Ouachita Stories

Dr. Tim Knight has been named dean of Ouachita Baptist University’s J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences, effective next summer, according to Ouachita President Rex M. Horne, Jr. Dr. Knight will succeed Dr. Joe Jeffers, founding dean of the Patterson School, who has announced plans to return to full-time teaching after serving as dean since 2002.

“The Ouachita community is indebted to Dr. Joe Jeffers for his service in the classroom as well as his leadership as the founding dean of the Patterson School of Natural Sciences,” said Dr. Horne. “I am most pleased that Dr. Jeffers will continue to serve our students and Ouachita in the classroom. Our natural sciences professors and students are second to none.

“In appointing Dr. Tim Knight as dean of the Patterson School, I knew we were fortunate to have someone ready to serve who is one of us,” Dr. Horne added. “Dr. Knight is a man with vision, a proven record and an exemplary commitment to Ouachita. We look forward to years of continued progress and excellence under his leadership.”

Dr. Knight, who has served since 1999 as the J.D Patterson Professor of Biology, has served as a faculty member in biology since 1989 and as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences since 1994. A 1984 Ouachita graduate, he also holds degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Reflecting on his decision to accept the position as dean, Dr. Knight cited his recent leadership responsibilities related to academic assessment and the Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation process. “Coupled with other administrative duties, I saw the dean position as being a place of service where my talents could be best utilized in serving both students and my colleagues,” he noted.

Dr. Knight said primary goals include seeking to “maintain or improve in both classroom instruction and the availability of research opportunities for faculty and students.” He said a related priority is to “build upon our already good relationships with our alumni” by encouraging “a greater sense of ownership among a broader cohort of science alums.”

Affirming his predecessor’s impact, Dr. Knight said, “I think everyone on the faculty both in and out of the natural sciences realizes the impact Dr. Jeffers has had at Ouachita, especially over the last decade. He has set a high standard and much of what we have enjoyed as faculty and students in the natural sciences are a result of his leadership.”

Dr. Jeffers, who recently marked 40 years as a Ouachita faculty member, said he does “take pride in our continued reputation as one of the best science programs in the region.”

He said the major accomplishment during his tenure as dean “was the development of an undergraduate research program. It was not totally new … but this program was more systemic.” In addition to gaining major research grants, he said another priority was recruiting quality faculty members.

“Teaching has always been the best part,” Dr. Jeffers said. “Great colleagues, yes, both within natural sciences and in other schools. But students are the reason we are here. To watch them develop and to have a small part in that process is immensely gratifying.”

Concerning his role as dean, Dr. Jeffers said, “I have enjoyed the ride, but it is time to step aside and let someone else take the helm. New energy and new viewpoints are always exciting.”

Specifically, he added, “Tim Knight has been excellent in chairing biology, in serving as the university advising guru and in being the university assessment coordinator. He brings skills and passion to the job that will serve him and us well.”

By Trennis Henderson, OBU vice president for communications