N E W MAJ O R S P R E P FO R FAITH+CAR E E R
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Summer 2022
GROWTH
E D I TO R’ S N O T E S
Tending the greenhouse I’ve always had what can fairly be called a black thumb. Even the most resilient houseplants haven’t stood a chance in my care. I went so far as to tell my husband not to buy me flowers or plants of any kind when we were dating. I didn’t want him to read too far into the analogy of a dead love fern. Lately, though, things have changed. In the fun of cultivating a small family garden, I’ve finally begun to understand the enjoyment my parents have in tending their yard. As I’ve learned about different plants and the care they need, it’s rewarding to see those efforts pay off—and fascinating to watch as some thrive in spite of my failures. My thumb’s not quite green yet, but there’s progress. In Ouachita culture, the concept of the “Ouachita bubble” has survived generations. However, I’ve recently heard my colleagues Dr. Rebecca Jones, professor of communications, and Dr. Justin Hardin, our new vice president for academic affairs (meet him on p. 16), both explain it differently—describing our close-knit community as a greenhouse. Our residential campus can feel like a world to itself. But rather than keeping us separated or protected from the outside world, it’s about creating conditions for growth, with faculty and staff as patient gardeners focused on providing each student their best chance for success. This culture carries into our new online and graduate programs, as they avoid the impersonal, high-volume model of so many of the schools you see advertised at every turn. Here, growth is about concepts more nuanced than data. Our mission statement reminds us to prepare our students “for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth,” and growth stands as one of our five university values; a Ouachita education encourages growth “in intellectual, spiritual, physical and social domains.” I hope you see evidence of that throughout this issue, as we welcome newly appointed leaders such as Hardin and Dr. Kevin C. “Casey” Motl as Sutton School dean (p. 10); develop new programs (p. 12-15) to better prepare students for fulfilling their callings; and celebrate Ouachitonians marking milestones such as graduation, professional successes and national acclaim. Hannah Pilcher, assistant director of residence life, offers thoughts to encourage us in pursuing intentional growth (p. 8). We also remember President Emeritus Dr. Daniel R. Grant and the many years he spent cultivating this campus and its community (p. 35). People can grow anywhere, and close attention does not guarantee success. But with the right conditions, attentive gardeners and the miracles that only God can provide, a greenhouse is a pretty choice location for growing to maturity. Look only as far as Class Notes (p. 28) for evidence of the many gardens being brightened by those who once were saplings in Arkadelphia. Brooke Zimny Assistant to the President for Communications & Marketing
S TAY I N T H E KNOW ABOUT O U A C H I TA YEAR-ROUND by following us on social media, reading news and blog stories at O B U.E D U /STO R I E S
and watching our latest videos on YouTube! FOLLOW US @Ouachita @OuachitaAlumni
O N TH E BLO G Getting to where you want to go: Commencement address Historians at Ouachita reflect on Juneteenth What is autism? What is ABA? A vision for change energizes DI grad student Latina Robinson When a part-time job feeds a passion and prepares for a career “From the Ouachitonian”: yearbook people profiles
TO P YO U T U B E V I D E O S
Senior Reflections
Battle of the Ravine
Ouachita Alumni: Ricky & Ran Jackson
A Message for Parents from the President
Summer 2022
PRESIDENT BEN SELLS ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING / EDITOR BROOKE ZIMNY (’08) GRAPHIC DESIGN COORDINATOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR ASHLEY CAROZZA
CAMPUS NEWS
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR / ASSOCIATE EDITOR FELLEY LAWSON (’88) ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING TYLER ROSENTHAL (’15) COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT MANAGER TIFFANY PICKETT WEB DEVELOPER WILL JOHNSON (’19) VP FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, CHIEF OF STAFF KELDON HENLEY (’86) DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS JON MERRYMAN (’00) PROGRAM ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS SARA WEST ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS BRIAN RAMSEY The Ouachita Circle is a publication of Ouachita Baptist University’s alumni and communications offices. Printed by TCPrint Solutions in North Little Rock, Ark. © Copyright 2022
SUBMIT ADDRESS CHANGES AND CLASS NOTES obu.edu/alumni • alumni@obu.edu • (870) 245-5506 410 Ouachita St., OBU Box 3762 • Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001
VISION Ouachita Baptist University seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning by creating for students and other constituents dynamic growth opportunities both on campus and throughout the world. With foresight and faithfulness, Ouachita makes a difference.
MISSION Ouachita Baptist University is a Christ-centered learning community. Embracing the liberal arts tradition, the university prepares individuals for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work, and reasoned engagement with the world.
VALUES Ouachita strives to be an academic community of vision, integrity, and service grounded in the following values: Faith. We believe that life is lived most abundantly in response to the love of God through Jesus Christ. Scholarship. We advance excellence in teaching, learning, research, and creative expression. Growth. We foster broad-based education, encouraging growth in intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social domains. Character. We affirm that respect and honesty undergird responsible citizenship and stewardship. Community. We promote a vibrant community strengthened by diversity, sustained by common aims and supportive relationships, and committed to leadership and service on campus and beyond.
OUACHITA REPORTS SPRING ENROLLMENT GROWTH, ACCREDITATION AFFIRMATION Ouachita marked two institutional milestones during the Spring 2022 semester: near-record spring enrollment for the second consecutive year and a positive accreditation report from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Following a comprehensive evaluation by the accreditation body that included a campus visit by peer reviewers in March, the HLC affirmed that all criteria and core components were met with no interim reporting required. Universities undergo accreditation reviews at least twice every 10 years. In this mid-cycle review, HLC affirmed that Ouachita is pursuing wide-ranging institutional improvement and complies with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. “This is the best possible response from HLC, and the strongest report from HLC about Ouachita since 2001,” said Dr. Ben Sells, president. “It’s more evidence about the growth and excellence of our distinctive Christian higher education. It reflects the caliber of our faculty and staff, the quality of our students and the support of our constituencies.” The university also reported a Spring 2022 headcount of 1,663— a 2.7% increase over Spring 2021 and the highest spring enrollment in more than 25 years. Fall 2021 marked Ouachita’s highest enrollment in 55 years and largest, most diverse freshman class in its history. Spring 2022 enrollment numbers include students taking classes from Ouachita’s growing menu of graduate and online programs, concurrently enrolled high school students and undergraduate students at Ouachita’s residential campus in Arkadelphia, Ark. “Our highly personalized approach to students’ academic, personal and spiritual growth distinguish Ouachita from all public universities and most private colleges,” Sells noted. “Their success is our success.”
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U PDATE PINE SQUARE APARTMENTS RENOVATED, RE-DEDICATED AS TATMAN CORNER Ouachita hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony in April for the newly-updated Tatman Corner student apartments, formerly known as Pine Square. With the help of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, Scott and Kim Tatman transferred ownership of the apartments and the lot to Ouachita in 2020. The complex was renamed Tatman Corner in honor of their gift. The 16-unit complex sits at the corner of 6th and Hardin streets on land that has belonged to the Tatman and McMillan families of Arkadelphia for more than 120 years. The apartments have been exclusively rented to Ouachita students since 2003. Updates to the 40-yearold units—completed in 2021 by Scott Nelson Construction—include the photo by Tyler Rosenthal addition of energy-efficient windows and siding, vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms. “With almost 100% of our students living in university housing, it’s in the physical spaces that life together occurs,” said Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita president. “We believe that living, learning, working, serving, playing and worshipping together over four years cultivate a love of God and a love of learning.”
photo by Chris Babb
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA STUDENTS EARN TOP NATIONAL, STATE AWARDS Ouachita communications & media students (C&M) 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 from the Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA) for a variety of media work. In the national CSPA awards, Levi Dade, a junior Christian studies/biblical studies major from Senatobia, Miss., earned first place for yearbook sports action photo. Third place was awarded to Abby Blankenship, a 2022 C&M/strategic communications graduate from Little Rock, Ark., for yearbook feature photo and to Ben Swanger, a 2021 C&M/sports communications grad from Forney, Texas, for design portfolio. Ouachita took five of the seven top statewide awards from the ACMA, including Gracen Goudy and Anna Roussel as Yearbook Editors of the Year. Goudy is a 2022 C&M/communications studies grad from Bryant, Ark., and Roussel is a 2022 C&M/strategic communications and political science grad from Searcy, Ark. Matthew Branch, a 2022 C&M/sports communications grad from White Hall, Ark., was TV Producer of the Year. Caroline Derby, a junior C&M/multimedia and political science double major from Arkadelphia, Ark., was TV Anchor of the Year. Sara Patterson, a 2022 English literature and Christian studies/biblical studies grad from Wylie, Texas, was Website Editor of the Year. Swanger was Designer of the Year.
OUACHITA STUDENT FOUNDATION RAISES RECORD STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF) members raised a record $124,000 for student scholarships, which they awarded to 80 students this spring. They achieved this even with crowds limited to 50% for Tiger Tunes by adding a Tunes performance, selling tickets to view the livestream of the final performance and through other events during the year like Deck the Delph, a holiday craft show, and Tiger for Life Week, which included the OSF Fund Run 5K and another treasured Ouachita tradition, Tiger Traks. “Our members sure have shown resiliency over the past two years,” said Jon Merryman, director of alumni relations and OSF. “When I mentioned it would be difficult to reach our goal of providing $100,000 in scholarships last year, they worked hard to meet that goal through Tiger Traks and Tunes REWIND. This year, in addition to Tunes, what helped us raise a record amount were $13,000 in sponsorships for the Fund Run at Tiger Traks! Students went above and beyond to serve their fellow students.”
