Ouachita Stories

Rickey Rogers, a 2002 Ouachita Baptist University graduate, has been named Ouachita’s dean of students and director of residence life effective June 1.

Rogers’ diverse professional experience includes serving in residence life, student development, local church ministry and athletics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ouachita with a major in physical education and minors in psychology and secondary education and a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling from Henderson State University.

“I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to serve as dean of students and director of residence life at Ouachita,” Rogers said. “My family and I love Ouachita Baptist University and we are excited about Ouachita’s future.

“I am equally excited about the opportunity to work within the student development office,” he added. “I believe it plays an important role in responding to the needs of the student population and the situations that influence the campus community. I look forward to working with my colleagues to better understand how we can continue and improve on that process.”

Rogers was named dean of students following an extensive national search process that included 40 applicants. “During our search process, Rickey emerged as the leading candidate for this key leadership position,” said President Ben Sells. “His education and experience, his commitment to the Lord and Ouachita and a love for our students make him an ideal fit for this important leadership role. I look forward to seeing his positive impact in the lives of students.”

“We are very pleased to have Rickey join our student development team,” said Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for student development. “He brings a variety of talents and skills with him that will serve our students and our university well.”

Noting that the pool of applicants was narrowed to three finalists, Dr. Kluck said student development staff, student leaders, head coaches, faculty, administrators and President Sells “were all involved in the campus visits and gave valuable input and insight into the final selection.”

Rogers, who served as a resident director in O.C. Bailey Hall from 2013 to 2016, also has served as an assistant football coach for the Ouachita Tigers since 2013. He previously was an education specialist in Henderson State University’s Educational Opportunity Center from 2007 to 2013 and was associate pastor/youth pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Arkadelphia from 2008 to 2013. Prior to that, he served as outreach coordinator at Ouachita’s Educational Opportunity Center from 2002 to 2007.

Rogers also serves as Ouachita’s campus sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia and a former board member for the Arkansas Baptist News. His wife, Lydia, also a 2002 Ouachita graduate, is a resident director in O.C. Bailey Hall and financial coordinator for First Baptist, Arkadelphia. They have three children, Rickey Jr., Reyna and Ryan.

Rogers will succeed Scott Haynes, a 2006 Ouachita graduate, who has served as dean of students since 2012 and director of residence life since 2011. Haynes and his wife, Katie, have accepted English teaching positions in Africa.

Dr. Kluck noted that Haynes’ departure “concludes a great partnership with Scott and the student development staff. Scott has moved the bar higher during his time at Ouachita by developing new strategies in residence life and making significant advances with our students in conduct issues becoming part of the educational process.”

 

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications

April 18, 2017