Alumni Stories: Jim, Darrell and Rob Potts

"Find a way." It’s a Potts family motto. And one they certainly needed for keeping Lewis & Clark Outfitters outdoor adventure stores open in Northwest Arkansas during a worldwide pandemic. New on the blog, alumni Jim, Darrell and Rob Potts share about adapting their business in order to survive.

Pandemic Profiles: Chester Mitchell, Sr., and Coleman Rogers

With nicknames like “double trouble” and “salt and pepper,” Chester Mitchell, Sr., and Coleman Rogers are the carpentry team for Facilities Management at Ouachita and are not only rarely seen apart but also good friends. With the work the duo had cut out for them last summer, any less than two sets of hands and a good sense of humor would have made overhauling campus with needed protective measures incredibly difficult.

Pandemic Profiles: Kari Ledford, Sodexo Retail and Marketing Manager

Consider providing three meals a day to Ouachita’s residential campus of roughly 1,500 students, physically distanced, observing the Arkansas Department of Health and CDC’s vigilant cleaning guidelines and all while keeping lines of hungry students moving. For Kari Ledford, Sodexo’s retail and marketing manager, and her team, their focus was always Ouachita students and their safety.

Pandemic Profiles: Kevin Herrington, Network Services Administrator

When Ouachita sent students home for an extended Spring Break in March of 2020, it took some by surprise. Thankfully, Ouachita's Kevin Herrington and the Office of IT Services had already been working on contingency plans for the possibility of remote learning.

Time-out: Sports media students score Zoom interviews with industry pros during global pause of athletics events

What do you do in Sports Journalism class when sports are cancelled, and what do you do in Broadcast Performance class when your students aren’t able to get into the studio or work with the equipment on campus? Thankfully, there was another group of people who were asking themselves the same questions – the professionals.

Rethinking student life: Virtual ideas to keep it social

If you think you’ve already done everything you could possibly do for fun using technology, here are a few suggestions you might not have tried yet.

Grasping a unique opportunity: Ouachita honor students Zoom with "The Good Place" actress D'Arcy Carden

The ending of this spring semester was anything but a typical Ouachita finals week. Instead of studying with friends and late night cinnamon rolls in the caf, students were preparing for tests from their childhood bedrooms and chatting with classmates over Zoom.

Contagious compassion and joy: Silver linings in the storm of COVID-19

It sometimes takes a good rainstorm to better appreciate the sunshine. There I was sitting in my 11 o’clock class on a Tuesday morning, just like normal. My professor walks in and first thing out of his mouth is, “What do y’all think are the chances of Ouachita going online right now?” That was the first time I thought this virus would actually affect Ouachita.

Struggling with motivation? Here are tips to help you

Struggling with motivation? Here are some tips from university counselor Dan Jarboe to help you.

Reflections on Psalm 46: Final thoughts

We will have times of trouble; of that we can be sure. We live in a broken, sinful world. We’re in the middle of a tough trial now with this coronavirus pandemic. But God has not left us alone. He is speaking to us profoundly in Psalm 46:1-11.

Telling your COVID story: A message from the university archivist

72 weeks. 504 days. 12,096 hours. The amount of time since COVID-19 quickly and dramatically changed life at Ouachita in the spring semester of 2021. We all have very clear memories of the week ending March 13. As the semester winds to a close at Ouachita, I ask for your help in documenting COVID-19 at Ouachita.

Pandemic Profiles: Kristi Seals and Kristin Kesterson, Ouachita's COVID-19 Testing Center

For many Ouachita students, the slightest sign of COVID-19 symptoms or the realization that they have been exposed to a positive case causes anxiety, naturally. But since students returned to campus for residential learning in August 2020, they have had two on-campus “mommas” to call for guidance: Kristin Kesterson and Kristi Seals.

Pandemic Profiles: Matt Douglass, Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs

After months of remote learning in the spring of 2020, Ouachita students were able to return to their physically-distanced classrooms and desks on campus in mid-August. One of the individuals who made on-campus learning possible is Dr. Matt Douglass, assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and institutional research analyst.

Pandemic Profiles: Randall Quillin, Building Services Supervisor

Remember at the onset of COVID-19 in the U.S. when toilet paper was impossible to find and hand sanitizer was out of stock? Imagine the demand for those supplies on a college campus, specifically at Ouachita. Thanks to the work of Randall Quillin, building services supervisor in Ouachita’s Office of Facilities Management, and his building services team, Ouachita was able secure needed supplies to return to on-campus classes.

20 COVID-friendly activities to try this semester

Now that you’re back on campus, it may be tough to reimagine your go-to activities and hanging out with your friends physically-distanced. So, let’s start fresh and change our perspective! Here are some activities and hobbies that you may have never done while a Ouachita student.

Facing this moment in history: Why your response matters

My – and perhaps your – experience with the pandemic has been fairly positive so far. But this has not been the case for everyone. Whether you are wanting to maximize this time or struggling with your experiences, I humbly offer the following words of encouragement and challenge.

A letter to parents of 2020 high school grads

What a challenging season we are in as parents of a 2020 high school senior. I have struggled with the loss of so many highly anticipated moments. Have you?

Thinking of lasts and greats

Senior spring semester is known to be a time of lasts and greats. Last spring break trip, last spring fling, last trip to the lake, last sleepovers with all your friends and final goodbyes. This departure was inevitable. Due to spread of COVID-19 we had to say our goodbyes early. Yes, it is a disappointing time; however, there is much to learn in this season.

"Prepare me to leave": Prayers for Ouachita, my old friend

I’ve started this post a few times in my head now, and I just cannot seem to find the words. There is so much I feel as if I should say. I could talk about the people I came to know and love these past four years, my roommates, teachers, and friends.

Reflections on Psalm 46: Stand empty

To finish the Psalm, God himself speaks. Is he speaking to the nations or to his people? It’s hard to tell exactly, but it seems to apply to both. In fact, God might just be speaking to all of creation, reminding us and them and the whole world that he alone is God!