Ouachita Stories

Alumni profile: Kim Fischer ('82) Practical help, spiritual purpose

Government employee by day, pickleball enthusiast by night and weekend warrior with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) Disaster Relief ministry – alumna Kim Fischer has been using her gifts, talents and experience to make a difference in the lives of those in crisis for nearly 15 years.

Staff profile: Sherri (Greer '81) Phelps, An advocate for our people

Sherri Phelps always knew she wanted to work with people, but when she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech pathology from Ouachita in the spring of 1981, she hadn’t anticipated a career in human resources. When Ouachita offered Phelps and her husband, Bill (’81), jobs at the university, it was the beginning of four decades of service to Ouachita faculty and staff. They knew then that they were being called to lives of meaningful work right here at their alma mater.

Staff profile: Susan (Voris '83) Atkinson, Working behind the scenes

From freshman beanies to mortarboards, every student who is admitted to or graduates from Ouachita passes through the registrar’s office. From high school test scores, GPAs and concurrent credit to semester grades, degree plan requirements and graduation day, Susan Atkinson oversees the detail involved in moving students through their Ouachita careers.

Alumni profile: Michael Bleecker ('00) Leading the local church

Michael Bleecker didn’t come to Ouachita to study worship ministry. In fact, he’d never even picked up a guitar. But freshman year, that all changed. Now, Bleecker leads thousands of people in worship each week at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas.

Alumni profile: Lillian (Blackmon '59) Crenshaw, Increasing infant survival

“I have a very distinct memory of the first time I saw a baby die,” reflected Lillian Blackmon (’59) Crenshaw. “There was such a sense of helplessness. I had a strong feeling there had to be a better way.” Crenshaw spent much of her renowned medical career helping improve the survival rate for premature infants.

Alumni profile: TaJuan Wilson ('07) Educator, mentor & role model

A first-generation college student, Dr. TaJuan Wilson wasn’t sure where college would lead when he began. But he was determined to navigate college life successfully, and higher education soon became his specialty. Originally from Bearden, Ark., Wilson found Ouachita through TRIO programs.

Alumni profile: Mitch Bettis ('90) Problem-solver, people-builder

In seventh grade, Mitch Bettis discovered the world of publications as a paper boy for Arkadelphia’s newspaper, the Siftings-Herald. “I loved everything about it,” Bettis said. “I loved the fact that, a couple of hours ago, there was nothing. Now, there were words and photos; it was a tangible product.” As president and CEO of Arkansas Business Publishing Group (ABPG) in Little Rock, Bettis directs the creation and sales efforts of more than 30 of Arkansas’ top weekly, monthly, semiannual and annual publications.

Alumni profile: Lt. Col. Naomi Mercer ('94) Building empathy

When Lt. Col. Naomi Mercer was a member of ROTC during her college days, she never envisioned a career that would lead her to teaching at West Point, educating women in Iraq and developing human resource strategy at the Pentagon. Mercer’s work has impacted individuals at home and abroad. She recently was awarded the Legion Merit Award after retiring from a 25-year career in the Army.

Alumni profile: Bonita Watts, creator of the famous McDonald's apple pie

Surely, at one time or another, you’ve walked into a McDonald’s restaurant and smelled the delicious aroma of apples and cinnamon, causing you to give in and order that tasty apple pie in a box. But did you know that without Ouachita alumna Bonita Watts (’62), you may have never tasted those tasty pies?

First job advice for anyone imperfect

Yes, it’s true, there is no other place in the world like Ouachita. In fact, your next adventure probably won’t feel familiar at all to anything you’ve experienced these past four (or more) years. The good news is that your cherished memories will stick with you forever, and the greatness ahead will all be worth it.