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Ouachita’s Huckabee School of Education earns national accreditation

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Ouachita Baptist University’s Huckabee School of Education received its accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). To earn this accreditation, university education programs must meet nationally recognized standards that ensure excellence in educator preparation programs.

“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said Dr. Christopher Koch, president of CAEP. “Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”

A CAEP team reviewed the department’s self-study and other materials prior to visiting Ouachita’s campus last March. After the team submitted its report to a national committee, faculty members completed the process in October at a Washington D.C. meeting with CAEP officials. CAEP then sent a letter to Ouachita President Ben Sells indicating that Ouachita’s teacher education program had met all standards.

“I am immensely proud of the outstanding work done by each member of the education faculty and of the quality of our students,” said Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the Huckabee School of Education. “It was truly a team effort to respond to the CAEP standards in the ever-changing field of education with clear evidence of the success of teacher education at Ouachita. The time devoted to this process and the positive spirit in which the work was done demonstrate the dedication of the faculty to their students and the field of education.”

CAEP is the sole nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles: solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

Ouachita’s Huckabee School joins 42 other providers that earned CAEP accreditation this fall. Overall, 101 preparation providers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have received CAEP accreditation.

Danny Prescott resigns after 14 years as Ouachita head volleyball coach

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Coach Danny Prescott, who has served as Ouachita Baptist University’s head volleyball coach for 14 seasons, has announced his resignation effective Dec. 31.

“I am grateful to David Sharp for the opportunity to coach a sport I love at my alma mater, to which I have been fortunate to invest 23 years in various capacities,” Prescott said. “While I am extremely proud of the athletic and academic successes of the teams during my tenure and foresee many years of continued growth, I feel God’s calling to devote more time to my loving wife, Amber, and the development of our three amazing children.

“I would like to thank the entire Ouachita family for their support during this journey, especially my assistant coaches, student athletes and the families who have contributed to the advancement of the OBU volleyball program. I pray that God will continue to be glorified through the endeavors of each life impacted through this special place.”

“I am deeply grateful for the 14 years Coach Prescott has led our volleyball team,” said Athletic Director David Sharp. “He has raised the bar in regards to Ouachita volleyball in the Great American Conference, competing for and this year winning the GAC championship. He and his teams have always represented Ouachita well on the court, in the classroom and in the community. We wish Danny well as he spends more time with his family.”

During his 14-year career as head volleyball coach, Prescott amassed 208 wins and compiled an overall 58.5 percent winning record since the Tigers joined the NCAA Division II Great American Conference in 2011. Prescott was named the 2016 GAC Volleyball Coach of the Year after leading his team to a share of the regular season conference championship with a career high 23-7 record (12-4 GAC). His teams have advanced to the GAC Championship Tournament every year since 2011.

Many of Coach Prescott’s players have represented Ouachita volleyball with distinguished awards, including:

· Kori Bullard, GAC Scholar Athlete of the Year (2016)
· Ashley Wake, Daktronics/D2CCA All-Region Team (2016)
· Tabatha Huckabee, GAC All-Tournament Team (2016)
· Stormi Leonard, GAC Setter of the Year (2016)
· Adrianna Nolly, GAC Freshman of the Year (2016)
· Abby Pickett, GAC Player of the Year (2015)
· Breanne Garrett, Gulf South Conference All-Decade Team (2004-2007) and GSC Freshman of the Year (2004)

Prescott emphasized the importance of scholastic achievement with his student athletes. He led the GAC with the most players named to the Academic All-Conference Teams with 37 (2011-2016), and produced six GAC Distinguished Scholar Athletes, two GAC Elite Scholar Athletes, one GAC Scholar Athlete of the Year, two Capital One Academic All-District Team members and one CoSIDA Division II Academic All-American.

Coach Sharp said the university will begin a search immediately to select a new volleyball coach. For information about the search process, contact David Sharp at sharpd@obu.edu or 870-245-5181.

Williams Launches Presidential Search Process

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The presidential search process has begun at Williams Baptist College. Dr. Bob Magee, chair of the presidential search committee, says Williams is now accepting applications and nominations for the seventh president of the institution, which is transitioning to Williams Baptist University.

