Ouachita Stories

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.

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.

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.

From the "Ouachitonian": Katelyn Franzke

Freshman graphic design major Katelyn Franzke had the opportunity to paint the distinguished Cone-Bottoms Hall for former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Franzke had no idea that a post on Instagram would lead to her making a painting for Sanders.

From the "Ouachitonian": Morgan Masengale

It is not uncommon to hear of a student who went on a mission trip during the summer months as a Ouachita student. Morgan Masengale, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from West Memphis, Ark., experienced something that you will not hear when talking about mission trip experiences.

From the "Ouachitonian": William Read

The art of magic is wielded wisely by few. One of those skilled persons is freshman William Read. From illusion to hypnosis, this young man achieves it all.

From the "Ouachitonian": Dani Imrie

In Uganda, deaf children are commonly abandoned and left without assistance with medical needs or education. Within three months of visiting Uganda for the first time, Dani Imrie, a sophomore elementary education major from Jonesboro, Ark., saw a need and helped create a nonprofit overseas.

From the "Ouachitonian": Emily Trigg

While most students spend their college years hanging out with friends and professors, Emily Trigg, a sophomore finance major from Arkadelphia, chose to spend her time hanging out with Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck and Stitch. Trigg spent 10 months working at the Disney World parks through the Disney College Program.

From the "Ouachitonian": Brandon Matros

Brandon Matros stood on the pitching mound, a familiar glove and ball in hand, running through the quick motions of throwing the ball smoothly into the catcher’s mitt. Matros, a junior finance major from Arkadelphia and pitcher for the Tigers, was thankful he was still playing the game he had known and loved since his earliest days.