Oklahoma City University FOCUS Magazine—Fall 2018

FOC US FALL 2018

ALUMNI MAGAZINE of OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY

President Burger Commits to a Positive Future

OKCU.EDU

CONTENTS

CATEGORY

Martha Burger, President Kent Buchanan, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

ADMINISTRATIVE CABINET Jim Abbott, Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Amy Ayres, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Leslie Berger, BA ’02, Senior Director of University Communications Joey Croslin, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief HR Officer Gerry Hunt, Chief Information Officer Catherine Maninger, Chief Financial Officer Charles Neff, BA ’99, MBA ’11, Vice President for University-Church Relations Casey Ross, BSB ’00, JD and MBA ’03, General Counsel David Steffens, Assistant Provost Lynann Sterk-Brooks, Vice President of University Advancement Kevin Windholz, Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Communications

ALUMNI RELATIONS John Riesenberg, BBA ’11, MS ’14, President, Alumni Board

EDITORIAL STAFF Leslie Berger, BA ’02, Senior Director of University Communications Rod Jones, MBA ’12, Editor of FOCUS and Associate Director of Public Relations Kim Mizar, 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

PHOTOGRAPHERS Josh Robinson, Photographer/Videographer Ethan Cooper, Photographer/Videographer Assistant

FOCUS ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73106-1493 • (405) 208-7000 Story Ideas: focus@okcu.edu • Alumni News: alumni@okcu.edu FOCUS is produced semiannually by the Communications and Alumni departments for alumni, parents, and friends of Oklahoma City University.

Oklahoma City University pledges to recruit, select, and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity in higher education for all persons, including faculty and employees, with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion, and tenure, applicants for admission, enrolled students, and graduates, without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, handicap or disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

The Chief Human Resources Officer, located in Suite 205 of the Clara E. Jones Administration Building, telephone (405) 208-5075, coordinates the university’s compliance with titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Printed on recycled paper.

ON THE COVER

NEW BEGINNINGS New year, new president, and a fresh commitment to the enduring mission to create, lead, and serve.

Martha Burger has been leading OCU since July 1.

PAG E 6 Above, left to right: President Martha Burger welcomes freshmen as they proceed to the annual matriculation ceremony. Burger gets to know students during freshman move-in. Photos by Josh Robinson

FEATURES

This issue highlights the many achievements and contributions of women from the OCU community.

DEPARTMENTS

Students Flex Missions Muscles

4

Rising Star Addresses Humanity From the Stage

10

Master’s Students Learn to Teach Through Community Classes

14

Professor Serves as Surrogate Mom to Theatre Students

16

President’s Message

1

University Update

2

Alumni

10

Academics

14

Faculty

16

Athletics

18

Class Notes

21

Cheerleader Steps In as Guardian 19 for Nephews, Recognized for Character

In Memory

25

Philanthropist Focuses on Education

Giving

32

Honor Roll of Donors 26 32

Stay Up-To-Date Between Issues: okcu.edu // Read the Archives and Extra: okcu.edu/focus

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Above: OCU made U.S. News & World Report's Most International Students list. Right: Parents document the start of college life for OCU freshmen as they proceed into the annual matriculation ceremony. Photos by Josh Robinson

New Beginnings and a Bright Future GREETINGS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,

I am delighted to write my first column for FOCUS magazine and I hope that you enjoy catching up on all of the wonderful things happening at Oklahoma City University!

This issue celebrates a number of OCU women and highlights many of the great things our students, faculty, staff, and alumni are accomplishing from Oklahoma City to Broadway to Los Angeles and beyond. I continue to be impressed and inspired by all of our tremendously talented students, alumni, and employees.

Our academic excellence has again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report. We repeated our standing as the highest-ranked school in Oklahoma in the Best Regional Universities in the West category, coming in at No. 28 overall in a 15-state region. OCU also was listed as one of the Best Value Schools in the West and on the Most International Students list. These rankings are a testament to our culture of quality academics, diversity, and student achievement.

As an alumna and as a former trustee, I know how much this university means to the OCU family. I am thrilled to serve as your 18th president, and I promise to work hard to position us for a bright future.

Go Stars!

Brandon Stalling, senior BFA acting major.

Photo by Josh Robinson

MARTHA A. BURGER TWEET THE PRES: @okcupres // 1

UNIVERSITY UPDATE

U.S. News & World Report Ranks OCU Among Premier U.S. Schools Oklahoma City University was again included as one of the best schools in the country, according to the annual independent rankings released this fall by U.S. News & World Report.

OCU repeated its standing as the highestranked school in the state in the Best Regional Universities in the West category, coming in at No. 28 overall. The regional category is made up of universities that offer a full range of undergraduate degrees and some master’s degree programs.

OCU President Martha Burger said the university’s standing reflects its commitment to providing high-quality education and academic rigor.

“Our ranking among the best schools in the country—by U.S. News and other independent media outlets—is a testament to our culture of quality academics and student achievement,” Burger said. “We encourage our students and give

them the tools to succeed not only in the classroom, but also in the community.”

Along with the regional overall list, OCU is one of three schools in the state on the Best Value Schools in the West region, one of two schools in the state on the West regional universities A+ Schools for B Students list, and is on the Most International Students list. OCU’s Meinders School of Business is listed among the top Undergraduate Business Programs in the country.

Schools on the A+ Schools for B Students list are noted for accepting outstanding applicants whose scores are not “A.” The colleges and universities included in the list see great potential in these students and help them achieve their goals.

For the international student list, the report cites its significance as promoting an environment that helps the entire student body learn about different cultures.

OCU Among Leading Colleges on Broadway

Top Workplace Honor

Oklahoma City University was included in Playbill’s “Big 10: The 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway in the 2018–2019 Season.”

The leading theater industry news source, founded in 1884, Playbill released the list as part of its Back to School Week coverage. Among other schools listed are Juilliard, the Boston Conservatory, and New York University.

Alumnus and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt tweeted about the news, saying, “Playbill

Oklahoma City University was recognized in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2018 Great Colleges to Work For list. The university received recognition for its commitment to work-life balance.

“Our wellness offerings, paid leave time and strong participation in events such as the Corporate Challenge helped us rank as one of the best higher education employers in the nation in this category,” said President Martha Burger.

The designation was based largely on results from The Chronicle’s survey of a random selection of faculty and staff. It was the second consecutive year for Oklahoma City University to earn a spot on the Great Colleges to Work For list.

Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most comprehensive workplace studies in higher education.

confirming what we already knew—Oklahoma City University is more Julliard than Juilliard.”

The 17 alumni from OCU in current or upcoming Broadway productions are: Jacob Gutierrez, Paige Williams, Wes Hart, Molly Rushing, Colin Anderson, Alyssa Fox, Nathan Peck, Kelli O’Hara, Heather Botts, Sasha Hutchings, Jennifer Sanchez, Darius Wright, Lauralyn McClelland, Abby C. Smith, Barry Busby, Emily Mechler, and Colby Q. Lindeman.

500+ Years of ‘Female Voices in Music’ Celebrated Bass School of Music faculty and a guest artist performed a concert in September titled “Les femmes fortes: female voices in music from the 16th century through today.” The concert focused on the strength and influence of female voices in poetry and song from the 16th century through the present day.

The concert included songs dedicated to the writing of Emily Dickinson, highlighting how female poets influenced the work of female composers. New songs, written for the concert by Oklahoma City-based composer Kaelyn Neal, were premiered in collaboration with the composer. The works included a trio with voice professors Kelly Holst and Autumn West and came together after Neal and voice professor Courtney Crouse collaborated on a song last year. Other performers were Charles Koslowske, piano; Anastasia Abu Bakar, harpsichord; Kyle Patterson, lute and theorbo; Cheyenne Rain, cello; and Sophia Ro, violin.

OKC Newspaper Recognizes Dance, Law Professors Among 50 Female Leaders Making a Difference Jo Rowan from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and Danné Johnson from the School of Law were named to The Journal Record newspaper's 2018 Fifty Making a Difference list.

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They were set to be honored during the Woman of the Year program in downtown Oklahoma City in October. The annual event is held to spotlight female business and community leaders.

UNIVERSITY UPDATE

Oklahoma Leader, Alumnus Named Law Dean Jim Roth was appointed dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Roth is a former Oklahoma County commissioner and Oklahoma Corporation commissioner. He most recently served as a director of the Oklahoma City-based Phillips Murrah law firm, where he provided leadership to the firm’s natural resources department and chaired the clean energy practice group.

“Jim’s appointment follows a thorough national search process, and his selection from the robust pool of applicants is a testament to his strong leadership skills and his vision to grow OCU Law,” said former President Robert Henry at the time of Roth’s appointment.

Roth was advanced by the search committee as a finalist, was approved by vote of the law school faculty, and was appointed by Henry and then-President Designate Martha Burger. He began July 1.

Burger, who also started at OCU July 1, said Roth’s background demonstrates

dedicated public service and impressive legal practice.

“He will serve the School of Law and the university well as we grow forward,” she said.

Roth earned his Jim Roth Juris Doctor degree from OCU and holds graduate certificates from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, the U.S. Air War College’s National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, and the Institute of Public Utilities at Michigan State University.

Gary Homsey, co-chair of the Law Dean Search Committee and vice chairman of the OCU Board of Trustees, said he looks forward to the coming years.

“Jim brings excitement for the future, and he is the right choice to lead OCU Law,” Homsey said.

In 2017, Roth served as the law school’s inaugural distinguished practitioner in residence, teaching energy regulation.

Jim Roth (left) accepts his OCU law degree from then-Dean Robert Henry in 1994.

Roth serves on the boards of the United Way of Central Oklahoma, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, and the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, among others.

OCU Promotes Admissions Director

New Visual Arts Director Selected

Oklahoma City University promoted Tasha CaseyLoveless to director of undergraduate admissions.

Casey-Loveless had been associate director of undergraduate admissions since 2011.

She started at OCU in 1999 as an admissions counselor. She became a coordinator in the admissions office at Oklahoma State University in 2003 and an account executive for Wachovia Education Finance in 2007 before returning to OCU. Tasha Casey-Loveless Casey-Loveless earned the Rising Star Award from the Great Plains Association of College Admission Counseling. She has served on the board for GPACAC and for the Oklahoma Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. She has also been a youth group leader for Wesley United Methodist Church, served on the Arthritis Foundation board, and volunteered for the Regional Aids Interfaith Network.

Casey-Loveless holds a bachelor’s degree in religious education and a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership, both from OCU.

Mixed-media artist Heather Lunsford has been named director of the School of Visual Arts. She holds bachelor’s degrees in studio art and art history from Oklahoma State University, as well as a master’s in administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Lunsford has shown her work in galleries in the U.S. and Spain. She previously served as the director of art in public places for the State of Oklahoma and as a Heather Lunsford bilingual educator at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Lunsford plans to offer visual arts students realworld experiences to help them succeed as artists after graduation, she said. She invited sculptor Morgan Robinson to serve as artistin-residence this year, create art installations around campus, and offer public presentations on such topics as the creative life and the art market. Lunsford has also arranged for photographer and interdisciplinary artist Ginger Owen to give a series of lectures and demonstrations on campus Feb. 6, 7, and 8.

For more information about the school, visit okcu.edu/visualart.

CATCH A CONCERT: okcu.edu/music/performances // 3

UNIVERSITY UPDATE

Above: OCU Alaska mission team: (front row) Angela Martindale, FRM director Rodney Gaskin, John Tassey, Katherine Engel, Charles Neff, Laura Neff, Skye Mellow, (middle row) Jose Cruz, Cassandra Barrow, Emma Neff, (top row) Kourtney Pierce, Marissa Gregorie, and Madeline Stevens. Photo courtesy of Charles Neff Right: Education majors Madeline Stevens and Kourtney Pierce. Photo by Laura Neff

Stars Build Tiny Homes for Homeless “Alaska is Calling and I Must Go” reads the back of the official T-shirt. On June 1, a team of 12 students, faculty, and family members flew to Fairbanks, Alaska, for a weeklong mission trip to build tiny homes as transitional housing for the homeless of central Alaska.

