Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 130th spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 13, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor 293 graduates earning degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees.

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, will preside over the annual commencement exercises. Dr. Ray Granade, director of library services and professor of history, and Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, will serve as commencement marshals. Honorary marshals are Dr. Joe Jeffers, professor emeritus of chemistry, and Julia Jones, assistant professor emerita of Spanish.

The ceremony will include an invocation by Senior Class President Jodie Webb, an elementary education major from Arlington, Tenn. Scripture reading will be led by three students from the Pruet School of Christian Studies: Mikala Butler, a Christian studies/Christian missions and sociology double major from Paragould, Ark.; Libby Hilliard, a biblical languages major from Van Buren, Ark.; and Emma Riley, a Christian studies/Christian ministries and biblical studies double major from Fort Smith, 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, chair of the Board of Trustees, 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.