Oklahoma City University Alumni Magazine, Spring 2021

FOUNDATION for the Future

Focus Alumni Magazine

2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73106

405-208-7000 • okcu.edu/focus

STORY IDEAS: focus@okcu.edu

ALUMNI NEWS: alumni@okcu.edu

Focus is produced semiannually by the Communications & Marketing and Alumni departments for alumni and friends of Oklahoma City University. OCU is an equal-opportunity institution.

University Administration

Martha Burger (MBA ’92), President

George Sims, Interim Provost

Jim Abbott, Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics

Amy Ayres, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Kevan Buck, Chief Financial Officer

Talia Carroll, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Amy Cataldi (MA ’98), Interim Assistant Provost

Joey Croslin, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief HR Officer

Gerry Hunt (BS ’89, MBA ’05), Chief Information Officer

Casey Ross (BSB ’00, JD and MBA ’03), General Counsel

Lynann Sterk-Brooks, Vice President of University Advancement

Kevin Windholz, Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Communications

Alumni Relations

Megan Hornbeek Allen (BA ’03), Director of Alumni Engagement

Kimberley Worrell (BS ’08), President, Alumni Advisory Board

Editorial Staff

Nick Trougakos, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Rod Jones (MBA ’12), Editor of Focus and Associate Director of Communications

Aubrie Bowlan, Communications Coordinator

April Marciszewski, Art Director of Focus and Senior Graphic Designer

Writers

Terry Phelps, Professor of English

Rich Tortorelli, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications

Photographer

Eric

President Martha Burger

STORY PAGE 7

Martha Burger has approached her presidency with a balance of science, business, and humanity, leading by putting herself in her many constituents’ shoes.

Cover photo by Josh Robinson; photo above provided by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Greetings Alumni & Friends,

This summer, my time serving this wonderful university as president will come to an end.

During periods of transitions like this, we have the opportunity to reflect on past successes and to look ahead and envision the path we will take forward.

Certainly our university community—  not unlike institutions of higher education around the country — has faced historic challenges during my term. When the books are written, historians will undoubtedly agree that the Oklahoma City University family responded to these challenges with courage and grace.

As I began my presidency at OCU, I was

filled with optimism and committed to moving OCU forward toward greater financial stability, gains in enrollment, improved alumni connections, greater pathways for student success, and the establishment of a solid framework from which to advance our efforts in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I am ready to move on to the next chapter in my life, and I do so knowing we made significant progress in many of these areas, despite the challenges.

On a stable financial footing and leveraging the momentum we’ve gained, our university community should not be afraid to make big plans and chase big

A Brighter Future

The 2020–21 school year has been full of unprecedented events: a global pandemic, an historic Oklahoma ice storm in October, and an unusual number of snowstorms over the winter months. In each instance, the university community rallied to overcome the challenges, innovate, and grow stronger.

dreams. Let’s move ahead with confidence in our ability to achieve excellence. After all, we’ve been doing it, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.

I believe that, for OCU, the best is yet to come and we should not be afraid to do what it takes to turn our thoughts of a bright future into reality.

Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by words that are paraphrased from a passage in Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”:

The question is not who’s going to let us, it’s who’s going to stop us.

Let’s not let anyone stop us as we take our university on a path to an even brighter future.

Photo by Josh Robinson

THE BIG PICTURE

Lauren Smith (BFA Acting ’22) portrays Joan of Arc in a monologue from Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part I in the School of Theatre’s production of “Woe is Me.” In the performance, Smith confronts the English generals who want to burn her as a witch. “When I think of my ability to be on the stage in a time like this, … I am incredibly grateful …. Things are a little different now, but I’ve realized theatre does not always need to be extravagant or groundbreaking to be valuable. Sometimes the joy and freedom that comes from performing is enough on its own.”

Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell

New Health College to Explore Shared Learning

Oklahoma City University officials have announced the formation of a new college within the university aimed at strengthening relationships with health care partners in the community and demonstrating OCU’s commitment to addressing the increasing demand for health care professionals.

The College of Health Professions will include the university’s Kramer School of Nursing, Physician Assistant Program, Physical Therapy Program, and any additional health care programs established in the future.

OCU President Martha Burger said the college will help leverage the strengths of the university’s existing health care programs.

“As the demand for skilled health practitioners grows, the College of Health Professions will position OCU to contribute to the human capital needs of the health care industry, while offering our students an excellent education and a bright pathway towards a fulfilling career of service,” Burger said.

OCU Hires Kevan Buck as CFO

Oklahoma City University has hired Kevan Buck, with extensive finance experience in higher education, as its new chief financial officer.

Buck comes to OCU after 20 years as the University of Tulsa’s executive vice president and treasurer. In this position, he served as a liaison to the Board of Trustees and was responsible for managing all university assets, including TU’s and the Gilcrease Museum’s budgets.

As CFO, Buck reports directly to OCU President Martha Burger and oversees all areas of finance and university facilities. He is responsible for budget oversight and guiding the university’s financial position and long-range financial strategies.

“We are excited to welcome Kevan to Oklahoma City University and look forward to his impact on our institution,” Burger said. “Kevan has an outstanding reputation and a wealth of experience in private higher education, and we are thrilled to have him join OCU’s executive leadership team.”

Buck holds an MBA from Wright State University in Ohio and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Michigan Technological University. He previously served as the vice president for business and finance at Wilmington College and comptroller for Ashland University, both in Ohio.

“I am eager to join OCU, working with the president’s team to collaborate across all campus disciplines,” Buck said. “I have been impressed with what the existing business office staff has accomplished during a time of extreme industry stress. There is a solid framework for continued success.”

The college will be led by Dr. Mark L. Britton, who currently serves OCU as clinical professor in the Physician Assistant Program and as assistant to the provost for Health Professions Programs.

Britton, an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist by training, has been a member of the OCU faculty since 2016. His career has included numerous academic and leadership roles dating back to 1982, including almost 30 years as a professor, director, associate dean, and senior associate dean at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy.

“I am honored to facilitate the creation of this new college for Oklahoma City University and look forward to developing collaborative, synergistic relationships among the health professions in education, practice, and discovery,” Britton said.

The move to create the new college will allow OCU’s health programs to share educational resources and enhance interprofessional development for undergraduate and advanced practice nurses, physician assistants and physical therapists. This will include exploring shared learning experiences in the anatomy lab and simulation laboratories.

In addition to these learning opportunities, the creation of the college will allow the school to build on efficiencies created through common leadership and administration, Britton said.

Artwork Recognizes Honorable Profession

Acclaimed Choctaw artist D.G. Smalling donated his painting, “Abeka Apesychi,” to Oklahoma City University. The work—and Native American culture— celebrates the impact of the nursing profession on the world. Following a presentation in October, the painting was displayed in the University Center before taking its permanent place in the Kramer School of Nursing.

“We are extremely honored that an artist of D.G. Smalling’s stature would bestow this wonderful gift to the university,” President Martha Burger said during the dedication. “(In 2020), we have seen tremendous acts of compassion and kindness, especially from the students and graduates of the Kramer School of Nursing.”

Smalling was moved to create the piece after events surrounding OCU’s virtual graduation ceremony last year.

The Show Must Go On

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, OCU’s performing arts departments have remained committed to providing students with essential performance experience. The schools’ holiday performances, which continue to be student and audience favorites, looked a little different in 2020.

Jason Foreman, OCU’s head of design and production, said people didn’t previously consider how many hands touched a prop or costume. To ensure safety, actors and crew members skipped costume changes, wore masks at all rehearsals and performances, and participated in “hand sanitizer breaks” every hour.

“We are used to social interactions that are closer than a 6-foot ‘bubble,’ but this is a new factor for the scenic designs,” Foreman said. “We have to provide larger, open spaces so performers can stay socially distanced and still feel like they are sharing a space so they can perform together. It’s been an interesting challenge to think of new ways to produce shows and achieve our learning outcomes.”

While many university events had to be canceled or postponed, performing arts students and instructors had to adapt because as dance program chair Jo Rowan noted, the classroom setting is “important to learning technique, but the stage work gives you the artistry.”

The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment typically auditions about 200 students for the American Spirit Dance Company, Pep Dancers, and the Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company on the first day of each semester, which was made impossible with social distancing protocols. In their place, Rowan formed the Star Dancers group, which rehearsed with about 170 students in a reduced number of blocks to meet distancing and sanitation guidelines.

Each Friday in the three weeks leading up to Christmas, the Star Dancers released a video of their performances online. The recordings were instantly popular and met with enthusiasm, Rowan said, and the format gave students the opportunity to adapt to an increasingly virtual world.

“We have established a history of teaching dancers to respect not only their art but also the stage management teams who make everything go smoothly,” Rowan said. “Now, we’re also preparing students to dance for television, for the screen. The logistics are vastly different, but we want our dancers to be ready for the changing industry.”

Along with the change in format, the Star Dancers’ Christmas performance required changes to the company’s daily practices. Costumes were sanitized before and after use, including accessories such as Santa’s beard, and recording was limited to one dancer, one videographer, and one choreographer in the studio at a time.

The university’s Vespers service, held annually during the holiday season, also featured a recording this year with graduating choral students and a select ensemble from the OCU Symphony Orchestra. The socially distanced group performed the traditional candlelit Advent anthem, “Night of Silence,” to keep with the essence of the performance.

Dr. Mark Belcik, associate dean of music and interim associate dean of theatre, said the flexibility of the faculty, staff, and students made the shows overwhelmingly successful and even reach a wider audience.

“The faculty and staff developed extensive protocols based on the most recent research and best practices in the professional world,” Belcik said. “The ability to live stream our productions and concerts allowed an audience from around the world to watch our students perform.”

“

… the stage work gives you the artistry.”

JO ROWAN

Photo of “Love and Information” by Bryan Cardinale-Powell

Light, Works on Paper on Display at Campus Gallery

Last fall, OCU’s art gallery featured works from the Christian Keesee Collection, curated by Julie Maguire, in conjunction with Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center’s inaugural exhibit, Bright Golden Haze.

