Ouachita Stories

Introducing a major change in administrative leadership roles, Ouachita Baptist University President Rex Horne has announced that two longtime vice presidents will switch positions.

Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for student services since 2003, will assume responsibility as vice president for institutional advancement. Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for institutional advancement since 2005, will become vice president for student services. The new assignments will take effect with the beginning of the new academic year.

Henley also has served since 1999 as dean of students. Scott Haynes, director of residence life at Ouachita, will succeed Henley in that role.

Dr. Horne noted that the three men “are excited about the new assignments and opportunities. I think this will enable them to use their experience and abilities in ways that will enhance Ouachita.”

Emphasizing that both Henley and Kluck “bring a lifetime of devotion to Ouachita and a commitment to helping Ouachita advance,” President Horne added, “This is an ongoing commitment of mine to place our people in places of challenge and opportunity.”

As vice president for institutional advancement, Henley will be responsible for supervising the offices of admissions counseling, career services and Ouachita alumni. He also will oversee the work of the Ouachita Student Foundation.

“Ouachita is an extraordinary university that offers its students unparalleled opportunities and experiences,” Henley said. “I’m tremendously excited to serve in institutional advancement.

“Strong staff teams are already in place in each of the program areas within the division,” he added. “I look forward to leading the effort to help move the university forward through recruiting outstanding students, strengthening ties with alumni and former students and developing a career services program that will help our graduates secure positions where they will have the opportunity to be lifelong difference makers.

Kluck’s role as vice president for student services includes campus activities, campus housing and residence life, campus safety, counseling services, health services, recreational life and student life.

“Since moving back to Arkadelphia in 1984, I have always enjoyed opportunities to partner with college students in learning, serving and just having a good time together,” Kluck said. “I feel this love for college students has prepared me for the new experiences in the position of vice president for student services.”

Henley, Kluck and Haynes are Ouachita alumni. Henley graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music degree. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in marriage and family counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education degree in higher education from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Henley, a licensed professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist, began serving at Ouachita in 1993 as university counselor. He also has served as associate dean of students and dean of students. He was honored by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience as one of 10 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates for 2011.

Kluck, a 1977 summa cum laudegraduate of Ouachita, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in math, chemistry and biology. He also holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas Medical School.

In addition to his vice presidential role, Kluck serves as university physician and teaches photography. Among numerous leadership roles and honors, he has served as chairman of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, received Ouachita’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, earned several “Best Doctors in Arkansas” recognitions and has been named Rotarian of the Year.

Haynes is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of Ouachita with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Denver Seminary. While a student at Ouachita, he was a Governor’s Distinguished Scholar. In addition to his roles as dean of students and director of residence life, he serves as hall director of Flippin-Perrin residence hall.

By Trennis Henderson. OBU Vice President for Communications