Staff profile: Sherri (Greer '81) Phelps, An advocate for our people
May 15, 2019Sherri 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: Shane Seaton, Modeling creation care
May 15, 2019Growing up, Shane Seaton loved playing outside, hiking, camping trips with his family and going to summer camp. He also spent a lot of time outdoors with friends during college in Oklahoma, where he earned a B.S. in business administration from Southern Nazarene University. But it wasn’t until later that Seaton realized how transformational those outdoor moments had been. Now, those are exactly the kinds of experiences he seeks to provide for students at Ouachita.
Staff profile: Susan (Voris '83) Atkinson, Working behind the scenes
May 15, 2019From 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.
Staff profile: Mike McGhee, A legacy in relationships
May 15, 2019Head Softball Coach Mike McGhee entered his 17th season at Ouachita in the midst of a battle with cancer. He passed away Feb. 24. McGhee left behind a lasting legacy in the lives of his players, fellow coaches and coworkers.
Alumni profile: Michael Bleecker ('00) Leading the local church
May 15, 2019Michael 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.
Editor's Notes: Embracing meaning in the busy-ness
May 15, 2019I rarely feel like I have the time to ponder, much less discuss, big questions in life around things like meaning, calling and purpose. It's enough most days to get my son out the door on time(-ish) for school, keep projects moving at work and make sure laundry is clean at home. It's easy just to feel like a "busy bee" rather than to see the importance of my place in "the colony."
2019 Ouachita Commencement address: Lives of Meaningful Work
May 15, 2019Class 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.
Alumni profile: Lillian (Blackmon '59) Crenshaw, Increasing infant survival
May 15, 2019“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
May 15, 2019A 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.
Faculty profile: Barbara Pemberton - Interdisciplinary focus, religious lens
May 15, 2019If you were to play two truths and a lie with Dr. Barbara Pemberton, you would probably lose. Facts about her you would guess are untrue would turn out to be the truth – like how she once took a group of Ouachita students to Saudi Arabia, where she and her husband lived for a time. Or how she belongs to the International Society for the Study of New Religions. Or how her latest religious analysis is a book review on drone metal and spirituality.