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LATINA ROBINSON NAMED STATEWIDE OUTSTANDING DIETETIC STUDENT OF THE YEAR Latina Robinson of North Little Rock, Ark., a Dietetic Internship graduate student at Ouachita, was named the 2021-2022 Outstanding Dietetic Student of the Year in Dietetic Internship by the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was selected from among students in all of Arkansas’ dietetic internship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). “Latina is an outspoken advocate for each of her fellow students,” said Holly Kyzer, assistant professor and director of the Dietetic Internship program at Ouachita, noting that Robinson’s preceptor evaluations from her field work are “always highly rated, with numerous comments regarding her hard work ethic and wonderful demeanor.” Robinson works as a certified pharmacy technician at Kroger Pharmacy and as a diet clerk at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She will continue in Ouachita’s master’s program in nutrition and dietetics this fall.
KAELIN CLAY CHOSEN AS 2022 MISS OBU
photo by Lisa Speer
PUBLIC HISTORY PROGRAM PRESENTS CEMETERY CARE WORKSHOP Ouachita’s Public History program hosted a free, hands-on preservation workshop in April at Arkadelphia’s historic Rose Hill Cemetery. The workshop was led by Dr. Lisa Speer, professor and university archivist at Ouachita, and by students enrolled in the university’s heritage tourism class. Participants were taught about tombstone materials, symbols and motifs; appropriate cleaning methods for tombstones; and the history of Rose Hill Cemetery. “Public history, in part, means engaging the local community in its history by making that history accessible and interesting,” said Hannah Webber, a public history graduate from Longview, Texas. Natalie Moore, a junior public history and communications & media/integrated communications double major from Ash Flat, Ark., added, “Serving the community through the Public History program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career.”
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Kaelin Clay, a sophomore communications & media/strategic communications and music industry double major from Idabel, Okla., was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University in February and represented the university at the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition in June. Sponsored in the Miss OBU competition by Ouachita Singers, Clay’s talent performance was a vocal arrangement of the aria “Glitter and Be Gay” from the operetta Candide. Her social impact initiative, “The Confidence Blueprint,” is a four-part approach to building self-esteem based on her own experience enduring bullying as a young teenager. During the Miss OBU competition, in addition to the title, Clay earned the academic, photo by Levi Dade eveningwear and talent awards, as well as the Alpha Eveningwear, Alpha On-Stage Question/SII and Alpha Talent awards. She tied for the photogenic award. Clay was joined at Miss Arkansas by six additional Ouachitonians: • Miss Northeast Arkansas Izzy Baughn, 21, a junior communications & media/strategic communications and political science double major from Jonesboro, Ark. Baughn was a Top Ten Finalist at Miss Arkansas. • Miss University of Arkansas Taryn Bewley, 23, a 2021 political science and psychology graduate from Conway, Ark. • Miss Central Arkansas Kensley Flynn, 19, a sophomore chemistry and pre-medicine double major from Cabot, Ark. • Miss South Arkansas Haley Shourd, 19, a sophomore communications & media/strategic communications major from Conway, Ark. Shourd was a Top Five Finalist at Miss Arkansas. • Miss Diamond Lakes Melody Stotts, 21, a 2021 middle school education graduate from Jonesboro, Ark. • Miss Greater Hot Springs Emilee Webb, 20, a junior English and political science double major from Leola, Ark.
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photo by Abby Blankenship
photo by Hannah Adamson
photo by Sarah Dean
photo by Hannah Adamson
OUACHITA’S SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS COMPLETES SPRING PERFORMANCE SEASON, CELEBRATES MABEE FINE ARTS CENTER RENOVATIONS AND STUDENT HONORS Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts celebrated a season of student and guest performances and exhibits this spring, as well as the dedication of newly renovated facilities and honors for two music ensembles. Ouachita’s band hall was renovated this year thanks to a gift from the estate of Carroll and Gloria White Plumlee, Ouachita graduates and longtime patrons of Ouachita arts programs. Additionally, a new lounge for fine arts students was created in the front of Mabee Fine Arts Center from a gift by Joseph and Linda Gerber in honor of their son Dr. Gary Gerber, outgoing dean of the school. The Ouachita Saxophone Quartet earned second prize in the Eighth Annual ENKOR International Chamber Music Competition, which is judged by a board of 500 jurors from more than 70 countries. Ouachita Singers was the only college choir in the state selected to perform at the Arkansas All-State Conference in February. “It is a tremendous honor that speaks to the tradition of excellence the Ouachita choral ensembles have long been known for throughout
Arkansas,” said Singers Director Dr. Joshua Brown, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Ouachita. Saxophone Quartet members were 2022 grads Cross Brandon, a music industry major from Little Rock, Ark., and Katelyn Still, an instrumental music education major from Benton, Ark., and juniors Craig Crawford, an instrumental music performance major from Texarkana, Texas, and Graham Scarborough, an instrumental music education major from West Monroe, La. As part of the spring season of concerts, plays and exhibits, Ouachita hosted guest artists including ceramicists Logan Hunter and Hannah May, Dr. Priscila Navarro on piano, instrumental ensemble Ricercata Winds, photographers Donna Pinckley and Liz Sanders and vocalist Caitlin Secrest, a 2014 Ouachita graduate. The musical production was Stephen Schwartz’ Godspell, and the Muse Project production was Tanglewood, a musical written and directed by 2022 musical theatre graduate Sammy Campione of Waxahachie, Texas.
CHEMISTRY STUDENTS CLOWER, MCCOY RECEIVE STATEWIDE RESEARCH GRANTS Ouachita chemistry students Cori Clower and Aiiryel McCoy, both juniors from Little Rock, were chosen as two of the four students statewide to receive undergraduate research grants from the Arkansas Academy of Science (AAS) to assist students with purchasing supplies for their research projects. Clower, a biomedical sciences major, and McCoy, a chemistry major, conducted their respective research projects over the course of the academic year and presented their research findings at the annual 2022 AAS meeting in April. “Getting these grants is a huge deal,” said Dr. Sara Hubbard, associate professor of chemistry and holder of the Nell I. Mondy Chair of Chemistry at Ouachita. “Cori and Aiiryel are the authors of these grant proposals; it’s not something that many undergraduates have the opportunity to accomplish.” Clower’s research, which is alongside Dr. Sharon Hamilton, associate professor of chemistry, involves evaluating methods to infuse drugs into wound dressing materials to create a more efficient healing process. McCoy’s research, alongside Hubbard, seeks to define conditions that cause deterioration in polycarbonate structures used in art and artifact transport.
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NELL MONDY LECTURE SERIES CONNECTS CHEMISTRY, ART AND HISTORY Ouachita hosted Dr. Mary Virginia Orna in this year’s Nell Mondy Lecture. Orna is professor emerita of chemistry at the College of New Rochelle (New York) and also serves as president of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Title IIA chemical education summer programs there. Her lecture, “How Color Changed the World,” discussed the connections between chemistry, art and archeology. Dr. Sara Hubbard, associate professor of chemistry and holder of the Nell I. Mondy Chair of Chemistry at Ouachita, said she hoped the lecture fostered for attendees “an increased knowledge and appreciation for how chemistry connects so many other fields in the real world.” Orna is president of ChemSource, Inc., a National Science Foundation-funded effort in chemistry instruction enhancement, and has been a Fulbright Fellow, American Chemical Society Fellow and ACS Radding Award winner. She is a regular contributor to the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle, and her latest book, March of the Pigments: Color History, Science and Impact, was released in May.
OUACHITA’S ELROD CENTER HOSTS 50TH TIGER SERVE DAY The Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community held its 50th Tiger Serve Day in April, when more than 730 Ouachita students, faculty and staff gathered to complete 91 service projects at homes, non-profits and churches across Arkadelphia. “One of my favorite things about Tiger Serve Day is the relational aspect of it. You might think our teams are in and out one day without further contact with our projects. In reality, we go to many of the same homes and organizations every semester,” said Leigh Anne McKinney, associate director of the Elrod Center. “Our senior adults look forward to seeing us; the relationship aspect is critical in what we do.” “How wonderful that on our 50th Tiger Serve Day, Ouachita continues this rich tradition of being a shining light to our community,” said Judy Duvall, director of the Elrod Center. “For 25 years, Ouachita students, faculty and staff have served our community faithfully. I am so incredibly proud of our campus.”
photo by Abby Blankenship
HICKINGBOTHAM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS EXTENDS GLOBAL AACSB ACCREDITATION
JUNIOR IZZY BAUGHN WINS AWARD AT MIDWEST MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Ouachita’s Hickingbotham School of Business extended its global accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) this year. The Hickingbotham School originally was accredited by AACSB in 2002 and is the only private college or university in Arkansas to maintain the elite accreditation, which requires a rigorous improvement review every five years. “AACSB accredits business programs that are committed to continuous improvement, and they want to see innovation, engagement and impact,” said Bryan McKinney, dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and university counsel at Ouachita. “So, we must demonstrate to AACSB those things–– that we are in a process of continuous improvement. And we demonstrate a variety of ways that our program is innovating, as well as engaging and impacting the world around us.” McKinney added that the accreditation helps Ouachita, as one of the smallest AACSB-accredited schools in the world, recruit high-quality faculty as well as students. “The AACSB stamp of approval puts Ouachita’s business school on a level playing field in comparison to other programs,” he said. “It’s the hallmark of excellence in the industry.”