The work project, known as the Joshua Community Project, is a tiny house enclave started by Habitat for Humanity, now under the direction of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission. When completed, it will have 10 double-occupancy cabins, a community building, an office, and a shower house.

The team from OCU worked for five days to add locally sourced wood siding to two of the three tiny houses under construction on the site. Members of the

team also helped clean and organize the Habitat resale shop that is also on the property. During the week, the missioners toured the rescue mission’s main outreach center and met with members of the staff and residents of the shelter.

The trip was book-ended with several cultural experiences that included a riverboat ride, a dip in the Chena Hot Springs, and a bus tour of Denali National Park.

It was OCU’s sixth Volunteers in Mission trip in the past four years under the leadership of Charles Neff, vice president for university-church relations. Based on the success of these trips, the university already has plans to return to Belize in January and Puerto Rico next summer.

Computer Science Changes Schools The computer science program has returned to the Petree College of Arts and Sciences and is now housed in the Sarkeys Science and Math Center.

OCU offers a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in computer science, as well as a minor in the program.

“We are engaging with the technology industry and area employers for internship opportunities and to determine the skills that will be most valued in our graduates,” said Dean Amy Cataldi.

OCU also has introduced a Computer Science Fellows Program for highachieving, first-time, full-time domestic freshmen that offers a generous scholarship opportunity up to the cost of full tuition. For more information about the fellowship, contact Amy McQuade, associate director of undergraduate admissions, at amcquade@okcu.edu or 405-679-2041.

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Marilyn Hildreth, daughter of Clara Luper, spoke on campus in honor of the 60th anniversary of sit-ins promoting desegregation. Photo by Ethan Cooper

UNIVERSITY UPDATE OL É!

Nursing Students Serve in Mexico A group of Kramer School of Nursing students traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, in August for a weeklong service-learning project.

The 14 students, accompanied by nursing professor Pam Boeck, stayed with host families around the city while taking part in activities including preparing and serving meals and distributing children’s books, clothing, and art supplies for families from rural and indigenous communities at the Estancia Fraternidad shelter.

The students were honorary guests at Universidad LaSalle de Enfermia, where they were greeted by the president and the nursing school’s dean.

The students took a language workshop in medical Spanish, attended lectures from renowned public health speakers, and took part in a Temazcal traditional sweat lodge.

They also visited public and private hospitals, midwifery clinics, traditional and indigenous healers, the Monte Alban ruins, and Hierve el Agua springs.

Nursing students kicked off their trip with a tour of Oaxaca. Here, they pose in front of the church and former monastery of Santo Domingo. Photo by Pam Boeck

This fall, students returned to enhanced dining on campus, including the addition of a Chick-fil-A and Alvin's Market convenience store and renovations to the Caf. The cafeteria’s flooring and furniture were updated, and wallsized photos were added. Photos by Josh Robinson

NEWS BITES: okcu.edu/nova // 5

New President Talks Straight The Pros: Students // The Goal: Relevancy // The Surprise: Meatloaf

Martha Burger never really thought about becoming a college president.

As a young girl, a forest ranger or a florist were her leading possibilities. As an undergrad in college, a career as a research scientist seemed more likely, but that changed to accounting and finance while pursuing a graduate degree.

And after living the college experience as both a student and a trustee—along with some persuasion from those closest to her— she decided she was up to the challenge and became the 18th and the first female president of Oklahoma City University July 1.

Hear from President Burger in her own words about what lead to her presidency and what she hopes to accomplish.

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What was life like growing up?

I was born in Connecticut and raised in Delaware before I went off to college. My father was a chemical engineer for the DuPont Company, which was an influential employer in my hometown of Wilmington. In the

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It may sound corny, but helping OCU students achieve their dreams is one of the most meaningful endeavors of my life.

evenings, he would regale us with stories from the office, told with his quirky sense of humor. My father was my kindred spirit and he always encouraged me to try new things and embrace new experiences. Because of his influence, never for an instant did I think I couldn’t achieve anything I set my mind to.

How have your experiences prepared you for being a university president?

finance, I’ve always believed that you could learn much about an enterprise by spending time with the books and accounts. I’ve also had a chance to spend much of my career in an organization that understood the value of a positive culture. For me, understanding the heart and soul of OCU comes naturally!

Serving as chair of OCU’s Audit and Finance Committee gave me a first-hand view of the university’s finances and operations. With my background in accounting and

Above: President Martha Burger addresses freshmen at the annual matriculation ceremony ushering them into college life. Photo by Josh Robinson Left: Martha Burger as a baby. Photo courtesy of President Burger

okcu.edu // 7

What does a typical day on the job look like for you?

As a university president, I’m finding that there is no such thing as a typical day. There are meetings with university leadership, community partners, and donors; emails to answer; athletic events to attend; notes and letters to write; and decisions to make. And maybe if I’m lucky, I get to have one meal at the Caf and have some time to visit with students who have chosen OCU to call home.

What do you like most about your new job so far?

That’s an easy one—the students! They are the reason that we are all here.

I love talking with them about their experiences here at OCU. It may sound corny, but helping OCU students achieve their dreams is one of the most meaningful endeavors of my life.

What do you think are the greatest opportunities and challenges for OCU? What do you hope to accomplish as president?

Perhaps it’s both an opportunity and a challenge, but always being relevant sums up my mission for OCU. That means securing sustainable funding, being accessible for all students who are willing to work hard, having strong relationships with community businesses and partners, and being a good neighbor.

Celebrating our “place”—this wonderful location in Oklahoma City that we occupy—and keeping our brand strong are also important to secure a bright future for OCU.

What makes OCU unique?

There’s a phrase I like to use to describe OCU, and it’s “intellectual breadth on an intimate scale.” At OCU, we provide educational programs that are nationally and even internationally recognized. But while we are delivering an excellent educational experience like one might expect from a much larger university, we are also embracing each and every student on an individual basis. One of my predecessors, President Tom McDaniel, said it best—at OCU, you truly are a name and not a number.

Photos provided by President Martha Burger 8 // FOCUS Fall 2018

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I firmly believe that the best is yet to come— for me and for OCU.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love reading and traveling, and I am committed to advancing animal welfare. So far, I have traveled more internationally than domestically because I imagine that there will come a time in my life when I won’t feel like getting on a long-haul airplane flight. That’s when I plan to rent an RV and visit as many of our national parks as I can!

What do you think readers would be surprised to learn about you?

Oh gosh, I think I’m pretty much an open book, so I’m not sure I have any characteristics that would be a surprise.

That said, 1) my favorite movie is “The Terminator,” 2) my favorite musician is Meatloaf, and 3) I’m the first female president of OCU. OK—two out of three ain’t bad! Meatloaf lovers will know what I mean.

Of all of your accomplishments, what are you most proud of and why?

Becoming a university president is the thing I am proudest of. Maybe it’s because I’m 65 years old and I sold a house that I loved and moved to campus, maybe it’s because I have a chance to impact the lives of students in a positive way, and maybe it’s because I took a big risk and am doing something way outside of my comfort zone.

I am so very proud to be able to serve Oklahoma City University as its president, and I will work hard to position OCU for future success. I firmly believe that the best is yet to come—for me and for OCU. Go Stars!

From the top: President Martha Burger has been active on the OCU campuses since starting July 1. Here is a sampling of her involvement: President Burger helps celebrate “Cheers to Careers” with Monica Storozyszyn, Career Services administrative assistant, in the Martha Burger Career Services Center. Photo by Ethan Cooper Move-in helper student Matthew Lavery and Martha Burger chat while freshmen and their families check in and enjoy breakfast burritos. The president snaps a photo of student RJ Walker, who helped direct traffic on freshman move-in day. Professional counseling graduate student Vanessa Anaya benefited from a scholarship Burger established at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, and like President Burger, Anaya is now at OCU. Photos by Josh Robinson okcu.edu // 9

ALUMNI SAS H A H U TC H I N G S

Performing with Purpose

BY TERRY PHELPS

Performing in five shows on Broadway and other shows off Broadway has given alumna Sasha Hutchings, BPA ’11, opportunities to epitomize Oklahoma City University’s mission to develop graduates who “use their knowledge and talents to make a local and global impact.”

As she said in a Dance Magazine interview, “Dance is how I fulfill a greater calling to communicate, heal, teach, and effect change in society.”

While at OCU, Hutchings added singing and acting to her dancing skills and performed in Oklahoma City Lyric Theatre shows including “Oliver,” “Ragtime,” and “Chorus Line.” Completing her degree, she moved to New York City and began auditioning “for anything and everything—union, non-union, regional, Broadway, offBroadway.” After a few months, she went to an open call audition for “Memphis” and landed her Broadway debut as a swing. That meant covering eight different parts, being ready to go on at a moment’s notice if another actor was sick or injured.

“There are swings in every department,” Hutchings says, “cast, crew, stage management, wardrobe, hair, etc., because the show must quite literally go on. As a swing I was backstage a lot, so I saw that in action. It was humbling in that I saw how easily it can be to replace someone who is out of the show that night, but it is also a huge lesson in respecting the work of your cast mates and everyone’s unique contribution to the show as you all work together to maintain the integrity and magic of the theater.”

Since “Memphis,” her Broadway shows have included “Rocky” (in ensemble and Apollo Girl roles), “Motown the Musical” (as Claudette Robinson, Billie Jean Brown, and Marvelette), “Hamilton” (ensemble and understudy as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds), and “My Fair Lady” (ensemble). She admits that in college she was focused on “making it to Broadway and not being a starving artist. Conversely, as my career began to accelerate, especially with ‘Hamilton,’ I started to realize that ‘all the world’s a stage,’ and when you are given a platform, you can use that to share your point of view, or better yet, give voice to someone else in need or spotlight issues or people that would otherwise be lost in the shuffle, both on stage and off.

“On stage as an actor, I get to experience characters, worlds, and ideas that may be unfamiliar. ‘Rocky’ sheds light on the hopes and struggles of a working-class community in Philadelphia. ‘Motown’ tells the story of African-American neighborhood kids from Detroit 10 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Photo courtesy of Sasha Hutchings

becoming international superstars. ‘Memphis’ centers on race relations in 1950s Memphis. ‘My Fair Lady’ investigates the conflicts and implications of language, gender, and class in Edwardian England, which in turn exposes a lot about how we think and relate to gender and class issues today. With ‘Hamilton,’ to quote the show, ‘the world turned upside down’ by casting people of color to play the founding mothers and fathers of this nation, calling to question the face of ownership and identity of what it means to be American.