The exhibition included a Shadow Projection Lamp, 2004 by Olafur Eliasson; series of etchings, Shadow, 2007 by Anish Kapoor; and other photographic works dedicated to the manipulation of light. The exhibition also commissioned a video projection light installation piece by Chad Mount, Meadow Rhythms. Mount’s installation was a playful examination in frequencies of atmospheric color shifts and drifts he observed while sitting in an Oklahoma meadow, accompanied by auditory rhythms captured by the artist.

“Keesee’s collection highlights how a single collector can amass a diverse body of work spanning time periods, subject matter, and movements, all relying on a single element to bring them to fruition: sight,” said Heather Lunsford, director of OCU Studio Arts and Design.

The show was made possible by a grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Foundation to celebrate Oklahoma Contemporary’s inaugural exhibition.

SEABOURN AT 90

This summer, the campus gallery will feature works by OCU alumnus Bert Seabourn, a painter, printmaker, sculptor, and teacher, for his 90th birthday. Bert Seabourn on Paper, curated by Lunsford, “shows us a side of Seabourn that has not been previously exhibited,” she said.

Seabourn has compared his art to the Oklahoma wind in its ever-changing nature.

“Some days I want my paintings to be more abstract and other days more realistic,” he said. “I find myself constantly changing, growing, and finding new directions. This stylistic diversity is what keeps my life, and hopefully my art, interesting. I love to paint, and I hope it shows.”

Bert Seabourn on Paper will be available for viewing at the Norick Art Center from May 10 to Aug. 6. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Alumni Group Workshops Defy Pandemic

A year ago, two of Oklahoma City University’s most active alumni groups were about to host their popular annual spring break workshops and explorations into life after college when the pandemic struck.

Months of planning the OCUNYC (New York City) and OCU:DC (Washington, D.C.) workshops were wiped away.

This year, the alumni groups reimagined them as virtual events before the spring semester began. (OCU adjusted its academic calendar to nix spring break and finish the semester early to reduce travel.) Several group members pitched in to give presentations and provide connections. Some even contributed financially to help cover fees for students who had to cancel last year.

“It was a major bummer, especially because (we had to cancel) 72 hours before students were getting on planes,” said Jeff Poulin (BS Entertainment Business ’12), OCU:DC event chairman.

“That said, the nine months in between allowed us to normalize online interactions and make the most of a digital event this year. We were able to still connect with amazing leaders, OCU alumni, and a bunch of diverse institutions to

build a network, learn together, and relate what is happening in OCU’s arts management classrooms to real life.”

OCUNYC President Peyton Royal (BPA Dance ’02) was expecting to mark the workshop’s 15th anniversary last year.

“Alas, it wasn’t meant to be,” Royal said. “We were able to solidify our relationship with our studio venue. … They were pleasantly surprised by our good-faith desire to hold up our end of the contract (because no one else had), and they ultimately gave us a full refund. Because of their generosity, we were able to offer a full refund to each of the 130 students who’d registered for the workshop.”

The OCUNYC group used its creative instincts to put together a successful virtual event.

“We made a conscious effort to make this workshop unique—crafted to this moment in time and specifically for the virtual nature of this year,” Royal said. “This year, our Virtual Welcome Party utilized multiple breakout rooms that allowed more direct interaction with new people and even included a fun OCU trivia game. It was a great mix of reuniting with old friends and making new connections.”

Grad Swag

The COVID-19 pandemic ruined any chance of a proper graduation sendoff for the class of 2020, so the alumni office sent gift boxes to recognize the class for its hard work and dedication and welcome graduates to alumni status. “We want to let our newest alumni know how proud we are to welcome them into our Star family,” said Megan Hornbeek Allen, director of Alumni Engagement.

Firm Footing

President Martha Burger leaves OCU with a solid financial foundation and a focus on inclusion.

BY DAVID KLAASSEN

PHOTOS BY JOSH ROBINSON

ONE OF MARTHA BURGER’S FAVORITE PLACES ON the Oklahoma City University campus is the Meinders Simulation Center in the Kramer School of Nursing. There inside the hospital rooms, among the students, manikins, and medical equipment, is the embodiment of how she views her university. This intersection of science and service brightens her spirit. It’s a place where the cloth of academia is woven with the threads of caring and kindness.

As Burger nears the end of her presidency, it’s no coincidence that those who talk about her impact on the university describe her approach in much the same way. She is viewed as a rigorous and determined problem solver who leads with a matriarchal compassion for her university family. Throughout her career, people have consistently complimented her heart for serving others. She sees that attribute as the single most effective component of her leadership.

“It is my nature to get real with somebody and try to understand them and try to determine what it feels like to walk in their shoes,” she said.

This approach was especially critical when the pandemic hit in 2020. After spending the first two years of her presidency wielding her business acumen to unwind the university’s financial entanglements, she found herself facing a different type of challenge — one she didn’t have a playbook for. How could a university bring students back for in-person classes during a global health crisis?

She thought about something she quickly learned to appreciate when she switched roles from trustee to president in 2018: the multilayered

She has positioned OCU for long-term financial success and strategic program growth in spite of the challenges higher education has faced.”

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE OCU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

complexity involved in leading a university. She compared it to operating a small city.

“Unlike a corporation, a university has people living here, eating here, living life here,” she said. “The number of constituencies this community has is enormous.”

This time, constituents needed a leader who could manage those complexities with a thoughtful, compassionate approach, one who could stay the course in one of the most challenging environments the university had ever faced. Just like the students in the Meinders Simulation Center, she was balancing science with courage and humanity as she led a team that created an intricate plan to address the situation.

“Throughout the pandemic, President Burger has given first priority to the health of students, faculty, and staff, while expecting us to continue giving OCU’s students the best opportunities for learning,” said George Sims, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “From the beginning, she established patterns of regular collaboration to recognize emerging challenges, create solutions, and communicate plans in ways that have been consistently timely and effective. In this way, she created the working framework that has enabled us to meet each challenge.”

It was during this time, Burger said, that she fully appreciated more than ever the others-first attitude she had previously experienced on campus. Now she was seeing it come to life in ways greater than before.

“Our faculty and our staff went above and beyond to truly serve students,” she said. “I knew that happened here, but I didn’t know how much. I really saw it happen during the pandemic when people who had concerns about their own health and safety put those concerns aside in order to serve students. That is pretty amazing.”

Financial Turnaround

While the pandemic may be the most-remembered part of her time as president, one of the most important accomplishments of Burger’s presidency has been her impact on the university’s financial health.

“She took the helm of OCU at a time when its finances were in disarray,” said David McConnell, who served as interim chief financial officer during most of Burger’s term. “I’ve worked in higher education for 50 years and for 20 different presidents, and I have not worked for a president who has accomplished such a turnaround in college finances as Martha did.”

Her first year, Burger discovered a funding shortfall in the budget and raised funds to pay off OCU’s revolving line of credit and balance the budget by year end. In fact, she raised more money that first year than OCU did in any of the previous nine years, making it one of the top-five fundraising years since the university began keeping records.

Under Burger’s leadership, OCU received an investment-grade rating from Standard & Poor’s. She established a team that worked with a financial advisor to go to market with a $90 million bond issue. Also, she recapitalized OCU’s debt and added valuable assets to the balance sheet. Creating a firm financial foundation and lasting stability is cited by many as the most significant accomplishment of her presidency.

“She has positioned OCU for long-term financial success and strategic program growth in spite of the challenges higher education has faced,” said Paul McLaughlin, chairman of the OCU board of trustees. “We owe her a great deal of gratitude for her service.”

UNIVERSITY MILESTONES

During the Burger Administration

• Recapitalization of university’s debt structure

• Receipt of investment-grade rating from Standard & Poor’s

• Creation of cabinet-level leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Return of students to campus for in-person learning during pandemic

• Record-setting unrestricted fundraising for university

• Creation of OCU’s first Day of Giving

• Implementation of Physical Therapy program

• Creation of Esports program

• Creation of Game Design & Animation program

• Implementation of Doctorate of Psychology

• Creation of College of Health Professions

Left: Burger speaks to major university supporters at the 2018 Holiday Gala. Above : The university celebrated Burger’s first year. Photos by Josh Robinson

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Years from now, when people look back on her time as president, Burger hopes they’ll remember it as a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts were more explicitly prioritized. Burger has placed importance on diversity in ways OCU had not previously seen, establishing a cabinet-level leadership role to strategically identify areas of meaningful change through policy, developing training opportunities, scaling programming, and building exciting community partnerships.

“I want to be able to look back and say that this was just the beginning of the journey to truly embracing diversity the way it should be,” she said. “I hope the efforts we’re starting now become part of everything we do and how we educate students.”

In just the past year, some of those efforts have included new workshops for employees and students, enhancing faculty and staff recruitment practices, partnering with the admissions department to create new opportunities to recruit students, and working closely with student government to create an opportunity for students to share their perspectives about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“During my time at OCU, I have seen how President Burger has prioritized ensuring that OCU is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community,” said Reid Powell, Student Government Association president. “President Burger’s hiring of a vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and actively listening to student voices and concerns have aided in this effort. It has been a privilege to have been able to learn from President Burger firsthand and see the impact her leadership has had on the campus community. The compassion she has shown toward the OCU family has encouraged all of us to do our part to care for one another. President Burger’s leadership has helped us to become closer to where we need to be and has set us up for the continued work that needs to be done.”

As Burger prepares to leave the president’s office for a different type of role as a university volunteer and fundraiser, she said she will look back fondly on the accomplishments students, faculty, and staff have made. It’s those achievements that bring her the most joy. Burger described her favorite moments as those when she is just one in a crowd of observers at a theater performance or in the stands at an athletic competition, witnessing the products of a collaborative university family.

“That’s when it hits me — I have the privilege of working at this place,” she said. “Those are my most rewarding times.”

