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Ouachita Baptist University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
410 Ouachita St.
Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998
Phone
(870) 245-5000
School Information
"As a nationally ranked liberal arts university, there’s no doubt you’ll get a great education at Ouachita. But did you know your preparation reaches beyond lectures and textbooks? Our low 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio means personal connections with professors and no impersonal lecture halls. It also means networking opportunities that could help launch your future career. You’ll engage with students from across the nation and around the world who bring their diverse backgrounds and passions with them to share. Add to the mix faculty members and guest lecturers who are top scholars in their fields, and you’ll leave here prepared for reasoned engagement with the world. Not sure what you want to study? No pressure. Our unique “Discover” program will help you find the right major for you" (Source: https://obu.edu/). Founded in 1886, Ouachita Baptist University has a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. The university offers over 60 academic programs with a total undergraduate enrollment of over 1,600.
General Information
The university has created Multicultural Student Programs. In addition, the school now offers its Social Justice Studies Program. Several courses discussing race and diversity are offered, especially for students studying Education. At this time, no mandatory critical race training is required. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • One of the undergraduate learning goals is to gain "appreciation for cultural diversity and development of intercultural competence for constructive engagement in both local and global contexts."
  • The Education Studies Minor requires all students to take a class in "Teaching Students from Multilingual and Diverse Backgrounds."
Program and Research Funding
  • On November 22, 2021, the university highlighted a student who was a recipient of the $25,000 Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship awarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation in order "to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and access for dietetics students to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the field."
  • On June 19, 2020, the school announced, "Ouachita Baptist University has established the Annie Abrams Living Legacy Award, a new scholarship to recognize black students."
  • The University established the "Annie Abrams Living Legacy Award," a $2,500 scholarship to "recognize black students." The University President stated, “This scholarship is another step by Ouachita to do more in advancing racial justice and human dignity by further investing in black student leaders.”
Resources
  • On June 4, 2020, the university released an article on "practical things you can do to take a stand against racial injustice."
  • The university's Multicultural Student Programs "provides support for students of color on campus through academic initiatives, cultural enrichment programs, student organizations, and connecting students to the alumni network."
  • On July 22, 2020, in response to how, "this summer, millions of Americans and people from dozens of countries posted to social media, marched, and signed petitions against systematic racism," the University created its Social Justice Studies Program.
Symbolic Actions
  • The University hired Dr. Lewis Shepherd, Jr. as a "special assistant to the president" and "is devoted to advancing racial diversity." Dr. Shepherd has stated, “I want to help everyone associated with Ouachita and our community understand racial diversity and its impact.”
  • The 2024-2025 handbook states, "We promote a vibrant community strengthened by diversity, sustained by common aims and supportive relationships, and committed to leadership and service on campus and beyond."
Last updated August 2nd, 2024
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