Izzy Baughn, a junior communications & media/strategic communications and political science double major from Jonesboro, Ark., earned an award for Best Position Paper in the United Nations Environmental Assembly during the Midwest Model United Nations, in February in St. Louis, Mo. Ouachita’s team also earned an honorable mention award for Best Delegation; they represented Niger. In the months prior to Model UN, Baughn researched and gathered information on Niger and began developing a paper on Niger’s stance on nuclear power and sustainability and the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement to cut environmental emissions. “I am thrilled about Izzy’s award,” said the group’s faculty sponsor, Dr. Kevin Brennan, professor of political science at Ouachita. “This is the fourth consecutive year that at least one student from Ouachita’s delegation has received a Best Position Paper award. Only seven delegates on Izzy’s committee (United Nations Environmental Assembly) received this particular award.”
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RECOG N IZ I NG 385 YEARS OF SE R V ICE BY F A C U LT Y & S TA F F R E T I R I N G T H I S Y E A R Faculty and staff members were recognized in April at a Retirement Celebration in Jones Performing Arts Center with a reception following on Cone-Bottoms lawn. Those recognized and their years of service to the university are listed below.
Dr. Sheila Barnes 3 years of service founding director and professor of ABA
John Hardman 33 years of service director of facilities management emeritus
Alton “Sam” Walton 38 years of service grounds supervisor
Dennis Brashier 22 years of service carpentry supervisor
Susan Hurst 29 years of service associate vice president of student financial services emerita
Marsha Whalen 21 years of service administrative assistant in humanities
Karen Clark 21 years of service custodian Larry Dyess 22 years of service grounds crew Sharon Gattis 25 years of service development data entry specialist Del Hancock 21 years of service mechanical supervisor
Dr. Glenda Secrest 27 years of service professor emerita of music Dr. Jon Secrest 28 years of service professor emeritus of music Dr. Amy Sonheim 29 years of service professor emerita of English Dr. Doug Sonheim 30 years of service professor emeritus of English
Dr. Randall Wight 36 years of service dean of the Sutton School of Social Sciences We are grateful for these colleagues who are stepping down from leadership roles but will continue to serve Ouachita: Dr. Stan Poole from vice president for academic affairs, continuing as professor of English Dr. Wesley Kluck from vice president for student development, continuing as university physician
photos by Coleman Callan
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G R O W TH
G R O W I N G PA I N S :
I M M E D I ATE C H A N G E D O E S N OT E Q U A L L O N G-TE R M G R O W TH By Hannah Pilcher
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hat did we learn? Where do we go from here? These two questions have been at the forefront of my mind after attending a professional development conference that was equally challenging and inspiring. In a room full of higher education professionals, the speaker posed these questions in relation to the last two years as we have dealt with the reality of how COVID-19 affected our work life and the lives of our students. We were challenged not to give in to the urge to skip these questions because they felt too daunting to answer. She asked the audience to reflect on these two questions and to consider how our answers would impact, first, any immediate change, and second, long-term growth.
up-close and personal viewpoint allows me to see the excitement, development and challenges that students face every day. Freshman students experience a lot of change: living on their own, managing class and work responsibilities, understanding roommate and friendship dynamics and learning how to take accountability for their decisions. Change is inevitable for a freshman student who begins in August as a high school senior and ends the year in May as a college student. The process is not always smooth, and if they put in extra effort, they just may grow in the process, as well. It is highly rewarding to witness this development and to have a role throughout the year that aids in their growth. Growth is one of Ouachita’s five core values: We desire for our students to experience growth intellectually, spiritually, physically and socially. Ouachita seeks to be a safe place where students can learn to build deep friendships, ask critical questions, consider different perspectives and grow together. We want to see this type of maturity while students are on campus, but we aspire for students to seek growth past their time at Ouachita and throughout their lives. The changes they make here can lead to meaningful and holistic growth. Every year, I remind my students that the lessons and skills they learn while on campus are meant to carry them into the future and into their next seasons. The goal of being a lifelong learner recognizes that growth is necessary for our entire lives and that it does not stop after graduation. As I’ve personally reflected on the two questions from the conference, I’ve come back again and again to Lewis’ quote and to the reminder that growth requires more of me than change. When I consider all of the adjustments that have been made in the last two years, I am inclined to assume that growth has occurred as well. But I must ask myself: Have I been intentional or thoughtful in how these changes have affected my own life?
GROWTH REQUIRES MORE OF ME THAN CHANGE. Growth involves intentionality, reflection, strategy and foresight. To grow, you must first acknowledge that change is necessary and seek to understand how to implement that change. Alternatively, growth is sometimes the result of an unforeseen circumstance or season. It can be an experience that is both difficult and rewarding, eye-opening, motivating and very personal. C.S. Lewis wrote in an essay, “Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.” Growth does not happen overnight; it takes time and regularity. It encompasses the influence of outside voices, the willingness to be honest with ourselves and the acceptance of constructive feedback. Over the last nine years, I’ve had the honor of welcoming hundreds of incoming students to Ouachita; as a resident director of one of the freshman residence halls, I have a front row seat to much that transpires during a student’s first year on campus. This
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G R O WTH Throughout my life, seasons of growth have consistently been marked by finding myself in a humbled posture before the Lord and walking away with a deeper understanding that I am not as self-reliant as I aim to be. As COVID-19 has impacted my own life and work, I have found that the last two years required me also to depend greatly on the help and support of my colleagues, students, family and friends. I have needed the care and compassion of others and the strength and refuge of the Father to wade through the difficulties that these years have brought. For these I am grateful, but I also hope not to waste the chance to truly grow in the Lord through purposeful reflection and response. Peter encouraged the early church similarly: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18).
As I have worked to recognize the growth in my life, my hope is that we all would utilize the growth we’ve experienced as a catalyst to push us forward in whatever challenges, opportunities and changes lie ahead. I pray we can be active and intentional in our way through the world. May we be “doers of the Word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). We need to keep asking ourselves: What are we learning, and where do we go from here? Hannah Pilcher, assistant director of residence life and resident director for Frances Crawford Hall, has served at Ouachita since 2013, the same year she earned her B.A. degree in Spanish from Ouachita. She also has earned an M.A. degree in student affairs from John Brown University.
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One of my goals is to build upon our momentum as we prepare a new generation of Ouachitonians, rooted in Jesus Christ, to love God and others as they serve in the fields to which God has called each of them. – DR. JUSTIN HARDIN photo by Tyler Rosenthal
DR. JUSTIN K. HARDIN NAMED OUACHITA’S VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS By Felley Lawson, editorial coordinator
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uachita alumnus Dr. Justin K. Hardin has been named Ouachita’s vice president for academic affairs (VPAA), effective July 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: a Master of Philosophy in theology in 2003 and a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament in 2007. He comes to Ouachita after serving for eight years at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he has led their flagship and innovative Master of Divinity degree as well as broader graduate programs in the School of Ministry, including the university’s only Doctor of Philosophy program.
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He currently serves as associate dean for graduate programs and professor of biblical and theological studies. PBA, founded by Florida Baptists in 1968, is a comprehensive, interdenominational, Christ-first university enrolling 3,600 students. In Hardin’s leadership role at PBA, the School of Ministry added three fully-accredited graduate degrees. PBA was one of the earliest schools in the country to adopt an accelerated ministry program, creating a pathway for students to earn Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in five years. During Hardin’s tenure, enrollment in School of Ministry graduate programs climbed from fewer than 50 to more than 120 students. He taught courses in New Testament and Greek at the graduate and undergraduate levels and also taught in PBA’s undergraduate honors program. Hardin’s other academic and administrative roles include serving for six years at Wycliffe Hall, the evangelical college of the University of Oxford, where he was director of studies and tutor in New Testament. He began his professional career at Oklahoma Baptist
G R O WTH University as the Rowena Strickland Assistant Professor of Bible. “Dr. Justin Hardin is a gifted teacher, scholar and administrator who’s deeply committed to excellence in Christ-centered higher education,” said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita’s president. “He’s an emerging leader in Baptist higher education who’s been effective and innovative at serving students in traditional undergraduate programs as well as in graduate and online programs. “This appointment adds to the university’s momentum, including several new programs and record enrollment,” Sells noted. “Hardin is another example of Ouachita attracting the next generation of leaders to extend our progress.” “As I prepare to return to Ouachita, I’m filled with joyful and humble enthusiasm,” said Hardin, who also will serve as professor of biblical studies. “I look forward to advancing Ouachita’s academic vision and building upon our strong Christian liberal arts tradition that Dr. Stan Poole and our outstanding faculty and deans have cultivated so well. One of my goals is therefore to build upon our momentum as we prepare a new generation of Ouachitonians, rooted in Jesus Christ, to love God and others as they serve in the fields to which God has called each of them.” A native of Henderson, Texas, Hardin received the Outstanding Student Award in Biblical Studies during his time at Ouachita, earned a 4.0 GPA, was elected president of his class all four years and was active in the Ouachita Student Foundation. Hardin said his interest in teaching and research was kindled through his selection to participate in Ouachita’s chapter of the Pew Younger Scholars Society, a national program of the Pew Charitable Trust designed to foster a network of Christian scholars who intend to pursue the highest level of teaching and scholarship. Hardin is the recipient of several academic honors, including two for teaching. Oklahoma Baptist University recognized him with the Most Promising Teacher Award in 2007; in 2012, he was selected from among more than 330 student nominations to be named Oxford University’s Most Innovative Teacher in the Humanities Division. Active in academic organizations within his field, Hardin has written several publications and given more than a dozen major conference presentations. He’s writing a 250,000-word commentary on 1 Corinthians to be published by Zondervan. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Hardin regularly teaches and preaches in local churches. He and his wife, Jill, and their family are active members of Family Church, an SBC congregation in West Palm Beach. During his post-graduate studies in Cambridge, Hardin played basketball for the university. His interest in serving his community led him to coach youth soccer in England and Florida; he holds United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Level D1 and England Football Association (FA) Level 1 coaching licenses. Hardin was named VPAA at Ouachita following an expansive national search in partnership with JobfitMatters, an executive recruiting firm specializing in Christian organizations. “We were fortunate to attract a large and strong candidate pool,” Sells said. “I’m grateful for colleagues on the advisory committee as well as faculty, staff and students who participated in this deeply collaborative process along with the support of the search firm.” “The campus today is a wonderful blend of legacy and looking ahead, of tradition and innovation, of past memories and future dreams,” Hardin said. “I am eager to serve the Lord with all my energy and focus as Ouachita’s VPAA.”
