Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 123rd annual spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor more than 290 graduates with Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees.

Dr. David Uth, pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla., will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of Christian ministry. Dr. Uth, who graduated from Ouachita in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion, also holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Uth, a former member of Ouachita Baptist University’s Board of Trustees, previously was pastor of churches in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, including First Baptist Church of Camden, Ark., and Immanuel Baptist Church of El Dorado, Ark.

Ouachita President Rex M. Horne, Jr., will preside over the annual commencement exercises. In addition to the recognition and response by Dr. Uth, the ceremony will include an invocation by Senior Class President Philip Williamson, scripture reading by Nicholas Dawson, Darlene Seal and Williamson and remarks by President Horne.

Jim Rothwell, assistant dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business, will serve as the commencement marshal and Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, will confer degrees upon the graduates. Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies, will lead a responsive reading and Taylor King, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, will deliver the prayer of dedication.

Ouachita Baptist University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, has been ranked the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South for three years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. With an enrollment of almost 1,500 students from more than 30 states and 50 nations, Ouachita seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning in a vibrant, Christ-centered learning community.

A video of Saturday’s commencement exercises will be posted on the university website at www.obu.edu/broadcast following the service.

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications