ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (ABP) — Ouachita Baptist University trustees, meeting in executive session March 9, urged the OBU administration to explore the feasibility of launching a graduate program in theology.
The action came in the form of a resolution by a unanimous vote of the trustees.
“Resolved, that the members of the board of trustees instruct the administration to conduct a thorough review of factors necessary for the establishment of graduate programs,” the resolution said. “Specifically, attention should first be devoted to a possible program in theology, including the demand for such a program, enrollment expectations, course offerings and degree requirements, accreditation issues, costs to the university and likely charges to prospective students, the impact to other segments of the university, effect on denominational relations and a plan for securing external financial support. The information should be provided to the members of the board of trustees before the end of the 2006-07 academic year.”
“The motion authorizes only a feasibility study, but you can be sure our staff will be active in the months to come as they work their way through the details,” Andy Westmoreland, OBU's president, said.
Westmoreland, who was recently elected as president of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., said the resolution came as a joint recommendation from the administration and the trustee executive committee.
“The feasibility study is a good idea,” said Emil Turner, executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. “If such a degree program could help us have more trained pastors and church staff in Arkansas, it would be a valuable asset to Arkansas Baptists. A study should give some indication of the level of need for [a] master's program.”
Asked how soon a program could be launched, Westmoreland said he could give only a general prediction.
“An authoritative answer to that question could only come from the next administration, but I would assume it will take one year to complete the study, then at least a year to find the resources and assemble and promote the program. An optimistic view for initiating classes would be … two years down the road.”
Westmoreland believes such a program would provide positive benefits for OBU, allowing “some of our most talented students to remain at the institution as they pursue graduate study” and allowing the university “to be of even greater service to Arkansas Baptists in the years ahead.”
He indicated that in recent years, many Arkansas Baptists have encouraged the development of a graduate program in theology. Such encouragement was a primary factor in the decision to launch the feasibility study, he said.
“I believe our friends across the state will offer enthusiastic endorsement for the idea,” he said. “The delivery of theological education has changed in many ways over the past decade, with our Southern Baptist Convention seminaries launching undergraduate programs and many of our SBC-related universities initiating masters and even doctoral level work in theology.”
Westmoreland said a major focus of Ouachita's program would serve the needs of individuals who are called to vocational ministry and who need additional preparation.
“We would enter the field with the intention to provide this important service and to promote the harmony of Kingdom work,” Westmoreland said. “We have no hidden agenda.”
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