Ouachita Stories

Highlighting a variety of academic and leadership achievements throughout the past year, Ouachita Baptist University’s 2012 Academic Awards Banquet honored students in each of the university’s seven academic schools.

“You are an inspiration to faculty and staff here at Ouachita,” Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, told students being honored. “You have contributed to the intellectual life here at Ouachita.”

John Gomez, a biology, chemistry and English major from Conway, Ark., earned Ouachita’s highest academic honor as the university’s Overall Academic Achiever. He also was named the top academic achiever in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences.

Top academic achievers in each of the other schools include: Reuben Cash, a senior accounting major from Springfield, Tenn., Hickingbotham School of Business; Jesse Pruett, a senior Christian studies and Biblical languages major from Harrison, Ark., Pruet School of Christian Studies; Melissa Butters, an early childhood education major from Denison, Texas, Huckabee School of Education; Grace Janzen, a senior art/graphic design and history major from Tulsa, Okla., School of Fine Arts; Jody Persson, a senior English major from Sherwood, Ark., School of Humanities; and Trevor Huxham, a history and Spanish major from Plano, Texas, Sutton School of Social Sciences.

Ouachita’s outstanding seniors, selected by faculty and staff, are Jacob Lively, a biology major from Queen City, Texas, Senior Outstanding Man, and Abby Dekle, a biology major from Sachse, Texas, Senior Outstanding Woman.

Dr. Scott Duvall, the J.C. and Mae Fuller Professor of Biblical Studies, was named by students as the Lavell Cole Most Inspirational Professor.

Other university awards include the Mrs. J.R. Grant Endowed Awards for freshman and senior female students and the Betty Oliver Grant Endowed Awards for sophomore and junior female students. Recipients include Laura Grace Shaddox, a freshman communication sciences and disorders major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Lindsey Fowler, a sophomore political science and accounting major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Katelyn Bell, a junior biology major from Des Arc, Ark.; and Kelsey Bates, a senior music education major from Marion, Ark.

The Rotary Club Service-Above-Self Award was presented to Britta Stamps, a political science and business administration major from Fort Smith, Ark.

Individuals honored by the Carl Goodson Honors Program include:

 

• Ben Elrod Scholar, Rachel Harris, a musical theatre and voice performance major from Springdale, Ark.

 

• Carl Goodson Scholar, Jason Curlin, an English and Russian major from Arkadelphia, Ark.

 

• Honors Council Scholar, Stacy Beck, a political science, history and French major from Sheridan, Ark.

 

• Garrett Ham Scholar, Anthony Emerson, a senior Christian studies and history major from Fresno, Texas.

 

• Research Award Recipient, Valerie Nickel, a chemistry and biology major from Richardson, Texas.

 

• Most Valuable Professor, Dr. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck Professor of English.

Reflecting on the evening’s recognitions, Student Senate President Jacob Lively told fellow students, “Don’t use your gifts and talents for your own gain. Use them to strengthen people around you.

“Thank you, Ouachita, for the memories,” he concluded. “I will forever hold you close to my heart.”