Ouachita honors Dr. Raouf Halaby with art history classroom
December 12, 2017
- Sarah Davis
Ouachita Baptist University dedicated the newly named Dr. Raouf J. Halaby Art History
Lecture Classroom and honored Dr. Halaby, Professor Emeritus of Art and Design and
English, during a reception held Dec. 5. The classroom in Moses-Provine Hall honors
Dr. Halaby for his 42 years of service at Ouachita.
“I am truly humbled and grateful to have this honor bestowed on me,” Dr. Halaby said.
“Except for three years during which I worked on my doctorate, Ouachita and Arkadelphia
have been the only home I have known for the best 52 years.”
In his remarks at the reception, Dr. Halaby told Ouachita students, “Take advantage
of every educational opportunity; you are fortunate to be attending a university whose
faculty are dedicated and committed to preparing you for the next phase of your life.
Make art joyously so as to delight the world with creative impulses and remember that
all the arts make the world a better global community.”
Dr. Halaby was born in Jerusalem and came to Ouachita as a student in 1965. He graduated
in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and earned his Master of Science
in Education degree in 1970. He also earned a Doctor of Education in English in 1973
from East State Texas University.
Dr. Halaby began teaching at Ouachita in 1973 as an assistant professor of English.
He was promoted to associate professor of English in 1980 and was named a professor
in 1988. In 1994, he was named chair of the Department of Art and Design.
“The department named the classroom where Dr. Halaby had taught CORE and art history
courses for 15 years,” said Donnie Copeland, associate professor of Art and Design
and current chair of Ouachita’s Rosemary Gossett Adams Department of Art and Design.
“Naming the classroom after him honors his work in service to the students and the
university.”
Dr. Halaby retired in 2015. He and his wife have built a new home. He spends retirement
volunteering, writing, traveling and gardening. He plans to do sculpting and restart
his beekeeping hobby.
“The enduring friendships with hundreds of former students and scores of colleagues
have left an indelible impact on my life,” Dr. Halaby said. “I’m truly grateful.”
For more information, contact the Adams Department of Art and Design at (870) 245-5559.
By Sarah Davis // Photos by Michael Richardson
December 12, 2017
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