Jane Jayroe Gamble

(BM ’69, HDHL ’11), BOARD OF TRUSTEES SECRETARY

“President Burger has been a gift to OCU ‘for such a time as this.’ (Esther 4:14) She came to this leadership role with the needed skill set to put OCU on a stable financial foundation for the future. She also guided us through one of the most challenging times in our history — all accomplished with a kind and generous spirit. I’m forever grateful for her service to OCU.”

Shannon Rich

(BA ’97), PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME

“As a friend and colleague of Martha’s for several years, I knew she possessed the talents and professionalism OCU needed to carry on its elite reputation. Those traits became even more necessary in light of the global challenges of the past year. With a caring heart and always mindful of the greater good, she’s truly done a remarkable job. I’m proud to call her my friend.”

Jenee Lister

TRUSTEE

“President Burger was the right person at the right time to launch this university into this decade. She has done an incredible job to stabilize and position OCU for the next 100 years.”

Right: President Burger speaks at the 2019 commencement ceremony. Far right : Burger celebrates as students perform “Let the Sun Shine In” at her fall 2018 inauguration. Photos by Josh Robinson

Oklahoma Hall of Fame

When Martha Burger was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame last fall, she was the latest in a long line of OCU community members who have received Oklahoma’s highest honor. Dozens of OCU alumni, employees, trustees, and presidents have been recognized among the most influential Oklahomans of all time.

These individuals illustrate how OCU’s positive impact on the state of Oklahoma is large and enduring. Since OCU was founded in 1904 — three years before Oklahoma became a state — by Anton Classen (whose wife Ella is a hall of fame member), the university has been an active contributor to the state’s growth and prosperity. President Burger and the individuals listed below truly embody the university’s mission to create, lead, and serve.

• Ray Ackerman

• Ann Simmons Alspaugh

• Christine Anthony

• Charles Anthony

• Eugene Antrim

• W.P. Atkinson

• Virginia Austin

• Keith E. Bailey

• Frank Bailey

• Wanda L. Bass

• Paige Belccher

• Henry Bellmon

• Edna Hoffman Bowman

• John Brown

• Bob Burke

• Chester Cadieux

• Kristin Chenoweth

• Stan Clark

• Jack Conn

• Von R. Creel

• Fred Daugherty

• Tricia Everest

• James Fellers

• Josephine Freede

• Jane Jayroe Gamble

• James Halsey

• Robert H. Henry

• Jeane Hester

• Forney Hutchinson

• Mary Eddy Jones

• Robert S. Kerr, Jr.

• Abe Lemons

• Judy Love

• Clara Luper

• Alice Marriott

• Tom McDaniel

• Herman Meinders

• Leona Mitchell

• Benjamin Nihart

• Ron Norick

• Don O’Donohue

• Kelli O’Hara

• Marian P. Opala

• Edwin Parker

• Russell Perry

• John Peters

• F.M. Petree

• Lloyd Rader

• Charles A. Rockwood

• William J. Ross

• Angelo Scott

• Dick Sias

• Inez Silberg

• William Angie Smith

• Morrison Tucker

• Dolphus Whitten, Jr.

John Veal

(MBA ’96, MS ’18), DISTRICT DIRECTOR IN THE OKLAHOMA DISTRICT OFFICE, U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

“President Burger made it her mission to make OCU a family. Events held at OCU were well represented by all stakeholders: students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. After interacting with her, you felt like a member of her family. Her focus on inclusiveness has made a great impact on this university.”

David Holt

(JD ’09), OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR

“OCU’s success is vital to our city, and President Burger has been a great steward for this institution and a fantastic partner for our community. I’m grateful for her willingness to serve, and it is worth noting she was a trailblazer at OCU. I’m sure it was a unique challenge to guide OCU through a pandemic, so I’m especially appreciative for that. I wish her all the best in her next chapter, and I suspect that like all her previous chapters, it will include service above self and service to our city.”

Two Deans to Change Roles

BY DAVID KLAASSEN

Two longtime members of the Oklahoma City University family will transition to dean emeritus status July 1. Dr. Steven C. Agee, who has served as dean of the Meinders School of Business for 11 years, and Dr. Lois Salmeron, who has served as dean of the Kramer School of Nursing since 2014 after joining the faculty in 2005, have both agreed to remain at OCU as faculty members.

A Fundraising Powerhouse Who Raised the School’s Profile

Agee has served more consecutive years as dean of the Meinders School of Business than any other individual in the school’s history. He successfully guided the business school through its initial accreditation process of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, International in 2014 and its reaccreditation in 2019. AACSB is considered the gold standard of business accrediting bodies for schools that grant business degrees.

“During Dean Agee’s tenure, he has raised the profile of our business school around the world,” OCU President Martha Burger said. “We will miss his leadership as dean but look forward to his continued involvement in our campus community.”

Agee founded and initially funded the Economic Research & Policy Institute within the business school. The Steven C. Agee Economic Research & Policy Institute is comprised of three centers: the Center for Regional Economic Forecasting & Policy Analysis; the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Data Analytics; and the Center for Native American & Urban Studies. This research

institute provides resources including sales tax forecasting for the cities of Oklahoma City and Norman and all economic impact studies for the Native American tribes in Oklahoma.

Several new academic and certificate programs were developed under Agee’s leadership, including two graduate-level energy programs: one in energy management and the other in energy law. Nearly 400 students have graduated from the energy programs since they were launched in 2012.

Agee was also involved in starting the new MBA in Healthcare, as well as the master certificates in healthcare and in fraud and forensic accounting. In collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation, Agee developed the Native American Enterprise Management Certificate Program, designed to provide business education to members of Oklahoma tribes who have developed substantial business models around gaming, hospitality, and healthcare.

Agee has worked tirelessly to raise significant funding for student scholarships, technology improvements, 12 Bloomberg

“His legacy will be felt for generations to come.”

HERMAN MEINDERS

terminals, and an endowment for an instructional designer for business school faculty. He has served on many university committees, including the budget committee, benefits committee, Deans Council, Academic Council, and the OCU strategic planning committee.

“Through Dean Agee’s steady leadership, the business school has grown and prospered in so many ways, including academically and financially,” said Herman Meinders, the school’s namesake. “His legacy will be felt for generations to come.”

This fall, Meinders established a business leadership scholarship in Dean Agee’s honor with a $500,000 gift he hopes will be matched by the community.

Aside from his OCU roles, Agee has a long and established career in the oil and gas industry. He is founder, president, and COO of Agee Energy LLC, a private oil and natural gas company headquartered in downtown Oklahoma City.

Agee joined the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in 2006. His community involvement has included board memberships with the Economic Club of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Philharmonic Society, and Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time as dean?

Our AACSB, International accreditation. The AACSB designation places the Meinders School of Business in the top 4.5% of all business schools that grant degrees in business globally. Having AACSB accreditation also allows us to be considered for ranking in U.S. News & World Report, and our two graduate energy programs have been highly ranked by U.S. News for the past seven years — ever since our initial accreditation.

I am also very proud of the fundraising efforts we have completed over the past 11 years, raising millions of dollars for the business school in the form of scholarship endowments, endowed positions for faculty and staff (such as the $1 million endowment from Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee Chai), and financial support for new executive classrooms, the Economic Research & Policy Institute, and our Bloomberg lab center.

I am very proud of the faculty and staff we have assembled in the business school. They are all high-quality, participating members of Meinders and are certainly one big reason we were accredited by AACSB.

What has been your most rewarding experience as dean?

It was very rewarding to achieve AACSB, International accreditation and to attend annual deans’ conferences with hundreds of business school deans from all over the world. But I think my most rewarding experience is the contact I have with our students, both undergraduate and graduate. It is a delight to see them arrive on campus, work their way through their respective programs, then graduate to take on the world. I have been able to assist, direct, and mentor many students personally and watch their careers take off, and that is an extremely rewarding experience.

Any other reflections on your time so far at OCU that you’d like to share?

I have had the honor and benefit to meet and work with other OCU deans, members of the university cabinet, and other faculty and staff with other OCU schools and colleges. These have been meaningful and impactful components of my career here at OCU, and I have learned a lot from my colleagues. Probably my most important reflection is the mentoring and friendship I have received from Herman Meinders and Mo Grotjohn. Herman is the kindest, most caring, and philanthropic man I know. Mo Grotjohn is Herman’s most trusted advisor and financial analyst, and Mo helped me accomplish several material projects during my tenure as dean. Simply put, I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many individuals who care for and love this university and who also happen to be the very best at what they do. I have been honored to fill the role as dean of MSB these past 11 years and now look forward to assisting the next dean, president, and provost in whatever capacity they deem fitting.

DEAN SALMERON

A Pioneer in Nursing Education and ‘The Kramer Way’

Dr. Lois Salmeron was part of the OCU faculty group that designed and developed the university’s original doctoral nursing programs in the Kramer School of Nursing. The Ph.D. in Nursing was the first doctoral program at OCU. The Doctor of Nursing Practice at OCU was the first of its kind in Oklahoma.

Salmeron was instrumental in pioneering a partnership between OCU and Duncan Regional Hospital. With this partnership, OCU implemented an additional location to offer traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses in a rural community. More recently, she has supported the development of Community-Based Public Health education tracks in the Master of Science in Nursing and DNP programs.

“More than any person I’ve met, Dr. Salmeron embodies the Kramer Way — the core values of caring, kindness, and respect,” said OCU President Martha Burger. “Her impact on our nursing program is immense, and equally strong is the impact she’s had in nursing education in our community and state. Her leadership has increased access to quality nursing programs across Oklahoma.”

During her 58-year nursing career, Salmeron has received numerous awards and honors, including an induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame — one of only two nurses to receive this high honor. The Hall of Fame recognized her achievement of creating the first distance-education nursing program in Oklahoma, which was instrumental in supplying registered nurses to the state’s rural population. Additionally,

she was named Nurse of the Year by the Oklahoma State Nurses Association as well as the Nurses’ Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She received the Distinguished Professional Service Award from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Salmeron was also named a National League of Nursing Fellow of the Academy of Nursing Education.

