Ouachita Stories

Previously published in the 2021 Ouachitonian yearbook

One of the most common questions Ouachita students were asked was, “How did you end up at Ouachita?”

Every story is unique. Some have family roots that run deep; others chose Ouachita because it “felt like home.” Regardless of the reason, there was a point in each student’s life that made the decision to further their education at Ouachita Baptist University. For Kiyia Floyd, a junior business major from Jacksonville, her decision to transfer to Ouachita came as a result of smaller moments that stuck with her over time.

After attending her first semester of college at Arkansas State University-Beebe, Floyd decided to transfer. One weekend, she went to support a friend who played in the band at Henderson State University. Henderson, at that point, had been one of her top choices to continue her academic endeavors. While going to visit, they decided to go across the ravine to see what the “school across the street” was all about.

“I was familiar with Ouachita. I had planned on applying to Ouachita because they were the only school that was continuously sending me stuff during the time I was choosing my school.” While Floyd was visiting with a friend, she was beginning to narrow down her options even more. “After we left that weekend, I decided to apply to Henderson. I had a tour with Henderson set up along with constant communication with the admissions office over there. We were very excited about what they had to offer,” said Floyd.

Ultimately, Floyd made the decision to attend Ouachita. “I do not know what one thing made me decide to come here,” Floyd said. “I ended up choosing Ouachita, despite everything. It definitely was the better choice.”

Since transferring, Floyd became very involved with MORE, Multicultural Organization Reaching Equality. “When I first got here, it was the first organization that I met most of my friends in,” Floyd said. She mentioned that her love for the organization was established at the very beginning of her time at Ouachita. “My roommate was a part of the organization, and coming in at the spring semester I didn’t get a ton of offers to join different clubs like they do in the fall. Also, MORE is a club mainly consisting of African American students, which is a community I can relate with the most.”

How students ended up at Ouachita was always a unique journey. For Kiyia Floyd, her decision to transfer to Ouachita came as a result of small moments that stuck with her over time.

Photo by Abby Blankenship

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