J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
These are exciting times in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences at Ouachita! Our largest-ever senior class recently graduated, with most heading to graduate or professional school. In April, we hosted the incoming freshman class for Early Registration to meet their advisors and sign up for their first classes. We never tire of seeing new students begin their journey at Ouachita or celebrating graduates’ success at commencement.
As an alum, you are a part of this success story. Whether you are a Gold Tiger or a recent graduate, you are part of a long line of alumni who represent Ouachita to the world.
This update offers a glimpse of the ideas and activities in abundance here in the School of Natural Sciences. If you care about recruiting top students, sustaining our reputation and serving future Ouachitonians, then there has never been a more significant time to act! As you read the following pages, please consider how you can help support the Patterson School as we educate a new generation of difference makers!
Tim Knight, Ph.D. Dean, Patterson School of Natural Sciences
NEW FACULTY PROFILES
Scott Anderson Instructor of Cybersecurity
Scott joined the Ouachita faculty in January 2025. In addition to his 24 years in the military, he has earned degrees from Southern Illinois University and the University of Arkansas. Anderson sees cybersecurity as a way to serve others. In addition to being a part of Cyber Learning Network, a statewide initiative that works along cyber educators in Arkansas, Anderson integrated Ouachita into the Tech Caregivers Program, helping Arkansans protect themselves online. Scott and his wife have four boys, who will be 27, 26, 22 and 15 this year.
“Cybersecurity at Ouachita equips students to be protectors, problem solvers and ethical leaders in an increasingly digital world. This program will open doors for students to enter a field that desperately needs trustworthy professionals who are guided by strong values.”
Amy Morris Director of Nursing Program and Professor of Nursing
Amy began serving as director of Ouachita’s nursing program in May of 2024. She attended Ouachita for pre-nursing courses and is a graduate of Henderson State University and UAMS, where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing. Amy served at Arkansas Children’s Hospital before moving into the field of education. She had 18 years of nursing education experience at Baptist Health College Little Rock prior to coming to Ouachita. She also serves as an online instructor for Capella University and has taught NCLEX prep classes for Kaplan, Inc. Amy and her husband have three children, including one current Ouachita student.
“In a world that often feels less and less personal, nursing is an opportunity to truly minister to others. Healthcare is changing at an incredibly rapid pace, and our department is committed to equipping graduates to be prepared for a field that is in desperate need, not just of bodies, but of nurses who are meeting the holistic needs of clients with the love and compassion of Christ.”
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
We’ve launched three new majors:
• Nursing quickly became our second-largest major. With funding from several sources, including state support, we transformed the Hammons House into the state-of-the-art Whisenhunt Nursing Education Center. Please visit and see for yourself when you’re on campus!
• Our first engineering graduates completed their degrees this May. We are in the process of ABET accreditation and have remodeled a building on 10th street as an engineering lab.
• In the last year, we received state funds to help launch a cybersecurity major. During Early Registration, we preregistered the first students for this program with more on the way.
Over 90% of our 2024 graduates received endowed scholarships – made possible by donors like you.
Because of cybersecurity and engineering, we’ve established a greater number of summer internships than ever before. Students in these fields, as well as in computer science, rely heavily on “real-world” experience to build their resume.
Science majors now comprise 31% of Ouachita’s enrollment, with biology being the largest major on campus. Within the sciences, nursing is the second largest major, followed by communication sciences & disorders.
Retention among science majors at the national level fluctuates from 40-50% while retention rate of science majors at Ouachita is at or above 60%. Most students who leave science fields remain at Ouachita to complete other degrees.
The Patterson School of Natural Sciences once again had the largest contingent of students presenting at Ouachita’s Scholars Day 2025.
The number of students inducted into the Alpha Chi national honor society in 2025 was overwhelmingly from the School of Natural Sciences .
The Patterson Summer Research Program for 2025 will engage ten faculty members and 20 students, funded primarily from the Patterson Research Endowment with additional support from donors and Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). Since the program’s inception more than two decades ago, nearly 400 students have participated as Summer Research Fellows.
Ouachita has started six graduate programs in the last six years and Natural Sciences has led the way with M.A./M.S. degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis (the only program in Arkansas) and an M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetic Internship.
PATTERSON RESEARCH PROGRAM
Research opportunities for students are not new at Ouachita. Students working on research projects with individual faculty members has been part of our program for more than 40 years. Participation increased dramatically in the 1990s when several departments added a research credit requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree.
For years, most students squeezed in a project during the academic year – and that is often still the case – but in 2002, the Patterson Summer Research program was established. This program requires faculty proposals and competitive student applications. Accepted students work 10 weeks under the direct supervision of a faculty member and then prepare both a paper and an oral presentation
Each student receives a $3,000 stipend, and many present their work at off-campus venues.
THE BENEFITS OF RESEARCH AT OUACHITA
A deeper understanding of the research process
Reinforcement of academic skills and development of real-world skills rarely gained in the undergraduate experience
Improved writing and communication skills
Experience with cutting-edge technologies
Stronger problem-solving skills
Increased interest in and better preparation for graduate and professional schools
THE CHALLENGES OF RESEARCH AT OUACHITA
Maintaining adequate facilities and equipment
Funding all qualified and deserving students
Providing faculty time for lab oversight and student supervision
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. SHARE YOUR STORIES! Talk about your Ouachita experiences when you have the opportunity with friends at work, church and in your community.
2. RECRUIT! Connect promising, science-minded high school students with us by submitting their name at obu.edu/refer. Even better, bring them to campus for a visit. We love to host families!
3. SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY . There are two primary needs:
• Expanding the Patterson Summer Research Program. The number of faculty and students who desire to participate has grown while our funding has not. We would like every qualified student who wants to participate to be part of this outstanding program. Your gifts directly helped four additional students participate last summer.
• Increasing endowed scholarships. We have many substantial scholarships, but with the increase in majors, the need has grown in the past decade. More funding helps us keep average Ouachita student debt well below national averages.
J.D. PATTERSON SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
410 Ouachita Street • Box 3792
Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998-0001
PATTERSON SCHOOL OVERVIEW
With approximately 550 students, The Patterson School of Natural Sciences is Ouachita’s largest academic area. Our nearly 40 full-time faculty members maintain our rich tradition of preparing students for pre-professional and graduate programs through dedicated teaching and advising. Our commitment to student learning, growth and preparation has never been stronger.
MAJORS & MINORS
Biology // Communication Sciences & Disorders // Chemistry // Computer Science // Cybersecurity // Dietetics // Physics // Engineering // Math // Nursing