“Off stage, theater can be a way to process what is happening in the world around us. In ‘Motown,’ we were on stage when we heard George Zimmerman was acquitted after killing Trayvon Martin. I watched the 2016 election results while performing off-Broadway in ‘Sweet Charity’ with many castmates of different races, gender, faith, and sexual preference who were unsure of what the next four years would be after such a divided and often hurtful campaign season. We

ALUMNI used our story about a bunch of misfit characters in 1960s New York layers of the song as well as bring the story alive to an audience fighting to find acceptance to process feelings of alienation. who may or may not have loved the song the way I did. Finding a “Hopefully seeing ourselves onstage through one character or young collegiate artist who had the ability to bring visceral weight another teaches us to overcome prejudice with empathy, to learn and believability to the piece was important. Sasha and a handful from our mistakes as well as celebrate our virtues. Theater is useful of dancers worked together with me to create something that and is an essential component of our humanity. If something makes was genuine and honest and emotionally accessible. The process you uncomfortable in life, you can try to work it out on stage, and was inspired. Their work ethic, kindness, openness, and sense of if something makes you uncomfortable on stage, it may teach you cooperation truly embodied what we try to do here at OCU: something about yourself and who you are in the world.” provide an opportunity and space to inspire and Hutchings’ favorite OCU classes included history encourage disciplined, kind, and savvy artists to professor Larry Cobb’s two world history survey courses embrace challenges with courage. Sasha inherently because he connected history with current social and understood this on a profound level, and now we Beyond perfect economic circumstances and encouraged students to see her not only finding success as a sought-after execution of a see how today’s events will affect the future. Cobb says performer, but actively striving to propel the craft Hutchings is one of his dozen favorite all-around students and the industry forward.” pirouette is the in his 38 years at OCU, and he kept an exceptional essay Hutchings served as a tutor in OCU’s Learning higher goal of she wrote. She helped him get a seventh-row center seat Enhancement Center for four years, helping for “Hamilton” and took him backstage after the show at students communicate their ideas and get a better communicating the same time filmmaker George Lucas was there. grasp of English grammar. “In turn,” she says, “I shared human Hutchings enjoyed professor Tiffany Van der Merwe’s experienced firsthand that individuals from disparate jazz dance classes, which she found “both physically backgrounds and unfamiliar languages shared the experience.” and intellectually stimulating in that she explained the same ardent ambition for higher education as I did. root and technique of every challenging exercise.” As a We often shared similar ideals and values as well. In choreographer for the American Spirit Dance Company’s holiday and a time when our news headlines and presidential speeches are overrun spring shows, “Professor Van der Merwe often began with a story and with xenophobia, I am so glad for this experience. It is a reminder of a world of characters, encouraging us to explore how that context how simply working together with your neighbor toward a common informs movement. That process is not unlike what happens in the goal prevents walls of fear, prejudice, and hate.” creative development of a Broadway show. We are in the business of Asked in an interview for the OCU website how the university storytelling, and beyond perfect execution of a pirouette is the higher prepared her for her career, Hutchings said, “I acquired tremendous goal of communicating shared human experience. Studying with her, performance ability and education during my time at OCU, but the you might achieve both.” most valuable skill I gained was the ability to learn, adapt, and create Van der Merwe says: “Sasha had a unique ability to submerge opportunities for myself to excel. Jo Rowan incorporates a quote by herself into a created moment and become the tone, the feel, the the Roman philosopher Seneca into the curriculum and culture of shape, and the character of that moment with an authentic and the OCU dance program: ‘Luck is what happens when preparation soulful perspective. It was a given that she had a high level of skill meets opportunity.’ As a performer, there are many factors over and technique, but more importantly, she could ‘become’ anything which I have no control. However, I can always be responsible for my asked by her choreographer—thrilling, heartbreaking, enigmatic, own preparation so that when the challenge of a new opportunity dramatic, whimsical, charming, joyful—it was intuitive to her. … She for success arrives, I am more than ready to meet that challenge.” was a muse to so many of her choreographers because of her range, Hutchings was recently made a member of the Master Artist adaptability, and boldness.”

Council of the Arthur Miller Foundation, which provides resources for Hutchings played an important role in Van der Merwe’s public school theater programs and teachers. She says this is “a growing choreography of “Crippled Bird” sung by Dolly Parton, a favorite part of my advocacy for arts education, particularly for those who may vocal artist from Van de Merwe’s childhood. “The sorrow in Dolly not have financial access. I believe quality theater education is a right, Parton’s voice and the seasoned pain that pulled at the end of each not a privilege, and participation in the arts is integral to our cultural note haunted me for years,” says Van der Merwe. “I really chewed identity. By giving public school students access to quality theater on this song for a while, wondering what story could possibly do education, we create opportunities for more diverse stories, voices, this song justice. I needed dancers in the room to help uncover the audiences, and ultimately, a more integrated and engaged society.”

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FOLLOW THE STAR: instagram.com/sashahutchings // 11

ALUMNI

Singer Seeks to Inspire

BY ROD JONES

Ever since she was a youngster growing up in Vinita near Grand Lake, Elizabeth Montgomery (BM ’90) knew she wanted to sing for the rest of her life. That childhood dream was at risk just as she was getting started, when a recurring bout with pneumonia threatened to cut short what would later become her passion and livelihood.

“It’s really miraculous that I’m able to sing at all,” she said.

And not just sing for fun. How about in front of 75,000 people, performing the national anthem before a Denver Broncos game? Or with half a dozen symphony orchestras, a featured engagement at an Independence Day celebration, and at countless churches of varying denominations on multiple tours around the world? She has also recorded 11 albums.

It all started with a talent show at the Tulsa State Fair where then12-year-old Montgomery performed “Over the Rainbow.” She didn’t win, but it “helped spark an interest. I enjoyed performing.”

Montgomery won the Miss Oklahoma City University title in 1987.

With that honor, she accompanied the women’s basketball team and then-President Jerald Walker on a goodwill trip to Taiwan, an event she considers among her fondest college memories.

Her latest projects include running summer music camps for children in rural areas and putting together a culturally diverse program to perform with symphonies.

Elizabeth Montgomery. Photo by Jeff Frazier, Nashville

OVER THE RAINBOW Learn more about Montgomery’s work at elizabethmontgomerymusic.com.

Meanwhile, Montgomery continues to perform ministerial musical programs she organizes herself, which usually include guest speakers who talk about overcoming life challenges.

“There are lessons learned in life after difficult times, and hopefully we can help lift the spirits of someone else by sharing our stories,” she said.

Artist Keeps Oklahoma Connections While Building Career in LA Reynolds started as a pre-med major at Sculpture artist Shahla Reynolds makes pieces OCU—meeting her that go way beyond basic aesthetics—her works future husband, James, go to the roots of humanity’s deepest emotions. on the campus tennis Reynolds created three memorial sculptures courts—transferred away in Oklahoma: at the Oklahoma State to study graphic design, Firefighters Museum, in memory of the 2002 and then returned for a master’s in studio art.

I-40 bridge collapse, and to honor Oklahoma Reynolds is now a resident artist in a Los City firefighters. She also donated works to Angeles studio. Her ever-expanding media Oklahoma City University’s collection. include clay, stone, copper, and even silk.

Reynolds was born and raised in Abadan, Iran. Photo courtesy of Shahla Reynolds (MA Studio “I like to finish exploring one technique, then Her father “jumped at the chance” to send his Art ’07) go on to the next medium,” she said. daughter to study in the U.S., Reynolds said. “It She still applies for public art projects while was a big deal for him, to give his children that opportunity.” working to become more established in the LA arts community. She Her father also inspired her artistic pursuits. hopes to eventually open her own gallery.

“He made little clay people, did a lot of drawing, and he would let “I love it here,” she said of her adopted hometown. “It’s more like Abadan, with palm trees and ocean views.You can’t beat them.” me watch him and encouraged me to make my own,” she said.

BY ROD JONES

12 // FOCUS Fall 2018

MATRICULATION & MOVE-IN

Clockwise from top left: Freshmen mark an OCU rite of passage, touching the star after the matriculation ceremony; freshmen proceed through campus en route to the matriculation service; faculty gather for the procession; on move-in day, students take a photo op; freshmen gather for matriculation as they begin their OCU journeys; freshman Rae Hillman checks in before moving into campus housing.

Photos by Josh Robinson

REFER A STUDENT: okcu.edu/admissions // 13

ACADEMICS

Citizenship Classes Train Students—and Their Teachers

BY APRIL MARCISZEWSKI

Maria D. Guerra de Solis laughed and said, “Feliz”—she is happy and grateful for those who helped her become a citizen this year.

She saw librarian Phillip Tolbert on TV, talking about Citizenship Corners in the Metropolitan Library System, and within two weeks, she was in a free citizenship class organized by Robert Griffin, Oklahoma City University professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

But let’s back up.

In 2016, U.S. Customs and Immigration Services and the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services agreed to provide citizenship services in the safe space of libraries. Rebecca Barker, grant officer at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, happened to read about it and subsequently has won a program grant from the institute every year for Oklahoma.

Barker knew Griffin, and she offered OCU’s TESOL program the chance to lead citizenship education at Southern Oaks Library.

Griffin saw an opportunity to further OCU’s outreach as Oklahoma City’s university and a chance to provide practical teacher training for TESOL students.

OCU offers a Master of Arts and a certificate in TESOL. The program typically has 20 to 25 students at a time, mostly in the master’s program. Over the years, about three-fourths of students have been international, but recently, more U.S. students have enrolled. The TESOL program prepares students to teach at private institutes, the Defense Language Institute, public schools, colleges, Montessori programs, and more. Many graduates return to their home countries to teach.

“It broadens the horizons of our students to think about English beyond academic purposes,” Griffin said. “We provide practical 14 // FOCUS Fall 2018

applications for our students, and we try to do that in every class that we offer.”

In the TESOL practicum class, Griffin records students teaching so they can review the video and discuss how to improve. He has seen students blossom as they grow more confident with their ability to teach—even outside their comfort zones when they aren’t native English speakers themselves, he said.

Lin Li, a 2018 master’s program graduate, said Griffin and his broad knowledge and kindness swayed her to choose OCU’s program.

“In his class, we all felt like his kids,” she said. She also appreciated that Griffin helped her find a job, which she said was hard as an international student.

Alicia Mumba, a 2017 master’s graduate, worked with Griffin to design the citizenship curriculum used at Southern Oaks Library. They worked with the Metropolitan libraries, gained USCIS training, and used USCIS resources and a citizenship English textbook to make sure they covered every area of the U.S. naturalization test, Mumba said.

“I didn’t know what an awesome thing I was doing until after I graduated,” she said. “Now I can work anywhere I want because of that.”

Mumba teaches citizenship at Oklahoma City Community College.

“It’s always been my passion to help immigrants become citizens,” she said. Her mom is from Panama, and her ex-husband is from Zambia.

Barker with the state Department of Libraries said, “It’s been extremely heartwarming to see the love of these people and their commitment to the teaching and then also to teaching English to immigrants.”

Tolbert at Southern Oaks Library also “has a heart for this,” she said.

“Their library makes such a welcoming place for the immigrants.”

Tolbert maintains a Citizenship Corner in the library, stocked with federal forms, copies of the naturalization exam in English and Spanish, related library materials, and flyers for the class that TESOL

ACADEMICS

Peace Corps Enriches Alumna

BY ROD JONES

Above, from left: Students get a crash course in U.S. government at Southern Oaks Library. TESOL master’s graduate Lin Li leads a summer citizenship session.

Students who come to the library form a community over time, enjoying potlucks while they learn. Professor Robert Griffin facilitates the classes and reviews his students’ real-world teaching several nights a week. Photos by Josh Robinson

students teach. The class started in early 2017 and meets three times a week. Twenty to 25 people attend the class every week.

Tolbert described the class atmosphere as fun—he tries to leave the door open so he can enjoy it while he does other work.

“It’s a very good blend of excitement and enthusiasm and energy in the room,” he said. He’s always thrilled when immigrants visit and report they have passed the test.

Seventy-seven people have become citizens through this and similar programs throughout the state in the past few years, Barker said. At last count, the programs had served students from 53 countries.

Guerra de Solis, who became a citizen this year, appreciated how TESOL students motivated immigrants in the class by calling them “citizens” as they quizzed them over U.S. civics.

Now she has returned to the class herself to encourage other immigrants to keep trying for citizenship, she said.

Last summer in the class, student Ricarte Caldera said he wanted to become a citizen to help his family. His wife, Adriana Segura, was born in the U.S. and had been helping with the class since fall 2017, making sure Spanish-speaking students understood the teacher. She liked that students improved their English while preparing to become citizens. “I love doing this,” she said.

Barker described the classes as a support and service “that our community needs. … There is such a sense of need that people want to vote; they want to not have the fear; they want to have the assurance that they can integrate into our society, our culture.”

Griffin said: “They’re getting really great instruction from our students. We are professionalizing citizenship education and citizenship English.”

Joyce Crawford (TESOL ’07) joined the Peace Corps earlier this year and traveled to central Mexico to teach English. Although her initial plans for a 27-month service term were cut short due to illness, Crawford plans to reapply for a Peace Corps mission next year.