M E ET DR. HAR DIN HOMETOWN: Henderson, Texas FIRST JOB: Working in my dad's lawn care business FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME: What About Bob? INSTRUMENTS I PLAY: Piano, percussion and guitar MY WIFE AND I MET: In church choir (in 5th grade) OUR FIRST DATE: Mercado's restaurant (not in 5th grade) FAVORITE SOCCER TEAM (besides the Tigers): Manchester City and Leeds United TO DECOMPRESS, I LOVE TO PRACTICE: Contemplative prayer, memorizing Scripture and intense exercise. Also, reading a good book. I need this daily! THE THING I MOST LOOK FORWARD TO ABOUT BEING BACK AT OUACHITA: Seeing God at work in the lives of a new generation of Ouachita students THE MOST BRITISH HABITS I PICKED UP IN THE U.K.: Drinking hot tea and saying “cheers” and “unlucky” AISLE OR WINDOW SEAT? Exit row! THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME BEST: Sincere, enthusiastic, whimsical (according to my kids!)
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LE AR N I N G TO S E R VE: NEW UNDERGRAD PROGRAMS EQUIP FOR CAREERS THAT INVEST IN PEOPLE By Felley Lawson, editorial coordinator
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quipping students to integrate faith and career as they build lives of meaningful work is a priority at Ouachita. And this fall, brand-new tools will be available to help them. Ouachita has approved new undergraduate degree pathways for Fall 2022 in order to better support students following a call to pursue a profession that invests in others. Additions to the curriculum include a pre-counseling program of study, a Christian foundations co-major and new clinical and human services emphases within the community and family services major, as well as a dual degree program to prepare students for careers in psychiatric nursing. PRE-COUNSELING
NURSING SPECIALIZATIONS In the psychology and nursing dual-degree program—a collaboration between the Department of Psychology in the Sutton School of Social Sciences and the Department of Nursing in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences—students earn both a B.S.N. and a B.S. in psychology. “I’m very excited about the 5-year dual degree between nursing and psychology,” said Dr. Brenda Trigg, director of nursing at Ouachita. “For nurses to provide quality and compassionate care and to analyze patient needs, they must understand the relationship between the two disciplines of how the mind and body affect a patient’s overall healthcare status. This dual degree will allow nursing students the opportunity to gain greater knowledge and to improve patient outcomes.” The program is similar in structure to the dual-enrollment pathways already in place for students who are seeking to serve in diverse settings either domestically or abroad. Those options include a dual degree in nursing and B.A. degrees in either Spanish or international missions.
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The Department of Psychology also partnered with the community and family services (CFS) program in the Chesley and Elizabeth Pruet School of Christian Studies to develop a new degree track at Ouachita. The pre-counseling degree program is curated to serve students who plan to attend graduate school and become licensed mental health counselors. It combines psychology classes to develop research and statistics skills with instruction in counseling through the CFS program’s new clinical emphasis. “The pre-counseling program at Ouachita provides a distinct pairing between psychology and Christian studies, giving students a strong Biblical foundation for counseling while spurring the kind of intellectual and psychological growth needed to excel in a demanding profession,” said Dr. Allyson Phillips, chair of the Department of Psychology at Ouachita. “This program is grounded in the idea that counselors play a crucial role in the restorative mission of Jesus. Our graduates will be well prepared for graduate training to become licensed professional counselors.” Within the CFS program, the additional emphases as well as an internship consisting of a supervised experience in a student’s chosen area of concentration offer students more focused preparation for particular vocations within the field.
Many students come to Ouachita to pursue various degrees outside of Christian studies but are interested in theological education.
– DR. J E R E MY G R E E R
G R O WTH Dr. Jeremy Greer, dean of the Pruet School, said, “We think these changes will position students well both to enter careers in human services or to enter graduate school in clinical mental health or social work.” “The strengths of the community and family services program are its faith integration and the experienced licensed counselors we have advising and teaching courses,” said Christa Neal, Title IX coordinator and program advisor for community and family services at Ouachita. “The additional major in psychology offers significant benefit in its research and theory focus. I am very excited about this partnership. I believe our students will benefit, and those they serve in their future professional work will see that benefit as well.”
Growth through new & innovative programs Higher education is often (and rightly) criticized for being slow to change. Not Ouachita. Since 2016, we’ve extended our mission by launching more than 30 new academic, leadership and athletic programs. They’re fueling our enrollment growth, and more are in the pipeline. Following are a few of the new academic programs that have especially required considerable research, collaboration and funding, as well as careful review by accrediting groups.
FALL 2019
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (B.S.N.) DEGREE • dual enrolled with Baptist Health College Little Rock • biology, international missions and Spanish co-majors
SUMMER 2020
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FALL 2020 CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS Also in the Pruet School, the new Christian foundations co-major offers a scaled-back 30-hour version of the university’s established 47-hour Christian studies degree program. It is designed for students who are majoring in another discipline and want to pursue a greater course load than is required for a minor in Christian studies. The curriculum will present foundational knowledge in biblical studies, historical and systematic theology, missions and ministry practice. “The Christian foundations degree arose out of some feedback provided through an annual survey that the Office of Campus Ministries administers each fall,” Greer said. “More than 300 students expressed interest in doing ministry of some sort both during and after college. More informally, we also observed that many students come to Ouachita to pursue various degrees outside of Christian studies, but they are interested in theological and ministry education.” “Want to be a pastor or an international missionary? We recommend the full major. Want to be a schoolteacher, a coach or businessman equipped to lead a Bible study or be a youth leader? Christian foundations may be just the degree,” he added. “As its name suggests, the major provides students with a foundational understanding of God’s word and God’s mission that can propel a student into further theological studies or a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord in any vocation.”
