Ouachita Stories

Stephanie Beck, a senior French and Russian major from Sheridan, Ark., and Emmanuel Engulu, a senior Christian studies, theology and kinesiology major from Keller, Texas, have been named University Scholars by Ouachita Baptist University’s College Society Advisory Board.

To be named a University Scholar, a student must “exhibit the highest level of academic achievement with the goal of serving Christ in the university community,” according to Dr. Doug Sonheim, Ouachita professor of English and coordinator of the College Society and University Scholar Program.

A student must have at least a 3.5 GPA, submit a written statement of his or her Christian faith, be recommended by a faculty member and submit a statement of intent to earn a PhD. If these requirements are met, then applicants are invited to interview with the College Society Advisory Board.

Engulu plans to remain at Ouachita at least one more year as a member of the Tiger basketball team, but upon graduation plans to pursue a PhD at an Ivy League university and then a professorial career.

“I want to get my PhD in theology at Harvard, but I don’t want to limit myself to just one possibility,” Engulu said. He said he is also considering Princeton University, Yale University, Cornell University and Boston University.

Although University Scholars guidelines do cite a goal of “serving Christ,” it is not a requirement that those accepted seek a doctorate in a religious subject. Students may pursue graduate studies in any field that they choose.

Upon her graduation from Ouachita in May of 2011, Beck plans to pursue her PhD to teach French at the university level.

“I’m really interested in the greater details of French grammar and syntax, so I really want to teach French linguistics some day,” she said.

“Right now I am looking into studying at the University of Lyon,” Beck noted. “It’s one of the best schools in France.”

Beck is also considering Vanderbilt University and the University of Indiana at Bloomington. She plans on teaching English as a foreign language in France next year.

In addition to recognizing excellence, the University Scholars program “supports students throughout their undergraduate education as they pursue PhD studies,” Beck said.

The program provides funds to help pay for graduate school application fees and admission exams like the GRE.

Both Beck and Engulu said they encourage other students to apply if they are interested. The program admits students annually and is not limited by classification.

“When I was an underclassman, I assumed the program was for seniors only,” Beck said, “but it’s really for any students who plan on getting their doctorate.”

Former University Scholars have been awarded prestigious fellowships, including a Pew Graduate Fellowship and a Fulbright Fellowship, and have been accepted into graduate programs at such universities as Yale University, the University of Notre Dame, Duke University, Oxford University, Wheaton College, Hebrew University and the Medieval Institute at Leeds University. Beck and Engulu join Sarah Stark as the other University Scholar on campus this semester.

For more information, contact Dr. Doug Sonheim at [email protected] or (870) 245-5554.

By Korrie Browning