“We are currently not governed by a set timeline, that is, with a deadline to find a president. We want to proceed with serious candidates and be divinely led until someone’s name surfaces,” said Magee, who is professor of music and chair of the Department of Fine Arts at Williams.

The search committee was assembled by J.R. Cox of Walnut Ridge, who chairs the Williams Board of Trustees, after Dr. Tom Jones announced that he was resigning the presidency to take a position in California. Cox will serve as an ex officio member of the search committee.

Other members of the committee are: Amber Grady, dean of students and a 2003 Williams graduate; board member John Hill of Jonesboro, CEO of Sulcer Rentals; board member Dr. Johnny Hutchison of Jonesboro, pastor of Highland Drive Baptist Church; board member Dr. Heather Moore of Cabot, a physician and 2003 Williams graduate; Dr. Ann Paterson, Nell I. Mondy Professor and chair of the WBC Department of Natural Sciences; Jeff Rider, WBC director of athletics and a 1985 graduate; and board member Dave Russell of Jonesboro, CEO of TEKLA Research.

The search committee has put a presidential search website together on the Williams home page, with detailed information about the university and a listing of leadership characteristics that are sought in the next president. The list details the temperament, experience and leadership skills desired in the university leader.

“Keeping in mind the leadership characteristics outlined in the search profile, we are looking for someone who can respond and react favorably to these. More importantly, we are seeking someone who feels divinely led to this university and not just a personal desire to be a president somewhere,” Magee noted.

The committee chair said there is a heavy responsibility involved with the group’s task, but he feels such pressure can be productive.

“There is naturally a certain amount of pressure that comes with this kind of responsibility. However, we do not want to work under what I call ‘negative’ effects of pressure that tend to produce frustration, sometimes panic. We prefer the ‘positive’ pressure that leads to excitement and anticipation of finding a president,” he said.

More information on the Williams presidential search, including application and nomination instructions, can be found at williamsbaptistcollege.com/presidential-search.

JBU Professor Named Emerging Public Intellectual for Literary Work

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Wilson Selected to Complete Flannery O’Connor Novel

Jessica Wilson

Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson, JBU associate professor of creative writing, received the 2017 Emerging Public Intellectual Award from The Center of Christian Scholarship.

Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson, JBU associate professor of creative writing, received the 2017 Emerging Public Intellectual Award from The Center of Christian Scholarship. The $5,000 award, sponsored and adjudicated by leading intellectuals in Cardus, the Action Institute, the Center for Public Justice, the Henry Institute and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, recognizes emerging scholars in Christian academy who are making a public impact.

One of the major contributions Wilson is making is through her work to complete Flannery O’Conner’s unfinished novel, “Why Do the Heathen Rage” for publication. Approved for the honour by O’Connor’s estate in 2015, Wilson received a grant from Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought, funded by the Templeton Religion Trust, to complete the work.

Selected as one of four Visiting Fellows per semester, Wilson is residing at Biola University for the fall 2017 semester and incorporating this year’s theme “Suffering & the Good Life” into her scholarship, research and writing. This fellowship will help Wilson prepare critical comments on O’Connor’s unfinished novel as it deals with suffering. Wilson will submit the novel to O’Connor’s estate by June 1, 2018 and will present her research at the annual Table Conference on “Suffering and Flannery O’Connor.”

“Biola University’s Center for Christian Thought recognizes the necessity of the intellectual pursuits of goodness, beauty and truth as ways of increasing the kingdom of Christ.” Wilson said. “Too many universities limit themselves to creating laborers and workers, whereas God called us

all to be lovers and worshippers with our lives. I’m excited to spend time somewhere that our eternal vocation is promoted and celebrated.”

The project fulfills one of Wilson’s lifelong dreams, allowing her to give back to someone she considers a writing mentor. As the editor, one of Wilson’s challenges is moving out of the way and keeping O’Conner’s voice strong throughout.

“I’ve been a devoted O’Connor student since I was fifteen years old. To be able to give back to the woman who gave me so much is a blessing in itself.” Wilson said.

The novel asks the universal question of what exactly it means to be a human and to return to God through the interactions of a civil rights activist without faith in God, and a recent convert who unable to see his way out of injustice.

