Ouachita faculty and staff honored for combined 575 years of service
August 31, 2017 - OBU News Bureau
Gathering for Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, the university
recently honored 29 faculty and staff members who have served a combined total of
575 years at Ouachita. Among the longtime faculty and staff members honored, Clark
Kuyper and David Sharp were recognized for 35 years of service each.
“Congratulations to our 29 faculty and staff members who were honored for significant
service milestones,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells. “Ouachita is known for its
commitment to a love of God and a love of learning. Our dedicated faculty and staff
are deeply involved in modeling and instilling those values as they serve our students
and the university.
“Thanks especially to Clark Kuyper and David Sharp who each have served at Ouachita
for 35 years,” Dr. Sells added. “Their faithful service is representative of our many
faculty and staff who embrace Ouachita’s mission as a Christ-centered learning community.
Ouachita President Ben Sells (right) congratulates Clark Kuyper (left), Ouachita Water Lab manager, and David Sharp, director of athletics, on each of them marking 35 years of service to Ouachita. (OBU photo by Caden Flint)
Kuyper serves as the Ouachita Water Lab manager in the Patterson School of Natural
Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Henderson State University.
He also has worked as a biological technician for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and with the Arkadelphia Water Department.
“It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this for 35 years,” Kuyper said. “When you enjoy
your work and the people you work with, the time flies. The Ouachita Water Lab has
done environmentally impactful work for 50-plus years thanks to the hard work of Joe
Nix, numerous full-time technicians and literally hundreds of student workers over
the years. There are few lakes and rivers in Arkansas that have not had their water
sampled and analyzed by the Ouachita Water Lab.
“I’d like to thank Ouachita, Joe Nix, Tim Knight and all the many students and technicians
who worked in the lab over the years,” he noted. “It’s been a blast. I’m not going
anywhere either so I’m aiming for 40 years.”
Sharp has served since 1999 as director of athletics. He previously served from 1982
to 1998 as assistant football coach. He holds both Bachelor of Science in Education
and Master of Science in Education degrees from Ouachita. Active in NCAA service,
he has chaired the NCAA Division II Championships Committee, Football Committee and
Golf Committee and currently serves on the NCAA Football Rules Committee.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve Ouachita Baptist University,” Sharp said.
“I have been blessed by the number of relationships with students, faculty and staff
and friends of the university.
“Serving at the institution where your entire family has graduated from has been very
special,” he added. “One of the highlights has been seeing my daughter, Ashlee, and
son, Jordon, receive their degrees. Another highlight has been seeing the addition
of so many new athletic facilities, including Cliff Harris Stadium. I cannot thank
Dr. Rex Horne and Cliff Harris enough for their part in making that a reality.”
In addition to Kuyper and Sharp, 27 other faculty and staff members were recognized
for service milestones, including:
30 Years of Service – Mike Ayres, printing department director; Jeanie Curry, assistant professor of
accounting; Dr. Byron Eubanks, professor of philosophy and chair of the department
of philosophy; Dr. Dave Ozmun, professor of communications; Dr. Deborah Root, professor
of communications and chair of the Rogers Department of Communications.
25 Years of Service – Phil Hardin, assistant to the president for administration; Shirley Hardin, support
staff, registrar’s office; Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies
and professor of Biblical studies; Susan Hurst, associate vice president for student
financial services; Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts and chair of the department
of theatre arts; Dr. Doug Sonheim, professor of English, the Clarence and Bennie Sue
Anthony Chair of Bible and Humanities and chair of the department of language and
literature.
20 Years of Service – Sharon Gattis, support staff, Office of Development; Bryan McKinney, dean of the
Hickingbotham School of Business and associate professor of business law.
15 Years of Service – Kristin Grant, assistant professor of music; Brenda Gorman, facilities management;
Leigh Anne McKinney, assistant director of the Elrod Center for Family and Community;
Dr. Jeff Sykes, professor of mathematics and chair of the department of math and computer
sciences; Misty Thacker, facilities management.
10 Years of Service – Genie Ashcraft, administrative assistant, Huckabee School of Education; Donnie
Copeland, associate professor of Art and Design and chair of the Rosemary Adams Department
of Art and Design; Judy Duvall, associate director of the Elrod Center for Family
and Community; Dr. Kayla Dwelle, associate professor of mathematics; Trennis Henderson,
vice president for communications; Sherry Kuhn, cash management, business services;
Terry Peeples, vice president for development; Paula Webb, database manager, development;
Marie Whisenhunt, facilities management.
August 31, 2017
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