For Caleb Byrd, Ouachita is more than just a college in Southern Arkansas; it is a part of his family. Caleb’s parents, Lannie and Jennifer both graduated from Ouachita (’97), and his dad serves as president of the alumni board. The communications & media and Spanish double major from Little Rock, Ark., has heard all about their experiences and witnessed their lifelong connections. He also credits the meaningful interactions and connections with Ouachita professors in his decision to come to Ouachita.
“Dr. Jeff Root is my advisor and a longtime family friend,” Caleb said. “He has given me so many opportunities and coached me on how to make the most of my college experience.”
Caleb has taken full advantage of those opportunities. He has become the sports editor for The Signal student newspaper and is an active member of Kappa Chi men’s social club, Ouachita Student Foundation and Student Senate. He also is the lead color commentator for the Arkadelphia Badgers football games and does color commentary/play-by-play for Ouachita basketball games, as well. He is the executive producer of the JR Eldridge Show for the Arkadelphia High School football program and is a student assistant to Ouachita’s sports information director.
“Since Ouachita is a small school, I have been able to do so many things as a freshman that I wouldn’t have been able to do until my junior or senior year at a bigger school,” Caleb said of his experience in the Rogers Department of Communications. He also had the opportunity to create a common experience with his dad by pledging Kappa Chi men’s social club.
Caleb noted that Ouachita’s close-knit spiritual community has been key as he navigates the demands of college life.
“I had been able to rely upon myself for happiness and satisfaction before college, but my college experience has taught me that I can do nothing on my own but everything through Christ,” Caleb said. “The Christian environment of Ouachita’s campus has allowed me to have frank conversations with my friends about my faith and helped me to grow in that regard.”
As Caleb comes closer to completing his academic experience at Ouachita, he is thankful for the gift donors have given him.
“The Cornerstone Fund has impacted my Ouachita experience in a complete way,” he said. “Without the Legacy Scholarship provided through the Cornerstone Fund, I likely would not have been able to attend Ouachita. With the help from scholarships, I am able to attend college debt-free and focus on what God wants me to do after college rather than trying to pay off loans.” Your gifts help Caleb and others like him meet their academic, personal, spiritual and financial goals at Ouachita.
