Ouachita faculty and staff honored for combined 730 years of service

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September 13, 2018 - Rachel Bruton

During Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, 39 faculty and staff members were honored for a combined total of 730 years of service at the university. Dr. Johnny Wink, Betty Burton Peck Professor of English, was recognized for 45 years of service.

“We’re here this evening primarily to notice people,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells at the annual event. “We want you to know that you matter and your work matters. It’s important that we notice and honor one another.”

Wink, this year’s longest-serving honoree, first joined Ouachita in 1973 as an assistant professor of English. Wink holds a B.A. in English from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas.

“When an alumnus tells me their ‘Ouachita story,’ it always includes the name of a faculty or staff member and a specific way that person invested in the alumnus. Because of Dr. Wink’s tenure and impact, I’ve heard many Johnny Wink stories,” Sells said.

45-Year Honoree: Johnny Wink, left, with President Sells

“I’ve met people from all over the world here because Ouachita is a school that is missionary in nature. I’ve had students who believe in all kinds of things and worked with faculty that have a rich variety of views,” Wink said. “Instead of being a uniform and grey place, it’s been a colorful and vivid place. It just never stopped being that.”

Wink currently teaches classes in advanced grammar, creative writing, Latin, composition and banned books. Over his 45 years at Ouachita, Wink has taught a wide variety of classes including mythology, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, world literature and linguistics.

“You’re learning things along with your students because you don’t know everything. Or at least you don’t if you’re me, and you’ve got lots of things to learn,” Wink noted. “There’s a lot of that spirit at Ouachita, wanting to be learners as well as teachers.

“Get as much as you can out of this place, because it has so many wonderful things to offer,” Wink said. “Learn as much as you can in as many disciplines as you can, and see where that leads you. It could lead you into something of a very pragmatic nature, but sometimes it’ll just lead you into joy. Life at its best ought to be about wonderment and joy at God’s creation.”

In addition to Wink, 38 other faculty and staff members were honored for service milestones including:

35 Years: Daniel Bailey, facilities management; Phillip Easley, facilities management; Dr. Craig Hamilton, Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands; Bill Phelps, assistant to the president for I.T. services and facilities management.

35-Year Honorees

30 Years: Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement and Title IX coordinator; Dr. William Viser, professor of Christian ministries.

30-Year Honorees

25 Years: Terrence Carter, associate director of TRIO and director of Upward Bound; Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement and chief of staff; Linda Purifoy, administrative assistant of TRIO; Dr. Amy Sonheim, professor of English.

25-Year Honorees

20 Years: Dr. Jay Curlin, Kathryn Maddox Professor of English; Jay Derby, assistant football coach; John Hill, senior programmer and analyst; Todd Knight, head football coach; Marla Rigsby, instructional design and technology specialist; Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music; Dr. Jim Taylor, professor of biology.

20-Year Honorees

15 Years: Bill Barnes, facilities management; Dr. Ray Franklin, professor of Christian missions; Tonya Magby, facilities management; Karen Matros, assistant director of student financial services; Angie May, facilities management; Dr. Doug Nykolaishen, professor of biblical studies; Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, dean of interdisciplinary studies and professor of English.

15-Year Honorees

10 Years: Dr. Tully Borland, associate professor of philosophy; James Clark, facilities management; Dr. Joey Dodson, associate professor of biblical studies; Dr. Margaret Garrett, associate professor of music; Tanya Jackson, administrative assistant in the Grant Center for International Education; Dan Jarboe, university counselor and ADA/504 coordinator; Michael Lee, facilities management; Rachel Martinez, acquisitions administrative assistant; Dr. Jeff Matocha, associate professor of mathematics and computer science; Dr. Chris Mortenson, associate professor of history; Dr. Nathan Reyna, associate professor of biology; Rickey Rogers, dean of students and director of residence life; Dr. Steven Thomason, associate professor of political science; Brooke Zimny, director of communications and marketing.