Notable Alumni of Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU), a private Christian university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals in various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse contributions to politics, business, sports, ministry, and more.
Introduction to Ouachita Baptist University
Founded as Ouachita Baptist College on September 6, 1886, the university's name is derived from the Ouachita River, which borders the eastern side of the campus. Affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, OBU has a long-standing commitment to providing a liberal arts education grounded in Christian values. The university is organized into eight schools and colleges, including the Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business, the Michael D. Huckabee School of Education, and the Chesley and Elizabeth Pruet School of Christian Studies. OBU's sports teams, known as the Tigers, compete in the Great American Conference.
Prominent Alumni
Based on aggregated alumni prominence, EduRank Ouachita Baptist University is ranked 2198th in the world, 757th in North America, and 713th in the United States. The following list presents some of the most notable alumni, sorted by their Wikipedia page popularity.
Political Figures
Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Serving as the 47th governor of Arkansas since 2023, Sanders is a prominent figure in the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, she served as the 31st White House press secretary under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019, becoming only the third woman to hold the position. Sanders also played a key role as a senior advisor on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. As the daughter of Mike Huckabee, she continues a family legacy of political service in Arkansas.
Mike Huckabee: An American political commentator, Baptist minister, and former politician, Huckabee served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He sought the Republican Party presidential nomination in both 2008 and 2016, gaining national recognition for his conservative views.
Read also: A History of Ouachita Football
Janet Huckabee: Wife of Mike Huckabee, Janet Huckabee is a politician in her own right. She served as the First Lady of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007, overseeing a major remodel of the Arkansas Governor's Mansion. In 2002, she was a Republican nominee for Arkansas Secretary of State.
Steve Russell: A retired American soldier and former politician, Russell represented Oklahoma's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. Prior to his congressional service, he served in the Oklahoma Senate from 2009 to 2013.
Joyce Elliott: Elliott is an American politician from Arkansas. From 2009 to 2022, she was a member of the Arkansas Senate representing the 31st district. She previously served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Winston Bryant: An American politician and attorney, Bryant served as the Secretary of State of Arkansas (1977-1978), the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (1981-1991), and Arkansas Attorney General (1991-1999).
Catherine Dorris Norrell: Norrell was the third woman in Arkansas history to gain a seat in the United States House of Representatives.
Read also: Affording CBA Education
Legal Professionals
Harry E. Claiborne: Claiborne was a United States district judge for the District of Nevada from 1978 until his impeachment and removal in 1986. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter, he was only the fifth person in United States history to be removed from office through impeachment by the United States Congress.
Bobby Shepherd: Shepherd is a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He maintains chambers in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Sports Figures
Travis Jackson: An American baseball shortstop, Jackson played for the New York Giants from 1922 through 1936. He was a member of the 1933 World Series-winning team and represented the Giants in the 1934 MLB All-Star Game. After retiring as a player, Jackson managed in minor league baseball.
Aaron Ward: Ward was an American infielder who played for the New York Yankees (1917-1926), Chicago White Sox (1927), and Cleveland Indians (1928). He played ten seasons as a utility infielder for the Yankees, going to three straight World Series in 1921, 1922 and 1923.
Mel Wright: Melvin James Wright Jr. was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, pitching coach and scout. A native of Manila, Arkansas, who attended Ouachita Baptist University.
Read also: Oklahoma Baptist Football: A Look Back
Other Notable Alumni
Alyse Eady: An American news anchor and beauty pageant titleholder, Eady was Miss Arkansas 2010 and first runner-up at the Miss America 2011 pageant.
Doak Sheridan Campbell: Campbell served as president of Florida State College for Women and its successor, Florida State University, from 1941 to 1957. He oversaw the creation of the new coeducational university.
H. Dale Jackson: Reverend Dr. H. Dale Jackson was a Baptist minister, denominational leader, and ethicist. He is remembered for his efforts in promoting the distinctives of the Baptist faith.
Pamela Rouse Wright: An American philanthropist, businesswoman, and jewelry designer, Wright has served as the President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution since 2022.
Henry G. Bennett: Bennett was a prominent educational figure in Oklahoma, serving as president of both Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma State University. He was appointed by President Harry S. Truman as the first director of the Point Four Program.
James W. Kelly: Kelly was a rear admiral in the United States Navy and served as Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy from July 1965 to July 1970.
Lucien Abraham: Major General Lucien Abraham was an American college football coach who served as the Adjutant General of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955.
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