Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s TRIO program recently held a TRIO Outdoors day at the Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area in Columbus, Ark. Approximately 150 students involved in Ouachita’s Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs participated in the day, developed to stimulate interest in various academic fields of study and careers.

“The event was an opportunity for our students to experience the beauty of the outdoors and some of what it has to offer,” said Brenda Philson, director of OBU’s TRIO program. “They learned about the outdoors and were introduced to possible career field opportunities.”

The group had the opportunity to visit booths and exhibits from wildlife agencies such as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), U.S. National Park Services and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They also were able to get hands-on experience in such outdoor activities as fishing, archery and boater safety.

Representatives from the AGFC presented a variety of wildlife demonstrations and workshops, including one that featured an alligator that students could hold and an observation tank stocked with fish native to the area. Chuck Dovish of AETN’s Exploring Arkansas served as keynote speaker.

The Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area is a nearly 5,000 acre property owned by the AGFC. It is fully equipped with amenities such as lodging, classrooms, a skeet shooting range and numerous lakes and streams.

The day was made possible by the following sponsors: Print Mania in Arkadelphia, Caddo Valley Landing in Caddo Valley, Batson Signs in Arkadelphia, Walmart in Arkadelphia, Columbia Sewing Company in Hope, Fort Thompson Sporting Goods in North Little Rock, Academy Sports in Little Rock, Warthall’s Sporting Goods in Camden, Big Jake’s Barbeque in Hope and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Ouachita’s TRIO program is a federally funded program committed to helping students overcome academic, cultural and socio-economic barriers to higher education.

For more information, contact Brenda Philson at [email protected] or (870) 245-5158.