Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University has joined the Pathways Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, creating an opportunity there for qualified Ouachita graduates to prepare for a legal career.

Ouachita students with a grade point average of 3.4 or higher in any major and a score of 154 or higher on the Law School Admissions Test will be guaranteed admission to the Bowen School of Law.

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity not only for Ouachita students interested in joining the law profession, but also for the people of Arkansas for whom legal representation is often scarce,” said Dr. Kevin C. Motl, dean of Ouachita’s Sutton School of Social Sciences and professor of history. “It’s my earnest hope that by joining these two academically rigorous institutions in common cause, we can help provide the abundant, effective legal resources Arkansans deserve.”

Madison Hamilton, a 2021 communications & media/multimedia and political science graduate, earned a Juris Doctor from the Bowen School of Law in May.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ouachita and believe the university prepared me for Bowen,” Hamilton said. “Critical thinking and public speaking were highly prioritized in most of my classes, which helped develop my confidence in analyzing complex issues and clearly articulating my thoughts. I also gained invaluable skill in writing and interpersonal communications.”

Hamilton credits hands-on experience she gained through work-study in Ouachita’s Office of Communications & Marketing, networking as a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation and writing for the Ouachitonian yearbook with building her confidence; the Pre-Law Society, led by Dr. Doug Reed, Ouachita’s Moody Professor of Political Science and associate vice president for academic affairs, “offered guidance on navigating law school admissions and how to prepare for the LSAT, clearly described the path ahead and prepared me for law school and the legal profession.”

“Much like Ouachita, Bowen offers many opportunities outside of the classroom for learning and growing as you prepare for your career,” she added. “Those experiences opened many doors for my future as a practicing attorney.”

The Pathways Program “would have been a weight off my shoulders when I was a Ouachita student. Having an exact goal would’ve lessened the stress of the admissions process and having to decide where to attend law school. The relationship between the universities will be extremely beneficial for Ouachita students, and I highly recommend this path to any student seeking a career as an attorney.”

Bryan McKinney, dean of Ouachita’s Hickingbotham School of Business and associate professor of business law, is also a Bowen law school alumnus.

“Students often enter conversations about law school with great uncertainty, and the certainty this program provides them will be greatly appreciated,” McKinney said. “Ouachita has a long history of sending tremendous students to Bowen. I expect this program will only foster the relationship.”

For more information about Ouachita’s partnership with the Bowen School of Law at UALR, contact Dr. Kevin C. Motl at [email protected] or (870) 245-5512.

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