DIETETIC INTERNSHIP POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE B.S.N. DEGREE EXPANDED: R.N.-TO-B.S.N. ONLINE COMPLETION PROGRAM SPRING 2022
MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION FALL 2022
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION DEGREE B.S.N. DEGREE EXPANDED • fully on-campus • psychology co-major added
FALL 2023
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE* BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ENGINEERING *pending HLC approval
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O U A C H I TA I N T R O D U C E S
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN EXERCISE SCIENCE By Kiki Schleiff Cherry, marketing manager for graduate and online education
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uachita will expand its kinesiology program to include a Master of Science degree in exercise science, expected to launch in Fall 2023. Housed in the Huckabee School of Education, the master’s degree pathway will be built around the concept of recognizing exercise as medicine—an emphasis that has been foundational in the way Ouachita’s Department of Kinesiology approaches instruction. “We are excited about the future of our M.S. in exercise science,” said Dr. Terry DeWitt, chair of Ouachita’s Department of Kinesiology. “Our program will be designed for healthy behaviors, personal fitness assessments and exercise prescriptions for people who are healthy or have medically controlled diseases.” Ouachita is the only university in Arkansas to earn gold-level classification for participation in the Exercise is Medicine On
Campus™ (EIM-OC) program managed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). According to the ACSM website, Exercise is Medicine is a joint global health initiative by the ACSM and the American Medical Association to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care—as routine as measuring blood pressure or heart rate, for instance—connecting healthcare with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere and of all abilities. EIM-OC invites universities to collaborate in this venture. “We are moving away from the stereotypical idea of what exercise science is about, broadening and expanding the role that exercise plays in everyday life,” DeWitt explained. This approach is supported by data retrieved from decades of research underscoring the role of physical activity in promoting
We are moving away from the stereotypical idea of what exercise science is about. — DR. TERRY DEWITT
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physical and mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that regular exercise can increase lifespan and mobility, balance and coordination; improve brain health and quality of sleep; reduce the symptoms of anxiety, as well as a person’s risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, COVID-19 and some types of cancer; help manage weight and chronic conditions such as arthritis; and strengthen muscles and bones. “The value of having a qualified exercise physiologist as part of a healthcare team has been tested and proven to be effective in preventing and treating diseases,” DeWitt said. “There are so many things you can do within this field, especially with a master’s degree: corporate wellness, working with tactical athletes, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology. The applications are endless.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for exercise physiologists is expected to grow 13% by 2030—almost double the average growth rate for all occupations. More than half of exercise physiologists are self-employed; opportunities are also available with occupational and speech therapists, doctors and audiologists in private practice, as well as in public, private and state hospitals and in government. “Dr. DeWitt and the kinesiology faculty are putting together a program that is both unique and applicable to a variety of healthrelated fields,” said Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the Huckabee School. “Exercise science is growing nationwide, and we’re seeing that in our own undergraduate program. We’re pleased to extend our
mission to graduate studies and help students take the next steps in their careers.” “The M.S. in exercise science builds on the excellence established in our undergraduate program,” said Dr. Monica Hardin, associate vice president for graduate and online education at Ouachita. “By adding this course of study to our portfolio of healthcare-related degree pathways, Ouachita is on the forefront of preparing students who will be compassionate and effective practitioners in their chosen professions.” The low-residency, 36-hour program will offer fully-online courses with two required on-campus weekend workshops and an optional weekend residency in the summer before students begin the program. “We want to make this master’s program user-friendly and interactive in a way that’s unique compared to other online courses,” DeWitt explained. “It will be accessible and flexible enough for people who are working while also providing tremendous hands-on experiences and learning opportunities.” DeWitt added that Ouachita’s faith component can help students use exercise science as a form of ministry, affecting “personal health and wellness, the way you treat people, mental health and your relationship with God.” Applications will open for Ouachita’s Master of Science degree program in exercise science in January 2023, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, Ouachita’s accrediting agency.
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DR. CASEY MOTL
TAK ES ON N EW M ISSION AS SUT TON SCHOOL DEAN By Felley Lawson, editorial coordinator
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2014. This outlook will serve him well in his latest immersive, hen classes at Ouachita resume in August, Dr. and very real, adventure: As of June 1, Motl is the new dean of Kevin C. “Casey” Motl will have a cool story Ouachita’s William H. Sutton School of Social Sciences, which to share about what he did during his summer vacation: He flew the Millennium Falcon. The houses Ouachita’s departments of History, Political Science, pinnacle of a family trip to Disney World came when Motl slipped Psychology and Sociology. into the Falcon’s cockpit for a turn as pilot on the motion simulator “I look for patterns and continuities; that’s how I approach the ride Smuggler’s Run. For the next 4 ½ precious minutes, Motl world,” Motl said. “I see the dean’s position as an opportunity to no doubt was the happiest guest at the apply that kind of thinking to the wellHappiest Place on Earth. being of our programs here in the Sutton Completing the fantasy mission and School and to Ouachita as an institution.” sending the Falcon into hyperspace— Motl earned a Bachelor of Arts twice—was a giant thrill for Motl, a lifelong degree in history from Texas A&M Star Wars and Harrison Ford fan. He University and a Master of Arts in history — D R. CAS E Y M O TL actually has some things in common with from the University of North Texas. He Han Solo: He thinks Wookies are awesome returned to A&M for his Ph.D. studies and the Falcon is the greatest vessel ever to travel the universe. More and joined Ouachita’s history faculty in 2006. Motl and his wife, Lori significantly, he knows from experience the value of collaboration (Abbott ’93), Ouachita’s director of admissions counseling, have three with trusted teammates. children: Ryan, a 2021 Ouachita grad; Sydney, a junior at Ouachita; But in one way, at least, Motl has an edge: While Han is and Joshua, an incoming freshman. Ryan and his wife, Mattie—a famously loath to ever hear the odds of a mission’s success, Motl is 2019 grad—have a one-year-old daughter, Miriam. The Motls are a strategic thinker who thrives on research and finding solutions to active members of First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. complex problems. In Fall 2021, when Dr. Randall Wight—professor of psychology “I see opportunity rather than limitation in those situations,” and biology at Ouachita and former dean of the Sutton School—left said Motl, who was named the R. Voyt Hill Chair of History in the dean’s post to return to the classroom, Motl became interim dean.
I see opportunity rather than limitation.
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“Dr. Motl served the Sutton School well as interim,” said Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita president. “In the search to fill the permanent position, he participated in an intensive review process that invited input from his colleagues and students and from Ouachita administrators. “Dr. Motl is recognized as an instructor committed to preparing students,” he added. “As dean, he’ll work to advance the high standard of excellence in teaching, learning, research and creative expression for which the Sutton School is known.” Motl’s on-the-job training offered him opportunities—like helping build Ouachita’s new criminal justice major that launches this fall—that provided valuable insight into ways he can help grow the Sutton School. “We designed a program that balances theoretical elements and very practical experiences, and we did it in consultation with law enforcement professionals in our community,” Motl explained. “They gave us great advice, and we reverse-engineered the entire program from those outcomes.” The recruitment goal for Ouachita’s first cohort of criminal justice majors was 15 to 20 students—a target that has been met and likely will be surpassed. “The number of graduating seniors nationwide is shrinking, and we have to find ways to appeal to these prospective students. Our Christian identity has a great deal of value in that regard,” Motl said. “They also need to earn qualifications to move into a profession that will give them satisfaction in life and a decent livelihood. We’ve got to reach out to them in creative, innovative ways, and I feel like our criminal justice program does that. I’m very excited to see how it grows over the next couple of years.” According to Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the School of Humanities and the Michael D. Huckabee School of Education at Ouachita, that excitement is on brand for Motl. “I have always been impressed by Dr. Motl’s sheer enthusiasm for his work. He is always looking to move forward but has the wisdom to listen carefully to every point of view. It’s a good combination for a leader,” observed Root, Ouachita’s longest-serving dean. Root and Motl served together on the Arkadelphia School Board; Motl has been president for the last three years. “Being on the school board has completely changed my life,” Motl said. “It’s taught me what effective leadership means and looks like in practice; that I don’t always have the right answers and the good ideas, that I do better as a leader and as a person when I let other smart people volunteer their thinking on any given question.” During the past four years, changes the board has made shifted the school district from a six-figure deficit to annual surpluses exceeding a million dollars—funds earmarked to increase employee salaries and help finance projects such as a new elementary school. “We get to think big in Arkadelphia when we could not before,” Motl said, adding that credit for the board’s success is always split seven ways. “At the end of the day, it’s all a collaborative effort.” While Motl will continue to teach classes in Ouachita’s Department of History, he sees the other possibilities in front of him as dean: to promote programs in the Sutton School, to engage alumni and connect them with students figuring out their own careers, to forge relationships with donors and find funding for new learning experiences for students. He said, “I see opportunities to create interlocking good outcomes that improve the quality of life for everybody connected to the Sutton School of Social Sciences.”
M E E T D R. M OTL HOMETOWN: Bryan, Texas STEREOTYPES ABOUT TEXAS THAT ARE ACTUALLY TRUE: Folks there like their boots and hats, and they do tend to go big—for better and worse. CRAZIEST THING I’VE DONE FOR LOVE: Proposed to my wife at a high school dance where we were chaperones IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND CHANGE ONE HISTORICAL EVENT, IT WOULD BE: Prevent World War I by any means. It would save millions of lives and World War II would never have occurred, which in turn prevents the Holocaust. CURRENT TV OBSESSION: Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+, of course OUACHITA TIGERS FANS WILL RECOGNIZE ME: As “voice of the Tigers” for football and basketball games AN IMPORTANT LESSON I LEARNED THE HARD WAY: I don’t always have the right answers or the best ideas, so I need to surround myself with smart people, listen to what they have to say and work collaboratively with them to get things done. AS A KID, I WANTED TO GROW UP TO BE: Indiana Jones FAVORITE FAMILY TRADITION: We marathon the Harry Potter movies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Never gets old. THE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE MOST SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME: Right after college, I spent nearly a year as a professional disc jockey on a country music station. THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME BEST: Passionate, cerebral, fair
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photo by Tyler Rosenthal
S TA F F P R O F I L E
photo by Tyler Rosenthal
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Jacob Keith Watson (’11) C A P T I VAT I N G AU D I E N C E S O N B R OA D WAY A N D B E YO N D By Kiki Schleiff Cherry, marketing manager for graduate and online education
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ctor, singer, Broadway performer and Ouachita graduate Jacob Keith Watson fell in love with the university while attending Super Summer camp on campus as a teenager. He was drawn by the discovery that the school had a musical theatre major—the only one in Arkansas at the time. “One thing that was important to me was experience,” Watson said. “I could do the operas, I could do the Shakespeare, I could do the contemporary plays, I could do the musicals.” He was also able to stage-manage and design lighting and sound, which helped him become a “whole theatre artist,” he said. Watson’s big break came at a National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, when the artistic director of the Shreveport Opera saw him perform and asked if he would join their company as a young resident artist. Watson stayed in Louisiana for seven months, acting in children’s theatre and performing in operas, before deciding to move to New York to pursue musical theatre. He started waiting tables and one day found himself “in the right place at the right time,” he said. Watson landed a role in the Tony-nominated revival of Violet at the Roundabout Theatre, which qualified him to join the Actors’ Equity Association. His musical theatre repertoire now includes other Tonynominated revivals including Carousel and Hello, Dolly! as well as roles in Phantom of the Opera, 1776 and national and international photo by Andy Henderson touring companies of Chicago the Musical. Watson has shared the stage with some famous faces along the way: He was cast in Violet along with Broadway veteran and TV star Sutton Foster, and he joined Amelié starring Phillipa Soo—Broadway’s original Elizabeth Schuyler in Hamilton—both on Broadway and in Los Angeles. Opera credits include classics such as La bohème and Pagliacci. Watson also has performed with numerous symphonies and as the tenor soloist in Elijah, Messiah and Carmina Burana. When the musical theatre industry shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Watson suddenly realized how tired he was after months of “just working, working, working.” “I had a lot of creative output and not a lot of creative input,” he said. The first year of the shutdown became “kind of a forced rest period.” Watson and his wife Elisabeth Hipp, also a Broadway performer and 2011 Ouachita alum, found that the break helped them to “re-prioritize our real purpose and mission.” Watson’s first performance following quarantine was in Annie Live! on NBC, where his appearance in seven different roles became an internet sensation. In Spring 2022, he was cast in the new musical Swept Away at the Berkeley (Calif.) Repertory Theatre. He believes that Swept Away, which features the music of the Avett Brothers, has great potential as a Broadway hopeful. “It has a lot to tell us about humanity and the world around us,” he said. Watson, a native of Wynne, Ark., returned to his home state to accept a role in Into The Woods at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre in May.