“Suffering and the Good Life” is a theme close to Wilson’s heart and may be the topic of a future book based on the research she does this semester. At the end of her time at Biola, Wilson said she hopes “to understand more about how Christ works in and through suffering in the Christian’s life, how we see the truth of this in literature.”

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2018), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 41 states and 50 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.

Williams Students Lead Worship at Retreat

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Baptist Collegiate Ministries from all over Arkansas gathered in Conway this year for the annual BCM Fall Retreat, and the music was led by the student worship team from Williams Baptist College.

WBC’s worship team consisted of five students: Tyler Eudy, lead vocalist and guitarist; Hannah Cates, vocalist; Tabor McGraw, vocalist and drums; Hannah Estes, vocalist; and Jay Ferris, bass guitar. “The goal of leading worship is to not lead for ourselves but for the glory of the Lord,” says Eudy, “and I felt God’s presence in the room with all of us at retreat.”

The retreat, held at Cold Springs Retreat Center in September, was attended by approximately 200 students, including 40 from WBC. “This is always a great weekend for our students. To see a big group of college students coming together for one purpose is encouraging to myself and the students,” said Hayes Howell, director of campus ministries at Williams.

Dr. David James, team leader for college and youth leaders with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, was the speaker for the weekend. The retreat also consisted of some friendly competition with a sand volleyball tournament as well as several breakout sessions for the students to attend.

“My wife, Elizabeth, and I had the privilege of being the speakers for two of the breakout sessions, Battling Addictive Habits and Finding Balance in Relationships. The breakout sessions are a great way for students to hear from someone they don’t normally hear from about a topic that they need encouragement in,” said Howell.

The retreat is growing larger every year and the planning has already begun for the fall of 2018.

Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge, Ark. It will become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.

Williams Dedicates Belle Hall

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(Walnut Ridge, Ark.) – The ribbon has been cut and Belle Hall, the newest residential facility at Williams Baptist College, was officially dedicated Friday, December 1. The ceremony was held at the conclusion of Williams’s regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting.

The 43-bed women’s residence hall has been housing students throughout the fall semester.

“Belle Hall is not only necessary and useful for our growing campus, it is also beautiful. The wonderful facility elevates our entire campus, and we are blessed by the new structure,” said Dr. Kenneth Startup, interim president at Williams.

Belle Hall Ribbon Cutting

Cutting the ribbon. Left to right: Melanie McKuin (sophomore from Dexter, Mo.), Charles Snapp (mayor of Walnut Ridge), Lesa Walter (Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce), J.R. Cox (chairman of Williams board of trustees), John Thomison (Lawrence County judge), Jim Tom Butler, C.L. Clark (Clark General Contractors), Connie Belle Butler, Lois Ann Butler, Corbet Clark (Clark General Contractors), Jeff Herron (Brackett-Krennerich Architects), Dr. Kenneth Startup (Williams interim president), Tony Conley (director of Williams physical plant), Gabby Dixon (director of women’s residence), Ashley Lyons (junior from Vilonia, Ark.).

Belle Hall was made possible in part by a $500,000 gift from the Jim Tom Butler family of Harrisburg. Butler has been a member of the Williams Board of Trustees, and his family has supported the college for many decades. The name for Belle Hall comes from his wife, Connie Belle Butler, and her family, and has a rich history that extends many generations.

“The Butler family’s support and generosity for this institution reaches back decades. Now, the latest expression of their support and generosity carries the Butler family legacy into future generations. We are deeply, profoundly grateful.”

Members of the Butler family, local elected officials, and Williams board members were present at the dedication.

The $2.3 million project was constructed by Clark General Contractors of Walnut Ridge, and Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects of Jonesboro designed the building.

Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge, Ark. It will formally become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.

WBC Students on Mission

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Williams Baptist College students have been on mission this fall in Arkansas. In October, students served at the Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip in North Little Rock and also spent a weekend assisting New Faith Baptist Church in West Helena, Ark.

WBC sent 16 students to North Little Rock for the Acts 1:8 One Day Mission Trip. The event, which began in 2010, is hosted by the Arkansas State Baptist Convention. Each year Arkansas Baptists partner with local Baptist associations to spread the love of Christ through prayer walking, evangelism, children’s activities, block parties, home repairs/yard work, health/dental clinics, and much more. The students of WBC served through block parties and prayer walking.

