Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 129th spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor 331 graduates earning degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees as well as Ouachita’s first Associate of Arts degrees earned through the university’s Ouachita at New Life Church program.

Larry Kircher, a 1965 Ouachita graduate and a longtime member of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, will receive a Doctor of Humanities degree in recognition of his “outstanding labors in business, civic and church life, as well as his generous and loyal service to his alma mater.” Trustees voted earlier this year to honor Kircher with the honorary degree, which will be presented by Dr. Charles Wright, interim president. Kircher, who began serving at Citizens Bank of Bald Knob, Ark., in 1969, retired as president of the bank after 45 years of service.

Dr. Wright also will preside over the annual commencement exercises. Jay Heflin, chairman of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, will introduce Dr. Ben Sells, OBU’s president-elect who will assume office as president on June 1.

Dr. Ray Granade, director of library services and professor of history, and Dr. Nancy Hardman, Edna and Freda Linn Professor of Communication Sciences and Pre-Medical Studies, will serve as commencement marshals. Honorary marshals are Dr. Hal Bass, professor emeritus of political science, and Dr. Charles Fuller, professor emeritus of music.

The ceremony will include an invocation by Senior Class President Jacob Moreno Robles, a nutrition/dietetics major from Mexico City. Scripture reading will be led by three students from the Pruet School of Christian Studies: Haylee Garland, a Christian studies/Christian ministries and psychology double major from Ward, Ark.; Elizabeth Peevy, a Christian studies/Christian missions major from Bryant, Ark.; and Amber Williams, a Christian studies/Christian missions major from Mount Vernon, Ark.

Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, will introduce the graduates. Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies, will lead a responsive reading and Jay Heflin will deliver the prayer of dedication.

Ouachita Baptist University, a leading liberal arts university, is ranked nationally among “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes magazines. Founded in Arkadelphia in 1886, Ouachita seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning in a Christ-centered learning community.

The commencement exercises will be livestreamed at livestream.com/obu. A video of the ceremony will be posted on the university website at www.obu.edu following the service. For more information about commencement, visit www.obu.edu/registrar/graduation-and-commencement.