TO HEAR MORE OF JACOB’S AND MATTHEW’S STORIES, CHECK OUT THE TIGER FOR LIFE PODCAST AT obu.edu/tigerforlifepodcast.
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Matthew Shepherd (’98) PU RSU ING PEOPLE-FIRST P OLITICS By Jon Merryman, director of alumni relations
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here are a few things that seem to be in Matthew Shepherd’s DNA—politics, law, Arkansas and Ouachita. He is a fifth-generation Ouachitonian, a family legacy starting with his great-great-grandfather, who attended Ouachita in the 1890s. It was his father’s career that exposed him to the possibilities in the legal field, and he became an elected official somewhat unexpectedly. “Growing up with my father as an attorney and later a judge—and my mother being a U.S. history teacher—law and politics were subjects I grew up around,” Shepherd said. He earned a B.A. in history and political science from Ouachita in 1998 and earned his J.D. from the University of Arkansas in 2001. “While opening my small-town law practice, I became involved in the Union County Republican Committee and served as chairman when our local House seat came open,” he said. “I tried to recruit others to run, but was ultimately encouraged by many to run for it myself.” Shepherd currently is serving his sixth term as Arkansas State Representative for District 6 and third term as Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives; he is believed to be the longest serving Speaker in the history of the state. He has served on a number of committees and especially noted serving as chair of the House Judiciary Committee and as lead sponsor on the legislation for the Sales Tax Holiday. “Being from South Arkansas and seeing folks go to Texas and Louisiana to buy school supplies and clothes, we were able to pass legislation so that folks could stay right here at home,” he explained. “It’s kept that money in Arkansas and allows folks to save a little money right here in the state.” Shepherd said he tries to keep the people of Arkansas on his mind as he undertakes the day-to-day tasks of legislation. “I try to remind myself every day that it doesn’t matter what kind of legislation is coming up,” he said. “Sometimes it seems like we’re working on something no one will care about, but every piece of legislation affects the state of Arkansas, and there are probably some Arkansans out there that this is really of great importance to.” Keeping people first in what Shepherd calls a hyper-partisan time has become more and more difficult. “As an attorney, you’re going to win some and lose some and you have to move on to the next case, and that’s what I’ve tried to bring to the House,” he said. “For me, it comes down to treating people how I would like to be treated, and I try to give respect to everyone who is a part of this process,” he noted. “I try to make sure in how I conduct myself and how I interact with folks that I go about it the right way.” Shepherd lives in El Dorado with his wife, Alie (Hill ’98), and their three teenage children. They are members of First Baptist Church, where Matthew is a deacon and Sunday school teacher. In addition to his roles in the House, he is partner at Shepherd & Shepherd, P.A., practicing law alongside his brother, John Thomas, and fellow Ouachita alumnus Will Hegi (’15). He also is a board member of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado and El Dorado Fifty for the Future and serves as president of the Murphy USA Classic football game.
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CLASS NOTES connecting the circle
1950s Gerald S. Perry (’59) retired after serving 68 years in active ministry, and is living in Sullivan, Mo., near family. Bill Scrimshire (’60) received the MalvernHot Spring County Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He served in a number of leadership roles during his career, including as Malvern mayor, president of the Arkansas Municipal League, chairman of the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, state representative and Hot Spring County judge.
1970s John McAnally (’76) retired after 31 years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Amity, Ark. He is now serving as mayor of Amity as well as interim pastor at First Baptist Church in Dierks, Ark. Marc L. (’78) and Janis (Knopmeyer ’80) Bremer retired to Hot Springs Village to be near their 12 grandchildren. Janis retired after 40 years in education as a teacher, principal, instructional facilitator and training consultant, most recently for the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Marc directs two vocal groups in Hot Springs Village and they both perform with the Village Players. Faron (’78) and Ann (’79) Rogers have retired to Clinton, Miss. Faron served as a senior pastor for 40 years, most recently at First Baptist Church of Clinton, Ark. Ann is a homemaker and Plexus Worldwide ambassador. Charles Thielen (’78), retired Methodist minister and author of eight books, has launched a new website, “Doubter’s Parish,” to help people grappling with faith in the 21st century. 28 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Mike Lee (’79) retired as pastor of First Baptist Church of Altavista, Va. Mike has served churches in Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia. He and his wife, Luann, now live in Christiansburg, Va., and look forward to spending time with their family.
1980s Bobby L. Gosser (’83) was promoted to president and CEO of Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, the third largest contractor in Arkansas. He has worked for the company for more than 35 years. He and his wife, Donna (McKenzie ’82), reside in Scott, Ark., and are members of New Life Church of Greater Little Rock.
1990s Stephanie (Anderson ’94) Bird retired after 26 years of teaching, mostly in McKinney, Texas. She and her husband, Jason, now live in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and look forward to traveling more.
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Charles “Chuck” Barber (’96) was inducted into the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame on June 3. While at Ouachita, he was the 1993 Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference champion in the 400-meter hurdles and qualified for the 1994 NAIA Indoor National Championships in long jump. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army and qualified to compete in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials with a 9.98-second 100-meter dash; he was inducted into the Military Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He currently serves in the Department of the Navy as director of diversity, equity and inclusion. John D. Tolbert (’96) has been promoted to vice president and deputy general counsel for Fannie Mae. John leads the portfolio risk management legal team responsible for supporting the asset management and loss mitigation policy and strategy for the company’s Multifamily division. He is also leader for the division’s COVID-19 response as well as evolving areas relating to health and housing and climate change. Dave Whittington (’96) serves as pastor of worship arts at West Conroe Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas. Amy (Campbell) and Mike Floyd (’97) own Memories Vintage Market, a 25,000-squarefoot retail store hosting over 135 vendors, in Prattville, Ala., and recently opened a second location, Main Street Vintage Market in Millbrook, Ala. Mike also is executive marketing manager for a remodeling firm that serves Home Depot in 10 states.
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2000s Brent Gambill (’01) was named the 2022 chair of the Entertainment Sports section of the Public Relations Society of America. Brent is senior director of track communications for NASCAR. Jeff Works (’01) was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the United States Army on Dec. 1, 2021. He began serving as executive officer of the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga., this spring and previously served as chief of operations of the United States Army Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Chase Anderson (’05) moved to Bastrop, Texas, in August 2021, after being named president and successor to CEO of First National Bank of Bastrop in April. Brock McCorkle (’07) was elected to the board of directors and promoted to president of State Bank in Texarkana. Josh Elliff (’08) is a church planter with the North American Mission Board in northern Colorado. He is married to Jacqueline and they have three children, Evelyn, Clara and Jonathan.
2010s Mikki (Gaines ’12) Curtis was named outstanding staff member of the year at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana in May. David White (’12) graduated from the University of Arkansas Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in May.
Lida Lee (’13) married Michael Dally on Aug. 20, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. They reside in Alexandria, Va. Danielle Moses (’14) married Nader Afsordeh on March 26 in Little Rock, Ark.
Zach Parker (’15) was promoted in March to media relations specialist at Ghidotti Communications, a Little Rock-based public relations and content marketing agency. Karen Wray (’16) married Kaleb Fisher on July 31, 2021.
Griffin Peeples (’16) was hired as an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Houston, Texas. Sarah Cowell (’19) married Evan Castleberry on October 10, 2021.
Bo Sutton (’19) married Tabatha Huckabee (’20) on Oct. 16, 2021, in Bokchito, Okla. Jessica Williamson (’19) married James Greaves of Toronto, Canada, on Nov. 20, 2021. Jessica serves as assistant director of communications and marketing videographer at Southern Arkansas University. Melody Pruitt (’19) married Brenden Guffey on June 25, 2021, at The Grandeur House in Little Rock, Ark. They live in Bryant, Ark. Alayna Morphew (’19) married Brady Scott on June 20, 2020.
