From the "Ouachitonian": Jomari Bailey

Serving his school, multicultural students and his country, Jomari Bailey has dedicated his time at OBU to working hard to make a difference. A freshman art and graphic design major from Prescott, Ark., Bailey was once known as the shy kid but has flourished through his first year in college.

Progress is more about direction than speed: 2021 Commencement address

I feel a special relationship with this graduating class. Many of you began in the fall of 2017, but we first met during your senior year in high school – my first year as president. We’ve been on this journey for five years. Our kinship runs especially deep because of our shared struggles and shared responsibilities. The persistence of COVID-19 marked your entire senior year. We asked you to help us manage that threat, and you rose to the occasion.

Attending a college that loves you back: A Ouachita senior's reflections

“Why did you want to go to college at Ouachita? Didn’t you want to get out of your hometown?” I have been asked these questions frequently since I stepped on to campus as a freshman in 2017. To me, not going to Ouachita had never been an option. For as long as I can remember, Ouachita was the next step, and it couldn’t get here soon enough.

From the "Ouachitonian": Madison Burch Offenbacker

Madison (Burch) Offenbacker, a 2020 Christian studies graduate from Benton, La., knew she had a heart for God, and people knew it even in elementary school.

From the "Ouachitonian": Austin Clements

Throughout his teen life, Austin Clements, a senior history and social justice double major from North Little Rock, Ark., suffered from chronic pancreatitis. This is when the pancreas is inflamed and prevents some functions of the body to not perform as well.

Telling your COVID story: A message from the university archivist

72 weeks. 504 days. 12,096 hours. The amount of time since COVID-19 quickly and dramatically changed life at Ouachita in the spring semester of 2021. We all have very clear memories of the week ending March 13. As the semester winds to a close at Ouachita, I ask for your help in documenting COVID-19 at Ouachita.

4 ways to break out of your comfort zone and have the college experience you want

As a rising senior, it’s incredibly easy for me to look back at my college experience and say, “College was a time for growth.” I started my time at Ouachita as a shy freshman who just wanted to earn her degree, maybe go to a few events and get out. I was afraid to try anything outside of my comfort zone, lest I jeopardize my education.

From the "Ouachitonian": Katelyn Franzke

Freshman graphic design major Katelyn Franzke had the opportunity to paint the distinguished Cone-Bottoms Hall for former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Franzke had no idea that a post on Instagram would lead to her making a painting for Sanders.

From the "Ouachitonian": Morgan Masengale

It is not uncommon to hear of a student who went on a mission trip during the summer months as a Ouachita student. Morgan Masengale, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from West Memphis, Ark., experienced something that you will not hear when talking about mission trip experiences.

From the "Ouachitonian": William Read

The art of magic is wielded wisely by few. One of those skilled persons is freshman William Read. From illusion to hypnosis, this young man achieves it all.

Founded on friendship: And how the Ouachita community overflows beyond campus

The Ouachita community truly is something special. While on campus, I was surrounded by faculty and peers alike who uniquely challenged me and pushed me to grow in my relationship with Christ. While Ouachita opened the door for me to gain wisdom from faculty, it also brought me some seriously great friends. Whether through class, clubs or other avenues, the friendships I made were each unique and welcomed new perspectives into my life.

From the "Ouachitonian": Mattie Motl

For many students, college was a time when an abundance of new opportunities were in their grasp. Mattie Mae Motl, a senior English major from Arkadelphia, took advantage of one such opportunity when she applied for a travel grant through Ouachita's Honors Program.

From the "Ouachitonian": Dr. Jeff Root

Dr. Jeff Root never considered going anywhere else but Ouachita for his undergraduate education. Since both his parents worked at OBU, he spent much of his time growing up on campus. In 1991, Dr. Root came back to Ouachita as a member of the administrative staff and faculty, and in 2002 he became the dean of the School of Humanities.

Alumni Stories: Jim, Darrell and Rob Potts

"Find a way." It’s a Potts family motto. And one they certainly needed for keeping Lewis & Clark Outfitters outdoor adventure stores open in Northwest Arkansas during a worldwide pandemic. New on the blog, alumni Jim, Darrell and Rob Potts share about adapting their business in order to survive.

Memories on and off the field: What Ouachita women's soccer has given me

Ouachita has given me so much, but my favorite thing it has given me is soccer. As a little girl, I dreamt of playing college sports. I saw pictures of college-age soccer players and how athletic and intimidating they looked, and I really wanted to be that. Ouachita gave me that opportunity.

From the "Ouachitonian": Able Kusaloka

Growing up in Zambia, Able Kusaloka, a sophomore business administration major from Garneton, Zambia, never could have imagined leaving his home and one day returning to serve the community that served him his entire life.

Theology of disability and the church

Part of Ouachita’s mission is to serve local churches, Arkansas Baptists and churches of Ouachita’s alumni and friends – which includes individuals with special needs. Ouachita’s master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) aims to do just that. Hear from Meaghan Wall with Stonebriar Community Church's special needs ministry for a biblical perspective of why this is so important.

How to improve your mental health, coping skills while in college

Everyone learns to cope, regardless of their situation in life, in ways that are healthy and unhealthy. For many young adults, college is a time when stress levels run high, sleep patterns are inconsistent and having one-too-many cups of coffee and stress eating – among other things – are common aids students use to keep themselves going. While this is often considered normal, the college years are a pivotal time for learning how to cope well in the adult world.

5 tips to get ahead if you plan to study two (or three!) college majors

If you are scanning the multiple academic schools and academic programs offered at Ouachita, you are likely to come across several that may pique your interest. You probably have several passions and talents already, so declaring one major over another may be a difficult challenge. Thankfully, having more than one major is an option!

From the "Ouachitonian": Dani Imrie

In Uganda, deaf children are commonly abandoned and left without assistance with medical needs or education. Within three months of visiting Uganda for the first time, Dani Imrie, a sophomore elementary education major from Jonesboro, Ark., saw a need and helped create a nonprofit overseas.