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Ouachita Professor Detri Brech named to endowed chair by university trustees

June 13, 2017 - Detri Brech

Ouachita Baptist University trustees addressed a number of personnel-related actions during their summer board meeting June 8 on Ouachita’s Arkadelphia campus, including naming a professor to an endowed chair and approving several faculty and staff positions.

Detri Brech

Trustees named Dr. Detri Brech, professor of dietetics in the Patterson School of Natural Sciences, to the Charles S. and Elma Grey Goodwin Holt Chair of Dietetics and Pre-Medical Studies. The endowed chair was established in 1987 through a generous bequest from the estate of Dr. Charles S. Holt, a 1930 Ouachita graduate. Dr. Brech, who has taught at Ouachita since 2000, is a 1984 Ouachita graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics. She also holds degrees from Louisiana Tech University and Oklahoma State University. Dr. Joe Jeffers, professor emeritus of chemistry, previously held the endowed chair.

Trustees also approved three new faculty members as well as a new director of Ouachita at New Life Church:

Mary Chung was named assistant professor of music. She holds degrees from the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and North Greenville University in South Carolina as well as two degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Blake Johnson was named assistant professor of biology. A 2003 Ouachita graduate with a Bachelor of Science in biology, he also holds degrees from the University of Aberdeen, U.K., and the University of Texas School of Biomedical Sciences at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He previously was assistant professor of biology at East Texas Baptist University.

Arnold Rawls was named associate professor of music and artist in residence. He holds degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Oklahoma. He is a former professor and artist in residence at Moody Bible Institute and has been a professional opera singer for more than 20 years, including roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Frankfurt Opera and Opera Australia.

Tyler Tarver has been named director of OBU at NLC in Conway. He holds degrees from Arkansas Tech University and the University of Central Arkansas and currently is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Arkansas. He previously was director of curriculum, instruction, federal programs, communications, technology and personnel at Bauxite School District.

Recent staff and coaching positions approved include:

Collin Battaglia, resident director of Tollett Hall. He is a 2017 Ouachita graduate with majors in Christian studies and biblical languages.

Kyle Bowles, head athletic trainer. He is a 2017 graduate of the University of Memphis with a Master of Science degree with a major in health studies. He previously was a graduate assistant with the University of Memphis athletics department.

Jarah Jacks, resident director of Gosser Hall. She is a 2015 graduate of Henderson State University and previously taught art at Centerpoint High School.

Brant Matros, development officer. He is a 1993 Ouachita graduate who previously served five years at Ouachita with the TRIO program. He most recently served at Arkadelphia Public Schools.

Anna Rosenthal, assistant director of Campus Ministries. She is a 2015 graduate of Ouachita with a major in Christian studies. She also holds a master’s degree in Christian education from Dallas Theological Seminary.