Meanwhile, she has returned to teaching and volunteering in Oklahoma.

As an immigrant from Taiwan, Crawford understands the difficulty of learning a new language and culture. That experience has encouraged her to help others. She says she was motivated to join the Peace Corps by her father’s experience in foreign services in the 1970s. She was also drawn to the Peace Corps mission that strives for global understanding in a local context.

“It has been such an enriching and invaluable learning experience that will stay with me for a lifetime,” Crawford said. “It was not just the culture or the language, but the people and the embracement of the experience that could change a language teacher.”

She said she was impressed by the vibrancy of her host city and how it contrasted with the old-world charm of the neighboring villages.

“Entering a small city is like traveling back in time engraved in somewhat modern convenience. Don’t be surprised if you see … old churches built by the Spaniards, food stalls on the street, greetings of friendly strangers on the street, and a GMC truck bumping on the cobblestone roads.”

Joyce Crawford during her service time in central Mexico.

Photo courtesy of Joyce Crawford

okcu.edu // 15

FACULTY

Above: Director Courtney DiBello leads students through a script reading for “The Oklahoma Bombing Project” with playwright Steve Gilroy in 2015. Photos by Josh Robinson

The Power of the Arts

BY KIM MIZAR

Courtney DiBello, assistant professor of stage management, is a leader in a field that tends to be dominated by men.

“I’m one of very few women, and it isn’t because the opportunities aren’t available—it’s because most of the applicants are men,” DiBello said. “I’ve never felt that being a woman has influenced how I do my job or how I’m treated. I’ve had enough experience to feel comfortable being direct, but I have no problem showing my emotions. I’m the surrogate mom to many of the students, and I see that as a strength.”

DiBello is also a production manager at the Children’s Theatre and co-coordinator of Stage II, as well as the stage manager of the Oklahoma City Ballet and Canterbury Voices. She has a BFA in Technical Theatre and Design from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA in Stage Management from Yale School of Drama.

DiBello has a strong connection to the arts and believes they have a far-reaching impact.

16 // FOCUS Fall 2018

“If you removed the arts from the world, all entertainment would disappear from the planet,” she said. “People enjoy the arts every day without realizing it—the song on the radio, the musical score during a movie—these things are Courtney DiBello because of the arts.

“We all have a very real, human need to tell and hear stories and to see the world through someone else’s eyes. The arts are what allow us to do that together in good times and bad times.”

The Oklahoma City University School of Theatre is awardwinning and world-renowned but often goes unnoticed and underappreciated in the community, she said.

“Once people find us, they are loyal to us,” she said. “Our students are special and the hardest working people in the business. That’s why they’re hired. When they graduate and work in this business, they’ve earned it through hard work and dedication to their craft.”

Backstage with Courtney DiBello4

ATHLETICS

Stars Triumph Oklahoma City Athletics Named Most Successful Program Nationwide

BY RICH TORTORELLI

Oklahoma City University captured its second consecutive NAIA Directors’ Cup championship with its finishes nationally in 2017–18.

“It is an honor to be recognized as the most successful NAIA athletic department in the country for the second year in a row,” Oklahoma City athletic director Jim Abbott said. “This award recognizes our success across the department and is a testament to the efforts of our student-athletes, coaches, and university administration.

I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments of our teams, and I’m thrilled that they are recognized in this way.”

Oklahoma City squeaked past Lindsey Wilson (Kentucky) by the slimmest margin ever in the 2017–18 standings. As of May 24, Lindsey Wilson held a 55.25-point lead in the standings. The NAIA Directors’ Cup was decided by one point for the first time ever.

Oklahoma City scored points in the maximum 13 sports allowed with four scores omitted.

“I COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD … OF OUR TEAMS” Men’s golf won the national championship for OCU’s 67th national title. In the NAIA Softball World Series, the Stars moved past Lindsey Wilson by 1.75 points after their tie for third place. OCU also had a seventh-place showing in the NAIA women’s track and field championships.

The Stars finished as national runners-up in competitive cheerleading and competitive dance and third place in both men’s and women’s cross country, among 10 top-10 finishes in 2017–18.

OCU has won at least one national title in each of the past 25 years.

OCU won its first Director’s Cup in 2016–17 and has now finished among the top three programs for five straight years.

Previously, OCU was runner-up in both 2015–16 and 2013–14 and ranked third in 2014–15. This year marks the Stars’ sixth straight year in the top 10 and 17th time in the top 10 in the past 22 seasons.

Men’s Golf Wins Nationals No. 1-ranked Oklahoma City University wrapped up its 11th men’s golf national win in the NAIA Championships on May 18 in Silvis, Illinois.

Oklahoma City captured its second national title in three years by 13 shots over second-ranked Dalton State (Georgia). Rupert Kaminski led the Stars, tying for sixth individually to collect all-tournament honors.

Garrison Mendoza, David Meyers, and Gaston Romero of the Stars also took all-tournament nods by finishing in the top 15. OCU finished as the only team under par at 9 shots under on the par-71, 7,066-yard course. The team fashioned a program-record 72-hole total, beating its championship-winning score from the 2013 NAIA Championships.

Oklahoma City established a single-season team record for scoring average with its 286.22 average round this season. OCU’s previous season-best stroke average was 288.52 in 2013–14.

The Stars celebrate winning the 2018 NAIA men’s golf championship May 18 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Photo courtesy of the NAIA

Abbott Receives Athletic Director of the Year Honor Oklahoma City University’s Jim Abbott was named the 2017–18 Under Armour NAIA Athletic Director of the Year for his commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, the campus, and the community.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics previously named Abbott the AD of the Year in 2009–10 and 2014–15.

Abbott joined 27 other Athletic Director of the Year winners spanning seven divisions, who were honored at NACDA’s national convention in Washington, D.C., in June.

18 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Abbott is also a two-time NAIA Athletic Director of the Year and five-time Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year. He was inducted into the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.

Abbott oversees Oklahoma City’s 22 intercollegiate athletic programs including more than 300 studentathletes. OCU has won 67 national championships­—45 under Abbott’s guidance over 16 years.

Jim Abbott

ATHLETICS

Williams Considered for Champions of Character Award Devanjue Williams and others competing in the NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance Championships spread the NAIA’s Champions of Character message to the children of Gatewood Elementary in Oklahoma City.

Photos by Josh Robinson

Devaunjue Williams has been nominated by the Sooner Athletic Conference for the NAIA’s Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award.

In honor of former NAIA president and president emeritus of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the award recognizes a junior or senior student-athlete who uses all five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program and demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, campus and community leadership, and athletic achievement.

The award is presented by Herff Jones. The NAIA was expected announce the winner on its National Awards Day on Sept. 15.

Williams, a junior from Wewoka, Oklahoma, has been a key member of Oklahoma City’s competitive cheerleading team the past two years. Williams contributed to the Stars capturing the 2017 NAIA competitive cheerleading championship, the first national cheer title fully recognized by the NAIA or by an intercollegiate organization. Williams helped Oklahoma City finish as national runner-up this past season.

Early in the 2018 spring semester, Williams’ nephews, Andre and Anthony, needed a home. Williams took the 9-year-old twins in just before the NAIA competitive cheerleading championships at OCU in March. He assumed guardianship of the two boys in the midst of school, work, and competing on the cheerleading team.

“There are not many college student-athletes who would have the courage, strength, and responsibility to do what he has done,” Oklahoma City coach Alicia Bailey said. “He is having a great time being a mentor to the boys and having fun with them as well.”

Williams’ honors include receiving the Stars’ 2017–18 champion of character award, the cheerleading team’s Jim Wade Award, the Clara Luper Scholarship, and Sonic Education Foundation Scholarship.

Williams is majoring in religion and expects to attend the Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University after graduation. He serves as co-pastor of Village United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, overseeing the children and youth ministries program. Williams also worked with Project Transformation, where he mentored at-risk elementary-age children.

New Men’s Wrestling Coach Snares World Team Berth OCU men’s wrestling coach Sam Hazewinkel earned a spot on the U.S. Senior Greco-Roman World Team following the World Team Trials in Tulsa in June.

Hazewinkel made the World Team for the first time in his storied international career. He is competing for the U.S. in the World Championships in October in Budapest, Hungary. Hazewinkel competed for the U.S. in the 2012 Olympics. He made his return to the mat after two years.

Hazewinkel secured the 121-pound (55-kilogram) World Team berth by knocking off Max Nowry 11–0 in a first-period technical fall. Hazewinkel completed a two-match sweep, knocking off Nowry 4–4 in the first bout with a first-period throw. Nowry, a past University World champion, defeated

Hazewinkel in April for the U.S. Open title.

Hazewinkel joined the Stars as head coach in March. He had been an assistant coach at Central Oklahoma for two years. Hazewinkel is a 10-time national team member and 2008 Greco Olympic Team runner-up. He competed for the University of Oklahoma from 2002 to 2006, becoming a four-time all-American and national runner-up.

Sam Hazewinkel competes in the U.S. Open. Photo by Austin Bernard

ocusports.com // 19

ATHLETICS

Two Stars Drafted to MLB OCU’s Miguel Figueroa and Lane Milligan were picked in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The Boston Red Sox chose Milligan in the 17th round with the 520th selection, and the Houston Astros took Figueroa in the 24th round with the 732nd pick.

Oklahoma City boasts 75 draftees taken in the MLB Draft and 161 alumni who have turned professional. OCU has racked up 1,387 wins since 1991 to lead college baseball in that span.

Milligan, a senior catcher-outfielder from Binger, Oklahoma, established the NAIA single-season record with 15 triples this year.

Milligan had a .441 average, 20 doubles, 19 triples, 20 homers, 116 RBIs, 115 runs scored, 156 hits, and 10 steals in his OCU career.

Figueroa, a junior right-handed pitcher from Tucson, Arizona, delivered a 3-2 record, 4.50 earned run average, two saves, and 48 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched for the Stars.

The two helped the Stars reach the NAIA World Series and 50 victories for the second year in a row. Oklahoma City has made 16

Lane Milligan breaks the OCU single-season triples record against Tabor (Kansas) on April 10 at Jim Wade Stadium. Photo by Rich Tortorelli

NAIA World Series appearances with 15 50-win seasons in program history. Four Stars, including J.R. Holloway and Joe Lytle, turned pro during the past year.

Bonhomme, Olowora Reel in Jim Wade Awards OCU honored Terence Bonhomme as its male student-athlete of the year for the second consecutive year and Aminat Olowora as its female student-athlete of the year in the 2017–18 Jim Wade Awards in April.

The Oklahoma City competitive pom/dance team was honored as the team of character, among other award winners.

Terence Bonhomme The year’s Jim Wade Award winners are selected by the OCU athletic department as those who best represent the Stars both on and off the field and embody the spirit of Gen. Jim Wade, who competed for OCU as a student-athlete in baseball, basketball, and football.

Wade earned decorations for service in the Korean War and rose to the rank of general in the U.S. Air Force. Wade became an OCU Athletic Hall of Famer and trustee. OCU’s baseball field, athletic office suites, and soccer press box bear his name.

Bonhomme, a senior from St. Martinville, Louisiana, contributed to the Stars’ first Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season men’s basketball championship, consecutive 20-win seasons, and NAIA Division I Tournament victory. He completed his college career with 1,302 points. Bonhomme earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in criminology from OCU. He came to 20 // FOCUS Fall 2018

OCU after serving in the U.S. Army.

Olowora, a senior from Lagos, Nigeria, completed her OCU cross country and track and field career as an 11-time all-American and nine-time national champion. In 2017–18, Olowora won the NAIA women’s individual cross country title, the 3,000-meter crown in the NAIA indoor track and field championships, Aminat Olowora and the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter crowns in the NAIA outdoor championship meet, garnering the women’s most valuable performer in the NAIA outdoor championships. She became a two-time national cross country champion, two-time SAC cross country champ, two-time 3,000-meter indoor champion and two-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association South Central Region women’s cross country athlete of the year. She set the NAIA women’s cross country championships meet record as a junior and finished her cross country career with 10 wins in 10 races.

