Ouachita Development
The Office of Development seeks to walk alongside alumni and friends to help connect your passion and philanthropic gifts to advancing the mission of Ouachita. Through investment in the students and programs at Ouachita, donors create a legacy for current and future generations of Tigers. Without the loyal and faithful gifts of alumni, friends, students and employees alike, we would not be able to serve and grow in this Christ-advancing mission called Ouachita.
Ouachita seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning in students through Christ-centered learning and living. Your gifts are an investment in the advancement of this goal. Please explore the giving opportunities below or contact one of our staff members to learn more about how you can partner with Ouachita.
test%
Of Students Receive Financial Assistance
test
Legacy Students Receive Scholarships Through the Cornerstone Fund
test
Students Receive Funds from Endowed Scholarships
test
Scholarships Awarded to Children of Ministers & Missionaries Through the Cornerstone Fund
Ways To Give
Please make checks payable to Ouachita Baptist University.
Ouachita Baptist University
Office of Development
OBU Box 3754
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
If you would like to deliver your gift personally while visiting campus, come see us in Cone-Bottoms Suite 340. Ouachita Baptist University Development offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).
Giving Opportunities
A gift to the Ouachita Cornerstone Fund will help build fundamental strength throughout the university. As we work to reach and influence every student, we can guide the course with which they serve our world and contribute to the enduring purposes of our faith. In keeping with our biblical principles, we looked to Ephesians 2:20 as it states “Jesus Christ is our chief cornerstone.”
Those who annually give to Ouachita create a living endowment that strengthens our university and enriches the lives of all Ouachita students. So many through these 130+ years have given so selflessly and lovingly. Without them, we would not be where we are today, nor would we be able to continue to imagine ways that we can better serve the highest of all purposes that Christian higher education represents.
When you make a gift to the Ouachita Cornerstone Fund, you are giving to make a difference...
...in the lives of our students. The Cornerstone Fund supports student scholarships such as the Legacy Scholarship for children of former students and scholarship assistance for children of ministers and missionaries.
...in a commitment to our faculty. The Cornerstone Fund supports research projects and innovative learning experiences for all students that include travel and professional conferences.
...in the students' experience at a Christ-centered residential campus. The Cornerstone Fund directly supports the initiatives of our community and Christian leadership ministries as well as student development activities and programs that enrich and build the residential community experience.
For additional information, contact our Cornerstone Fund Director, Brant Matros at matrosb@obu.edu, or the Development Office at development@obu.edu.
For over 130 years, in the spirit of founding Ouachita President J.W. Conger, faithful and generous Ouachita alumni and friends have invested in the students, programs and buildings necessary to advance the mission of Ouachita.
We want to honor those donors who give $1,000 or more annually in the fiscal year to the Cornerstone Fund as Conger Club members. We honor those who make a difference in the lives of current and future Ouachita students and programs.
In recognition of your leadership giving, the Office of Development offers early access tickets to important events like Tiger Tunes, along with special invitations throughout the academic year. We also honor Conger Club members with a donor recognition Christmas ornament each fall.
Conger Club GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) receive the same benefits by giving $25 per month or $300 per fiscal year.
To find out your donations to date or for more information, contact the Office of Development at (870) 245-5169 or development@obu.edu. To give today, visit obu.edu/give.
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) saves money, creates income streams and reduces taxes. A CGA is a helpful way for you to achieve your personal and philanthropic goals. The annuity provides you and your family with regular, lifetime payments as well as a variety of tax benefits. A CGA provides Ouachita future funding for areas of our greatest needs such as scholarships, advancing our spiritual mission and ensuring high impact learning opportunities for all students.
Your CGA with Ouachita will:
• Give you an income stream at high, fixed annual rates that never change.
• Give you a charitable tax deduction for part of the funding amount.
• Allow you to spread out capital gains over multiple years.
• Provide you with secure lifetime payments.
• Automatically support Ouachita’s mission after you have received a lifetime of payments.
If you are interested in learning how a CGA can benefit Ouachita and your family, please contact Brant Matros at matrosb@obu.edu or 870-245-4273.
For more than 130 years, Ouachita Baptist University has combined a love of God with a love of learning as we direct students toward lives of intellectual and spiritual growth. In those years, many planned and estate gifts have helped to ensure that mission continues.
Estate planning and planned gifts provide financial flexibility and tax benefits, while giving you creative opportunities to support your financial and charitable goals. Planned gifts are an important way you can help advance the mission of Ouachita and impact current and future students.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Terry Peeples, vice president for development, at peeplest@obu.edu or 870-245-5169 or Dillon McClain at the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, our planned and estate giving partner, at dillon@abf.org or 501-376-4791 Ext. 5907. To learn more about various options of planned giving click on the link below.
