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From President to Parent: Choosing a College

Ouachita ArialFebruary 02, 2022 - Ben R. Sells

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Parents, my wife, Lisa, and I have four children and altogether we were parents of college students for 14 years.

So, we understand what you may be experiencing as the high school years draw to a close and all-important decisions about college are discussed.

With our personal experience and after having a few thousand conversations myself with high school students and parents, allow me to share some of the variables you may want to consider as you choose a college – whether that’s Ouachita, or another university.

As parents, we have at least three hopes for our children in college: that they would make academic progress, experience personal development and grow spiritually.

The number two most popular college major for high school seniors is: “I don’t know.” And many who have a preference, change their mind after starting college.

That’s understandable. Think about the new kinds of jobs that have emerged since we were in college. Or even in the past few years.

At Ouachita, we’ll work with your student to:

  • Customize or change their academic majors based on their interests and strengths
  • Provide high-impact, real-world learning opportunities to give them a competitive advantage
  • Access our alumni network for internships and more.

Every university would agree with the importance of academic progress, but that’s not always reflected in their graduation rates. Ouachita will help your student finish in four years or less.

We recorded our highest ever graduation rate last year. And, we’ll help your student secure their preferred job or graduate school.

How does this happen?

Our faculty and staff get to know our students, and encourage, challenge, and support them. We take a personal interest in our students – their success is our success.

At Ouachita, your student will be taught almost exclusively by fulltime faculty with the highest degrees in their fields – not taught by graduate students in classrooms seating hundreds where no one will even notice if a student is struggling or stops attending.

Parents visiting campus for the first time often tell me they learned about Ouachita by becoming friends with some of our impressive graduates. They share the hope that their son or daughter will become a man or woman, husband or wife, community leader, neighbor and church member like those Ouachita alumni.

Ouachita focuses on the development of the whole person. This in part is a natural result of being a residential university – with almost every student living and learning together – having opportunities to serve and lead, and being valued and known.

While we’re serious about things we should be, we also know how to have fun – as when over half the student body participates in a spectacle we call Tiger Tunes or hundreds jump in a mud pit – including me – during our annual Tiger Traks competition.

Our outdoor recreation program helps students take advantage of the trails, streams, other abundant outdoor resources in the beautiful Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. And our exceptional intramural sports allow students of almost every skill level a chance to compete on the field or court.

Some universities share your interest in personal development, but it’s not always in ways you desire.

Ouachita wants its students to become successful – and to be the kind of people you admire, want to live next to, and work alongside. We want our graduates to be people who exemplify character and convictions, strong work ethic, as well as civility and kindness.

Few universities care about spiritual growth. However, Ouachita’s first university value is faith – we believe that life is lived most abundantly in response to the love of God through Jesus Christ.

Our commitment to Christ is evidenced in who we hire as faculty and staff. And it’s why we require two Bible courses, have Chapel as a graduation requirement, and offer a range of opportunities for spiritual growth.

Building on the foundations you’ve established, surrounded by students who share similar values, and mentored by Christian faculty and staff, our commitment is to help your student increasingly become the unique person God intends.

No president can guarantee you these outcomes. Students have to take responsibility, too. But, our institutional commitments distinguish Ouachita from all public universities and most private colleges.

In the past two years, college enrollment in this country declined by more than 5% while Ouachita has experienced its highest enrollment in 55 years.

If you prize academic progress, personal development and spiritual growth for your student, my colleagues and I stand ready to help you.

Our university’s vision statement reads in part, “With foresight and faithfulness, Ouachita makes a difference.” I hope Ouachita will have the opportunity over the next several years to make a profound and lasting difference in the life of your student.

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