“Dr. Salmeron’s career encompasses a stellar sequence of nursing positions, boards, committees, work groups, and partnerships, which have created enormous opportunities for her to make an extraordinary and lasting impact on nursing education, nursing practice, community service, public health, and philanthropy,” said Dr. Patrick McGough, executive director of the Oklahoma CityCounty Health Department. “She epitomizes service, leadership, professionalism, and kindness in all spheres of her influence, from family and friends to state and national advocacy efforts. Due to her leadership, we will have an advanced and stronger workforce, well-equipped to serve the community and improve overall state and national health rankings.”

Salmeron is a charter member of NAACOG and a lifetime member of AWHONN. Additionally, she holds memberships in the American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She has also served as an officer in these organizations at the state and national levels.

“Due to her leadership, we have an advanced and stronger workforce, well-equipped to serve the community.”

DR. PATRICK MCGOUGH, OKLAHOMA CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time as dean?

I am very proud to have participated in the development of nursing programs at baccalaureate, master’s, and graduate levels at KSN. These programs address the healthcare needs of Oklahoma and meet the health care needs of many citizens of many ages. Personally, I feel respected by my OCU colleagues and KSN faculty; for that I am thankful.

What has been your most rewarding experience as dean?

To have participated and guided the faculty in the success of so many students, seeking the various educational opportunities that KSN has to offer. To listen to the alumni praise the programs, praise and thank the dedicated faculty, praise the culture that we all strive to embrace: the culture, determined by faculty and staff working together, and defined as “The Kramer Way.” The priority values of this culture are caring, kindness, and respect. Living these values is what nurses aspire to do.

Any other reflections on your time so far at OCU that you’d like to share?

I have dedicated the majority of my life to nursing practice, nursing education, and nursing scholarship. I have enjoyed many successes, been honored with many awards, been recognized locally and nationally for my contributions, all of which were never in my plan and never sought. I could only accomplish all of this because of the support of my husband and children, who understood my dedication to the nursing profession and my willingness and need to continue to practice nursing in the paths that I pursued. OCU provided me with the opportunities to expand the contributions that I had done in my career prior to becoming a KSN faculty team member. For that, I am grateful.

Photo at right by Josh Robinson

A Voice of the Students

BY AUBRIE BOWLAN

Students come to Oklahoma City University from all over the world for a variety of reasons — small class sizes, accredited degree programs, exceptional educators. For Student Government Association President Reid Powell, all it took was a campus tour.

“The second I stepped on OCU’s campus, I knew that this would be my home for the next four years,” he said.

The Norman North High School graduate came to the university undecided of his career plans but found a love for politics in his freshman Governance in America course with Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui, who convinced Powell to major in political science with an emphasis in pre-law studies. Through his new area of study, Powell has learned about, and quickly fallen in love with, student government.

“In my first year, I learned how much the university valued the

voice of students and that the recommendations presented by SGA were something that were taken seriously by administrators at OCU,” Powell said. “I immediately knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of.”

The Student Government Association works to bridge the gap between students and OCU administration. These campus leaders advocate for their peers by participating in meetings, drafting legislation, and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.

After representing the Social Sciences district in the SGA Senate, Powell was elected vice president in April 2020. The following November, Powell assumed the role of SGA president after internal transitions altered the organization’s cabinet. This didn’t just affect his junior year — it changed his whole OCU experience.

“Throughout my time in SGA, I have had the opportunity to

connect and learn from various leaders both at OCU and the greater OKC community,” he said. “These have become invaluable relationships that have helped shape me into the leader I hope to become one day.”

Of course, Powell had no idea he would be celebrating his election amid a pandemic. In a time described in every newspaper article and email as “unprecedented,” the SGA president role is no exception. The student leaders would typically table on campus, host programming events and discussion forums, meet for teambuilding activities, and get to know their peers face to face.

“We’re all trying to figure out what it means to be an organization that doesn’t have its usual sense of community,” Powell said. “There isn’t a handbook on how to serve as president during a pandemic. The best we can do is make sure everyone is still heard, even over computer speakers, and that everyone still feels valued and engaged.”

One of the few highlights of the COVID-19 era that Powell says shaped his time on campus has been a more open dialogue regarding college students’ mental health. As the stigma surrounding the discussion lessens, “we’ve learned that it’s OK to talk about mental health on campus and how it affects all of us,” he said. During his presidency, SGA has implemented “Let’s Talk About

“There isn’t a handbook on how to serve as president during a pandemic. The best we can do is make sure everyone is still heard, even over computer speakers, and that everyone still feels valued and engaged.”

It” Tuesdays on social media to bring awareness to these challenges.

Powell hopes his legacy as SGA president is remembered as one of strong advocacy. He has championed gender-inclusive campus housing, recognition of community leaders such as Clara Luper, and student involvement on campus. Powell recently learned his campaign for re-election is unopposed and hopes to continue his advocacy in the 2021–22 school year.

If just one person has a better student experience at OCU because of the work SGA has done during his time as president, it will have been worth it, Powell said.

No matter where law school and his future career in public service take him, Powell said Oklahoma City and the university will always hold a special place in his heart.

“Serving in this role has allowed me to meet and interact with students, faculty, and staff across campus whom I wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise,” Powell said. “We have such a vibrant campus community, and it is amazing to see people from across the world be able to come together at a small school in Oklahoma City. Student growth is valued and supported by OCU staff, faculty, and administrators, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities I’ve had here.”

Top row: At left, Brooke Ballard, Samaya Rosario, and Evan Barreiro work in the new Virtual Reality Lab. At right, Ballard draws concept art for a new superhero. Middle left, bottom left, and opposite page: Barreiro and Joseph Gutierrez work in the new Motion Capture Lab and configure the motion capture suit. Middle right: Evan Barreiro explores digital worlds in virtual reality. Photos by Josh Robinson. Bottom right: Barreiro received an ADDY in the “Best of University” category of the 2021 American Advertising Awards of Oklahoma contest for his “Mars Space Station” VR game environment design.

Game Design & Animation Program Flexes Creative Opportunities

BY ROD JONES

A quick glance at a list of career fields indicates one of the reasons why Oklahoma City University started its Game Design & Animation program last year.

Aside from the obvious fields as noted in the program’s name, there are multiple healthy industries for graduates to work in, including 3D modeling, programming, sound design, storyboarding, simulation, web design, architecture, and much more.

“There’s a whole world of technology for these skills. It’s more than just for entertainment,” said program Chairman Jeff Price, who came from another university to essentially build OCU’s program from the ground up.

Some skills serve a higher public purpose, like using game engines to train for air traffic control systems. There’s extra job satisfaction that comes from seeing how something one creates can help people, make profits, and improve living standards.

Still, it is hard to ignore the entertainment-related careers. The teamwork nature of animated films accounts for dozens of individual tasks and jobs — separate duties like texturing and coloring, for instance.

Price pointed out a few key differentiators that set OCU’s program above many others. One is faculty who stay professionally involved in projects outside of the university while also teaching.

“Right now, one of the projects I’m working on is a simulator for motorcycle repair. You don’t see many game design faculty members teaching these skills while also creating their own work,” he said.

Price pointed out another factor that sets OCU apart. The university

has a strong existing creative arts core, so other visual arts offerings can serve as additional creative outlets for students. Things like ceramics, painting, drawing, and photography help students grow in graphic design and animation.

“Some of the muscle memory from other media has similarities to this work. The tools and techniques from those other forms will make your digital work more authentic,” he said.

In fact, Price said when evaluating prospective students, he’s much more interested in their creativity as a whole than he is with their knowledge of software and technology.

“You don’t have to be a computer expert to get into this program. We’ll teach those skills,” he said. “The main thing we look for are artists who want to jump into technology, not the other way around.”

Price said yet another differentiator is the robust scholarship offerings. Beginning with the Fall 2021 semester, students majoring in Game Design & Animation will automatically be awarded a scholarship.

Price said OCU plans to expand the program, particularly in the number of faculty members.

Evan Barreiro was one of Price’s star students until he finished his coursework in December. His specialties are in environment design and 3D modeling, and he’s been at it since childhood.

“When I was about 8, I started taking 3D animation classes,” Barreiro said. “I saw a software demonstration when I was 10, and I’ve been into this ever since.”

Barreiro, originally from Minnesota, learned a lot of skills growing up by watching tutorials. His formal education began when he took classes at a tech school while earning a

diploma as a home school student.

Barreiro said he likes how the new Game Design & Animation lab is laid out, featuring 20 work stations in a 1,100 square-foot space inside the Norick Art Center. The program recently added a motion-capture studio.

Barreiro now works remotely from Tulsa for a software design and development company based in Oklahoma City. He said the job opportunities for his industry abound.

“This is a very large field,” Barreiro said. “There are a lot of people doing a lot of different things.”

Scholastic Star Shines Abroad

BY TERRY PHELPS

Currently serving as a Fulbright Scholar and English teaching assistant in the Netherlands at Breda University of Applied Sciences, OCU alumna Patience Williams (BA English Magna Cum Laude ’17) is truly a scholastic Star, shining in higher education.

“

My sense of Patience … is that she will become a well-known American voice in literature.”

PROFESSOR EMERITUS ABIGAIL KEEGAN

City University Alumni Magazine  Photos provided by Williams. Above left: Before The New Yorker Festival.

At OCU, she was a Clara Luper scholar, which she said “meant the world to me because I followed in the footsteps of so many men and women who went on to do extraordinary things. My education was paid for, and I wanted to make the most out of that — because I wanted to learn as much and become as much as possible.”

While at OCU, she conducted research on a Creative Active Inquiry Research Scholarship at Yale University with English professor Tracy Floreani.

“Patience is so intellectually curious and has a deep commitment to socially engaged, lifelong learning,” Floreani said. “She exhibits a strong work ethic combined with a personality of genuine kindness and is a delight to work with.”

Williams’ undergraduate work included studies abroad at the University of Oxford and at the University of Oaxaca in Mexico. She presented a seminar at an honors conference in Seattle, and published in OCU’s undergraduate research journal, Stellar, and the English department’s journal, The Scarab. An honors student, she was a member of the Black Student Association and the national English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, and received writing and research awards.

