ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—Challenging Ouachita Baptist University’s graduating class of 2011 to “use what you have gained here in service of God and humankind wherever you may go in this needy world,” President Rex M. Horne, Jr., presided over the university’s 124th spring commencement exercises May 14.
University officials conferred a total of 263 degrees, including 227 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 23 Bachelor of Science degrees, eight Bachelor of Music degrees and five Bachelor of Music Education degrees. The Saturday morning service, held on the lawn of Ouachita’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall, was part of the university’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration.
Ouachita’s 2011 graduating class featured more than 100 honor graduates, including 20 who graduated summa cum laude with a grade point average of 3.95 or higher, 39 who graduated magna cum laude (3.75 GPA) and 49 who graduated cum laude (3.5 GPA). University officials also recognized 12 graduates who completed Ouachita’s Carl Goodson Honors Program and 21 members of the Alpha Chi national honor society.
Two graduates of Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies who earned 4.0 GPAs read Scripture during the commencement ceremony: Caitlin Chapman of Van Buren, Ark., and Leasha May of Spring, Texas.
Dr. Byron Eubanks, professor of philosophy and director of the Sutton Center for Integrity, served as commencement marshal. Dr. Horne also recognized two honorary marshals: Dr. George Keck, professor emeritus of music, and Mrs. Mary Worthen, assistant professor emerita of music, both of whom retired at the conclusion of the academic year.
“We recognize our debt to the two of you,” President Horne told Keck and Worthen. “You have made us better people and you have made this university greater, and we thank you for that.”
In his remarks to the graduating class, Dr. Horne recounted recent news events ranging from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and tornadoes and flooding in the U.S. to the death of Osama bin Laden. Such events, he acknowledged, “do not give graduates what would seem to be a warm welcome into this world in 2011.”
“So I’m here this morning with several questions on my mind,” he said. “Have we met our stated mission? Have you been prepared? Are you ready to leave here for whatever is next in your life? And as I have pondered these questions, I have come to an enthusiastic ‘yes.’”
Dr. Horne reminded graduates that “you have received a first-rate education. Your minds have been challenged and instructed. You have grown intellectually. Your hearts have been touched and many of you would say your hearts have been changed; you’ve been touched spiritually.
“So I would say you are prepared and you’re ready to face the world as it is in 2011. And I would go further in saying that with all the challenges that you face, what an ideal time to go out and to make a difference.
“May our work always be an act of service and worship,” he concluded. “So class of 2011, I simply say to you, make it so. And may God bless you as you go from this place.”
A video of Saturday’s commencement exercises is available on the university website at www.obu.edu/broadcast.