Olowora has founded the Aminat Olowora Foundation to help discover the best in every individual for optimal peak performance and restore hope to the hopeless. She collects athletic shoes to send to her hometown. More information is available at aoloworafoundation.com.

CLASS NOTES

Trustee Jane Jayroe Gamble (BM ‘69) was selected for induction into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame on Sept. 27. The 1967 Miss America and former television journalist has been appointed to leadership positions by four Oklahoma governors, including cabinet secretary of tourism and director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

Pepperdine University President and Chief Executive Officer Andrew K. Benton (JD ’79) announced his intent to conclude his presidency at the end of the 2018–2019 academic year.

Louise Bass (BA ‘79), artistin-residence in organ at Piedmont College in Georgia, performed with the Piedmont College Singers in a concert in McAlester, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoman featured Roger Banks (BA ’65), an organ builder and tuner since 1964, telling how he fell in love with the instrument when he tuned his uncle’s organ and how he met his wife, an organist, on the job.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (JD ’09), on behalf of the governor, presented the certificate declaring March 17 as “Donald Jordan (BA ’80) and Jonathan Beck Reed (student ’79-’83) Day” to the honorees. The declaration came during the opening week of their CityRep theater production of “Greater Tuna.”

1970s

1980s

Gerald Taylor (JD ’72) retired from the Fort Gibson Board of Education in Oklahoma after 27 years.

Lisa Reagan (BA ‘80) released an album titled “If Thoughts Could Tell” in February.

John Frederick “Fred” Kempf Jr. (JD ’77) was named a shareholder in the Oklahoma City office of the Hall Estill law firm.

Dr. Florence Lyons (MA ’80) was appointed director of the honors program at Albany State University in Georgia.

The Baptist Messenger featured high school baseball coach Marlin Dahlke (HPE ‘78) and his battle to overcome pancreatic cancer.

Susan Powell (BA ‘81), Miss America 1981, participated in the Miss America Serves national day of service to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

1960s

Gregory Meng’s (BA ’79) show “Days of Our Lives” won several Daytime Emmys including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team, and Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team. Meng is a co-executive producer of the show.

Nick Redwine (MBA ’82) was appointed campus director of Community Care College in Tulsa.

Molly Cason Johnson (BA ’83) starred in the Painted Sky Opera production of “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins.”

Vicki Smith (MM ’83) performed with the Strings and Pearls Harp Duo in “Music Gems,” a program of popular and light classical favorites, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Neue Zürcher Zeitung in Zurich, Switzerland, ran a feature story about Mesai Haileleul (BS ’84), co-founder of the Contemporary Ethiopian Gallery, and his work to promote Ethiopian art.

Jon Downard (JD ’84) was elected to serve as chairman of the board for Bank of Sullivan in Missouri.

Steven S. Camp (JD ’85) joined the Banking & Finance team for Husch Blackwell’s Texas offices.

Charles Barham (MBA ’86) wrote “The Case for Counter Insurgency ‘Light’ in Afghanistan” for RealClearDefense, a news website for the Pentagon and the House Armed Services Committee. Also, the Special Operations Forces News website published Barham’s article “Stabilization Environments and the Range of Military Operations.”

Vicki Adams Werneke (BA ’86) was named an Outstanding Assistant Federal Public Defender by the National Association of Federal Defenders.

Werneke works for the Northern District of Ohio. She previously served in the Western District of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Bruce R. Bethers (BS ‘82), president of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation, met in Reno, Nevada, with the rapporteur/secretary general of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for the UNESCO Traditional Sports and Games. okcu.edu // 21

CLASS NOTES Jerry Steichen (BM ’86) served as guest music director and conductor of the University of Oklahoma’s spring musical, “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Two OCU alumni—Edgar Cruz (BM ’86) and Kyle Dillingham (BM ’02)—were the headline musical performers for the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department’s Outdoorfest at the amphitheater in Will Rogers Park in May. Cary Pirrong (BS ’87, JD ’90) was named director of equity and compliance for Oklahoma City Community College. He was also elected to the board for Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.

Pianist Virginia Campbell (MA ’88) and violinist Kyle Dillingham (BM ’02) were featured in the last concert of Campbell’s 35th annual Piano Artist Series in Oklahoma City.

David Holt (JD ’09) greets audience members at City Hall after his swearing-in as Oklahoma City mayor. Photo by Josh Robinson

JoAnn Marsh Clark (BS ’88) was named to the International Nurses Association’s Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare.

Jim Banowsky (JD ’93) joined the AmpThink technology company as general counsel.

Presbyterian Senior Living, a senior and retirement care services provider based in Pennsylvania, promoted Dan L. Davis Jr. (BS ’88) to senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Senthil Kumar (BSB ’93, MBA ’04) was named vice president of the office of global engagement and international affairs at Saint Leo University in Florida.

Robert (Bob) D. Archibald (MBA ’88) was named COO of Claim Post Resources, an energy services company in Canada.

Maj. Gen. Robert J. Skinner (MS ’94) was named commander of the U.S. 24th Air Force.

The Phillips Murrah law firm in Oklahoma City promoted Kayce L. Gisinger (JD ’88) to director and shareholder.

Retired surgeon Dr. R. Darryl Fisher (JD ’89) received East Central University’s Distinguished Service Award for 2018.

1990s Timothy Long (BM ’90) was appointed to the faculty of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester as associate professor of opera and music director of Eastman Opera Theatre.

Brooks Douglass (JD/MBA ’90) screened his movie “The Amendment” in theaters throughout the U.S. in April.

22 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Lana Ross (BS ’95) was named head coach of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Lady Blue Devils softball team.

Jeffrey Meek (BS ’95, MPA ’97), as costume designer for Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City, worked on Disney’s “Freaky Friday” production and other shows in the “Summer at the Civic” series.

Michael Yek (MBA ’95) was elected into the state legislative assembly of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia.

The Austin Business Journal profiled Lorinda Holloway (JD ’96) and her dirt biking hobby.

Michael Vogt (JD ’96) was inducted into the Affton Education Hall of Fame in Missouri.

Leslie Hudson (BA ’96) joined the coaching staff for Enid High School’s fast-pitch softball team.

Former OCU golfer Darren Ogee (BSB ’96) was inducted into the Broken Arrow High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Joseph Erb (BFA ’97), a computer animator, film producer, educator, language technologist, and artist, was the featured artist for September’s First Friday art talk series at the Travois gallery in Kansas City.

Samonia Byford (BA ’98) was named treasurer of the Friends of the Oklahoma History Center board of directors.

Carmen Dennis (BA ’98) joined the Persimmon Group, a multi-disciplinary management consulting and learning organization, as a consultant.

Kelli O’Hara (BM ’98, Honorary DHL ’15) performed in the Metropolitan Opera production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte” in New York. O’Hara also made her debut on London’s West End in the Broadway revival of “Kiss Me, Kate” as Lilli Vanessi. MSN and The New York Times chronicled some of her most recent career developments, including her signing with ICM Partners.

Jennifer Grigsby (MBA ’99), executive vice president and chief financial officer for Ascent Resources, was the featured speaker during Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business graduation ceremony.

CLASS NOTES Nicole Harvey (BS ’04 and MBA ’07) was named Oklahoma City’s Alpha Chi Omega Woman of the Year.

J. David Beasley (BM ’04) was named to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico board of directors.

Tony Chancellor (BM ’05) was named Teacher of the Year for Oklahoma City Public Schools, the largest district in the state. He teaches leadership at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School.

Joanna Marzec Eldridge (BM ’11 and MM ’13) from Edgemere Elementary was a finalist.

Judge Sharon K. Holmes (JD ’99) was a featured speaker for the Women’s Missionary Unit Annual Brunch, part of the Vernon A.M.E. Church’s Women’s Day Weekend.

Susan Carns Curtiss (JD ’06) founded Girl Attorney, LLC, which met with Oklahoma legislators to discuss a resolution to education funding.

Neelima Parasker (MSCS ’99) started a company called SnapIT Solutions, a software company, in Kansas City.

Jimmy Lawson (MBA ’06) founded the JL Basketball Training to train and prepare young athletes on life skills and basketball skills.

2000s

Angela Polk (BM ’06 and MM ’08) directed the Kismet Arts Studio & Theatre production of “Oliver!” Polk is a co-founder of the company.

Sarfraz Shaikh (MBA ’01) heads the information technology and marketing divisions for Tulsa-based construction and engineering firm MESA.

The Oklahoman featured Oklahoma County District Judge Cindy Truong (JD ‘01), a refugee from South Vietnam. The story identified her as “the first Asian to run or be elected to state office.”

Kirk Warden (MBA ’04) was promoted to president of LaCroix Precision Optics in Arkansas.

Abby C. Smith (MM ’08) made her Broadway debut in the musical “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Former OCU baseball player Ashur Tolliver (Kinesiology & Exercise Studies 2008–2009) met U.S. President Donald Trump as part of the Houston Astros visit to the White House in March.

Tolliver made three appearances for the Astros during their championship season last year.

Miles Seybert (BS ’09) was promoted to vice president for First United Bank in Lubbock, Texas.

Leslie Reeves (BM ’03) started a business in northern Colorado called the Weathered Oak Mobile Photo Booth.

Melissa McKamie (BM ’04) played Baroness Elsa Schraeder in the touring version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.”

Kelly Williams (BS Psychology ’08), director of OCU Institutional Research, spoke at the IgniteOKC 11 event on “Why I Hate the Golden Rule.” IgniteOKC is a networking event featuring entertaining, rapid-fire presentations.

Katelyn Parker Bray (BM ’09) was a featured soloist in the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Mozart and Beethoven concert in Maine.

Playbill ran a story by Jeremy Hays (BA ’03) titled “How I Became a Leading Man on Broadway—Stutter and All.”

Matt Harney (BS ’04, MBA ’07) was named executive director of the Ohio Osteopathic Association and president of the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation.

Reginald Smith (JD ’08) completed the London Marathon in April.

Keith Hines (BM ‘07) played Nick Massi in The Muny production of “Jersey Boys” in St. Louis.

Peter L. Scimeca (JD ’07) joined the Fellers Snider law firm in Oklahoma City.

Shannon Crider (BA ’08) was one of the artist collaborators for the “Welcome to the Vortex” exhibit at the Lawndale Art Center in Houston.

Rev. Lori Allen Walke (JD ’09), associate minister at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, was the master of ceremonies at the 12th Annual CAIR Oklahoma Awards Banquet.

Erika Hebron (BPA ’09) and Ben Lanham (BPA ’13) were in the national tour cast of “An American in Paris.”

2010s The Crowe & Dunlevy law firm in Oklahoma City promoted Kari Hoffhines (JD ’10) to director.

SUBMIT CLASS NOTES: alumni@okcu.edu // 23

CLASS NOTES Carlos Robinson (BS ’10) was named director of admissions, recruitment, and outreach programs at Langston University in Oklahoma.

Kristi Garr (BS ’14) in its “Greatest female wrestlers in Michigan history” list.

Trey Whitley (MS ’14) was hired as financial strategist for wealth management firm Wymer Brownlee.

Choreographer Dre Torres (BS ’10) put together a show titled “OSCiLLATE,” which premiered at the Sadler Wells theatre in London.

Savannah L. Jackson (BFA ’15) starred in the Simpatico Theatre production of “Red Bike” in Philadelphia.

Brian Shepard (BA ’10) played Cosmo Brown in Maine State Music Theatre’s new production of “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Edmond, Oklahoma-based accounting firm Arledge and Associates promoted Jeremy Johnson (BS ’11, MS ’12) to audit supervisor.

Zhander P’Ng (BM ’11, MBA ’16), co-owner of the French-Chinese restaurant Kwan’s Kitchen, was featured on an episode of “Uncovering Oklahoma.”