2020s Jacob Cottrell (’20) married Brittany Ratliff (’19) on June 13, 2020. They live in Fort Worth, Texas. Brittany is a teacher and coach at Keller ISD and Jacob works in children’s ministry at Milestone Church. Libby Thompson (’20) married 2nd Lt. Jake Mattox on Dec. 31, 2020.
Bryson Clegg (’19) earned a master’s degree in music performance with an emphasis in instrumental conducting from Texas A&M University-Commerce and will serve as assistant band director at Haggard Middle School in Plano, Texas.
Mike Andrus (’21) married Callie Rogers (’21) on Dec. 4, 2021, at Cold Springs in Paron, Ark.
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FACULTY AND STAFF UPDATE JEFF CROW ARRANGES TRAINING ON COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KLUCK NAMED PERSON OF THE YEAR BY ARKADELPHIA CHAMBER
Jeff Crow, director of campus safety and emergency management, was instrumental in bringing the two-day Arkansas Heroes Conference to DeGray Lake Resort State Park in April. The conference educated approximately 90 law enforcement officers and child advocacy professionals in the region on “Tactical Methods to Recognize & Stop Human Trafficking.”
Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president of student development emeritus and university physician and a 1977 Ouachita graduate, was honored by the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce as its 2022 President’s Award winner. The “Person of the Year” honor recognized his many hours of volunteer work on economic development efforts in the area.
DOROGA PRESENTS AT SEMINAR SERIES AT WISCONSIN-MADISON
PURIFOY PRESENTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AT NCAA CONVENTION
Dr. Jason Doroga, assistant professor of Spanish, presented his paper “Negative Analogy: A New Direction for Analogical Change” as part of the Linguistics Friday Seminar Series at the University of WisconsinMadison. The paper analyzes the cycles of analogy and changing patterns of language use in the speech community.
KaNeil Purifoy, university counselor and resident director, was a panelist at the 2022 NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., addressing issues such as the effects of COVID-19 and racism on student-athlete mental health. He provides specialized counseling services to Ouachita athletes and is pursuing certification to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant.
JANA HARDAGE NAMED SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR
NEW BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP HONORS JIM ROTHWELL
Jana Hardage, gifts processor in the Office of Development, was named 2021-2022 Support Staff Member of the Year. Hardage, a 2021 Ouachita graduate, has worked at Ouachita since 2014. Carrie Roberson, director of development, said, “The stewardship of our donors is an important job, and we could not do that well without Jana’s commitment and hard work.”
Jim Rothwell, assistant dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business and assistant professor of accounting at Ouachita and a 1978 Ouachita graduate, was honored for his 40 years of service to the school. The Hickingbotham School’s executive advisory board established an endowed scholarship for a freshman business major in his name.
HOUSER PUBLISHES IN SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORICAL JOURNAL Dr. Myra Houser, associate professor of history at Ouachita and 2007 Ouachita graduate, had an article published in the South African Historical Journal. The article, “‘Open Fascism Has Appeared on this Continent’: South Africa’s Independent Press and AntiFascism, 1937-1947” evaluates how antifascist philosophies related to the early antiapartheid movement. 30 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
NEW FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP HONORS DAVID SHARP David Sharp, director of athletics and a 1980 (B.S.E.) and 1982 (M.S.E.) Ouachita graduate, was honored for his 47 years of service in Ouachita athletics. Former teammates and classmates as well as colleagues established an endowed scholarship in his name that will be awarded to one current Ouachita football player each year beginning in Fall 2023.
Braylon Pilant (’21) married Carmen Scott (’21) on July 17, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. They live in Denver, Colo., and both are pursuing Master of Divinity degrees at Denver Seminary. Cloe Johnson (’21) married Naaman Sadiq on June 5, 2021. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Cloe is associate youth director at K2 The Church and Naaman is pursuing a degree in business at Utah Valley University. Sebastian Bustillo (’22) married Hallie Lynch (’20) on May 14, 2021, in Castroville, Texas.
FUTURE TIGERS 1990s Jason (’97) and Lyndi (Escalante ’07) Greenwich welcomed son Theo Allan on July 18, 2021. He joins siblings Jake, Julia, Joshua, Gavin and Sofia. Jason serves as director of Ouachita’s Grant Center for International Education.
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2000s Justin (’05) and Autumn (Taylor ’04) Reddin welcomed son Ellis Taylor on May 30, 2021.
Myra Houser (’07) and Jason Smith (’08) added daughter Teodora (“Tedi”) to their family on Feb. 4. She joins siblings Maryi, Santiago and Elton. Tedi is the granddaughter of Greg and Sue (Nutt) Smith (’81) and great-granddaughter of Ida Mae (Nutt ’49) Krunk. Houser serves as associate professor of history at Ouachita. Jessica (Harris ’08) Russell and her husband, Danny, welcomed twin sons Cannon James and Rory Patton on Dec. 10, 2021. Kenley (Singleton ’09) Boyd and her husband, Dusty Boyd, welcomed son Isaac Wade on Oct. 13, 2021. He joins big brother Lucas James. Kelley (Edwards ’09) Gunter and her husband, Matt, welcomed son Luke Edwards on Oct. 5, 2021.
2010s Lori (Hilburn ’11) Ramsey and her husband, Brian, welcomed son Joseph Mark on March 14. Brian serves as assistant athletic director for communications at Ouachita. Whitney (Moore ’11) Johnson and her husband, Cory, welcomed daughter Courtney Grace on Jan. 20. She joins big brother Jake Allen (3). Chris (’12) and Carrington (Tillery ’14) Chandler welcomed daughter Covington Tillery on Dec. 31, 2021. She joins big brother Christopher and big sister Charlotte.
Andrew (’14) and Alyssa (White ’14) Hassell welcomed son James Dwaine on June 9, 2021. He joins big sister Lily (3). Stephen (’15) and Abby (Root ’17) Curry welcomed daughter Mary Katherine on May 23. She is the granddaughter of Jeff (’83) and Deborah (Holley ’81) Root. Tyler (’15) and Anna (Sikes ’15) Rosenthal welcomed daughter Zoey Paige to their family on April 4. She joins brother Graham (2). At Ouachita, Tyler serves as assistant director of communications & marketing and Anna serves as the Avis Foundation grant coordinator.
Lydia (Fincher ’12) Shelton and her husband, Tim, welcomed son Kysen Daniel on March 20, 2021. He joins big sister Kelbi Jay (3).
Joseph and Emily (Tual) Breckenridge (’16) welcomed son Asher James on March 3.
Cory Bennett (’13) welcomed son Jace Walker on March 16, 2021. He joins big brother Maddox James (4).
Matthew (’16) and Shelby (Sutton ’17) Cox welcomed daughter Marley JoAnne on Nov. 14, 2021.
Devan (Malone ’13) Elbert and her husband, Ernie, welcomed son Calvin Law on Feb. 9. He joins big brothers Peter (3) and Samuel (1).
Ryan and Kelsie (Adcock) Hammer (’17) welcomed daughter Sadie Ryan on Sept. 15, 2021.
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JOIN US FOR FUN WITH FRIENDS AND FELLOW ALUMS while supporting current and future Ouachita students.
IN MEMORIAM We remember the following alumni who recently passed away, listed with their class years and dates of death.
1940s Daniel Ross Grant (’45) • May 25, 2022 (see additional coverage on page 33) Wanda (Bishop) Hardin (’47) • September 19, 2019 Onita Joyce (Chastain) Copeland (’48) • April 27, 2022
FORE Ouachita Little Rock Monday, Sept. 12 CHENAL COUNTRY CLUB FORE Ouachita NWA Monday, Sept. 19 TOP GOLF ROGERS
Plumer Hollis Haley (’49) • June 21, 2020 Billy “Bill” Gene Hickem (’49) • February 10, 2022 Wanda Jean (Echols) Hudson (’49) • January 24, 2022 Paul Mack Miles (’49) • March 22, 2022
1950s Roy Carroll (’51) • June 5, 2020 Troy Carroll (’51) • July 23, 2019 Ina Nell (Loomis) Phelps (’51) • March 4, 2022 Sam C. Sanders (’51) • March 6, 2022 Tony G. Wakin, Jr. (’51) • January 22, 2022 William “Gerald” Phillips (’52) • January 1, 2022 Herluf Zahle Elms (’53) • March 4, 2022
Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon honoring Nancy Benton, Sheila Strickland, Sarah Teague & Toni Thrash
Friday, Nov. 4 CHENAL COUNTRY CLUB
Cassie “LaVerne” Laird Kuehn (’53) • September 25, 2014 Jere Arvor Kuehn, Sr. (’53) • June 16, 2016 Homer Bratton Moran, Sr. (’56) • April 26, 2022 Billy Jeff Campbell (’57) • February 2, 2022 Daniel Franklin Beason (’58) • March 4, 2022
For more information contact: Carrie Roberson robersonc@obu.edu • 870.245.4278 Sign up to attend or sponsor:
obu.edu/fore • obu.edu/steppingup
32 | THE OUACHITA CIRCLE
Kenneth Daugherty (’58) died March 9, 2022. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita and Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Ken served as a pastor in California and then as president of Christian Emergency Relief Teams. During his 28 years with CERT, he led and sent medical teams to more than 40 countries including Nicaragua, Bosnia, Malawi, China, Afghanistan and Peru. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Crossville, Tenn., where he sometimes filled the pulpit. Ken is survived by his wife, Barbara Petrone Daugherty; children, Ben, Todd, Alyssa Killips, Kim Ginelli and Kristy Stavros; and four grandchildren. Ola Forbes, Jr. (’58) • February 3, 2022 Carolyn L. (Buckhanon) Hawkins (’59) • April 28, 2022
1960s Loyd Wayne Anderson (’60) • February 22, 2022 William H. “Buster” Smith (’60) • February 2, 2022 George Watanabe (’60) died January 22, 2022. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. George and his wife, Amy, served for over 30 years as International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries in Nagoya, Japan, where George was a member of the Board of Directors for Nagoya International School, also serving as chair. Upon retiring from the IMB in 2000, George served as pastor of Kalihi Baptist Church and Nuuanu Japanese Baptist Church, both in Honolulu, Hawaii. He retired from full-time ministry in 2007. In addition to his wife, George is survived by his daughters, Christine O’Dwyer and Elaine Utgaard.
