Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University trustees addressed a number of personnel issues during their recent spring meeting on the Ouachita campus. Board members also approved a 2012-13 operating budget.

Among personnel actions, trustees approved eight new faculty members for the 2012-13 academic year, including:

Dr. David Caddell, associate professor of sociology in the Sutton School of Social Sciences. Caddell comes to Ouachita from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio, where he has served since 2007 as a professor of sociology. He previously taught at Seattle Pacific University and Belmont University. He holds degrees from California Baptist College, California State University-Fullerton and Purdue University.

Angela Douglass, assistant professor of physics in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences. She holds degrees in physics from Southwestern College, the University of Kentucky and is scheduled to earn her Ph.D. in May from Baylor University. Douglass has taught since 2007 in the physics department at Baylor and also is directing a senior thesis project for undergraduate students.

Jennifer Fayard, assistant professor of psychology in the Sutton School of Social Sciences. She is a graduate of Samford University and is scheduled to complete her Ph.D. in psychology in May from the University of Illinois. As a graduate student, she has served as a teaching assistant and taught psychology courses.

Dr. Jess Kelly, assistant professor of biology, Patterson School of Natural Sciences. Kelly holds degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and received his Ph.D. in biology from Baylor University in 2005. He began teaching last fall at Ouachita as an adjunct professor in the department of biology. He previously was a lecturer in Baylor’s forensic science department and served seven years as Baylor’s environmental health and safety manager. He also has served as an investigator and aquatic scientist coordinator for the Texas National Resource Conservation Commission. His wife, Elizabeth, has served at Ouachita since 2010 as an assistant professor of sociology.

Margarita Pintado, assistant professor of Spanish in the School of Humanities.  She holds degrees from the University of Puerto Rico and Emory University. As a graduate student, she taught both elementary and advanced Spanish, including courses in Latin American literature and culture.

Rachel Waggener Pool, instructor of education in the Huckabee School of Education. Pool, a 2007 Ouachita graduate, holds a master’s degree in education from Arkansas State University. She is pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She currently is serving as a visiting instructor in education at Ouachita. She previously taught mathematics at Benton Junior High School, McNair Middle School and West Memphis Senior High School.

Kristi Smith, circulation/reference librarian in Riley-Hickingbotham Library. Smith, a 1999 Ouachita graduate, holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has pursued additional graduate work in public history at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She began working at Riley-Hickingbotham as a student and later became archival assistant in Special Collections. Since 2002, she has serving the Circulation/Reference Department and currently is acting head of the department.

David Stanley, instructor of music in the School of Fine Arts. A 2001 Ouachita graduate, Stanley holds a Master of Music in vocal performance from Southern Methodist University. He is currently working toward a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. Stanley has served at Ouachita since last fall as a visiting instructor in music, teaching music and directing the Women’s Chorus. He has taught through a private studio and has performed and directed in operatic, theatrical and concert venues throughout the United States. He is the founding director of The San Jacinto Project, a faith-based  performing arts initiative in downtown Dallas. He also has served as associate pastor and worship arts minister at First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Texas.

Trustees also approved three staff members whose positions previously have been announced: Lauren Hardy, development officer in the Office of Development; Jon Merryman, director of Ouachita Alumni; and Kevin Wright, head soccer coach.

Faculty members approved for tenure beginning with the 2012-13 academic year include: Dr. Mary Beth Long, assistant professor of English; Dr. Kevin C. “Casey” Motl, assistant professor of history; and Dr. Nathan Reyna, assistant professor of biology.

Faculty members who were granted promotions for the 2012-13 academic year include: Dr. Terry DeWitt, from associate professor of biological sciences to professor of kinesiology and leisure students; Janice Ford, from associate professor to professor and government documents librarian; Dr. Gary Gerber, from associate professor to professor of music and director of choral activities; Kristin Grant, from instructor to assistant professor of music; Rebecca Jones, from instructor to assistant professor of communications; Dr. Jeffery Sikes, from associate professor to professor of mathematics; and Anping Wu, from associate professor to professor and catalog librarian.

Retiring faculty members named emeriti faculty include: Nona Anderson, professor of modern languages; Eddie Ary, associate professor of finance; Shirley Dumais, assistant professor and circulation/reference librarian; Dr. Sim Flora, professor of music; Dr. Steve Garner; assistant professor of music; Glenn Good, professor of physics; Russell Hodges; associate professor of music and music librarian; Dr. Richard Mills, professor of sociology; Dr. Irene Trofimova, professor of modern languages; and Tona Wright, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies.

In other action, trustees approved a 2012-13 operating budget that includes a 5 percent increase in income and expenditures over the current fiscal year. Ouachita President Rex Horne noted that the budget includes increases for faculty and staff salaries in keeping with the university’s strategic planning efforts.

By Trennis Henderson, OBU vice president for communications