She said the OCU English department was “amazing. I always felt like I was challenged but also nourished.”

Floreani said Williams “always sought out ways to learn beyond what was available in the curriculum and expand her horizons internationally. She has been known to go to professors’ offices during office hours and ask to look at the bookshelves, inquiring about which titles might fill a specific gap in her reading.

“I knew that she, more than any other student in our program, would appreciate and learn from a trip to Yale’s rare books and manuscripts collection at the Beinecke Library,” Floreani said. “As we worked, I saw how well she absorbed study of the manuscripts as both a student critic and as a young writer. I also knew that I could trust her to organize our findings as a research assistant when we returned home.”

Professor Emeritus Abigail Keegan said Williams “often had read circles around other students and was always, always prepared for class. Not only had she read material, but she had thought deeply about it and was always ready to think more. And she was a wonderful poet, a true wordsmith. Her reading and thoughtful analysis of the works we studied — and her own often stunning creations — revealed the hours she spent preparing before coming to class. She is a brilliant young writer, one of the top three students I worked with during my 30 years of teaching.”

Much of Williams’ writing “explores what it means to be a Black woman writing in contemporary America,” Keegan said. “Her voice emerges within the echoes of diverse literary and cultural allusions, ranging from

Black poets to slave narratives and the music of the Beatles and Nina Simone as she asks questions about voice and the idea of the self in the context of a pluralistic society. My sense of Patience, more than any other student I have ever taught, is that she will become a well-known American voice in literature.”

After graduating from OCU, Williams received an Interdisciplinary Fellowship at Rutgers University, where she earned a master’s degree in fiction writing. While there, she received the Fulbright Scholarship to work in the Netherlands.

“My personal research interests deal with the importance of embodiment: ways to lessen feelings of trauma, inadequacy, and fear in marginalized bodies when approaching literary texts,” Williams said. “There’s a lot to work with, now more than ever. I recently gave a presentation for Global Minds Week titled ‘Healing for Humanity: Essential Living Only.’”

Williams will be affiliated with the creators of Dutch Happiness Week and said, “I am in the midst of borrowing a bike and becoming a real Dutchie.”

In the Netherlands, bicyclists have the right of way.

Photo provided by Williams: At Virginia Woolf’s writing room in Sussex, England.  Spring 2021

A Career of Thinking Bigger

BY APRIL MARCISZEWSKI

Clinton Purtell has always been ambitious. He tackled the challenge of a broken back in high school and carved out a new path in business, graduating early from Oklahoma City University in 1997. His mind and his stories haven’t stopped since.

He learned back in 1991 when he became perhaps Oklahoma’s first high school student concurrently enrolled in college that “when you think you’re thinking big, think bigger.”

A preacher’s kid, always on the move, Purtell was bored as a high school freshman. But his parents — the Rev. Vaughn Clinton Purtell (BA Sociology ’50) and the Rev. Marsha Nan Purtell — were connected to OCU through the United Methodist Church. His mother spoke with then-President Jerald Walker and School of Business Dean David Charmichael, and within a few weeks, Purtell was signed up for English composition. It was just the challenge he was looking for. Next came a class in business law, and by the time he finished high school, he had dozens of credit hours.

Despite his ambitions, Purtell suffered a catastrophic setback during the last football game of his senior year, breaking his back. He had dreamed of playing football and flying for the Navy, following his father’s and maternal grandfather’s examples of military service.

“I didn’t get a chance to serve,” he said, so “now I serve my country by serving those who serve me, working with a number of military nonprofits, with a focus on helping veterans become entrepreneurs.”

He landed at OCU, earning a bachelor’s degree in international finance and a minor in Asian studies in 1997. Looking back, he appreciates the “Christian balance” that OCU offers.

“It allows you to be an individual in your own beliefs,” he said. “That was part of my spiritual journey — figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be.”

One idea from a class discussion that stuck with him was defining courage: “the willingness and ability to stand up and do the right thing.”

After graduation, Purtell pursued a whirlwind of academic and business opportunities. He earned a master’s and later a doctorate at his mom’s urging.

He managed the retail managers at Cracker Barrel, finding success in introducing the world to a fish on a plaque that sang “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”; helping spread rocking chairs to more locations; and contributing to a loyalty program of books on cassette that could be returned to the next Cracker Barrel on a customer’s journey.

He has worked in the aerospace, medical, and transportation sectors, with a focus on corporate entrepreneurship. At Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (now Keurig Dr Pepper), he was a director for North and South America at age 29.

“My career was a fun ride, and I couldn’t have done it without OCU,” Purtell said. “The thing I enjoyed best about business and industry was helping other people. It’s what got me up in the morning.”

As his fast-track career developed, he wanted to make a positive impact on society beyond economic value. As a Christian, father, husband, and servant-leader, he wanted to instill in others the positive qualities that had been instilled in him, challenging himself in a new way, he said.

Now he teaches entrepreneurship and develops external partnerships in Frisco, Texas, for the University of North Texas. He loves to educate, mentor, and inspire future leaders, he said.

An academic career also gives him time with his wife, Amber, and their three children: Clinton (“Chip”), 11; Jacquelyn, a high school freshman; and Brooklyn, a high school senior. In business, he spent 90% of his time traveling globally, but now he can be home for games, concerts, and homework.

“I realized that you only get to be ‘Dad’ once,” he said. “This is the closest I’ve ever been able to be to them.”

Purtell’s parents both died in November from COVID-19. “It was a shock,” he said. He had initially chalked the virus up to being an “overblown flu,” but his mother, known in the Methodist conference for her loud and jovial laugh, caught it while conducting a funeral for a close friend. She had double pneumonia within days and died just a couple of days after that at age 69.

“

Mom kind of pushed me: ‘When you are done with industry, you should really think about getting your Ph.D.’ She was right— I’ve never been happier. ”

His dad, age 96, suffered a fall the day after his mom died, then tested positive for COVID-19, and died two weeks later. Just before his dad died, he started having a “conversation” with his wife. His father suffered from dementia, but it was abundantly clear from his dad’s side of the conversation that he was understanding and confirming that it was “OK to come home,” although he was worried about leaving family and churches behind. He ended the conversation saying, “She is here. It is time for me to go,” and he passed away peacefully, Purtell said.

“I tell you what,” Purtell said, “we did not hold funerals. We held celebrations of life. After Dad passed, I immediately knew they were dancing together in heaven. It’s very likely they are working just as hard in heaven to do good.”

After Vaughn Purtell retired from ministry, Marsha Purtell went to Phillips Seminary in Tulsa and went on to lead a number of churches. She had previously served as a teacher and social worker.

In memory of their passion for serving the underprivileged and the military, Purtell established the Purtell Family Endowed Memorial Scholarship at OCU to benefit first-generation, low-income students and dependents of deceased military veterans.

In walking campus recently, Purtell was enthusiastic about OCU and its bright opportunities.

“I’m super-excited about what OCU is doing. I was just blown away at how much it has grown.”

He looks forward to continuing to support his alma mater, he said, and ensuring future students have the same educational opportunity he had to accomplish their goals and “think bigger.”

“2S”

Two-Spirit

BY KYRA GOMES AND RUSS TALLCHIEF

“Two-Spirit” is an umbrella term used by some Native Americans to represent individuals who are gender-fluid. The notion of only two genders is a social construct ingrained deeply within Western culture. However, in Native American cultures, there are numerous gender identities and phrases used to describe these individuals. The Potawatomi have a male-assigned name for their Two-Spirit members: M’netokwe, which means “supernatural and extraordinary.”

The Osage, Omaha, and Ponca also have the male-assigned name Mixuiga, which means “instructed by the moon.” The Cherokee use a male-assigned name, Nudale Asgaya (“different man”), a female-assigned name, Nudale Agehya (“different woman”), and a general name, Asegi.

Today, there are many active Two-Spirit societies around the country. Each year in June, the Central Oklahoma Two-Spirit Society participates in Oklahoma City’s Pride Parade.

People who identify as Two-Spirit, like others who hold multiple and intersecting identities, represent a range of professional positions in and across our country.

At Oklahoma City University, we have added “2S” at the front of the “LGBTQIA+” acronym. “2S” resides in the front of our spectrum initialism to represent the tribes who were protectors of this land before it was colonized. We are fortunate to be residing on this land, and it is crucial to include “2S” in “2SLGBTQIA+” to acknowledge and respect the history of Native peoples across the diaspora.

In the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we will be steadfast in our commitment to educate ourselves and seek ways to incorporate indigenous culture into our curricular and co-curricular learning experiences at OCU. We invite you to learn more about this topic, too!

Gomes is a musical theater/vocal performance major and student program coordinator with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Tallchief is director of Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

With a Donor’s Helpful Nudge,

OCU Joins Global Esports Craze

BY ROD JONES

Former OCU business major Chad Ford is the kind of guy who gets enthusiastic about his work. It’s apparent in his voice when he talks about the various projects he takes on.

“I like to chase unicorns, get into stuff people don’t believe in on the front end,” Ford said after listing the many ventures he’s already launched and plans to tackle in the near future. “I can’t see myself starting an accounting firm and going after new clients day after day. I like doing stuff that keeps me interested.”

His current interest is in the hyper-expanding, constantly evolving, ever-thrilling industry of esports. Luckily for Oklahoma City University, that interest is mutual.

One joint project he helped fund is a new campus esports arena and performance center, built out from what was once the student lounge area on the bottom floor of the Sarkeys Science and Math Center. The 2,100-square-foot corner of the building now resembles an area ripped from the set of the movie “TRON.”

The arena will be used as a practice and competition space, a broadcasting space for competitive matches, a study/lounge area for team members, and a venue to host local high school esports competitions. The opening was delayed due to the pandemic but should be announced soon.

Ford has enjoyed playing video games since his childhood in the Deer Creek suburb of Oklahoma City.

“Some of my favorite things growing up were eating chips and queso and playing ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater,’” he said, referring to the popular skateboarding video game. “Now you see this industry booming, and I wanted in on the ground floor.

