Former Ouachita Baptist University president, Dr. Ben M. Elrod, speaks at the dedication of the new Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community.
Ouachita Baptist University last week dedicated the new Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community.
Dr. Ben M. Elrod was the university’s 13th president, serving from 1988 to 1998. He created the center in 1997 to facilitate public service and community engagement by Ouachita students, faculty and staff.
Trustees named the Elrod Center in his honor following his retirement.
The new two-story office complex at the corner of 6th and Cherry streets on the Ouachita campus features the Heflin Community Room, named in honor of the Heflin family, including special appreciation to Sharon Heflin, who chaired the fundraising committee for the new facility.
Other named rooms include the Whipple Conference Room, named in honor of Ross and May Whipple, who have supported the work of the Elrod Center since its inception; and the Palmer Conference Room ,named in honor of Gordon and Melbaree Palmer, friends of Dr. and Mrs. Elrod, who wished to honor their service to Ouachita.
“This beautiful building is like a dream come true,” Elrod said in a news release. “It will be a worthy house for the home of the center.”
The new center also includes several staff offices as well as a reception area and kitchen facilities.
“You can tell it’s an event honoring Dr. and Mrs. Elrod because it’s standing room only,” Jay Heflin, chairman of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, said.
In 2014, center programs including ElderServe, America Reads, America Counts and Tiger Serve Day had more than 2,100 volunteers.
“Dr. and Mrs. Elrod shine a beacon for all of us to follow. Their example has been lighting the way for others on Ouachita’s campus for decades,” Heflin said. “Dr. and Mrs. Elrod have exemplified service above self.”
Ouachita President Rex Horne described Elrod as “a man who showed great courage, great wisdom and continues to do so on behalf of Ouachita.”
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