Ouachita Baptist University history

President Conger’s administration saw the construction of a number of buildings, including Old Main in 1888.

During his tenure, the faculty expanded from six to 26, enrollment more than doubled to 476 and the graduating class increased to 34 in 1907.

In 1965 the college changed its name to Ouachita Baptist University.

The tenure of Ouachita’s eleventh president, Doctor Ralph Phelps, Jr., saw a revised and expanded curriculum, the introduction of a graduate program, doubling of Ouachita’s endowment and a then-record enrollment of 1,881 in 1966.

In 1970, Doctor Daniel R. Grant, who grew up as the son of Ouachita’s eighth president, followed in his father’s footsteps.

In October 1996, the Ouachita Board of Trustees voted to resume responsibility for trustee selection, as prescribed in the institution’s original charter.

Tradition of Service: Since 1997, Ouachitonians have volunteered more than 80,000 hours as part of Tiger Serve Day, a semi-annual community service event

“An institution such as Ouachita is a living entity, created afresh by each generation,” reflected Doctor Elrod, who has served since 1998 as university chancellor. “It is exciting to view a new Ouachita being built on the foundation of the past.”

Doctor Rex M. Horne, Jr., was named by the Board of Trustees to become the 15th president of Ouachita, effective June 1, 2006.

President Horne facilitated Ouachita’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration in 2011, including launching the university’s 125th anniversary “Defining the Difference” capital campaign.