C LASS N OTE S Andrew J. O’Kelley (’61) • March 14, 2022 Justlyn Jane Matlock (’62) • March 4, 2022 Glen Douglas Taylor (’62) • March 15, 2022 Joan (Beard) Uth (’62) • April 20, 2022 Tilda Lea (Seay) O’Neal (’63) • September 23, 2014 Charles Henry “Hank” Wilson III (’63, ’69) died April 9, 2022. He earned Bachelor of Science in history and Master of Science in Education degrees from Ouachita. Following an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Hank became a teacher and, in 1967, enlisted as a helicopter pilot with the Arkansas Army National Guard. His decorated service to the Guard, where he earned the rank of colonel, included an instrumental role in facilitating construction of the $33 million Arkansas Army Aviation Support Facility at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark. After retiring from the Guard in 1999, Hank joined the aviation department at Henderson State University as a flight instructor; he retired as aviation program director in 2011. Hank is survived by his wife, Lela; children, Charles Henry Wilson IV and Lela Christine Glenn; and six grandchildren. Joann Casey (’64) • July 25, 2021 Peggy Ann (Small) Horton (’65) • September 19, 2021 Bobby Neal Power (’65) • April 20, 2022 Janet Delane (Reynolds) Dunkelgod (’67) • March 10, 2022 Wanda Jean Gaston (’67) • March 17, 2022 Paul Winston Stuart (’68) • January 30, 2017 Charlie Jean (Harris) Zlobik (’68) • January 25, 2022 Kenneth “Ken” Wayne Colbert (’69) • January 16, 2022
GRANT REMEMBERED FOR DEDICATION TO INTEGRATING ACADEMIC AND CHRISTIAN EXCELLENCE
By Felley Lawson, editorial coordinator
O
uachita President Emeritus Dr. Daniel R. Grant 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. From the time he accepted the post at Ouachita, he dedicated himself to building a thriving, financially stable learning community in the liberal arts tradition, based on a commitment to rigorous academics and Christian excellence. Dr. Ben R. Sells, Ouachita president since 2016, said, “Dr. Grant graciously welcomed me when I assumed this role and has been very supportive ever since. Each president is a steward for a season, and he was exemplary in leading and shepherding Ouachita, a place he deeply loved.” During Grant’s 18-year tenure, the percentage of Ouachita faculty members who held doctoral degrees reached 50% for the first time, the university’s annual Christian Focus Week was launched and Ouachita’s endowment grew by $10 million. Grant led significant campus expansion projects in the construction of Lile Hall, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Mabee Fine Arts Center, McClellan Hall, Evans Student Center, Sturgis Physical Education Center and Starlight Apartments. A tireless advocate for global education and missions, Grant broadened Ouachita’s international focus. Under his leadership, study abroad programs were established in China and Japan, a foreign language academic requirement was adopted and students were provided opportunities to participate in missions projects in Africa and South America. During his presidency, Ouachita consistently ranked among the top five colleges in the country in producing Southern Baptist missionaries, and a Missionary-in-Residence program was started. The Daniel and Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education at Ouachita was
launched upon Grant’s retirement in 1988, in recognition of his initiatives to “bring the world to Ouachita, and take Ouachita to the world.” In retirement, he helped establish and then volunteered to direct the Consortium for Global Education, which promoted increased global involvement and resulted in several hundred exchange agreements in some of the more restricted parts of the world. Guided by Grant, its membership grew to include 48 Baptist colleges and universities. “Dr. Grant has been a confidant and friend for many years. His love and dedication to Ouachita are unparalleled,” said Dr. Rex M. Horne, Ouachita’s 15th president. “His wisdom, kindness and example live on in all who walked alongside this remarkable man.” Born August 18, 1923, in Little Rock, Ark., Grant was the son of Ouachita’s eighth president, Dr. James R. Grant, and his wife Grace Sowers Grant. He was a 1945 summa cum laude graduate of Ouachita, where he met Betty Jo Oliver; the two married in 1947. Grant went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama and a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University. He was named Ouachita president in 1970. Predeceased by his wife, Grant is survived by his children, Carolyn Grant Walton, Shirley Grant Hardin (’74) and Daniel Ross Grant, Jr. (’77); five grandchildren; and 12 greatgrandchildren—and many extended family members who are Ouachita alumni and friends. A celebration of Grant’s life will be held Saturday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, 623 Pine Street, where Grant served as a deacon, sang in the choir, chaired several committees and volunteered in the Arms Around Arkadelphia ministry. To learn more about Grant’s life and legacy, including a blog post honoring his memory by Bryan McKinney, general counsel and dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business at Ouachita, go to obu.edu/stories. SUMMER 2022 | 33
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1970s Eula Eyvonne (Wiley) Thomas (’70) • February 3, 2022 Juanita Victoria (Butler) Benson (’72) • April 28, 2022 Peggy Jane (Ray) Firebaugh (’72) • December 12, 2021 Sherry K. (Doublin) Coleman (’73) • September 2, 2021 Ward Blaine Gaddis (’73) • March 11, 2022 William “Sidney” Emmons (’74) • December 18, 2021 Glenn Ray McFadden (’74) • February 16, 2022 Beverly Louise (Hawkins) Watkins (’74) • January 9, 2022 Milgret (Chappell) Woods (’74) • April 8, 2022 Shirley Ann (Farmer) Jackson (’76) • February 20, 2022 Louis E. Tappin, Sr. (’76) • May 9, 2022 John Garner (’77) • December 22, 2021 Richard “Rich” Eugene Young (’78) • January 16, 2022
1980s Joe “Joey” Bob Friday (’80) • April 15, 2022 Ezekiel Vincent Vaughn (’80) • January 17, 2022 Brenda Lee (Bond) Stuart (’81) • August 8, 2018 Martha Lou (Young) DeWoody (’82) • February 24, 2022 Tammy Tipton Graves (’83) • January 8, 2022
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Sarah Ann (Wingfield ’88) Plyler died February 21, 2022. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Henderson State University and a Master of Science in Education degree from Ouachita. Sarah and her husband, Larry, were appointed missionary associates to Guatemala in 1998 by the International Mission Board. They served there for several years before returning to Gurdon, Ark., where they became active members of Holly Springs Baptist Church and Sarah was an elementary school teacher with Gurdon Public Schools. In addition to her husband, Sarah is survived by her sons, Jeff (’91), Mitch (’01) and Mark; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Rebecca “Becky” Tefteller (’88) • December 30, 2021
1990s Brandi Beth (Richter) Wooten (’97) • February 11, 2022
2000s Ashley (O’Sullivan ’09) Huffstutler died May 14, 2022. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian studies and sociology at Ouachita and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ashley’s professional focus was pediatric physical therapy. She was passionate about missions, whether she was participating in one of the numerous mission trips she made around the world or serving in the preschool ministry at The Church at Brook Hills. Diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2017, Ashley was inspired by her love for her daughters and for God’s faithfulness to write a children’s book, When I Hold You. She is survived by her husband, David, and daughters, Evelyn and Diana.
Faculty, Staff & Trustees James Roy Baugh • January 6, 2022 Paul G. Hammond • January 24, 2022 Mary J. (Stobaugh) Shambarger, professor emerita of music at Ouachita, died February 27, 2022. Mary earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Arkansas. She and her husband, the late Dr. Jake Shambarger, joined the Ouachita faculty in 1966. Mary served a variety of positions in the Department of Music, including chair of the Applied Music Department, coordinator of voice, founding director of the Ouachi-Tones and the Ouachita Sounds, Arkansas governor of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Ouachita’s representative for the Arkansas Women of Higher Education. In addition to teaching, Mary served as minister of music for Baptist churches in northeast Arkansas and produced, wrote and directed shows for theme parks in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky. Ouachita’s annual Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers and Mary Shambarger Vocal Scholarship were named in her honor. Mary retired in 1998; she lived in Bentonville, Ark., where she was an active member of First Baptist Church as well as many professional and philanthropic organizations. She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Shambarger ’80) Goss, two grandsons and three great-grandchildren.