Ouachita Stories

Previously published in the 2021 Ouachitonian yearbook

Hannah Pilcher, the resident director of Frances Crawford Hall, found a unique opportunity for ministry within her job in the freshman girls’ dorm. Pilcher is originally from Little Rock and has spent the past eight years pouring into the lives of freshmen girls and resident assistants, as a student and as an RD. Her time at Ouachita inspired Pilcher to build relationships with others that directly parallels her experience as a student.

“I grew up knowing about Ouachita, and it wasn’t until my friend started looking here that I became really interested,” Pilcher said. “I ended up coming here and graduated in 2013. Toward the end of my time here, I would walk around campus and feel like I was not done here on campus.”

After making the decision to attend Ouachita, Pilcher never regretted her decision. Pilcher never planned on staying at Ouachita post-graduation, but three days before graduation, she got a call from the dean and was offered the position of resident director for Frances Crawford Hall.

“I knew I was about to have a lot of time with students,” Pilcher said. “This job sets you up to have a discipleship relationship with so many girls.”

Pilcher made it a point to focus primarily on her resident assistants so that they are fully equipped to minister to their residents. She stated that if her RAs feel supported, then that is how she can give to everyone else. Pilcher has spent multiple years intentionally pouring into students’ lives through life groups, movie nights, lunch dates, Bible studies and so much more.

“I don’t force my presence on everyone, so I let girls come to me and build relationships when they need it,” Pilcher said. “I am here to invest, and they want people to invest.”

Pilcher learned through this job how important it is for people to do life with each other as well as the importance of selflessness. This job does not require a cookie cutter person, but someone who is willing to love and invest in others.

“You have to really want it,” Pilcher said. “I want my girls to feel like this is their home.”

Pilcher found great joy in being a part of something greater than herself as she has shared the love of Christ with the students of Ouachita.

Photo by Abby Blankenship

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