From the "Ouachitonian": Luke Hill

Luke Hill, a junior biology major with chemistry, military science and a math triple minor is from Sheridan, Ark. Hill spent his summer doing research at UAMS and ROTC training.

History alumni profile: Kevin Jackson ('15)

What can you do with a history major? Kevin Jackson, a 2015 Ouachita graduate, currently works as an immigration lawyer to advocate for asylum seekers and trafficking victims, among others.

From someone who's been there: Consider Ouachita even if you don't know anyone

Being from Midlothian, Texas (a suburb of Dallas), most of my classmates had their sights set on large, nearby state schools. I couldn’t muster the same excitement they had about attending schools with such huge student populations. I wanted to be known by my professors, not just some number or a face in an auditorium full of students.

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.

Ouachita baseball's Carter Wade on playing college sports: "It doesn't matter what division you are in"

In choosing a college to further his education and baseball career, Carter Wade, a senior accounting major from Little Rock, Ark., first decided to attend a Division I university. After a year of playing baseball at another Arkansas university, Wade said knew he was meant to attend Ouachita.

From the "Ouachitonian": Tyler Reibock

With dozens of NCAA Division I athletes getting an invitation into the Coastal Plain League, standout Tiger baseball third baseman Tyler Riebock, a junior biology major from Rockwall, Texas, had the opportunity to spend his summer playing against top competition.

A Benediction: Commencement 2021

Dr. John McCallum, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Hot Springs and vice chair of Ouachita’s Board of Trustees, offered this prayer at the close of Commencement on May 8, 2021.

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.