Learning to serve

Equipping 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 introduces Master of Science degree in exercise science

Ouachita 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.

Growing pains

What 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.

Dr. Justin K. Hardin named Ouachita's vice president for academic affairs

Ouachita 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.

Motl takes on new mission as Sutton School dean

When classes at Ouachita resume in August, Dr. Kevin C. “Casey” Motl will have a cool story to share about what he did during his summer vacation: He flew the Millennium Falcon.

Construction in progress for 144-bed student apartment complex

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

Momentum appreciation

When I think of momentum, my first thought is the idiom “on a roll” and related examples. I think of physically rolling objects, like a ball rolling down a hill, the cheesy inspirational poster of a rollerblader that was in my childhood bedroom, the infamous Indiana Jones boulder chase. But you also can be metaphorically “on a roll” with various successes in life, big or small. Is there a better feeling than hitting every shot on the basketball court?

Jaymee Dotson on pace for extended reign

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob Keith Watson ('11)

Actor, 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.

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.

Steve Guymon

Some might think starting a track program would require a track. Not Steve Guymon. Sure, it would come in handy. But while plans are in the works to build one on campus, Guymon went ahead and grew Ouachita’s cross country and track & field teams from seven athletes in 2019 to 90 this fall.

Holly (Burris) Kyzer ('00)

Growing up around Ouachita’s campus, Holly Kyzer knew Ouachita was going to be an integral part of her life, but she never guessed she would be a faculty member, much less an instrumental part of re-launching graduate programs at the university.

Matthew Shepherd ('98)

There 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.

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

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

Jason Tolbert ('97)
Chief Financial Officer

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

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

Dr. Jeremy Greer, a 1998 Ouachita graduate and second generation pastor, has completed his first semester as the new dean of Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies. Greer has long ties to the university as well as Arkansas Baptists in addition to higher education experience through teaching and administrative roles.

Pushing forward
building momentum takes effort

Around August, we (Angela and Matt) decided that we should start running every day. We had always talked about doing it, but it was always easy to think of excuses. Eventually, though, we decided that if we just woke up 15 minutes earlier each day, we could roll out of bed, run a mile and be back home by our usual wake-up time.

Robert S. Moore Jr. given distinguished alumni award

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