Ouachita Stories

Dr. Wesley Kluck and his wife, Debbie, will be recognized for their contributions to Ouachita Baptist University soccer with the field being named in their honor on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

The dedication ceremony will be held at 3:15 p.m. at the soccer field immediately prior to the Ouachita men’s soccer team competing in a match against Harding University. Students, faculty, staff and community residents are invited to attend the ceremony.

Dr. Kluck, Ouachita’s vice president for student services, has served at Ouachita since 2005. He previously was vice president for institutional advancement. Mrs. Kluck works part-time in the Arkadelphia Clinic for Children and Young Adults.

“Since the inception of our women’s and men’s soccer programs, Wesley and Debbie have been leading proponents of soccer at Ouachita,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “They also have been among the most generous supporters of our teams and of the development of their facilities.”

“Since the Ouachita men’s and women’s soccer teams were started, I’ve had a close relationship to the coaches, players and parents of players,” said Dr. Kluck. “Having Debbie’s and my names on the field is such an honor and also very humbling.

“Ouachita athletics is a huge part of our lives as are the relationships we have with the athletes,” he added. “An association of our name with Ouachita soccer and Ouachita athletics in general is a very proud moment for us and we are so grateful.”

Dr. Kluck, a 1977 summa cum laude graduate 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 and earned several “Best Doctors in Arkansas” recognitions. He also has been named Rotarian of the Year and received the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce President’s Award.

Mrs. Kluck holds a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from UAMS. The Klucks are active members of Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia where they lead college Bible studies and she leads a women’s Bible study. Their daughter, Jennifer Hopkins, is a 2008 Ouachita graduate and teaches school in Benton.

 

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications