Ouachita Stories

Dr. Rickey Rogers named Ouachita's vice president for student development

Dr. Rickey Rogers has been named vice president for student development at Ouachita Baptist University, effective June 1.

Ouachita to build 144-bed student apartment complex for Fall 2022

Ouachita Baptist University will break ground on a 144-bed, $12.6 million student apartment complex this month, with plans for it to be open for the Fall 2022 semester.

How to improve your mental health, coping skills while in college

Everyone learns to cope, regardless of their situation in life, in ways that are healthy and unhealthy. For many young adults, college is a time when stress levels run high, sleep patterns are inconsistent and having one-too-many cups of coffee and stress eating – among other things – are common aids students use to keep themselves going. While this is often considered normal, the college years are a pivotal time for learning how to cope well in the adult world.

Listening and leading toward biblical belonging

Ouachita’s progress in recent years reflects the input and ideas from listening to responses from two questions in regard to our future: “What shouldn’t change?” and “What should change?” A part of our listening includes hearing the voices of our students and alumni of color. Until we listen, we can’t understand how to make Ouachita a place where belonging is central to an outstanding educational experience.

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.

Rethinking student life: Virtual ideas to keep it social

If you think you’ve already done everything you could possibly do for fun using technology, here are a few suggestions you might not have tried yet.

Contagious compassion and joy: Silver linings in the storm of COVID-19

It sometimes takes a good rainstorm to better appreciate the sunshine. There I was sitting in my 11 o’clock class on a Tuesday morning, just like normal. My professor walks in and first thing out of his mouth is, “What do y’all think are the chances of Ouachita going online right now?” That was the first time I thought this virus would actually affect Ouachita.

Thinking of lasts and greats

Senior spring semester is known to be a time of lasts and greats. Last spring break trip, last spring fling, last trip to the lake, last sleepovers with all your friends and final goodbyes. This departure was inevitable. Due to spread of COVID-19 we had to say our goodbyes early. Yes, it is a disappointing time; however, there is much to learn in this season.

One day at a time: How through-hiking the Appalachian Trail taught me to navigate the unpredictable

During my senior fall semester at Ouachita, I took a backpacking class with Shane Seaton, director of Ouachita RecLife. I also liked to hike quite a bit at Iron Mountain out by Lake DeGray, which is not far from Ouachita’s campus.

"Prepare me to leave": Prayers for Ouachita, my old friend

I’ve started this post a few times in my head now, and I just cannot seem to find the words. There is so much I feel as if I should say. I could talk about the people I came to know and love these past four years, my roommates, teachers, and friends.