Ouachita Stories

Convocation Chapel 2020: Reasoned engagement with the world

By the end of this academic year, and certainly by the time students graduate, Ouachita intends to prepare them to be better – to be more skilled – in their reasoned engagement with the world. Dr. Sells addressed, "What is reasoned engagement with the world?" in Convocation Chapel on August 25.

Closing thoughts: Defining value

What is the value of the Ouachita experience? It depends on who you ask. Students and parents are pleased that Niche.com ranks Ouachita #1 for “Best Value” among Arkansas universities. This helps explain why our undergraduate enrollment increased 4.5% the last three years while overall statewide enrollment decreased 16% the last decade.

All the wiser: Making good choices in our search for happiness

As we begin a new semester, I want to share a brief reflection on this year’s theme, taken from our mission statement, “intellectual and spiritual growth.” Here's what I've been reflecting on: How do we make choices that will help us become the person God intends us to be?

Intellectual and spiritual growth

At Ouachita, we have fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously. But we’re serious about intellectual and spiritual growth, and I want to spend a few moments introducing this year’s theme.

Closing thoughts: Preparing for lives of meaningful work

At the beginning of the academic year, I used my Convocation address to help us initiate a university-wide conversation on the theme, “Lives of Meaningful Work.” It’s a phrase from our mission statement that speaks to one of Ouachita’s desired outcomes for graduates: that you will be prepared for such lives and work.

2019 Ouachita Commencement address: Lives of Meaningful Work

Class of 2019 – congratulations! We are proud of you! I’m proud of you! At the beginning of the academic year, I used my Convocation address to help us initiate a university-wide conversation on our theme, “Lives of Meaningful Work.” It’s a phrase from our mission statement. It speaks to one of Ouachita’s desired outcomes for graduates: that you will be prepared for lives of meaningful work.

Focus on graduates, not speakers

I love the pomp and circumstance that marks commencement. It’s the most important, picture-perfect day in the life of a university. And as a president, it’s a great honor to present a diploma, shake hands and congratulate each graduate.

It's about outcome: Look for colleges that care

Now that spring break has come and gone, high school seniors and their parents will be finalizing a college choice for fall. They have more independent and objective information available to them to help make that choice than ever before.

New possibilities: Alliance tackles nursing shortage

Arkansas is facing a healthcare crisis. By the year 2020, the Institute of Medicine forecasts a shortage of 15,000 nurses. The impact is real: less accessible healthcare and overworked nurses, especially in rural communities.