Anita Lamar (JD ’11) joined the Georgia-based personal injury firm Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group.

Shamari Reid (BA ’12) was a panelist for the International Literacy Association’s Equity in Literacy & Education: Critical Conversations for Classroom Action live Twitter chat in February.

ILA is the largest and most prestigious literacy education organization. Reid started working on his doctorate at Teachers’ College at Columbia after earning his master’s degree from New York University.

Drew Wutke (MM ’12) was the musical director and arranger for the GreenRoom 42 production of Christina DeCicco’s “My Parents’ Music” in New York City.

Mary Kate Moore (BM ’13) performed in a North American touring production of “Les Miserables.”

Hailey Blanton Couch (BS ’13) helped organize the Norman Public Schools teachers’ strike walk to the Oklahoma Capitol.

Felipe Nieto (BM ’13) was selected to participate in the American Composers Orchestra’s 27th Annual Underwood New Music Readings in June.

24 // FOCUS Fall 2018

John Kim (JD ’13) was hired as title manager for Prairie Oil & Gas in Norman, Oklahoma.

Audrey Wagner (BA ’13) gave a critically acclaimed performance in the movie “Strike, Dear Mistress, and Cure His Heart.”

Bobby Spain (BS ’13) returned to the Gary, Indiana, SouthShore RailCats for his third straight season as the baseball team’s hitting coach.

Brianna J. Rahall (BS ’14) cheered her Washington Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup championship as part of the Washington Capitals Spirit Squad.

Steven D. Powell (BS ’14) was finalist for the Ed Klein Political Action Award at the national convention for the American Federation of Government Employees in Las Vegas. Powell was also team captain of the Quizzly Bears, which came in 11th out of 204 teams at the annual Challenge Entertainment National Trivia League finals in New Orleans.

Ben Rivera (BPA ’14) was cast in the new musical version of “Moulin Rouge,” which opened preBroadway in June at the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston.

The MLive Media Group included

Elise Mestichelli (BPA ’15) is on season four of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” as C.H.E.R.Y./L. the robot.

The show is available on Netflix.

Colin Briskey (BM ’16) performed in the Tacoma Musical Playhouse production of “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” in Washington.

Dorothea Houston (BS ’16) earned the Under 40 Award during the National Black Nurses Association conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

Kally Duncan (BFA ‘17) played the co-lead role of librarian Marian Paroo in the Rockwall Summer Musicals production of “The Music Man” in Rockwall, Texas.

Kristin Kuns (BFA ’17) starred in the Lyric Theatre production of “Junie B. Jones, The Musical” in Oklahoma City.

Aimee (Phillips) Majoue (JD ’18) published “A Practical Guide to Ending Homelessness” in the spring 2018 edition of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice.

IN MEMORY Kenneth Floyd Lundie

Tevyn Jermaine Hill

JAN. 11, 1 951 –JA N. 1 8, 20 1 8

J ULY 3 0 , 19 92 — AUG. 24, 20 18

Kenneth Floyd Lundie of New York passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York, surrounded by his friends and caregivers, Missy Keene and Barbara Porteus.

Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, Lundie was the son of the late Sara Bell Lundie and the late B. Fred Lundie. He was preceded in death by his life partner, Dennis Daniel.

Kenneth Floyd Lundie At age 4, Lundie began performing at the Children’s Theatre of Performing Arts in Portsmouth, Virginia.

In high school, he directed three church choirs and a weekly televised church service for Cottage Place United Methodist Church.

Lundie earned a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma City University in 1974.

He worked as a musical director, pianist, composer, vocal coach/arranger, and Broadway performer in the New York theater scene.

He provided musical direction for successful off-Broadway productions and was the musical director for several regional productions. He appeared in the Broadway productions “Crazy For You” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Tevyn Jermaine Hill was born in Pomona, California.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music in 2014 and his Master of Music in Opera Performance in 2016 from Oklahoma City University.

Growing up, Hill enjoyed singing with his siblings and joined the Trinity Baptist Church choir in high school.

Tevyn Jermaine Hill He excelled in band and musical theatre, receiving numerous awards for academic excellence, exemplary character, leadership, and musical excellence.

At OCU, he amassed awards and honors and performed leading roles in operas and musical theater works. Hill was the only graduating vocal student to receive both the Stephen Dickson and Blevins-Thatcher awards, recognizing his potential for both opera and Broadway careers.

After his master’s, Hill signed with Clear Talent Group, a New York artist agency. He was chosen by Broadway star Kelli O’Hara to sing with her at Carnegie Hall. Recently, Hill appeared in “Song for a New World” at PRIMA Theatre in Philadelphia.

George A. Tanton M ARCH 1 6, 1 93 5–J U LY 3 1 , 2 0 18

Retired research physicist Dr. George Anjou Tanton, husband, father, and grandfather, died July 31 after a long illness. His distinguished career included working in the formative years of the U.S. space program.

Tanton was born in Jefferson, Oklahoma, to Ola Strobel Tanton and Ralph Tanton. He excelled in academics and sports and had an early love for aviation, radio, and astronomy.

Upon graduating from Oklahoma City University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in George A. Tanton physics, he was hired to work with the Army Ballistic Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1960, he joined the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In both roles, he worked with German scientists who had come to Alabama through Operation Paperclip. His work included designing audio and sensory projects that were placed on the early rocket launches, and a pickup and recording system that he designed captured the sounds of “monkeynauts” Abel and Baker. He used early fiber-optic technology to develop the

aspect sensor, which enabled a satellite to maintain a steady position in space.

After serving at NASA, he joined the Army Missile Command. He did semiconductor research and development, worked in sensor technology, and designed and patented the magneto optical mapper system.

He held 13 patents. He went on to work for Teledyne Brown and later Morgan Research, retiring in 2001.

Tanton did graduate work at the University of Oklahoma and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in physics at the University of Alabama.

He acquired new skills in retirement, restoring books for Friends of the Library at the Huntsville Public Library and repairing watches free of charge for others, including people in need. He used his fluency in German to do translation work for a regional historical society.

His greatest love was spending time with Janie Zopfi Tanton, his wife of 40 years, and family and friends. He was a longtime member of Twickenham Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, three sons, three grandsons, a sister, and sister-in-law.

Our Condolences 1960s Harold L. Snellen (’64) Leonard G. Vowell (’65) Robert W. Harper (‘67) Paul M. Kimball (’69) 1970s Jerry H. Neal (’73 and ’75) John G. Johnson (’75) 1990s Kerry L. Wagner (’92) Patrick H. Hayes (’94) Vivian S. Juarez (’94) Rhoda J. Mull (’98) 2000s Justin M. Blumer (’09 and ’13) 2010s Patrick J. Ryan (’14) James B. Ward (’16) Clifton S. Colbert (’16) FULL MEMORIES: okcu.edu/focus // 25

2017–18

Honor Roll of Donors Photo by Shane Bevel

26 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Since the founding of our university in 1904 … … this enterprise of United Methodist higher education has been sustained by donors who realize they are investing in the future by supporting our students. Oklahoma City University is privileged to recognize our donors for the 2017-18 year, and we invite you to join us in honoring them for their generous support of the university. These individuals and organizations are as diverse as the student population they support with their contributions, yet they have a common goal of sustaining a mission which has resulted in thousands of exceptionally equipped servant-leaders for our community and our world.

Our staff has worked carefully to ensure that this list of donors who have made cash gifts of $1,000 or more between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, is as accurate as possible. If you know of an error or omission or have questions regarding this information, please call the OCU Office of University Advancement at (405) 208-7000.

Founders CUMULATIVE GIFTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE Founders are an exceptional group of donors who have earned a place of distinction through their commitment to Oklahoma City University and their remarkable generosity, which continues to advance the university’s mission. Each has made cumulative gifts of $1 million or more.

Ann Simmons Alspaughs Wanda L. Basss Martha Burger Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Inc. Jeroldine Clark Zachritz Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Marvin and Ena Dawson Devon Energy Corporation E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Jose Freede Gerald Gamble and Jane Jayroe Gamble Harris Foundation, Inc. Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, Inc. Inasmuch Foundation Ronnie and Shahnaaz Irani Clara E. Joness Lou C. Kerr/The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Kerr-McGee Corporation, Inc. Ann Lacy Kurt and Cathy Leichter Larry and Susan Lemon Martha J. Lemon Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai Tom and Judy Love Paul and Jonalee McLaughlin

Charles E. Mehrs Herman and LaDonna Meinders Marjorie J. Noricks Ronald J. and Margaret Norick Norick Investments OGE Energy Corp. Foundation, Inc. Oklahoma City Community Foundation Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation F.M. Petrees Margaret E. Petrees Robert & Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Mary Clary Sargent Sarkeys Foundation Dick Sias Jeanne Hoffman Smith The Chickasaw Nation The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc. The Meinders Foundation The Robert A. Parman Foundation The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Mr. Pete Wert and Dr. Lynette Lemon Wert Vivian Wimberly

s Member in memoriam

«

OCU employee

HAIL, ALMA MATER: okcu.edu/give // 27

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

Annual Giving Annual support provides a vital source of institutional momentum, allowing OCU to enhance learning opportunities, provide financial assistance to students, meet emerging needs, and take advantage of new opportunities. The university is pleased to be able to recognize those who have shown exemplary support through their gifts between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

Distinguished Stars Benefactors

Stars Benefactors

$100,000 & ABOVE

Ad Astra Foundation Anschutz Family Foundation Arnall Family Foundation Sue Ann Arnall Angela E. Bachman BancFirst Broadhurst Foundation Martha Burger« Phil and Cathy Busey Challenge Funds Clyde R. Evans Charitable Trust Crowe & Dunlevy Brad and Patricia Curtis Jim and Mickey Daniels Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC Devon Energy Corporation Duncan Regional Hospital Auxiliary Bert and Peggy Francis Robert and Sarah Haupt Brian and Tamera Hays Jeanne Hoffman Smith

Louise L. Bass Jeff Berry E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Ronnie and Shahnaaz Irani Jerome K. Altshuler Charitable Foundation,Inc. Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai Herman and LaDonna Meinders Oklahoma City Community Foundation Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church Dick Sias Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum TG Medical USA, Inc. The Chickasaw Nation Wanda L. Bass Foundation, Inc.

$10,000-$99,999

Gary and Sue Homsey David Hunt Integris Health, Inc. Dennis and Cheree Jeter Bill and Stacy Junk Karl F. and June S. Martin Family Foundation Laurnic Enterprises Inc Darren and Jenee Lister Tom and Judy Love Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. Claudine Schwetke Loyd Jason and Carly Maderer McAfee & Taft, PC Tom and Brenda McDaniel Paul and Jonalee McLaughlin Clinton and Jennie Medbery Bill Mee Mercy Moore Family Charitable Fund Nancy W. Moore Brad and Valerie Naifeh Jeaneen Naifeh John and Cecelia Norman Christian O’Donnell Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Inc. Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation

James Pickel Jeffry and Julie Puryear Tom Quinn Gene Rainbolt Ron Raines and Dona Vaughn Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation John and Ruth Ruhl Ruth Ruhl, P.C. John and Lois Salmeron« Sarkeys Foundation Charles and Jane Schneeberger Schwab Charitable Fund Bill and Pam Shdeed Nikki Singer Marvona Easley Tavlin and Michael Tavlin The Ayco Charitable Foundation The Meinders Foundation The Robert A. Parman Foundation Cullen and Bonnie Thomas Trust Company of Oklahoma Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Watson Family Foundation WCM Investment Company Dails and Marys West Jesse White Whitten & Burrage, LLP Drew and Lizette Williamson

President’s Partners is Oklahoma City University’s annual giving recognition society showcasing the generosity of those who contribute $1,000 or more during the year. Such loyal donors, whether they make unrestricted gifts or gifts designated toward their areas of interest, inspire others to make a difference for the university at a leadership giving level each year.

