Ouachita to hold Spring Commencement on May 9
April 28, 2026
- Chase HartsellOuachita Baptist University will hold its 139th Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. in front of historic Cone-Bottoms Hall.
The ceremony will honor 432 graduates, including those who have earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education and Master of Science degrees.
“Each Commencement reminds us why Ouachita exists,” Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita’s president, said. “We’re here to provide a transformative, Christ-centered learning experience that prepares students to flourish in life and leadership. This class has embraced that mission, and we are proud to celebrate them alongside their families, professors and friends on the lawn of Cone-Bottoms Hall.”
Commencement exercises will be led by Sells, who will also serve as the Commencement speaker. Dr. Rebecca Jones, the Dr. O.L. and Frances Bayless Chair of Christian Communication and University Committee chair, will be the Commencement marshal. Honorary marshals include Dr. Scott Duvall, professor emeritus of biblical studies; Jim Rothwell, assistant professor emeritus of accounting; and Dr. Jim Taylor, professor emeritus of biology. This trio has provided 110 combined years of service to Ouachita.
“We are continually blessed by Christian scholar-teachers who devote themselves to Ouachita’s mission as an integral part of their own ministries in God’s kingdom,” Justin Hardin, vice president for academic affairs and professor of biblical studies, said. “This year, we are celebrating three faculty emeriti who reflect in profound ways the kind of faculty we strive to be.”
Heather Dunavan, the senior class president and a nutrition & dietetics major from Little Rock, Arkansas, will deliver the invocation. Sells will follow the invocation with welcoming remarks.
Scripture will be read by Zoë Graham, a community & family services and Spanish double major from Ruston, Louisiana; Angela Terry, a Christian studies/biblical studies & theology and philosophy double major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Noah Terry, a Christian studies/biblical studies & theology and biblical languages double major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and Maribeth Young, a community & family services major from Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Dr. Deborah Root, professor of communications and director of assessment & institutional research, will share distinctions from the Class of 2026’s time at Ouachita.
Following Sells’ Commencement address, candidates for graduation will be presented by Hardin. Sells will confer degrees upon graduates and recognize those with military commissions.
Dr. Alex Favazza, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music, will lead attendees in singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and the Ouachita alma mater.
Dr. Jeremy Greer, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies and associate professor of biblical studies, will lead a responsive reading. Bob Sexton – a parent of two graduates, a Ouachita Board of Trustees member and an attorney with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton – will close the ceremony with a prayer of dedication.
In the case of inclement weather, Commencement will be moved to Cliff Harris Stadium. A livestream of the event will be available at obu.edu/graduation-live. To find out more about Commencement 2026, please visit obu.edu/graduation.
Lead photo by Meghann Bledsoe
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