Terry DeWitt ('88)
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, and professor of kinesiology

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.

Dr. Rickey Rogers named Ouachita's vice president for student development

Before he was Dr. Rogers, Ouachita’s dean of students, Rickey Rogers was an assistant football coach at Ouachita calling signals for the Tigers who played offensive skill positions.

New Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction emphasizes "teaching as a calling"

Ouachita’s new Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction program launched this semester as the latest post-baccalaureate offering in the university’s growing graduate studies menu. The 12-month program, designed to help teachers enhance skills and increase earning potential, prepares educators to become curriculum specialists and instructional coordinators as well as grow their skills in the classroom.

Jaymee Dotson on pace for extended reign

When Jaymee Dotson takes the field in the fall of 2022 for Ouachita women’s soccer, she has a chance to accomplish a feat that no one else has.

John Barber ('99) & Becky Ellis ('08)
Helping those impacted by disability

Alumni John Barber and Becky Ellis will tell you that life can lead to unexpected places. They both work for Joni and Friends, an international ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, seeking to communicate the gospel and mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple and serve people living with disabilities.

Rachel (Waggener) Pool ('07)

When Dr. Rachel Pool stepped onto Ouachita’s campus for Super Summer in high school, she fell in love. Not with a boy from another Arkansas town – she was in love with Ouachita.

The Johnson Family

When you think of Tigers for Life, the Johnson family may have set a record – six Ouachita graduates in eight years, and one more headed for the stage in 2023.

Feed Arkadelphia Seeks to Address Hunger, Reduce Waste, Reach Hearts

As a senior in high school, Reanna Johnson first realized her passion for ending hunger through her volunteer work with a local food pantry.

Ouachita launches graduate Dietetic Internship during pandemic

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.

Ouachita honors outstanding alumni during Homecoming festivities

Ten Ouachita Baptist University alumni received the university’s Alumni Milestone Award in conjunction with Ouachita’s Homecoming celebration Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Based on their professional achievements, community service and dedication to their alma mater, they were chosen by a committee of Ouachita faculty and staff and Ouachita President Ben Sells.

Robert S. Moore Jr. given distinguished alumni award

Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman Robert S. Moore Jr. received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service to the State of Arkansas from Ouachita during an August luncheon held on campus in his honor.

Jason Tolbert ('97)
Chief Financial Officer

As soon as Jason Tolbert started his college search as a high school student in Wynne, Ark., he knew if he could afford to go to Ouachita, he would. It’s not hard to believe that, even then, making the numbers work was a top priority for Tolbert, who now serves as Ouachita’s chief financial officer (CFO).

Dr. Jeremy Greer returns to Ouachita as the next dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies

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.

Construction in progress for 144-bed student apartment complex

Ouachita broke ground on a 144-bed, $12.6 million student apartment complex in August, with plans for it to be open for the Fall 2022 semester.

Rickey Rogers ('02), Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life

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.

Leading and learning in a pandemic year - and beyond

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.

Hope by way of lament

“Back to normal.” Since the middle of last March, those words have felt like an impossible dream. As illness disrupted life for many and restrictions disrupted life for all, we longed for things to just be the way they used to be.

Equipping leaders

With its strong history of producing worship leaders who serve in well-known churches in Arkansas, Texas and beyond, Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts has been on the radar of local churches for decades.

Turning from fear to hope

I had a front-row seat to Ouachita’s approach to pandemic planning as a member of several administrative groups on campus. I remember feeling fear, anxiety and discouragement starting in March 2020 at the challenge ahead of and all around us.

Kluck takes on his latest leadership challenge

Dr. Wesley Kluck did not have a restful 2020. As university physician and vice president for student development at Ouachita, he led the university’s health efforts in response to COVID-19, chairing Ouachita’s Health Monitoring and Action Team (HMAT).