“I also want to drive the point home that to be tech savvy, you don’t have to live in New York or San Francisco or Seattle. You can be involved right here in Oklahoma.”

Ford jumped into one of the fastest-growing trends in America. He started and runs an esports management club called Equinox Esports, the first professional esports organization to represent Oklahoma. Ford

Top left: Rendering of the planned esports arena in the Boathouse District along the Oklahoma River.

Middle: Chad Ford in OCU’s esports arena on campus.

Right: Esports in action with OCU students.

SCHOLARSHIPS THAT STACK

with academic scholarships are available for top players. For more information, contact OCU Esports Director Jeff Price.

• Email: jprice@okcu.edu

• Discord: [OCU] Jeff_Price#0959

and his partners have leveraged their connections with people in higher education, development, marketing, and more in their pursuit to lead and advance the esports industry in the state.

Another esports arena project Ford has in progress also has an OCU connection — Mike Knopp, executive director of the RIVERSPORT Foundation and the primary motivator and visionary behind the Boathouse District. Knopp, who established and coached OCU’s rowing team in 2003, said he was excited to help develop plans for an esports arena on the banks of the Oklahoma River. The area will serve as a companion piece to a district that already includes multiple boathouses, a whitewater rafting course, a ropes course, a bicycle and skateboard pump track, a surfing simulation machine, and more. Nearly every year since the Chesapeake Boathouse dedication 15 years ago, the district offers a new adventure to discover.

Knopp said every addition is part of a broader purpose.

“This is all about balance,” Knopp said. “We’re

envisioning an opportunity where a rower or kayaker can come off the water and switch to a different form of competition. The parallels are synergistic. With esports, you can apply many of the same principals of highperformance training. Many of the mental components apply to all of these different forms of competition.

“We also see opportunities where kids can take an esports camp, then get exposed to the other activities we offer.”

Ford agreed, saying many of the skills utilized in esports are similar to “real” sports and esports provide a valuable form of cross-training.

LOOKING AHEAD

Ford still spends part of his time managing a sports bar and restaurant he opened with some of his closest friends. Chalk in the Chisholm Creek district of Oklahoma City was yet another endeavor of passion for which he and his friends brainstormed and dreamed as their ultimate place to watch sports.

Since then, Ford has started gravitating more to his Equinox startup, seeing a new and exciting venture poised for continued growth.

“We look to colleges on how much interest it’s gaining,” he said. “This generation grew up with technology. Now esports and video games are bigger than they’ve ever been.”

OCU started an academic esports program a year ago. The team was admitted into the National Association of Collegiate Esports last summer.

One of the team’s first players is freshman esports management major Caleb Mudd, captain of the OCU eSports “Rocket League” team. Mudd said he took a close look at OCU after hearing about the program from his father, who was selected to design the team’s first uniforms. Upon seeing the university’s dedication to establishing a full-blown scholarship program, he decided to bring his talents to OCU.

“I was impressed by how much support I’d receive as a player and in my academics,” he said. “Right away, I could tell it wasn’t about buzzwords on a sheet of paper.”

Photo of Ford by Eric Gomez; photo of players by Ethan Cooper

Seasons Canceled, Stars Find Silver Linings

BY RICH TORTORELLI

For Macey Currie, 2020 will go down as a memorable year.

During the worldwide pandemic, Currie married her longtime boyfriend, Sawyer, in an outdoor ceremony. It was the wedding they had always wanted—a small gathering with their closest family and friends.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Currie, formerly Cox, a junior runner on the OCU cross country/track and field team.

Currie was one of many Oklahoma City University student-athletes who will remember 2020 for what happened in their lives. In 2020, the coronavirus outbreak halted athletic events across the nation and stopped the seasons for the Stars’ winter and spring sports.

The competitive cheerleading, competitive pom/dance, and women’s wrestling teams had already traveled to their national competitions when the NAIA sent the teams home last spring. The women’s basketball team had reached No. 1 in the national polls and hoped to defend their ranking, but the NAIA Division I Championship Tournament was canceled before any games commenced. OCU’s baseball, golf, softball, rowing, STUNT, and track and field teams had their seasons cut short. From March until September, the Stars didn’t compete. OCU resumed competitions when the men’s and women’s golf teams took to the course in the fall.

In light of the pandemic interruption, the NAIA announced that athletes would not be charged a season of eligibility for the 2020–21 academic year.

Without the thrill of competition, the Stars found other avenues to occupy their time. Many sought to better themselves as athletes and as people in many ways.

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Many furthered their education with summer classes or took tests to enter graduate school. A few prepared to enter medical, nursing, or physician assistant school.

Vaughn Raney, a senior basketball player from Cashion, Oklahoma, prepared for and took the Medical College Admission Test. After scoring in the 82nd percentile, Raney secured interviews for the University of Kansas and University of Oklahoma medical schools. His ambition is to become an orthopedic surgeon.

“It’s the perfect career for me to be able to provide for my future family and simultaneously do something that really matters,” Raney said.

Cierra Foster, a senior chemistry and math major, performed research last summer through an online program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She calculated how elastic samples respond to stretching and relaxing after undergoing surface chemical reactions. A National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates grant funded the work.

“Doing this research helped me see what a graduate program would be like,” said Foster, an All-American wrestler at OCU.

Student-athletes spent the off-season branching out into new activities. Hannah McReynolds not only spent time learning recipes from her aunt, but she also started working on her Spanish speaking and Spanish sign language.

27

“My favorite part about cooking, specifically during this time, was using ingredients that I had never seen before, and cooking with family,” said McReynolds, a freshman soccer player from McKinney, Texas. “One of my favorite dishes she taught me was Pancit noodles with chicken — I did not realize how important it was to make noodles that perfect.”

Pom squad member Grace McLean helped create a documentary about her musical theatre class from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. McLean and her best friend had the idea to put together a film called “Lost and Found,” since their class couldn’t perform a senior showcase.

“My class and I spent countless hours filming clips that showcased our monologues, songs, and dancing,” McLean said. “We did this all while attending online school during a pandemic. In the end, the film came out better than we could ever imagine.”

Connor Burton, a freshman basketball player from Lamar Township, Missouri, worked on his nonprofit, Love4All, which sells hoodies and shirts to support disaster relief and fight issues such as hunger and human trafficking. He also picked up piano.

“I taught myself,” Burton said. “I love playing worship music, and I have started creating my own music just for fun.”

Since March, other student-athletes caught up on activities they don’t normally have time for. Some recovered from injuries, performed rehabilitation, and otherwise rested. Still others spent their time working jobs.

OCU student-athletes made memories in 2020. While Currie’s honeymoon was diverted from California to Arizona, her wedding went off exactly as she hoped.

“We are very private and family-oriented to begin with, so deciding on a small wedding was something we did before the pandemic even started,” Currie said. “I’m grateful to have experienced all of those things during crazy times of uncertainty.”

Photo by Kelsey Redmond of Grand

Cierra Foster won the 155-pound title for her first tournament crown in the Grand View Open in Des Moines in February. Foster conducted national grantfunded research from her home last summer.

OCU sports

OCU student-athletes

237 Student-athletes in fall 2020 with 3.0+ GPAs

2020–21 NAIA Athlete of the Week*

2020–21 conference athletes of the week*

“I’m truly excited to see what else she’s going to accomplish this year.”

VERIFIED

Freshman Rower Beats World Records During Practice

BY ROD JONES AND RICH TORTORELLI

In fall 2020, Oklahoma City University rower Ruthie Lacy set official world records on the rowing machine for two timed categories in the 17–18 age group.

Lacy set the one-minute record on Sept. 28 and followed that up with the four-minute record on Nov. 19. The freshman soon-to-be nursing major posted a mark of 317 meters for the former and 1,116 meters on the latter.

Lacy established the records at Devon Boathouse, home of OCU rowing and canoe/kayak, while performing workouts

on the indoor rowing machines. OCU rowing coach Hadzo Habibovic submitted videos of her attempts, and rowing machine manufacturer Concept2 recognized the marks.

“We were doing some short interval pieces one practice and realized Ruthie was pretty close to world-record speed, so we looked up the one-minute world record for her age category and saw it was attainable,” Habibovic said. “We planned on attempting the world record a few days later, and she

happened to crush it. We are pretty proud of her, and this is just a clear product of her determination and the hard work she’s put into her rowing career. She’s an extremely driven athlete, and I’m truly excited to see what else she’s going to accomplish this year.”

Lacy said she didn’t realize she was capable of beating the records and didn’t change her training to achieve that accomplishment. “Breaking the records was secondary to actual practice,” she said, but “it felt pretty awesome!”

Lacy started rowing in middle school after a friend introduced her to the sport.

“She was naturally competitive, like me,” Lacy said. “On my birthday, I came down here (to the Oklahoma River) to watch a practice. It looked like a work of art, like a graceful dance on the water, so I thought I’d get into it, too.”

With two world records under her belt, the metro-area native is shooting for more. On her 19th birthday, she progressed to the next age category and started chasing those marks.

It’s no surprise to those she trains with

that Lacy has Olympic aspirations. Even though much of her time is dedicated to training (waking up at 4 a.m. every weekday to start practice at 5:30, in addition to evening sessions on Mondays and Fridays), she’s somehow managed to condense her anticipated academic calendar to finish college a year early, just in time for a chance to train and compete in the 2024 Olympic games.

Athletes use indoor rowing machines to simulate the action of watercraft rowing to

train. Although the actual boat is different, the machines are “all power. In a boat, there’s more of a technical side. It feels a little different but these ergs (rowing machines) really show your strength,” Lacy noted.

As a prep rower, Lacy competed for OKC RIVERSPORT. She captured the lightweight women’s title in the USRowing Youth National Championships last summer.

Born in Luther before moving to Oklahoma City, Lacy says she’d like to stay local after finishing her nursing degree.

Photo by Josh Robinson

Florence Birdwell

Sept. 3, 1924–Feb. 15, 2021

“

Your voice rings in my ear forever, Florence. I will miss you as long as I live.”

KRISTIN CHENOWETH

Florence Gillam Hobin Birdwell was born in Douglas, Arizona, to Grace (Gillam) and Warner Hobin. She died peacefully in Yukon, Oklahoma.

Birdwell was an iconic figure at Oklahoma City University as one of the longestserving faculty members, at 67 years as voice professor. She earned a reputation first as a gifted performer, and then as a trainer and mentor to hundreds of other performers on Broadway and opera stages around the world, including stars such as Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara.

She and her younger brother, Bill, were raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Lawton, Oklahoma. Florence graduated from Lawton High School in 1941.

A promising vocal artist, she received a scholarship to OCU. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1945 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 1969, both from OCU. Birdwell became an assistant professor in 1976 and full professor in 1988.

At OCU, she met the love of her life, Robert Lee Birdwell, and after his return from submarine duty in World War II, they married in 1945.

Birdwell’s life at OCU never really ended. Her dream of performing on Broadway was waylaid by a throat condition that permanently altered her approach to singing. She credited her teaching success to techniques learned while overcoming the injury at the age of 21, the same year she had been invited to join the chorus of the Metropolitan Opera and to audition for the role of Laurey in the movie “Oklahoma!” She told The Daily Oklahoman: “When I called in tears to my teacher (voice professor Inez Silberg), she said, ‘No, no, you must not cry. You cannot sing now, maybe, but you can certainly talk.’ Well, I did. And I’m still doing that. I am talking. Can you hear me? Oh, yes. Yay!”

Thus began an OCU teaching career that spanned nearly seven decades. Her impact cannot be overstated.

“Florence Birdwell’s impact is felt far beyond the studios and classrooms,” said OCU President Martha Burger. “It extends to stages and theaters around the country and world, and to the hundreds of musical careers she has helped shape.”

Other notable students include Tony nominee Lara Teeter, Miss America 1981 Susan Powell, and Barbara Fox DeMaio, associate professor of voice at the University of Central Oklahoma. Each of her students recalled her passion, her dedication, and the way her teaching influenced every facet of their lives. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2012 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts by OCU in 2016.

“

As she often said, she taught voice and she taught life. A rarity in the profession of voice teaching, she was equally passionate about opera and musical theater.”

MARK PARKER, DEAN OF

OCU’S

WANDA L. BASS SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Soon after retiring from OCU, Birdwell traveled to New York in 2015, when perhaps her greatest professional achievement materialized. She became one of the world’s only professors to have two alumni nominated for a Tony Award in the same category in the same year.

Chenoweth (BM ’91, MM ’93, and HDHL ’13) and O’Hara (BM ’98, HDHL ’15) earned Tony nominations that year for best leading actress in a musical. O’Hara won the award for her role in “The King and I.”

During her acceptance speech, O’Hara announced to the world her appreciation for Birdwell’s training.

“I come from a place far away and there’s a little teacher there, and two of us tonight, Kristin and I, share her,” O’Hara said in her speech. “Florence Birdwell, thank you.”

In the words of Martha Graham: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.”

In the words of Florence Birdwell: “‘To do is to be.’ That’s Socrates. ‘To be is to do.’ That’s Plato. ‘Doo-bee-doo-bee-doooo.’ That’s Sinatra!”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Robert & Florence Birdwell Endowed Vocal Scholarship by visiting okcu.edu/birdwell or by calling 405-208-7000 so her voice may echo through those walls for years to come.

Top left: O'Hara and Chenoweth with their teacher. Far left and top center: A 1989 performance at OCU. Photos courtesy of Birdwell. Top right: Birdwell with her children, Brian and Robyn, in 2015. Photo by Josh Robinson. Right: Photo by M.J. Alexander.

Rennard Strickland

Sept. 16, 1940–Jan. 5, 2021

Dr. Rennard Strickland, former dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law and a legal historian of Osage and Cherokee heritage, died in Norman, Oklahoma, where he was the senior scholar in residence at the University of Oklahoma Law Center.

Strickland, a native of Muskogee, was considered a pioneer in introducing Indian law into OU’s legal curriculum. At the time of his death, he had authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited 47 books and 208 essays, book chapters, and articles. He was frequently cited by courts and scholars for his work as revision editor-in-chief of Felix Cohen’s “Handbook of Federal Indian Law.” Strickland has been involved in the resolution of a number of significant Indian cases, including testifying on behalf of the Muscogee Nation and against the state of Oklahoma in the case that established the rights of American Indian tribes to engage in gaming.

Strickland was the founding director of the Center for the Study of American Law and Policy at OU. He was the first and only person to have served as both the president of the Association of American Law Schools and as the chair of the Law School Admissions Council. He is also the only person to have been honored by both the Society of American Law Teachers with their annual teaching award and the American Bar Association’s “Spirit of Excellence” Award.

He had an illustrious high school and college

The Rev. Dr. John B. Welch

July 13, 1929–Oct. 7, 2020

John Bob Welch was born in Hickory, Oklahoma, to Loyd and Helen (Ewing) Welch. He served on the Oklahoma City University Board of Trustees, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religion from OCU in 1959, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1992.

Welch spent his childhood in Hickory and Roff, Oklahoma, where he lived until World War II when his family moved to Oklahoma City. John graduated in 1947 from Capitol Hill High School, where he played football. He gained the title of “Mr. Little” for being an outstanding running back. During his senior year, he crowned the homecoming football queen, who became his wife in 1948. John and

debate career, including a quarter-finals finish in the National College Tournament at West Point, followed by success in law school moot court. He and his colleague qualified for the Jessup International Moot Court finals and finished second in the final round; the judges named Strickland “Best Oralist.”

He earned a B.A. from Northeastern State University, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from the University of Arkansas, and an S.J.D. from the University of Virginia.

Strickland spent much of his career as a dean of law schools, including the University of Tulsa, Southern Illinois University, OCU, and the University of Oregon. In 2012, Strickland was inducted into the Oklahoma Historian’s Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was presented with the Gibson Award for Life Achievement by the Oklahoma Center for the Book, with special citation for his three books, which have remained in print for more than 50 years, including “Sam Houston with the Cherokees,” “Fire and the Spirits: Cherokee Law from Clan to Court,” and “The Indians in Oklahoma.”

Strickland was an arts philanthropist, donating several collections to museums in Arizona and Oklahoma. In 2016, the Scottsdale Museum of the West and the Arizona State University Foundation acquired more than 5,000 motion picture posters and lobby-cards from Strickland and his “Golden West” collection.

Gloria Ann Hill were married Oct. 30, 1948. They had three children: Kathie Lynn Hood, Jane Ellen Bagerian, and Jerry Bob Welch.

Welch worked 10 years at Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. before beginning his ministry in 1956. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in divinity in 1962. Welch served pastoral appointments across Oklahoma before completing his career as Bartlesville District Superintendent.

Rebecca Meyer

Aug. 17, 1941–Dec. 22, 2020

Becky Beth Meyer died unexpectedly in her home. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of A.F. (Slim) and Rebecca Lou (Becky) Cox Meyer of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

Meyer graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1959. She attended Oklahoma City University, earning a degree in elementary education in 1963 before obtaining a master’s degree from the University of Colorado. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She took a job teaching second grade at South Lakewood Elementary School in Lakewood, Colorado. Meyer taught second grade there for the next 30 years, making a lasting impression on her students. Her great love was children’s literature, and decades later, many of her former students stayed in touch with her and

Our Condolences

1950s

Vaughn Clinton Purtell (’50)

Bill M. Straka (’51)

Charles C. Dill (’55)

Jerry L. Wallace (’58)

Bob G. Bunce (’59)

John B. Welch (’59)

expressed how she inspired their love of reading.

After retirement, Meyer returned to Oklahoma and made her home in Norman to be close to her family. She enjoyed traveling throughout the world and taking children’s literature tours with other current and former teachers, collecting autographed books to gift her nieces and nephews. Ever the educator, she studied and took notes on all the points of interest on her travels and loved collecting Native American art and jewelry as well as memorabilia from her travels.

As a Cherokee Nation citizen, Meyer was deeply rooted in her Native American heritage and was an active member in numerous organizations and activities. She was active in the National Indian Education Association and the Oklahoma

Her great love was children’s literature, and many of her former students expressed how she inspired their love of reading.

Glen M. Thompson

Sept. 22, 1937–Aug. 16, 2020

U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret.) Glen M. Thompson of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away at the Hospice of Dayton facility. He was born in Ovid, Colorado, the son of the late Theodore and Ruby (VanDyke) Thompson. Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and his MBA from

1960s

Phyllis A. Bishop (’63)

Rebecca E. Meyer (’63)

Nikki A. Craig (’64)

Anna L. Floyd (’65)

Jean A. Stanlake (’67)

Allen B. Pease (’67)

Joe P. Ercolani (’68)

Steven T. Kuykendall (’68)

Glen M. Grantham (’69)

Billy J. Granger (’69)

1970s

Warren B. Morris (’70)

Inks Franklin (’72)

and Colorado Indian Education Associations and volunteered for the Red Earth Festival for more than 25 years. She received the 2013 Red Earth Festival Spirit Award and was named Native American Honored Alumna by Oklahoma City University. She took classes in Cherokee language at the University of Oklahoma and was honored as a Cherokee elder by the AARP in 2014. She was a docent at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History for more than 15 years. She was also a faithful member of the Norman First American United Methodist Church.

Oklahoma City University in 1972. He served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam, retiring in 1988 after more than 26 years of service at the rank of colonel. Following his military service, he worked in consulting. Thompson served as a baseball umpire for many years, was an avid bowler, and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Arizona Cardinals football team.

Glen M. Thompson (’72)

Floyd D. Kieffer (’74)

Karen L. Howick (’78)

1980s

Alvin R. Bates (’87)

1990s

Jeanna J. Stewart (’90)

Thomas E. Williams (’93) 2000s

Lee E. Smith (’05)

Maghen M. Waterkotte (’09) 2010s

David A. Davis (’18)

Share Your News

Send personal and professional developments, along with large photos, to alumni@okcu.edu.

Read All About It

Alumni news available 24/7 at okcu.edu/alumni/news.

1950s

The Muskogee Phoenix featured Lola Hall (BA ’52, BA Competency Based Degree Program ’94) and her career as a pioneer in broadcast journalism.

1960s

The Oklahoman featured 80-year-old Terry Baransy (BA Journalism ’62) and his plan to run in his 206th marathon in remembrance of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Four-time PGA major champion Susie Maxwell Berning (BSB Business ’64) was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

1970s

Travel Oklahoma featured Leona Mitchell (BM ’71, HDM ’79) on its Music Trail, an initiative that highlights successful Oklahoman musicians.

Late restaurateur Greg McGill (BA ’72) was featured in the Tulsa World for his contribution to the Oklahoma City area’s restaurant scene.

Harry Van Camp (JD ’74) was appointed as a co-chair of DeWitt’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group.

The Andalusia Star-News in Alabama and the Albany Herald in Georgia featured Rick Rescorla (JD ’75) and his heroics in evacuating people from the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks.

David Greenwell (BSB Accounting ’76), CPA, became the 62nd inductee into the Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame.

1980s

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre founding Artistic Director Donald Jordan (BA Speech Theatre ’80) announced his retirement.

Attorney Michael C. Mordy (JD ’80) was sworn in as the Oklahoma Bar Association’s new president.

Judge Thomas E. Prince (JD ’82) was appointed to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.

BroadwayWorld Oklahoma announced alumnus Shawn Churchman (BM Music ’86) as its Director of a Performance of the Decade and author of the Original Script of the Decade.

1990s

Kristin Chenoweth (BM Musical Theatre ’91, MM ’93, HDHL ’13) is hosting a new Food Network show, “Candy Land,” based on the original board game.

The Rev. Patrick McPherson (BA Political Science ’92) is the new pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Muskogee.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously to hire Tom Bates (BA Criminal Justice ’91, JD ’94) as its executive director.

Doug Coulson (BA English/Philosophy ’94, MLA ’96) has a featured article titled “More than Verbs: An Introduction to Transitivity in Legal Argument” in The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing.

2 The U.S. Air Force posted a short biography on Maj. Gen. Robert J. Skinner (MS Computer Science ’94), director, command, control, communications, and cyber (C4) for U.S. IndoPacific Command.

Former basketball player and assistant coach John Martin (BS History ’95, ME Secondary Education ’97) was appointed Sooner Athletic Conference commissioner.

1 Artist Brent Greenwood (BFA Studio Art ’97) painted a mural in downtown Sulphur. Red Lake Nation News did a feature story about the work.

The Rev. Valerie Steele (BA Music ’97, MLA ‘01) hosted a discussion based on “The Color of Compromise,” a book that analyzes the relationship between racism and churches in America.

The Oklahoma governor appointed Jennifer Grigsby (MBA ’99) to serve as the state’s secretary of economic administration. She will oversee more than 20 state agencies, including the employment security commission, tax commission, state auditor and inspector, and state treasurer’s office.

Dr. Sherrie D. (Polk) All (BA Religion ’99), brain health expert and the owner and director of the Chicago Center for Cognitive Wellness, released a book, “The Neuroscience of Memory: Seven Skills to Optimize Your Brain Power, Improve Memory, and Stay Sharp at Any Age.”

BERNINA of America, a manufacturer of sewing, embroidery, and quilting machines, appointed Christy Burcham (BA Elementary Education ’99) as director of education and training.

2000s

OCU General Counsel Casey Ross (BS Business Administration ’00, MBA/JD ’03) was a panelist for a conference titled “Inclusivity of Native American Students and the Significance of McGirt v Oklahoma: A legal triumph for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.”

Former Rockette Amy Klingler (BS Dance Management ’00) returned to her hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, and teaches at Elite Dance studio.

Amanda Seamster Clark (BPA Dance Performance ’01) co-authored a book, “Dance Appreciation.”

Daniel Miller (BSB Economics ’01) was named a principal with Edward Jones’ holding company.

SERVICE & SACRIFICE

The OCU Theta Delta chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity held a Cross Awards banquet for five alumni for their lifetime of service to the fraternity. The Cross Award is named for the symbol of the fraternity, denoting service and sacrifice. Pictured are Nic Drago (BPA Dance ’03), Mark Kelly (BS Business ’77), Herman Meinders (HDCS ’89), Stan Sewell (BS Business ’68) and Terry Zinn (BA Speech Theatre ’71).

The India Times featured Lakshmi Manchu (BA Theatre ’02) as a Tollywood “path-breaker” in an article on its Entertainment Times blog.

Law professor Kara I. Smith (JD ’02) was elected to serve a three-year term as a member at large of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Kristen Repyneck Dennis (BS Dance Management ’04) was named a partner of Goldblum & Pollins, an employment-based immigration law firm in Pennsylvania where she provides strategic counseling for institutions of higher education, foreign scholars, and foreign students.

4 Jay Wadley (BM Composition ’05) composed the score for Charlie Kaufman’s Netflix original, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.”

3 Anita Reynolds Howard (JD ’05) was sworn in as Macon-Bibb (Georgia) district attorney, making her the first female and African American to hold that office.

Selena Rosanbalm (BM Musical Theater ’06) recently released a self-titled album and was featured on The Digital Fix.

Tamya Cox-Touré (JD ’06) was named executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma.

2 BroadwayWorld honored Kismet Arts Studio, under the leadership of executive artistic director Angela Polk (BM Music Theatre ’06, MM Music Theatre ’08), as the Best Youth Theatre Camp/ After School Program of the Decade in Oklahoma.

Maria Kristianto (BA prior learning & university studies ’07) opened a restaurant called Resto Kecombrang in Sentul City, Indonesia.

Dr. Kelly Williams (BS Psychology ’08) has been appointed director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority after serving in the role on an interim basis since August.

Gaten Wood (JD ’08) was appointed to Kansas’ 30th Judicial District.

Emily Grace Smith (BFA Acting ‘09) produced “Perhaps the World Ends Here,” a digital production of a new Native American play written

and directed by Daniel Leeman Smith (BFA Acting ’10, MA Nonprofit Leadership ’13).

2010s

Tiffany Strother (JD ’11) was appointed to Texas’ Council on Sex Offender Treatment.

Brooke Nagy LeMaster (BPA Dance ’11) is an instructor and new owner of Mary Lee’s School of Dance in Rockford, Illinois.

Lauren Campbell (JD ’11) joined the Elder Law firm. Oklahoma City’s Plaza District hired David Scott (BSB Marketing ’11) as its new executive director.

Shamari Reid (BA Spanish ’12) published a story for Green Schools National Network headlined “There’s More to Our Lives: Reflecting on the Materials We Select to ‘Culturally Relevantize’ Our Curricula.”

Dr. Brooke DeArman (MA Music ’12) was awarded the Association of International Educators Region IV’s “Most Innovative International Initiative Award” by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers.

Bailey Perkins (BA Political Science ’12) was elected to the Potts Family Foundation board of directors. Matthew McCready (JD ’13) started as an assistant district attorney in Grayson County, Texas.

1 OCU Social Media Manager Chris Cox (BBA

’14, MBA ’17) received the Paseo Arts Association’s new Quaranteam Award for his marketing and entertainment firm The House OKC. Cox also won a NextGen Under 30 Award for demonstrating talent, drive, and service to the Oklahoma City community through his nonprofit, The House Helps, which raised more than $100,000 last year.

Jason Schilder (BM Vocal Performance ’14) was featured in a Cook Children’s story about cancer patients-turned-nurses and Schilder’s inspiring battle against cancer.

Dr. Patrick McGough (DNP-C ’15) was appointed to the Oklahoma Health Information Technology Advisory Board.

Benjamin R. Hilfiger (MS Energy Legal Studies ’15) was elected to serve on the Oklahoma Bar Board of Governors.

Matt Redmond (BFA Acting ’16) joined the New York Theatre Barn board of directors.

Cody Sivertsen (BA History, Education ’16) was recognized by the Oklahoma City Council for being named Teacher of the Month for January by Putnam City Public Schools and Rotary Club of Oklahoma City.

Liz Anne Larsen (BFA Design and Production ’17) served as the assistant stage manager for the Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” in Chicago.

Nursing professor Staci Swim (Ph.D. Nursing ’17) was featured in Oklahoma’s Nursing Times for founding the Front Line Nurse organization.

Kat Metcalfe (BM Music Theater ’18) was featured in Lyric Theatre’s production of ”Moonlight Cabaret.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Amanda Rodriguez (MBA ’18) to the state’s new CFO position.

James Beattie (BS ’18) was named head coach of the Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s soccer team.

John Veal Jr. (MS Accounting ’18) was named Oklahoma district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

2020s

Elizabeth V. Salomone (JD ’20) joined Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson as an associate.

Stephanie Krichena (BM Percussion Performance ’20) and Oliver Nguyen (BM Piano, Violin Performance ’20) have joined the OCU Performing Arts Academy as instructors.

Liberal Arts in Action

Dr. Adam Ryburn, professor and chair of biology, assigns scientific illustrations in his General Botany class to help students become better acquainted with specimens.

Laci Liter, cell and molecular biology junior, drew the nymphaea leaf above. “Memorizing cell types can feel so dry until you spend a couple of hours doodling them,” she said. “It gives you a chance to sit and wonder … about the morphology of it, how it came to look like this, and how amazingly complicated life forms are.” OCU’s biology program is small but not lacking, she said. Although this was just one assignment, she saw the scientific illustration as emblematic of an OCU education, where professors know their students as individuals and inspire a deeper level of learning.

“Creative OCU” highlights one branch of the university’s mission—to create—by showcasing creative student work, providing a glimpse into the unique studies and projects undertaken at Oklahoma City University.

“

(Drawing) gives you a chance to sit and wonder … about how it came to look like this.”

LACI LITER

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