Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s department of kinesiology and leisure studies will induct 21 students into Phi Epsilon Kappa national honor fraternity on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m in Young Auditorium in Hickingbotham Hall. 2011-2012 marks the inaugural year for the fraternity on Ouachita’s campus; Dr. Jeff Vessely, executive director of Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity, will install the fraternity at the ceremony.

Phi Epsilon Kappa is a national honor fraternity for students engaged in or pursuing careers in physical education, health, recreation, dance, human performance, exercise science, sports medicine and sports management.

“For our students, this was a way to honor those in our department who have excelled in the areas of scholarship, leadership and commitment to the university,” said Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies and Phi Epsilon Kappa sponsor. “Belonging to a fraternity of scholars will add to their educational credentials.”

“I’m really excited about being a part of Phi Epsilon Kappa because it gives me a chance to be a part of something that I am headed toward in my career,” said Libby Harrington, a senior kinesiology major from Conway, Ark.

Students invited to join the fraternity at Ouachita must be junior or senior kinesiology, leisure studies or athletic training major with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. They also must demonstrate leadership attributes and abide by the rules and standards of conduct of the university.

“For the Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, it begins the process to become more involved regionally and nationally in professional organizations,” Reynolds said. “We are now a part of only 100 universities in the United States who have a chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa.”

Reynolds said that future goals for the fraternity include attending regional and national conferences.

For more information, contact Reynolds at [email protected] or (870) 245-5188.

By Nicci Fillinger