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships provide financial aid that enables many students to choose Ouachita. These endowments are a living testimony of those who are committed to supporting students, Ouachita and Christian higher education.
Individuals, families, churches, foundations or groups of donors with similar passions can create endowed scholarships to honor someone, such as a friend, family member, beloved pastor or treasured professor. The donor names and develops the criteria for award and records that information in the scholarship agreement. Awards are made based on the agreement and with the assistance of the University Scholarship Committee.
Endowed scholarships create a permanent fund in which the principal remains invested and the earnings on the principal are distributed according to the Ouachita Baptist University Board of Trustees endowment policy.
If you would like to know more about how to establish an endowed scholarship, please contact the Office of Development at (870) 245-5169 or development@obu.edu.
Endowed Chairs
Few gifts provide a more enduring and inspiring monument than the establishment of an endowed academic chair of instruction. The endowed chair may bear the name of the donor(s) or someone of the donor’s choice. The position is distinguished by name in Ouachita publications, as well as being part of the title when referring to the distinguished professor who holds the chair at that particular time.
Endowed chairs are awarded to professors who are prominent in their fields, outstanding teachers, and who have demonstrated exceptional ability in their selected discipline. The endowment is used to help meet the expenses of the professor’s office, including salary and research costs. The endowed chair will be recognized by the memorial/honoraria name in perpetuity.
If you would like to know more about how to establish an endowed chair, please contact the Office of Development at (870) 245-5169 or development@obu.edu.
Faculty and staff come together each day to impact students and advance the mission of Ouachita. You are a part of every student’s story, and you are the foundation for making the university and this community a Christ-honoring campus of academic excellence.
Over the 136 years at Ouachita, faculty and staff have also made a major difference in the life of the university through their generous financial support. Not only do your gifts help current student and your programs it also shows alumni, friends, corporations, foundations and others that you believe in and support the mission of Ouachita.
Faculty/staff giving percentage currently stands at 32%.
Ways to give to Ouachita:
- To sign up for payroll deduction, contact Jana Hardage at 870-245-4280 or hardagej@obu.edu. By giving monthly to a designated area you provide a steady stream of support to the fund or funds of your choice. It is an easy way to make gifts that build up over time, with no need for reminders.
- Give online at obu.edu/give. Designate the area of your gift in the "notes" field.
- Renew your car tags and choose the Ouachita tag. It looks good and advances the Ouachita brand. This contributes $25 to the Ouachita scholarship fund, and you are counted in faculty and staff giving percentages.
There are many ways to support Ouachita and the students we serve. Gifts of appreciated securities (stocks, bonds or mutual funds) will not only impact the Kingdom work at Ouachita today but also may provide a tax saving for you and your family.
Donating shares of stock in-kind to Ouachita is a great way to save on capital gains tax. Plus, you are still eligible to deduct the fair-market value of the asset you donated, up to the overall amount allowed by the IRS and/or your state taxing agency.
For more information on donating gifts of appreciated securities, please contact Terry Peeples, Vice president for Development at peeplest@obu.edu or by phone at 870.245.5169.
For instructions on stock gifting and other ways to support Ouachita, click on the following link: www.abf.org/resources/.
FORE Ouachita Golf Tournament
Since 2009, the FORE Ouachita golf tournament has raised more than $598,000 for scholarships at Ouachita and, as an added bonus, hundreds of Ouachita alumni and friends gather each year to enjoy a day of renewed friendships, networking and fellowship that strengthens the Ouachita circle. To learn more how you or your business can continue to strengthen Ouachita through this fundraising event, click the button below.
Stepping Up for Ouachita
Since 2010, the Stepping up for Ouachita event has raised more than $686,000 for scholarships to assist outstanding Ouachita women. Ouachita serves a diverse body of more than 1,500 students representing more than 30 states and 30 countries. The need and success of SUFO are seen in the fact that 51% of the student body at Ouachita are women.
The annual luncheon honors one or more outstanding Ouachita women who have lived the mission and vision of Ouachita by combining a love of God with a love of learning in their lives while directing others toward lives of intellectual and spiritual growth.
By investing in Stepping Up for Ouachita, you are investing directly in women’s lives and their collegiate experiences. To learn more how you or your business can continue to strengthen Ouachita through this fundraising event, click the button below.
GET IN TOUCH
Have a question about giving to Ouachita? Want more information? Shoot our development team a message!