ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Volunteers who serve through the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family & Community at Ouachita Baptist University were recognized Tuesday, April 18, during the center’s annual University Community Service Awards banquet in Walker Conference Center on the Ouachita campus.
“The University Community Service Awards Celebration is a once-a-year gathering to honor Ouachita volunteers who have excelled in service to our community. Through the Elrod Center, these volunteers touch lives at many intersections serving children, teens, families, senior adults, individuals with disabilities, nonprofits, schools, churches and our campus,” said Judy Duvall, Elrod Center director. “This is a joyful night of celebration as we say ‘thank you’ to our volunteers for living a life of service to others.”
Leigh Anne McKinney, associate director, added, “The volunteer awards banquet is one of my favorite nights of the year. Having most of our volunteers in one space at the same time really gives a comprehensive picture of the breadth and depth of the Ouachita community’s impact on the community around us. The reach of our volunteers covers all ages and stations in life. It’s such a joy to be connected to this group.”
Each year, a student whose servant leadership honors the life and legacy of Dr. Ben Elrod is presented with the Cargill Leadership Award, established by Elrod’s longtime friend Dr. Bob Cargill. Isabella Bejarano, a junior elementary education major from Bogota, Colombia, received the 2023 Cargill Award in recognition of her service with ElderServe, the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team, Backyard Bible Club and the International Club.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve, because it has connected me to the Arkadelphia community and allowed me to meet people I would never have met if it weren’t for volunteering with the Elrod Center,” Bejarano said. “The Elrod Center staff brings a smile to my face every single day and always reminds me, through the way they live and their encouraging words, of the reasons we serve. I was so surprised to receive this award, and I am truly humbled to be deemed worthy of it.”
Duvall said, “Isabella has a deep love for God and a kind, compassionate heart. Many have been impacted for good under her wise and thoughtful leadership.”
Each year, Ouachita students, faculty and staff average a combined investment of more than 40,000 hours of volunteer service through programs facilitated by the Elrod Center. For more information, visit obu.edu/elrod or contact Judy Duvall at [email protected] or at (870) 245-5320.