Parent to Parent Email Newsletter
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Greetings from Ouachita!
Each summer we host a New Student Retreat for those who'll be attending Ouachita for the first time. The retreat provides an opportunity for students to spend some time on campus before beginning their studies at Ouachita. Those who have attended the retreat report several advantages.
Three relaxed days are available to become acquainted with the campus and the Arkadelphia area.
There is an opportunity to meet future classmates before the rush at the beginning of the fall semester. Some are introduced to their roommates for the first time. Many lasting friendships begin during the retreat.
Members of our faculty and staff are on hand to meet students and establish the relationships that are vital to a successful college experience.
Academic and administrative offices are open, and staff members are available to answer questions or help with final details.
The New Student Retreat is August 2 to 4. Cost and registration information is available on our web site. Follow the link to http://www.obu.edu/nsr/ or contact the Admissions Counseling Office at 1-800-DIAL-OBU.
Another way we help new students get off to a good start at Ouachita is through the orientation program conducted when they arrive for the fall semester. Read more about W.O.W. (Welcome to Ouachita's World) in the article below by Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for student services.
Rex M. Horne, Jr.
President
Ouachita Baptist University
Getting Ready: July 2009
Final planning is underway for our new student orientation program, known at Ouachita as WOW (Welcome to Ouachita's World). Preparations for WOW began last fall, led by a team of upperclassmen. Through an application process, they have chosen over 100 of their fellow upperclassmen to serve as WOW leaders, and the entire force will be on hand on Saturday, August 22, as new students arrive on campus.
One of the first sights you will see as you enter campus with a packed car (and, in some cases, a U-Haul) will be teams of WOW leaders stationed at each residence hall. They will be assigned the task of unloading and carrying the new students' belongings to their rooms (no tips are necessary!).
At 3:00 that afternoon, all new students and their family members are invited and encouraged to participate in a campus convocation, New Beginnings, in the Jones Performing Arts Center. President Rex Horne and others will lead in this time of worship and dedication as we celebrate the arrival of our newest Ouachitonians. It's "come as you are," so don't worry if your shirt has lost its starch after a full day of traveling, meeting new friends, and facing the challenges of decorating dorm rooms...the rest of us will be just as sweaty and tired, and New Beginnings should not be missed!
Immediately after New Beginnings, new students will join assigned small groups as orientation begins in earnest. The groups will be hosted in faculty and staff homes for dinner Saturday evening, giving them a great opportunity to begin making connections with the university community while enjoying a home-cooked Arkadelphia meal.
During the following 48 hours, new students will be involved in orientation sessions and social gatherings designed to help ease their adjustment to college.
Please know that throughout the coming weeks we will continue to prepare for the arrival of your son or daughter. These must be exciting days for them as they anticipate the opening of a new chapter in their lives. We are committed to doing all that we can to help them make the transition as smoothly as possible. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me. My telephone number is 870.245.5220 and my email address is henleyk@obu.edu.
I'll look forward to meeting you and your student in a few weeks!
Sincerely,
Keldon Henley
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Email us your questions
- Financial Aid and Student Accounts - Student Financial Services (finaid@obu.edu)
- Pre-registration Information - Marsha Whalen (whalenm@obu.edu)
- AP, CLEP - Bill McCrary (mccraryb@obu.edu)
- Transcripts and Immunizations - Judy Jones (jonesj@obu.edu)
- Housing information - Margaret Frazier (frazierm@obu.edu)
- General Questions - Admissions Office (admissions@obu.edu)