Double duty: How I've juggled tennis and a double major without forfeiting my grades

When I came to Ouachita in the fall of 2017, I was a tennis player majoring in business administration/marketing who had no idea what I wanted to do with my time here. I just knew I needed a major and figured that a business degree could be applied almost anywhere once I graduated. If anyone had asked me what I wanted to do when I graduated, I would have looked at them like a deer in the headlights.

Composing the story of us

Whose story gets told, and who gets to tell it? These questions and others lie at the heart of my flagship course History of American Women, which I am fortunate to teach this semester. As an historian of women and gender, I eagerly anticipate every opportunity to teach the class. We all participate in the course of human events; we all deserve to see ourselves represented in the historical record.

Pandemic Profiles: Kristi Seals and Kristin Kesterson, Ouachita's COVID-19 Testing Center

For many Ouachita students, the slightest sign of COVID-19 symptoms or the realization that they have been exposed to a positive case causes anxiety, naturally. But since students returned to campus for residential learning in August 2020, they have had two on-campus “mommas” to call for guidance: Kristin Kesterson and Kristi Seals.

International Club presents International Food Festival, "Dorm Edition"

Ouachita’s International Club and Grant Center for International Education have reinvented this year’s International Food Festival in order to continue celebrating the many countries and cultures of its students! New on the blog, senior João Rodrigues shares about the Feb. 16 virtual event.

Ouachita Worship releases first original song, "Holy Fire"

After releasing more than half a dozen cover songs on YouTube, Ouachita Worship has recorded its first original song, “Holy Fire,” which is now available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

Coming full-circle, from around the globe: Ouachita's first international student

Every time I have walked into my office at the Grant Center over the past seven years, I have been greeted by the smiling face of our first Asian student, Charles Pong. It elicited in me a deep curiosity to find out his backstory and a desire to find out more about how someone from Kaifeng, China, could have arrived on the campus of Ouachita Baptist College in the early 1920s.

Pandemic Profiles: Matt Douglass, Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs

After months of remote learning in the spring of 2020, Ouachita students were able to return to their physically-distanced classrooms and desks on campus in mid-August. One of the individuals who made on-campus learning possible is Dr. Matt Douglass, assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and institutional research analyst.

A survey of Ouachita faculty and staff's Christmas traditions

The time has come for hot chocolate, Christmas lights and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. As I thought about my own family memories and holiday festivities, I wanted to ask Ouachita faculty and staff to share a few of their favorite Christmas traditions.

The Right Place, the Right Time: Ouachita's investment in me despite transferring and changing majors

Finding my passion was a bit of a journey. After both transferring and changing my major twice, my unique Ouachita experience has helped me discover my true passion and led me to my current pursuit.

If you can't see very far ahead, go ahead as far as you can see

In an historic commencement for Ouachita, Dr. Ben Sells addressed 2020 graduates on Dec. 5 by reflecting on the difficulties of the year and offering words of wisdom that were once shared with him.

Pandemic Profiles: Chester Mitchell, Sr., and Coleman Rogers

With nicknames like “double trouble” and “salt and pepper,” Chester Mitchell, Sr., and Coleman Rogers are the carpentry team for Facilities Management at Ouachita and are not only rarely seen apart but also good friends. With the work the duo had cut out for them last summer, any less than two sets of hands and a good sense of humor would have made overhauling campus with needed protective measures incredibly difficult.

Fearful of going back to school? 3 reasons you can earn a degree online

Students working to earn a degree online are making the choice to envision a new future, and that can feel scary! But while it may take courage to make the jump to going back to school, it doesn’t have to feel like leaping without a parachute. Here are three reasons why you can earn an online degree.

Why it's okay to change your major, and how Ouachita makes it easy

The beauty of your freshman year is that you will take your first college-level courses and will likely have time in your schedule to take an elective or two in your area of interest. But something that is important to consider is: Will your college be supportive of you being unsure about your major, or if you do decide to change majors?

Four people you should get to know (and read) for Black History Month 2021

This year, as you celebrate the accomplishments and contributions African Americans have made to American society, take time to learn about the Riley-Hickingbotham Library’s four featured authors from four different genres, browse the other books on display and attend one of MORE’s programmed events.

Pandemic Profiles: Kari Ledford, Sodexo Retail and Marketing Manager

Consider providing three meals a day to Ouachita’s residential campus of roughly 1,500 students, physically distanced, observing the Arkansas Department of Health and CDC’s vigilant cleaning guidelines and all while keeping lines of hungry students moving. For Kari Ledford, Sodexo’s retail and marketing manager, and her team, their focus was always Ouachita students and their safety.

Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021

On Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, our country and university celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It marks the 53rd anniversary of King’s death and his 92nd birthday. This video features members of the Ouachita community reflecting on the life and legacy of Dr. King with reference to this year’s university theme, “reasoned engagement with the world.”

Observing Advent: An audacious profession of love

In our commercialized culture, we are taught that love can be expressed or proven with diamonds, sentimental greeting cards or even a Big Mac. The way Jesus said, "I love you," was rather audacious: He chose to live an uncomfortable, limited life as a human.

Observing Advent: Joy in suffering

When we are hurting, grieving or anxious about the future, it is hard to be on the same page as James when he wrote, "when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." I know my faith has been through a standardized test amount of testing this year, but I also know the darkest seasons of my life are when I have seen God work the most.

Cornerstone Fund Stories: Sarah Collins

Sarah Collins, a communications & media major from Lucas, Texas, fell in love with Ouachita when she visited campus for the first time. As a minister's child, Collins said her family prayerfully considered the cost, but it was the scholarships and support of donors that gave Collins peace about her choice.

Observing Advent: Finding peace in a turbulent world

We look for an answer to all of the heartache and confusion in this life. We long for peace. In our continuing celebration of Advent, Dr. William Viser reminds us of the similarly turbulent times before the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace.