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New Ouachita major bridges faith and career

July 24, 2025 - James Taylor

Ouachita Baptist University's Christian foundations co-major is equipping students to integrate their faith with careers in fields like medicine, computer science, worship studies and graphic design.

The 30-hour co-major allows students to add theological training to any other Ouachita major. Created in response to student interest in biblical education while pursuing a variety of career paths, the program launched in 2021 and graduated its first student in 2024: Brooklin Pitard, a biology and Christian foundations double major from El Dorado, Ark., who is now in her first year of medical school in Fort Smith, Ark.

"For Christians, every vocation is a mission field, providing opportunities to share Christ and His love to those around us," said Pitard, who graduated with both degrees in four years. "The Christian foundations degree was a manageable complement to my biology and chemistry coursework. It fostered a deeper love for God in my own heart and gave me the tools to study Scripture with theological insight."

The program now has more than 30 students in the Pruet School of Christians Studies, which also offers in-depth, stand-alone degrees for those preparing for ministry. The Christian foundations co-major addresses a growing need among students who want theological training but plan to serve the church as lay leaders while pursuing careers in other fields. Students can complete double majors with Christian foundations and a variety of other programs within four years.

"I’ve been so encouraged to see students from across campus investing time and effort in our classes, not merely for job preparation but because they love the Lord, his word and the church," said Dr. Jeremy Greer, dean of Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies. "I believe the impact these students will have on their churches and the world will be felt in the years ahead. What a blessing for the church to have lay leaders with theological training.”

Recent graduates demonstrate the program's versatility across disciplines.

“Christian foundations gave me the opportunity to learn and grow in my understanding of the Christian faith while still being able to focus on my computer science degree,” Kris Garcia, a computer science and Christian foundations graduate from Pine Bluff, Ark., said. "The courses were not only enriching but taught by incredible professors who are passionate about the material and invested in student success."

“This degree allowed me to dive deeper into my faith, grow closer to God, and see his work across all disciplines, especially medicine,” Wyatt House, a biomedical sciences and Christian foundations graduate from Little Rock, Ark., said. He carries his experiences from the co-major into his current studies at the newly established Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville, Ark.

For Mallorie Howard, a graphic design and Christian foundations graduate from Benton, Ark., the program helped her discern her calling.

"I had a passion for ministry and a desire to serve the church but didn't know what I was specifically called to or what ministry would look like for me," Howard said. "Christian foundations helped me navigate integrating my faith and vocation to advance the Kingdom of Christ."

Howard now serves as director of communications at First Baptist Church of Benton.

“Today, I am a first-year medical student and hold a Master of Science in Biomedicine,” said Pitard. “The biblical training I received at Ouachita has equipped me to engage with others more thoughtfully — to speak the truth of the Gospel, to love deeply and to ask meaningful questions. My prayer is that these seeds of faith will grow into lasting relationships with our Savior.”

For more information about majors in the Pruet School of Christian Studies, visit obu.edu/christianstudies or contact the Office of Admissions Counseling at (870) 245-5110.

Lead photo: Brooklin Pitard graduated in 2024 with degrees in biology and Christian foundations.
Story photos from left to right: Kris Garcia, Wyatt House and Mallorie Howard received their degrees in Ouachita's 2025 Commencement. Photos by Joshua Rhine.