Gold $5,000-$9,999 Ahmed Amayem and Ola Nawar Amayem Bob and Nancy Anthony Bank SNB Terry Baransy Beck Design Clay and Louise Bennett Andrew and Debby Benton Mr. and Mrs. Henry Browne Foundation Central Liquor Company Clements Foods Foundation Cole Family Charitable Foundation Emogene Collins 28 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Robert and Mary Crain CrossFirst Bank Crossroads District of the OK Annual Conference UMC Paul and Ann Doolittle Emmanuel and Irene Edem El Dorado Corporation Robert and Nancy Ellis Matthew and Jill Epperson Estate of Thomas C. Odens Express Employment Professionals Paul and Debbie Fleming Jose Freede William Scott Gallagher General Board of Higher Education & Ministry of the UMC

Steven and Carol Goetzinger Jack Golsen Gungoll, Jackson, Box & Devoll, P.C. Irene Ham J.R. and Patsy Homsey Michael and Sydney Homsey Charlotte Inlow Niles Jackson and Barbara Thornton John W. & Cecelia A. Norman Family Foundation Randy and Connie Jones Mark and Gayla Kelly Lou C. Kerr/The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Greg Laird Eric Laity« Mary and Bill Layton

Kurt and Cathy Leichter Dan Burdett and Janis Love Michael McCollough Buzz and Linda McDaniel David and Jean McLaughlin Merrick Foundation Dolores Neustadt Frederick and Linda Nichols Keri Coleman Norris and Ty Norris OCUNYC OG&E Energy Corp.

Pat O’Hara OKC Energy Football Club Oklahoma County Bar Foundation Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Richard and Gayle Parry

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

Professor Advances Student Success Charles M. Schneeberger, along with his wife and daughter, established the Schneeberger Endowed Scholarship Fund for students in the Petree College of Arts and Sciences.

The annual income from the investment of the fund will be awarded to OCU students majoring in mathematics, physics, and/or chemistry.

With a combination of significant contributions each year to the newly created fund and generous future estate gifts, it is the intention of the Schneeberger family to increase the balance of the fund to $1 million.

Dr. Schneeberger graduated with honors from OCU in 1964 with

Phillips Murrah, PC Pierce, Couch, Hendrickson, Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. Ray and Pat Potts Tawfik and Siham Ramadan Dr. and Mrs. George Randall George and Nancy Records Records-Johnston Family Foundation, Inc. Robert and Maryetta V. Rowe Trust Robert D. Crain, Petroleum Landman Paul and Kim Sanders Shelley Sanders Short Grass Energy Partners LLC Simmons Charitable Foundation Smith & Pickel Construction, Inc. Roger and Amy Spring Reverend Craig Stinson and Dr. Krista Jones Deena and Carl Sylvester The Kerr Foundation, Inc. The University of Oklahoma Financial Services Tyrone and Cristin Van Aswegen James Wade Wal-Dot Foundation Larry and Ashlie Wilhelm Hub Worrell Sandy S. Chang, Esq. and Fonda B. Wu

Silver $2,500-$4,999 Steve Agee« American Fidelity Assurance Company Ascent Resources Operating, LLC Atrium Finance II, LP - Oklahoma City Brian and Julia Bakeman Donald and Paula Beck Craig Boelte Bob and Karen Browne Jack Bush Rod and Peggy Campbell Dr. Amy Cataldi«

Bill and Mary Ann Corum Dobson Technologies Dougherty Family Charitable Trust Fund of Triangle Comm Fdn Dennis and Nancy Dougherty Enable Midstream Partners Estate of Glenn H. Slaughters Jim and Christy Everest Christopher and Jacqueline Fiegel Robert and Melinda Fitzgerald Frank S. and Julia M. Ladner Family Foundation, Inc. Gerald Gamble and Jane Jayroe Gamble Gene Nelson Family Designated Endowment Fund George W. and Louise W. Brown Memorial Trust Golsen Family, LLC Richard and Beverly Gooch Goodin Family Foundation Ken and Jan Goodin Kevin and Janice Gordon Great Plains Coca-Cola Brad Gungoll Joy Hammons Carol M. Hansen Jane Harlow Alvin and Beverly Harrell John and Melvena Heisch Robert Henry and Jan Ralls Henry« Elizabeth Horton-Ware« Eric and Kami Huddleston Inasmuch Foundation Jexal Foundation, Inc. Maria Jones« Tom Jones and Leslie Tregillus Jordan and Emily Jordanov Denver and Emily Kitch Tom Ladner Linda Petree Lambert Harrison and Elaine Levy Edna Manning David McCoy

a degree in mathematics, topping off his distinctive academic achievements with the prestigious L.C. Mersfelder Award, presented annually at OCU’s commencement ceremonies from 1932 to 1968. Later, Dr. Schneeberger returned to OCU and served as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics from 1972 to 1978.

As Oklahoma City University builds its endowment to support academic programs, recruit and retain outstanding students, and enrich student experiences across campus, it is the continuing generosity and thoughtful gift planning of alumni and friends like Charles Schneeberger who will advance OCU and ensure academic success for generations of future students.

Phil McSpadden« George Milner Jo Beth Moad« Naifeh Fine Jewelry Bob and Carol Naifeh Ronald J. and Margaret Norick Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation Oklahoma Employees Credit Union Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. ONEOK, Inc. Harish and Kokila Patel James Peterson Marsh and Debbie Pitman David Pitzer Puterbaugh Foundation Catherine Quinlan Pat and Marianne Rooney Tony and Phyllis Shelby Shelby Smith Frances and Peter Swenson Tapstone Energy The Feathered Nest Market The University of Oklahoma Foundation James and Elizabeth Tolbert Triangle Community Foundation, Inc. Valliance Bank Maggie Vallion Barrett Jim Vallion Jerry and Melinda Vannatta Rex and Sacra Vaughan Jenifer R. Wells Wesley Foundation Board of Directors Paul and Linda Woody

Bronze $1,000-$2,499 A New Energy, LLC Jim and Annetta Abbott« David and Kathie Aelvoet Aetna Life and Casualty Foundation Mary Ellen Alexander

J. Steve Anderson Ed and Betty Apple LuAnn Atkins Richard and Dana Ayers Susan Barber and David Nagle Ed Barth Hamden and Robyn Baskin Stan Basler« Jerry Bass Carter and Cara Baumert David and Laura Beal Dick and Leah Beale Mark and Teena Belcik« Mary Benner« Dale Bennett Paul and Colleen Bicket Florence Birdwell Mike and Rita Blaser Bob Mills Furniture Jim and Jo Booher Dennis and Chris Box« Bobby Boyanton and Alejandra Boyanton-Cano Mark Britton« John and Donna Brogan Tom Brown Kent and Lauri Buchanan« Doug and Rhonda Buckles Bob and Barbara Bunce Bob Burns Linda Byford Carol Byrd Mary Gilmore Caffrey Cameron University Don Capras Pat Capra Carns Curtiss Law PLLC Joe and Lori Carter Benjamin and Eno Chang« Chase Bank Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. Jim Ditmars and Cathy Christensen Lawrence and Chris Cobb«

LEAVE A LEGACY: okcu.edu/give // 29

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS Commerce Bank Conklin Family Foundation Thomas Conklin Conner & Winters, LLP Lisa Cook Barbara Cooper Joe and Valerie Couch Denney and Susan Crabaugh Brian Craven Von Creel Susan C. Curtiss Paula J. Dalley« Mark and Jackie Darrah Adam de la Garza Kyle Dean« Michael Decker Patricia R. Demps Peter and Judith Dillon Robert Doenges Dollar General Corp David and Venessa Donchin Frederick Drummond Carl and Susan Edwards Richard and Carla Ellis Barbara L. Eskridge Brad and Celine Ferguson Joe and Marti Ferretti First National Bank of Oklahoma Mark Fixley and Robyn Birdwell Denise Flis« Timothy Foley Foundation Management, Inc. Bert and Peggy Francis Keizo Furuhashi Gerald and Jane Jayroe Gamble Anne Garbarino Gerald L. Gamble Company, Inc. Robert German and Rebecca Newman-German Jeannine Gibbens Gilbert and Alena Gibson Michael Gibson« Robert and Ann Felton Gilliland Harry Goldman and Jettie Person Robert and Paulette Gordon Vicki Gourley Keith Grant Nate and Linda Grantham Lydia Y. Green Charles Griffin Shawn and Gina Grijalva« Barry and Renee Grissom Kirk and Julie Hall Homer and Treva Hancock Susan and Nick Harroz, III James and Jean Hartsuck Kim and Suzette Hatfield Health Partners Investments, LLC Danny and Dana Heatly Judy Held Larry and Gay Hellman Jean Hinckleys Dan and Sarah Hogan 30 // FOCUS Fall 2018

Eddie McCann Don and Virginia McCombs McCownGordon Construction McCoy Bass Tournament McCoy Dental Lab Tom and Brenda McDaniel McDaniel Family Foundation Leroy Ball and Patricia McGarrity Rick McKee Debbie McKinney Beth McLaughlin Burrel and JoAnn McNaught Dan and Kelly McNeill Joel and Nikki Miliband Bob and Margaret Mills Kendal Huber Minmier Wanda Bass and Dean Mark Parker at the Wanda L. Jay Mitchel Bass School of Music building dedication and ribbonRobert Brian and cutting ceremony. Thanks to very generous gifts from Charlotte Mitchell Wanda and the Bass Family Foundation, the building Tom and Jane Moran opened in 2006. OCU Archives photo Melvin and Jasmine Moran Caleb and Beth Glede and Teresa Holman Muckala Houston Financial Steven and Malisa Nell Matt Houston Bishop and Mrs. James G. Nunn John and Janet Hudson Marty and Deborah O’Gwynn« Dennis and Linda Hunt« Mike and Anne O’Shea« Hunzicker Brothers OCU Women’s Golf Tom and Ann Hunzicker Keith Ogle Donna Jackson Oklahoma City Baseball Camp, LLC Barry Johnson and Melissa Oklahoma Historical Society Smith-Johnson« Ted and Frances Oney Bill and Ann Johnstone Clay and Katelyn Parks Laurie L. Jones« Parks Coffee Yvonne Kauger Homer Paul Frank and Cathy Keating Jerry and Charlette Perryman Michael and Candace Kiehn Ronald and Janet Petty Dr. Donald H. Kim and Dr. Kyungja K. Cho Brittany Phillips Victoria Kimberling Corey Phillips Stanley and Lois Kruschwitz Dorothy B. Picow, in loving memory Darren and Kathleen Laptad by her sons, Marshall S. Picow Dan and Phyllis Larson and Maurice G. Picow David Laughrun Pioneer Trucking, LLC Jeffrey Laughrun Pitzer’s Lawn Management, Inc. Art and Betsy LeFrancois« Dick Poole Bob and Marsha Long George Proctor and Nancy Dumoff Greg and Lisa Love Prosperity Bank Michael and Ellen Lyons Quail Creek Bank M & S Realty, LLC R.K. Black, Inc. Donald and Barbara MacPherson Steve and Julie Raney Chetan Mangalwedhe Tammie Reggio« Robert and Marty Margo Remington Park Ronald and Susan Martin Betsy Replogle McBride Orthopedic Hospital

John and Charlotte Richels Douglas and Kelli Riddle John and Jessi Riesenberg Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Carol Ritchey John Robinson Pat and Marianne Rooney Casey R. Ross« Jim Roth« Donald Rowlett RSM US LLP Ralph and Sandy Sallusti Meg Salyer Gary and Carol Sander Hiram and Robbie Sasser Eddie and Rochelle Schafer Janet Schmitz Mary Schubert Nick Schwarz« Gary and Anne Shaner Stephanie Shanor Ann M. Shaw Robert and Sharon Smith Shelby Smith Darrell and Margaret Smokewood Derek Snell Bob and Pam Spinks« Andrew and Ellen Spiropoulos« Brian and Adria Sprigler V.E. Spurgin St. Louis Community Foundation St. Luke’s United Methodist Church State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Irwin and Kelley Steinhorn Rebecca Stough, M.D. Victoria K. Swinney« Clayton and Marnie Taylor Stratton Taylor The Economic Club of Oklahoma Jack and Ann Thompson Toby Thompson Joyce Toney TPC San Antonio George and Shirley Huber-Smith Trotter Linda Tucker Mike and Susan Turpen John and Susan Vas VI Marketing and Branding Randi Von Ellefson« Ginny Walker Joseph and Cynthia Walkowski Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison Brian West Martha E. White Chuck and Renate Wiggin John Michael and Kathy Williams Martha V. Williams Elizabeth and Troy Wilson Mark and Gale Wood Lawrence and Sheryl Young Zion Services LLC

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

“Nebula,” the interstellar clouds where stars are often formed, is an appropriate description of this generous group of donors whose investment in OCU is essential to creating stars from each generation of OCU students. Nebula Society donors make unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more annually, providing flexible resources to meet unexpected challenges or take advantage of exciting opportunities.

