Keisha Pittman, Ouachita Baptist University’s director of admissions counseling, was recently chosen by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Tri-Lakes Edition as one of the “20 to Watch in 2009.”
The Tri-Lakes staff chose 20 people “based on nominations from community leaders, chambers of commerce, churches and everyday folks who could see these people are making their communities a better place to live.” The nominations came from the region the Tri-Lakes edition covers, which includes Clark, Garland, Grant, Hot Springs and Saline counties.
Described by the Tri-Lakes staff as “the up-and-comers of your communities,” the honorees were cited as individuals “we expect great things from in the future.”
The 20 chosen for this recognition were honored at a luncheon held in January at the Garrison Center on the campus of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
“At the award luncheon, I was so impressed by these people, and not in just an accolades way, but their stories,” Pittman said. “We hear over and over at OBU about difference makers, and that’s who I found myself surrounded by. So, to be considered in that group of individuals was a huge honor.”
Pittman, a native of Irving, Texas, is a 2004 Ouachita graduate. In addition to the “20 to Watch” recognition, she received the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals 2008 Regional Service Award for the Midwest.
Pittman, who was diagnosed last year with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been in remission since August.
“I kept a blog during my journey with cancer,” she told the Tri-Lakes staff. “I learned so much about myself and what I can do when I have to.”
Andrew Ford, a junior political science major at OBU, nominated Pittman for this honor. Ford, an Arkadelphia native, is currently employed at the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
“Keisha certainly exudes dedication and leadership,” Ford said. “Keisha’s devotion to OBU and the Arkadelphia community, even through major health obstacles, made her an obvious selection for this honor.”
