Ouachita graduates, faculty and families gather on Cone-Bottoms lawn for Spring Commencement
More than 430 students earn bachelor's and master's degrees
May 15, 2026
- Chase HartsellOuachita Baptist University honored 432 graduates during its 139th Spring Commencement ceremony on the front lawn of historic Cone-Bottoms Hall on Saturday, May 9. Honorees included those who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education and Master of Business Administration degrees in August 2025, December 2025 and May 2026.
Among this year’s 221 honor graduates, 69 earned summa cum laude status (3.95 GPA or higher), including 48 who completed their degrees with a 4.0 GPA. Additionally, 84 graduated magna cum laude (3.75-3.949 GPA) and 68 graduated cum laude (3.5-3.749 GPA). The Carl Goodson Honors Program commended 37 completers, and Alpha Chi National Honor Society honored 49 of its graduating members.
Dr. Rebecca Jones, the Dr. O.L. and Frances Bayless Chair of Christian Communication and University Committee chair, led the procession as Commencement marshal. Honorary marshals included retiring emeriti faculty: Dr. Scott Duvall, professor emeritus of biblical studies; Jim Rothwell, assistant professor emeritus of accounting; and Dr. Jim Taylor, professor emeritus of biology.
Members of the senior class delivered the invocation and read Scripture to open the ceremony.
Following Ouachita tradition, Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, led Saturday's exercises and delivered the commencement address. His message, drawn from Matthew 7:11, covered the fierce and sacrificial love of family as well as God-given gifts. Sells encouraged students to rely on God, ask boldly and often and trust in the gifts God gives.
“The words of Jesus remind us that you do not live in an indifferent universe governed by chance,” Sells told the graduates. “Your Heavenly Father knows your name, your needs and your future. The God who led you here goes with you.”
Dr. Justin Hardin, vice president for academic affairs and professor of biblical studies, presented the degree candidates. Sells then conferred the degrees and recognized graduates who would be commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
Ouachita Baptist University, a Christian liberal arts university, is in its 140th year. This year, Ouachita celebrated being named Niche’s Best Small College in Arkansas and AY Magazine’s Best Private College. Learn more about the university’s highly personal approach, reflected in a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, at www.obu.edu.
The full Commencement program with a list of all graduates can be found here.
Photos by Matthew Correll, Levi Dade, Noah Gulley and Evie Stake. Pictured below are the graduate students (left) and undergraduate students (right) who participated in Commencement.
VIEW AND DOWNLOAD CEREMONY PHOTOS
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VIEW THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY video
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