Gold $5,000+ Angela E. Bachman Terry Baransy Mr. and Mrs. Henry Browne Foundation Estate of Thomas C. Oden Jack Golsen Irene Ham Charlotte Inlow Paul and Jonalee McLaughlin Clinton and Jennie Medbery Frederick and Linda Nichols Oklahoma City Community Foundation Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Jeffry and Julie Puryear George and Nancy Records Records-Johnston Family Foundation, Inc. Marvona Easley Tavlin and Michael Tavlin

Silver $2,500-$4,999 Martha Burger« Emmanuel and Irene Edem Christopher and Jacqueline Fiegel Robert Henry and Jan Ralls Henry« Linda Petree Lambert Harrison and Elaine Levy Darren and Jenee Lister Ronald J. and Margaret Norick Marsh and Debbie Pitman Tony and Phyllis Shelby Reverend Craig Stinson and Dr. Krista Jones Frances and Peter Swenson Jerry and Melinda Vannatta Drew and Lizette Williamson

Bronze $1,000-$2,499 Ed Barth Louise L. Bass

David and Laura Beal Dale Bennett Jim and Jo Booher Mark Britton« Tom Brown Kent and Lauri Buchanan« Bob and Barbara Bunce Don Capras Pat Capra Adam de la Garza Kyle Dean« Frederick Drummond Joe and Marti Ferretti First National Bank of Oklahoma Bert and Peggy Francis Keizo Furuhashi Anne Garbarino Gilbert and Alena Gibson Barry and Renee Grissom Jane Harlow Susan and Nick Harroz, III Kim and Suzette Hatfield Jeanne Hoffman Smith Dan and Sarah Hogan Gary and Sue Homsey J.R. and Patsy Homsey Michael and Sydney Homsey Dennis and Linda Hunt« Tom and Ann Hunzicker Donna Jackson Niles Jackson and Barbara Thornton Bill and Ann Johnstone Maria Jones« Bill and Stacy Junk Yvonne Kauger Lou C. Kerr/The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Dr. Donald H. Kim and Dr. Kyungja K. Cho Dan and Phyllis Larson Bob and Marsha Long Greg and Lisa Love M & S Realty, LLC Chetan Mangalwedhe Burrel and JoAnn McNaught Bill Mee Robert Brian and Charlotte Mitchell Tom and Jane Moran Bishop and Mrs. James G. Nunn Richard and Gayle Parry Homer Paul Gene Rainbolt Dr. and Mrs. George Randall Steve and Julie Raney John and Charlotte Richels John Robinson Pat and Marianne Rooney Ralph and Sandy Sallusti Meg Salyer Gary and Carol Sander Stephanie Shanor Brian and Adria Sprigler St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Clayton and Marnie Taylor

The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Cullen and Bonnie Thomas James and Elizabeth Tolbert Ginny Walker Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison WCM Investment Company Chuck and Renate Wiggin John Michael and Kathy Williams Zion Services LLC

The Gold Star Society recognizes donors who provide support for OCU through deferred or estate gifts. Such legacy gifts can touch OCU in a variety of ways. Some donors choose to have their gift applied wherever the need is greatest, while others support endowed scholarships, professorships, or chairs. Others direct their support toward a program or project that inspires them.

Victor and Karen Kay Albert Rhodly and Betty Alden Frank Atwater Susan Barber and David Nagle Kay Bass Tom Beadles Kay Bradley Robert Bryan Bob and Chimene Burke M.K. Butler John Carey Carl and Donna Cartwright Danny and Carol Cochran Christine Collins George Craig Allen Sheldon and Lisa Crone-Sheldon Joe and Sherry Crosthwait Mark and Jackie Darrah Michael Decker Catherine Dougherty Patricia J. Downing Larry Eberhardt Phyllis Edson Orville Edwards Ronald and Pat Eitzen Randy and Faith Everest Sharon G. Fore Robert Fry Nick and Sue Gales Larry and Jeannette Haag Attieson Halbrook Allen Harris Richard Hastings Patricia Hatamyar Robert Henry and Jan Ralls Henry« Joe Higginbotham James and Joan Hirnisey Gary and Sue Homsey

William and Karen Howard Ron Jacob Dixie Jensen Fred and Patricia Johnson Nancy Kenderdine Jeffery Key Karen L. Kirkpatrick Jim and Mary Kutch Ann Lacy Timothy and Linda Larason Ruth G. Leebron Kurt and Cathy Leichter Claudine Schwetke Loyd Andrea L. MacMullin Donald and Barbara MacPherson Samuel Marrs Christopher Mauldin and Suzanne Tate Gene and Mariann McCornack Richard and Louise McDivitt John and Kathryn McInnis Burrel and JoAnn McNaught Doloris A. McVay Herman and LaDonna Meinders Patrick K. Miles Glenn and Mary Millard Maudie Miller and Mike Hicks Glen and Yvonne Miller Margaret L. Moedt Paul and Jeanie Moore Jim and Debbie Musick Sharon K. O’Roke Mark Parker« Brenda Penwell Ray and Pat Potts Casey R. Ross« Dennis Rubenstein Michael and Kelcey Schag Charles Schneeberger Stuart and Pamela Schroeder Hugh and Shirley Scott Cheryl Seguine Garvin Senn Bill and Pam Shdeed Shelby Smith Wayne Stone Trey and Deborah Suddarth Marvona Easley Tavlin and Michael Tavlin Nancy Pryst and Kelly Thompson Kevin Tully Clarence and Patricia Tully Alireza Vahabzadeh Robert Van House Jerry and Melinda Vannatta George Vickrey Jim Wade Ginny Walker Gladys B. Whetstine Charles Wisler Lisa Wolfe and Fred Mischler« Betty L. Wooden Hub Worrell Carl and Beverly Ann Young

BUILD THE FUTURE: okcu.edu/give // 31

GIVING

Love’s Philanthropy Elevates Community of the things we have been able to do for our Judy Love is a students.” philanthropist with a Love’s sponsors the special place in her heart Love’s Cup annually, for education. which awards three Love was born in $5,000 scholarships for Chicago and moved to recipients to spend at the Oklahoma at the age of Oklahoma university of 5. Her own education their choice. began at John Carrol The largest Elementary School and contribution given to then Bishop McGuinness education was helping High School before to formulate the she attended the inception of Cristo Rey University of Oklahoma Catholic High School and Oklahoma State in Oklahoma City. After University, each for Judy Love in her office at Love’s headquarters. Photo by Josh Robinson three years of work, the one year. She returned school opened in August. to college in 1975 and “Oklahoma City earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in interior design from would be a different place without the the University of Central Oklahoma. influence and leadership of Judy Love,” said Love plays an active role in the Oklahoma City community. She is Jane Jayroe Gamble (BM ’69), secretary of the a past board member of 11 Oklahoma-based nonprofit organizations, OCU Board of Trustees. “She not only is a and she chaired or co-chaired more than 20 civic events for these generous philanthropist for worthwhile causes organizations. Love was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame but is always ready to do the work as well. She in 2010 and was chosen Most Powerful Woman in Oklahoma City is the best fundraiser, a brilliant promoter, and a in 2016 by a ballot of 265 business, civic, and nonprofit organization creative organizer. Judy is a whirlwind of energy for everything from leaders.

Allied Arts to OCU to United Way, the Catholic Church, Positive Most of Love’s giving is focused on education. “Education is a real Tomorrows, and about 50 other great nonprofit organizations.” need in our state,” she said.

Love currently serves on the boards of the Oklahoma City The Love Family Fund has supported major opportunities for Museum of Art, Mercy Hospital, St. Anthony Foundation, the Oklahoma City University, OU, OSU, UCO, Bishop McGuinness Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Cristo Rey High School, Allied Arts, and High School, Westminster School, Science Museum Oklahoma, the United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Teach for America, and The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Judy and her husband, Tom, started the business that would Schools. The Love Family Fund has a companywide scholarship become Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores in January of 1964 in program that has awarded scholarships for the past 10 years to eligible Watonga, Oklahoma, with a $5,000 loan from his parents. She was employees and their children. Love’s also has “adopted” Ridgeview active in the business until returning to college, and continues to Elementary School in Oklahoma City, where employees mentor be involved as the executive secretary and chairwoman of the Love students and provide other assistance. One year, Love’s provided a Family Fund. new winter coat for every student.

Judy and Tom have four children and nine grandchildren. Three of “Oklahoma City University is proud to call Judy a friend,” said her children and two of her grandchildren work for the company.

Judy Reyes-Henderson, assistant vice president for development.

“Being a family business has been instrumental in acquiring very “Without her leading the charge on many philanthropic events for Oklahoma City University, we truly would not be able to do many good employees,” she said. “They like the idea of this family unity.”

BY KIM MIZAR

32 // FOCUS Fall 2018

GIVING

Mission-Driven VP Connects with Community, Plans for Sustainability

BY LESLIE BERGER

For Lynann Sterk-Brooks, university advancement is a way to advocate for education and transformation.

“Equal access to an excellent education is the only real substantive platform for social change,” she explained. “It breaks generations of poverty and lifts individuals and families to excellence.”

Sterk-Brooks took over as vice president of university advancement at Oklahoma City University on Aug. 6. She has enjoyed learning about the campus community.

“There is a real warmth factor here,” she said. “There’s a sense of being known, and it feels like there is excitement about the future of our organization. I am thrilled to be a part of the vibrant and exceptional OCU community.”

Sterk-Brooks most recently served as director of the Center for Graduate Student Success at the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business. However, she

Lynann Sterk-Brooks outside the Clara Jones Administration Building. Photo by Josh Robinson

prefers the close-knit community of schools similar in size to OCU. She attended Oklahoma Baptist University, where she earned a degree in English secondary education, and spent time teaching in Tulsa.

She also served as associate vice president and executive director of leadership gifts at Austin College in Texas.

“As a student and as a teacher, I believe in liberal arts education,” she said. “A liberal arts campus is where I feel at home and where I get energized.”

Sterk-Brooks said she is looking forward to building a systematic development strategy to maintain OCU’s excellence and ensure a sustainable future.

“I’m incredibly excited to meet the donors and alumni who have already invested in our success,” she said.

She added that she sees giving as a way of connecting with others. “Giving of both time and treasure is essential for the health of our soul,” she said. “As individuals and as a community, serving others outside of ourselves and investing in their future raises the bar for all of us.”

HEART & SOUL: okcu.edu/give // 33

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Consider the possibility of making a bequest to Oklahoma City University.

For over a century, Oklahoma City University has been an international leader in teaching, business, performing arts, religion, music, athletics, law, health care professions, and the study of issues that make a difference in our world.

Making a bequest allows students to have the best educational opportunities possible. Making a bequest allows you to continue your life’s work in education.

There are many easy ways for you to make a contribution, not to mention that it is a wise tax investment for your own future.

To make a bequest, or for more information, please contact us:

give@okcu.edu • 405-208-5454 • oculegacy.org

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