Karen Graduates Recall Journey of Mercies and Miracles
4 hours ago • May 13, 2021
By Larry Isch
A journey of mercies and miracles.
That’s how University of the Ozarks graduating seniors Aye Aye and Paw Moo Lar described their pathway from a refugee camp in Thailand to soon-to-be college graduates.
Aye (pictured, left) and Lar will be among 148 graduates from the University’s Class of 2021 who will walk across the stage on Saturday to receive their college diploma. But their story is unlike any other.
The two close friends are Karen, an ethnic group from Burma (Myanmar), many of whom fled the country due to religious and ethnic persecution by the government. For more than 20 years many Karen have migrated to Thailand, settling in United Nations refugee camps on the Thailand–Myanmar border.
Spring Commencement to Honor Largest Class in University History
5 hours ago • May 12, 2021
By Larry Isch
Posted in About
University of the Ozarks will graduate the largest class in its 187-year history during the 2021 Spring Commencement ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 15.
The in-person ceremony, which is limited to ticketed guests, will begin at 10 a.m. on the University’s soccer field. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m.
The ceremony will be livestreamed on the University’s Facebook page and Youtube channel.
The Class of 2021 includes 148 candidates for graduation. In addition, approximately 25 graduates from the Class of 2020 have chosen to participate in the event since the University had to cancel last year’s ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Virtual Baccalaureate Set for May 14
2 days ago • May 11, 2021
By Larry Isch
Posted in About
University of the Ozarks will present a virtual Baccalaureate service at 5 p.m., Friday, May 14, as part of its Spring 2021 Commencement Week events.
The service will be livestreamed and available for viewing on the University’s Facebook page and Youtube channel.
A long-standing tradition at Ozarks, Baccalaureate is a one-hour service honoring the graduating class. The service will be led by University Chaplain Rev. Jeremy Wilhelmi.
The Rev. Wambugu Gachungi, a 2007 Ozarks graduate and the father of 2021 Ozarks graduate Vivien Wambugu, will deliver the sermon. Gachungi is the associate pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Professors Skinner, Hagaman Co-Author Paper for Nutrition Reviews
2 days ago • May 11, 2021
By Larry Isch
Posted in About
University of the Ozarks professors Dr. Chris Skinner and Dr. Joel Hagaman have collaborated on a recent paper that has been published by the academic journal,
Nutrition Reviews.
The article is titled,
“The Interplay of Western Diet and Binge Drinking on the Onset, Progression, and Outlook of Liver Disease,” and appears on the website of the journal “that specializes in the publication of authoritative and critical literature reviews on current and emerging topics in nutrition science, food science, clinical nutrition and nutrition policy.”
Dguidegue, Hunter Named Outstanding Faculty for 2021
May 10, 2021
Posted in About
University of the Ozarks faculty members Dr. Yassine Dquidegue and Dr. Isaac Hunter have been selected as the recipients of the 2021 Bagwell Outstanding Faculty Awards, it was announced Monday.
The awards were announced during the weekly campus-wide President’s Standup meeting via Zoom. The Bagwell Awards are named in memory of long-time University trustee Richard Bagwell and his wife, Katherene, and are given to two outstanding faculty members each year who are nominated by students, faculty and staff.
Dguidegue (pictured, left), who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri, has been an assistant professor of sociology at Ozarks since July of 2019.