Williams students also spent a weekend serving with a new church plant, New Faith Baptist Church, which began in April 2015 in West Helena, Ark. “It was a successful weekend. It gave the community the understanding that there are people who care about them,” said Izah Broadus, pastor of New Faith Baptist Church.

The Williams mission team hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, which included door prizes, grilling hot dogs, and a time of worship and testimonies. “I think the basketball tournament was successful and could grow into something bigger each year. No one is doing anything like that in the community,” added Broadus.

The students also led worship during the Sunday morning church service.

“This trip was one of the best I have been on. I loved seeing our students getting out of their comfort zones and showing the love of Jesus. It was such a blessing to be able to worship with Pastor Izah and New Faith. We will definitely be going back,” said Hayes Howell, director of campus ministries at WBC.

Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge, Ark. It will formally become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.

WBC Students Inducted into Mu Phi Epsilon

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Four students have been inducted into the Zeta Alpha chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity at Williams Baptist College.

The inductees were Tammy Hamilton of Maynard, Ark., Alexander Robbins of West Helena, Ark., Bethany Dorton of Judsonia, Ark., and Hannah Estes of Morrilton, Ark.

Mu Phi Epsilon is a coeducational, professional music fraternity founded in 1903. Its purpose is to advance the cause of music through the promotion of musicianship, scholarship, therapy and education, with an emphasis on service through music. The Zeta Alpha chapter at Williams is the 200th chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon.

The WBC Department of Music offers bachelor’s degrees in music, music education and church music.  Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge, Ark.  It will formally become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.

JBU Student Receives 2017 National Philanthropy Day Award

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Meg Mauldin

JBU Senior Meg Mauldin

John Brown University senior Meg Mauldin received the individual 2017 National Philanthropy Day Award in Youth in Philanthropy from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Northwest Arkansas Chapter. Mauldin, the first JBU student to be nominated and also to win, is being honored for her leadership of JBU’s Student Philanthropy Council (SPC), established fall 2016.

In its inaugural year, JBU’s SPC increased student participation in need-based giving projects by 100 percent, connected over 700 community members in philanthropic causes, educated JBU students on the importance of philanthropy, and in support of JBU fundraising campaigns helped to raise funds for the JBU Scholarship Fund.

“Winning the award requires individuals to commit to philanthropy by developing a program, volunteering, donating or exhibiting leadership to enrich the community in which he or she lives,” Lalanya Carson, coordinator of the JBU Scholarship Fund and student philanthropy, said. “I nominated Meg for the award because, over the last year, she has demonstrated all of these qualities phenomenally.”

In 2016, JBU’s University Advancement team established the SPC with the aim to inform and engage JBU students in lifelong philanthropy. Nominated by faculty to be a part of the SPC, Mauldin underwent a rigorous interview process to be named president of the council.

As president, Mauldin assembled a team of 10 students to serve the JBU community through volunteerism, education and fundraising. Her main goal was to increase participation in

philanthropy across campus, which first required educating and engaging JBU students in what philanthropy means and in the importance of giving.

“Philanthropy can often be misinterpreted as strictly giving money, but the end goal of philanthropy is to increase donor participation,” Mauldin said. “Without philanthropy, we wouldn’t have the buildings we are sitting in, workstudy salaries or the scholarship money to attend JBU. Philanthropists plant the seeds that catalyze generous donations, and we, as a student body, reap the rewards of their harvest.”

Mauldin’s major projects as president included establishing the Thank A Giver (TAG) Day for students to thank donors for their contributions to JBU; expanding JBU’s Founder’s Day enabling departments to come together to honor JBU founder, John E. Brown Sr., and his philanthropic sacrifices; and rebranding the Senior Project to encourage the entire campus to participate in need-based giving projects.

“It is a tremendous privilege to accept this philanthropy award as a student,” Mauldin said. “I couldn’t have accomplished anything without my fellow philanthropy council members. The SPC is making great strides in increasing philanthropic engagment at JBU, and I’m confident this is only the beginning of its accomplishments.”

Mauldin will be honored in Fayetteville, Arkansas at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m. in the Fayetteville Town Center.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions. Founded in 1960, AFP advances philanthropy by enabling people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising through its more than 31,000 members in 235 chapters throughout the world.