Latest news with #ArkansasBaptistCollege
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ouachita Baptist University president receives overwhelming ‘no confidence' vote from faculty
AKRADELPHIA, Ark. – The president of Ouachita Baptist University received poor reviews from university faculty in a vote this week with the majority voting 'no confidence' in his continued ability to lead the university. In what was a 52-21 vote initiated by a member of the university's faculty on Tuesday, one former employee who spoke with our team on a condition of anonymity said there were multiple instances of 'abuses of power' and 'lack of shared governance' that lead to the vote. Ouachita Baptist University student performer becomes finalist in Broadway World Competition in New York City 'If we did not fall in line in terms of political views, religious views and it wasn't perfectly in line with what Ben Sells wanted then it was deemed not acceptable,' the former employee said. 'And he would want to get rid of you.' The former employee described Sells as having an 'extremely anti-queer agenda.' Citing a play that took place on campus that 'had some aspects of homosexuality' and though it was not the focus of the play its performance 'led to the demise of the theatre department.' 'Anybody who was supportive in any way of our students on campus who were lesbian, gay, transgender he immediately disliked,' the former employee said. 'He also implemented anti-queer policies into the student handbook that would make it an offense that could get you expelled.' That student handbook policy, the former employee said, was that students could not engage in 'relations that are homosexual' and that you could not be 'transgender' on campus. The former employee said during her time teaching in the psychology department, they focused on sexuality and gender identity and said Sells told her that if what she was teaching 'did not align with the university' she would lose her academic freedom to teach those topics. 'It doesn't make for a healthy place for faculty members to be, there's a lot of manipulation of being overworked and underpaid and gaslighted,' that employee said. 'He denies the opportunity to address issues because he doesn't agree with them.' Arkansas Baptist College president Dr. Leslie McClellon resigns Sell, in a public statement, Thursday did not take any question related to the vote of no confidence. 'Everyone at Ouachita shares the same goal, we want an academically excellent and distinctly Christian education,' Sells said. 'Sometimes in reaching that goal you're going to have disagreements about that and I respect the input from students, parents and staff, alumni and churches who all care deeply about Ouachita and at time like this it's going to be more intentional to do that.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas Baptist College president Dr. Leslie McClellon resigns
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – On Monday evening, Arkansas Baptist College said that president Dr. Leslie McClellon has resigned from her position at the school. McClellon took over as president at the institution on Nov. 1, 2024. In a release announcing McClellon's resignation, ABC officials also highlighted that the school is facing 'extreme financial challenges,' citing a decline in enrollment. 'We are grateful for Dr. McClellon's efforts,' Board Chairman Bill Walker said in accepting McClellon's resignation. 'However, we must immediately change the trajectory of this historic institution if we are to survive and thrive again. We are currently facing extreme financial challenges. We must recommit this institution to the mission of serving those who would not otherwise be served, or the doors of this college will be forever closed.' Arkansas Baptist College employees say there's been delays in paychecks, officials say it's being 'addressed' In the statement, the school said that 'Recent news media coverage regarding financial challenges at ABC are rooted in a decline of enrollment to the lowest the College has seen since 2006,' after some in Dec. 2024 that they and others hadn't been paid since Oct. 31. ABC officials said the school's board has asked that former ABC employee Dr. George Hertz to serve as interim president. 'The college's previous successes in rebounding from significant fluctuations in enrollment is evidence of the significant demand and critical need for the purpose driven, quality education ABC delivers to the communities it serves,' Hertz said. 'No other institution in America is as committed to its students before, during, and after their time at ABC as our faculty, staff, alumni, and donors. ABC has consistently provided a quality educational program delivered in an environment of understanding and compassion that welcomes and supports our students no matter their circumstances. Once again, l expect ABC to respond appropriately, not only surviving but thriving as we continue to meet the needs of those we serve.' Arkansas Baptist College honors student who lost life to gun violence Arkansas Baptist College is a private college that was founded in 1884 as the Minister's Institute and is the only historically black Baptist college west of the Mississippi River. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
