President’s Leadership Forum

Sunday, February 2

4:30-5:00 p.m. – Check in, Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC)

Welcome to the President’s Leadership Forum! When you arrive at Jones Performing Arts Center, enter the lobby to pick up program materials that will give you a look at the sessions we’ve planned to help you grow as a leader. Meet your student host, too. If you're staying on campus, use this time to take your things to your residence hall before the first session begins.

5:30 p.m. – Dinner & Understanding Leadership, Walker Conference Center (WCC)

Learn what PLF is all about from the president himself. Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, shares how PLF focuses on developing you as a leader and offers insights based on his 40 years of leadership experience – including eight years as director of a global leadership program where he worked with more than 1,000 leaders. Dinner will be held in Walker Conference Center.

7:00 p.m. – Learning from Young Alumni Leaders, Various Locations

In your breakout squad, meet Ouachita alumni from the Class of 2017 who are advancing as leaders in a variety of careers and graduate studies. Hear their top takeaways from undergraduate days, as well as advice for starting strong in your career, and have your questions ready for a Q&A session. Ouachita faculty will be on hand with perspectives on leadership gained in the classroom.

8:30 p.m. – Personalized Leadership Profile Activity, Walker Conference Center

9:30 p.m. – Spiritual Leadership, Berry Chapel

Gather in historic Berry Chapel for worship and hear a message on spiritual leadership from Dr. Justin Hardin, Ouachita’s vice president for academic affairs. After graduating from Ouachita and earning a Master of Divinity from Samford University, Dr. Hardin earned a Master of Philosophy in theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from Cambridge University in England. He taught at Oxford University before returning to his alma mater in Summer 2022.

10:30 p.m. – Late-Night Snacks & Convos, Residence Halls

Wrap up your first day of PLF recapping over snacks before returning by midnight to your host’s room.

 

Monday, February 3

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and Student Leadership Panel, WCC

Dr. Sells interviews current Ouachita student leaders who attended PLF as high school seniors. They’ll talk about their experiences, share what they’ve learned and offer tips about developing your leadership in college.

9:15 a.m. – Leadership Case Study, WCC

A PLF highlight every year! Engage in a leadership case study produced by Harvard Business School. Dr. Sells participated in this intriguing case study when he attended a seminar at Harvard; he believes you’ll benefit from the leadership insights it offers. The case study is based on the movie Everest. You may watch the movie ahead of time if you'd like (it's available on most streaming platforms), but that's not a requirement to participate. 

10:30 a.m. – Prepare for Last Leader Standing, Various Locations

Guided by Ouachita faculty and staff, your squad will prep for Last Leader Standing. Research leadership topics, practice framing your responses to the coming questions and select someone to represent your squad (choose carefully!) before reconvening in Jones Performing Arts Center.

11:30 a.m. – Last Leader Standing, JPAC

In a PLF tradition, one representative from each squad will take to the stage at JPAC to ultimately discover the Last Leader Standing. Facing rapid-fired questions from faculty/staff interrogators, squad reps will showcase their grasp of leadership concepts, knowledge of current and emerging leadership topics, and capacity for thinking and speaking in a pressure-filled setting. Acknowledging that every great leader is backed by a network of supporters, the Last Leader Standing and each member of their squad will receive gift cards from Ouachita’s Campus Store.

12:45 p.m. – Lunch & Final Leadership Reflections, WCC

You’ll have completed your PLF journey; engaged with fellow student leaders; learned from young college alumni, faculty, and staff; and considered how to develop your leadership in college and beyond. Use your newly developed insights to finish your high school career as a better-equipped and more aware student leader; prepare to seek out and embrace life-changing leadership opportunities in the years to come!

1:15 p.m. – Adjourn & Optional Campus Tours

Coming soon!

If you need assistance during the event, contact campus safety at 870.260.5691. In case of emergency, call 911 and contact university police at 870.245.4000.

Wi-Fi Network: OUACHITA
Passphrase: RUNT.prompt.27

Download Event Waiver, sign and email signed form to [email protected] before attending PLF. If you have questions, email [email protected] or call 870.245.5110.

View Waiver