LITTLE ROCK — Ouachita Baptist University was named a top college in the South for the third year in a row, and its administrators, professors and students believe they know why.
"OBU garnered this award because of its ability to keep tuition relatively affordable to comparable private universities," Student Senate President Stephen Johnson said. "Its constant efforts to improve the university bothaesthetically as well as the quality oflife and the high academic standards are complemented with a low studentteacher ratio."
Ouachita was ranked as the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South by U.S. News & World Report and itwas also named as the No. 1 "GreatSchools, Great Prices" Baccalaureate College in the South for the second year in a row.
"We are most pleased to be recognized for the third straight year as the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South," Dr. Rex Horne Jr., OBU president, said.
"The rankings found in U.S. News & World Report are anticipated each year. This is a great honor for everyone associated with the university. All who study and serve Ouachita welcomethis news and welcome the recognition our university receives because of these rankings. We have a great legacy and an exciting present."
Dr. Jeff Root, dean of the School of Humanities, said it is an honor to be well-regarded among his peers for three years.
"We have consistency in the kind of students and faculty we can attract, so we expect the university tocontinue to be strong," Root said. "We're also working hard to emphasize the importance of a well-rounded liberal arts education coupled with attention to careers. Our programs are designed to build skills necessary for students to obtain their first job and the kind of critical thinking ability that will lead to promotions.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the annual survey of more than 1,400 colleges and universities includes "date from each college for up to 15 indicators of academic excellence. These indicators include input measures that reflect a school's student body, its faculty and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educatingstudents."
Ouachita is the only university in Arkansas to earn a No. 1 rating among the major categories. The university's top results come among 96 baccalaureate schools in a 12-state region that stretches from Arkansas to Florida.
It also ranked among thetop five baccalaureate schools in the South in graduation rate.
OBU offers majors in seven academic schools in the disciplines of business, Christian studies, education, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.
Senior Holland Powell said, "I believe that Ouachita received this award not only because of the student educational and social experience during their four years at school, but because of the amazing potential that students have for jobs and ministry positions after they graduate ...," he said.
"The professors at Ouachita, no matter what area of study, care about the student's performance in the classroom and outside the classroom," Holland said. "I love that I have been able to build meaningful relationships with some of my professors. I also love the many different ministries that are available for students to be involved in, such as Japanese Bible study, which I have been part of all four years."
For t he "Great Schools, Great Prices" rankings, U.S. News and World Report indicated that "the higher the qualityof the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal." It also said "the most significant values are among colleges that are above-average academically."
"Ouachita has a long-standing commitment to offer quality academic programs and dynamic opportunities for growth in a supportive, learning community," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Stan Poole. "Students thrive in such an environment, developing qualities of mind and character that serve them well when they enter the work force or go on to pursue further education."
Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September issue of U.S. News & World Report.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 129, 133 on 08/30/2009