dr. Ruth Plymale, and Dr. Christin Pruett collaborated with colleagues at other universities on a research paper that has been published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, vol. 50, issue 5. Their paper, titled, “From genetics to biotechnology: Synthetic biology as a flexible course-embedded research experience,” details the implementation and assessment of the Arkansas Course Embedded Undergraduate Research Experience (AR-CURE) teaching model developed at Ouachita by Reyna and Plymale.

Reyna is professor of biology, Plymale is associate professor of biology and J.D. Patterson Chair of Biology, and Pruett is associate professor of biology. …

Dr. Casey Motl Takes On New Mission As Sutton School Dean, Felley Lawson, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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When classes at Ouachita resume in August, Dr. Kevin C. "Casey" Motl will have a cool story to share about what he did during his summer vacation: He flew the Millennium Falcon. The pinnacle of a family trip to Disney World came when Motl slipped into the Falcon's cockpit for a turn as pilot on the motion simulator ride Smuggler's Run. For the next 4 1/2 precious minutes, Motl no doubt was the happiest guest at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Completing the fantasy mission and sending the Falcon into hyperspace—twice—was a giant thrill for Motl, a lifelong Star Wars …

Steve Guymon (Head Coach, Men's And Women's Cross Country, Men's And Women's Track & Field And Women's Indoor Track & Field), Jon Merryman, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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Some might think starting a track program would require a track. Not Steve Guymon. Sure, it would come in handy. But while plans are in the works to build one on campus, Guymon went ahead and grew Ouachita's cross country and track & field teams from seven athletes in 2019 to 90 this fall.

Guymon's road to Ouachita started with his son Austin's decision to play football here. Beginning as a consultant, he found himself in Summer 2019 on Ouachita's coaching staff, bringing 38 years of coaching experience and a string of honors including multiple Gulf South and Great American …

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'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 …

Hamilton, Hubbard Use Inbre Grant To Bring New Instruments To Ouachita Chemistry Program, Kaitlyn Stoddard, Ouachita News Bureau

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Ouachita Baptist University chemistry instructors Dr. Sharon Hamilton and Dr. Sara Hubbard were awarded a $14,135 small instrument grant by the Arkansas IdeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which they used to purchase a spectrophotometer and a fluorometer for use by students in Ouachita’s Department of Chemistry. The grant was made possible by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in the National Institutes of Health.

Hubbard, associate professor and Nell I. Mondy Chair of Chemistry, and Hamilton, associate professor of chemistry, were notified of their award in January. They collaborated with Dr. Christen Pruett and Dr. Ruth Plymale, …

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": 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 …

Ouachita To Host Faculty Vocal Recital By Dr. Natilan Crutcher On Oct. 11, Abigail Gaddis, Ouachita News Bureau

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The Division of Music in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will host Dr. Natilan Crutcher in concert on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.

Crutcher, visiting assistant professor of music at Ouachita, said she will perform a selection of sacred and spiritual songs – some obscure, some familiar – by some of the country’s most influential African American composers and arrangers.

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

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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.”

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!

What Does That Student-Faculty Ratio Number Mean? Mentors Abound., Michael Burge, Ouachita News Bureau

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In my opinion, one of the best things Ouachita has to offer is that it is a university of roughly 1,500 on-campus students and with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. What that means when you yourself are a Ouachita student is that you’ll have great opportunities for mentor relationships with your teachers.

Pumphrey To Help Launch Engineering Program At Ouachita, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Norman D. Pumphrey Jr. has been named professor of engineering at Ouachita Baptist University. Pumphrey joins Ouachita faculty in the J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences after serving nearly 30 years in the engineering department at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. He will help launch Ouachita’s new 4-year Bachelor of Science degree pathway in engineering, planned to begin in Fall 2023 pending approval from the university’s institutional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

“We’re excited about the addition of Dr. Norm Pumphrey to help jump-start our engineering program, which will have three emphases: general, mechanical and civil,” said Dr. …

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.”

Ouachita's Kaneil Purifoy Joins Panel Of Speakers During Ncaa Convention, Julie Shands, Ouachita News Bureau

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KaNeil Purifoy, university counselor and resident director at Ouachita Baptist University, was a panelist at the 2022 NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. in January. Purifoy was one of four speakers during a panel discussion titled, “Coping With Pandemics: The Effects of Racism and COVID-19 on Student-Athlete Mental Health.” The conversation was hosted by Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer.

Purifoy spoke to the mental wellness needs of student-athletes as a representative of Division II colleges and universities. His fellow panelists were moderator Dr. Stephany Coakley, senior associate athletics director for mental health, wellness and performance at Temple University; …

Ouachita's Dr. Jason Doroga Gives Presentation At University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Jason Doroga, assistant professor of Spanish at Ouachita Baptist University, presented his paper “Negative Analogy: A New Direction for Analogical Change” as part of the Linguistics Friday Seminar Series at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in April. The paper analyzes the cycles of analogy and changing patterns of language use in the speech community, exploring the role of analogy in explaining changes in the form of Spanish-language past participles.

Dr. Kevin C. "Casey" Motl Named Dean Of Ouachita's Sutton School Of Social Sciences, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Kevin C. “Casey” Motl has been named dean of the William H. Sutton School of Social Sciences at Ouachita Baptist University. The Sutton School houses Ouachita’s departments of History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

Grant Remembered For Dedication To Integrating Academic And Christian Excellence, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Daniel R. Grant, president emeritus of Ouachita Baptist University, died Wednesday, May 25. He was 98.

Grant was Ouachita’s 12th president and held the office longer than anyone in the university’s history apart from Dr. J.W. Conger, founding president. Grant’s service to Ouachita was distinguished by his dedication to building a thriving, financially stable learning community in the liberal arts tradition, based on a commitment to rigorous academics and Christian excellence.

Momentum Appreciation, Brooke Zimny, Office Of Communications & Marketing

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When I think of momentum, my first thought is the idiom “on a roll” and related examples. I think of physically rolling objects, like a ball rolling down a hill, the cheesy inspirational poster of a rollerblader that was in my childhood bedroom, the infamous Indiana Jones boulder chase. But you also can be metaphorically “on a roll” with various successes in life, big or small. Is there a better feeling than hitting every shot on the basketball court?

Two of our resident experts, Drs. Angela and Matt Douglass, helped me reach a deeper understanding of this common concept in …

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 …

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 …

Rigsby Chosen To Lead Ouachita's New Criminal Justice Degree Program, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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Dr. Malcolm L. Rigsby has been named professor of criminology and criminal justice and coordinator of the criminal justice program at Ouachita Baptist University. He brings more than 20 years’ teaching and research experience in higher education to the post, as well as a background in banking, private law practice and private-owned business.

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.

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: …

Scholarship Endowed In Rothwell's Honor At Ouachita Hickingbotham School Of Business, Felley Lawson, Ouachita News Bureau

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An endowed scholarship has been established in Ouachita Baptist University’s Hickingbotham School of Business honoring Jim Rothwell, assistant dean of the Hickingbotham School and assistant professor of accounting at Ouachita. The Jim Rothwell Endowed Scholarship, which will be awarded to a freshman business major, was announced Friday, March 11, during the Hickingbotham School’s annual Business Administration Day luncheon held on campus.

The scholarship was established by the school’s executive advisory board in recognition of Rothwell’s dedication and service to Ouachita during his 40-year tenure as a member of the university’s business faculty. It was presented by John T. Hampton, chair …