Ouachita Stories

Ouachita strives to create a community on campus and in the town of Arkadelphia. One way the university accomplishes this goal is through service. Service is a way of life at Ouachita; it is rooted deeply in the fundamentals of Christianity. Like Jesus, the students and faculty serve with a cheerful heart in a wide range of areas from animals to yard work, kids to elderly. Everyone is able to find a place to serve that fits their interests.

If you haven’t found a place to serve yet, the Elrod Center has several programs that allow students to volunteer in the community. Here are a couple of examples:

1.) Tiger Serve Day

Tiger Serve Day happens once a semester. Students, faculty and staff are sent out to different projects in teams of 6-8 people. Projects could include raking, painting, trimming, washing cars or other tasks that could be completed in three hours. This is a great way to build relationships not only with people in the community but also with the team you are working with.

2.) America Reads/America Counts

This Elrod Center program has one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to improve reading or math abilities in Arkadelphia. Tutors are able to contribute to the local community in a meaningful way by helping children gain skills in school as well as self-esteem as a result of the mentoring aspect.

3.) ElderServe

This program connects Ouachita students with a senior adult in Arkadelphia. Once a week during the semester, the student visits their elder, and the two form a friendship. The elder benefits from the friendship and energy of a student; the student is able to receive wisdom while making a difference in someone’s life.

4.) TranServe

TranServe is a great way to put volunteer hours on your transcript. At any point in the semester, you can apply for TranServe online. Then, print off the hour verification report and fill it out throughout the semester with the various service projects you completed. This could be any Elrod Center program or it could be independent volunteer projects like working at the humane society, church programs or unpaid internships. To be put on your transcript, you must serve at least 20 hours and turn the verification sheet into the Elrod Center at the end of the semester.

 

There are several other programs offered through the Elrod Center for anyone to get involved with. For more ideas on where to serve in Arkadelphia, go to www.obu.edu/elrod/local-service-opportunities/ to find something that fits you. If you still need more ideas on how you can serve, contact Judy Duvall at [email protected]. She will help plug you in somewhere.

 

By Sarah Davis, a senior mass communications and Christian studies/Christian ministry double major from Beebe, Ark.

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