It's been an honor: How Ouachita's Honors Program led me to pursue law and serve Arkansas

When I was 14 years old, I knew I had to go to a place that I had only just heard of: Ouachita Baptist University. Over the course of a summer, I realized I felt called to go into ministry. I only knew a few others who shared my call, and each one of them desired to go to “OBU.” I saw spiritual leader after spiritual leader attend Ouachita, and my own path was made clear. While my academic numbers made any college in the country an option, my heart only chose one: Ouachita.

Tips from a travel guru: 5 things to know before you go

I love traveling and, in college, many of us will get the chance to do so. Over the years and during my travels both national and abroad, I have learned some hard lessons. Here are some tips and things I’ve learned so you can know before you go.

How to make the most of the summer after your junior year: The college search begins

It’s the summer after your junior year, and you cannot wait for senior year to get here! However, it’s easy in all that excitement to pass by what can be the most powerful tool in your belt for securing your top college choice: THE SUMMER!

Med-school-ready & having fun: Why I chose to study bio-med at Ouachita

I grew up surrounded by medical professionals; the majority of adults in my life have worked in the medical field in some way. I think I acquired an affinity for science because of that. When I was still in elementary school, I asked my mother for her nursing books so that I could learn about the disease that was making my grandmother sick.

Alumni profile: Bonita Watts, creator of the famous McDonald's apple pie

Surely, at one time or another, you’ve walked into a McDonald’s restaurant and smelled the delicious aroma of apples and cinnamon, causing you to give in and order that tasty apple pie in a box. But did you know that without Ouachita alumna Bonita Watts (’62), you may have never tasted those tasty pies?

First job advice for anyone imperfect

Yes, it’s true, there is no other place in the world like Ouachita. In fact, your next adventure probably won’t feel familiar at all to anything you’ve experienced these past four (or more) years. The good news is that your cherished memories will stick with you forever, and the greatness ahead will all be worth it.

Still trying to decide which college is best for you? Do these three things.

It’s been four years, but I remember how stressed I felt when I was trying to decide between my top two college choices. I was torn and wanted to make sure that I picked the perfect home for the next four years of my life. My Ouachita admissions counselor made sure I knew everything I needed to know while choosing between OBU and another school, but she also shared some advice that was thoughtful, gave me more to consider and, in the end, helped me make my decision.

The life of a library worker

The library always seems to be a place where students can come and study to their heart’s delight. It is filled with the tools a student needs to be successful in college: computers, printers, books, even a charging station! Almost every student has spent at least a portion of their time in the library – preparing for an exam, a group project or working on that exegetical.

Breaking the "cycle": Fighting human trafficking on a 1,700-mile bike ride

In the spring of 2018, I was training for a 50k. This is a roughly 31-mile run on mountainous trails. The week before this race, I went on a training run with a few friends. We started Friday evening, running well into the night. We were running on Lake Ouachita Vista Trail right outside of Hot Springs. After running 14 out of 20 miles, I found myself alone, in the dark, running down Hickory Nut Mountain.

Remember the name: Inspiration for what to name your Tiger Traks team

Get ready! “Arkansas’ most exciting college weekend” is almost here! Nope, not Battle of the Ravine or Homecoming. It’s Tiger Traks!

Resting well: 6 ways you can choose rest this summer

Summer and Christmas breaks are often seasons when college students have lots of free time. After a busy semester or school year, it can be full of sleep, friends, family, Netflix and home-cooked meals. True rest, reflection and growth can also be a part of the break.

Braving the elements: Ouachita's freshman outdoor orientation combats first-year fears

Ouachita understands how critical it is to help freshman adapt to the new college lifestyle. So before moving in to campus, Ouachita hosts a five-day program called Freshman Outdoor Orientation Trip, or FOOT, for students to enjoy the nature Arkadelphia has to offer alongside their new peers. Hiking, rock climbing, tubing, volunteer work in the community, campfires, worship sessions and professor meet-and-greets are just a few of the activities that you can experience during FOOT.

Post-grad funk: It's a real thing

New graduates, I’m here to tell you about the “real world.” It’s a place I wouldn’t often recommend to others, but we all have to grow into it at some point. “Adulting” is a journey we have to take. I remember those last few weeks before graduation so well!

2019 Ouachita Commencement address: Lives of Meaningful Work

Class of 2019 – congratulations! We are proud of you! I’m proud of you! At the beginning of the academic year, I used my Convocation address to help us initiate a university-wide conversation on our theme, “Lives of Meaningful Work.” It’s a phrase from our mission statement. It speaks to one of Ouachita’s desired outcomes for graduates: that you will be prepared for lives of meaningful work.

Teaching science meets Doctor Who

In March, the Patterson School of Natural Sciences hosted an event for local fourth through sixth grade girls called Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The Saturday event was led by our class, Science for Elementary Teachers, and was an awesome chance for us to engage girls in the community and to help them feel empowered in male-dominated STEM fields.

What does attending a "Christian college" even mean? #askingforafriend

We know you have questions, some that you might be afraid to ask, about what to expect if you attend a Baptist university. We know that every Christian college is different, but we want you to know exactly what makes Ouachita, Ouachita. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear all the time, so there’s no need to ask “for your friends!”

Remembering Bill Downs

Bill Downs didn’t always tell the truth. I have proof of it. In 2004, Downs wrote a book called “The Fighting Tigers: The Untold Stories Behind the Names on the Ouachita Baptist University World War II Memorial." I asked him to autograph the book for me in December of that year, and this is what he wrote: “To Rex Nelson, the only OBU student I have ever had who wrote so beautifully that I never found anything to correct.”

Conger's grave: The story behind the resting place of Ouachita's founding president

Perhaps you’ve paused long enough by the river overlook on Ouachita’s campus to notice a small burial site. It is the final resting place of Ouachita’s founding and longest-serving president, Dr. John “Jack” William Conger, who died on April 7, 1924.

Early Registration (ER) podcast

Check out this podcast episode where Ouachita juniors Addy Goodman, Ethan Dial and Josh Salim sat down to discuss some helpful information and tips for a great Early Registration experience.

I'm only 18. How do I pay for college? #askingforafriend

We know you have questions, some that you might be afraid to ask, about how to pay for college in order to attend Ouachita. So, we’ve put together some common questions and answers to give it to you straight. No need to ask questions for your friends – we’ve got you!