NEW SE A SONS of OPPORTUNIT Y
Engaging Transformation Annual Report . Fiscal Year 2022
A S E A S O N for O P P O R T U N I T Y
ME S S AG E F R OM THE P RESIDENT
Through Change, Growth “We are constantly looking for ways to better prepare our students for the careers and world they will be entering.” DR. KENNETH R. EVANS, PRESIDENT Cover design inspired by the seasonal windows of the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, undergoing restoration this academic year.
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Echoing the world’s shared experience, Oklahoma City University has lived through the long, hard winter of the pandemic. Like many of you, we battled the challenges of COVID-19, expanded our capabilities, and we not only survived but thrived. In the heart of Oklahoma City, our university is embracing transformation. It is built into the very architecture of our 23rd Street campus, in the extraordinary stained glass windows of the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, reflecting light to depict every season. I have completed my first year as president, and new leaders across the university have already begun to guide OCU with an innovative and student-focused spirit. This spring, we launched a fundraising initiative to restore the chapel. This campus and community icon—with its winter, summer, fall, and spring windows—reflects the longevity of Oklahoma City University itself, weathering difficult seasons and returning each year. The university continues to grow to meet the needs of modern students and the developing workplace, striving to remain at the forefront of fresh opportunities. We are constantly looking for ways to better prepare our students for the careers and world they will be entering. While we embrace change, we also hold the
sacred responsibility to steward our heritage. We recently secured a grant from Apple to work with the Chickasaw Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Choctaw Nation on language preservation and computer coding—a program with incredible potential for years to come. In hopes of helping to address the critical nursing shortage, we have collaborated with a local hospital and launched a fully online RN-to-BSN degree program that will allow us to better serve students who are already practicing in the field. We also have introduced opportunities for students and faculty members to partner in creative scholarship and research activities. In some final good news, every category of first-time OCU student enrollment—first-year, transfer, graduate, and international—is up this fall. Through a concentrated effort, I believe we will bring hundreds of new students to OCU in the next few years. I see exciting changes happening at light speed all around us, and in this season of transformation, OCU is positioned to excel. Thanks to your support and investment, we are better able to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Collectively, we will continue to ensure OCU’s future and its excellence. Thank you!
PAY I NG IT FORWA RD
Momentum Multiplies “As an OCU student, I never thought about where the resources to provide financial aid came from even though I, along with a majority of students, were beneficiaries. Those who received scholarships have a responsibility to give back. No matter the size of your donation, it’s meaningful, and you can feel good about being part of the university’s future. The habit of giving back makes you part of the community. Five or 10 dollars a month benefits students today, ensures the financial security of the university, and helps attract and retain great students. The more people who are involved, the stronger we will be.” OCU TRUSTEE DEBORAH S. FLEMING
Board of Trustees Investment Committee Chair
$10 Million
89.3%
73.6%
In cash and pledges raised for OCU July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022
Of students received academic, merit, performance, or need-based financial aid
Of students received scholarships from OCU
“As Chair of the Development and Strategic Planning Committee, I see the impact our donors make on a daily basis. Whether you are a member of Bright Society or participate in Giving Day each spring, no gift is too small to make an impact on the wonderful students who come from near and far to experience Oklahoma City University. Investing in the university’s future by establishing an endowment is also a critical way to impact students. The OCU endowment is thoughtfully managed and has experienced tremendous growth the past few years, despite FY 2022’s challenging market.” OCU TRUSTEE JENEE NAIFEH LISTER
Board of Trustees Development and Strategic Planning Committee Chair 3
F I SCAL YEAR 20 22
University Snapshot & Finances The fiscal year 2022 audit is in progress.
Mission Oklahoma City University prepares all learners to create, lead, and serve.
25.1
2,550
Average age of students
Students
$28,094
48%
Freshman tuition, an increase of only 3% over the 2014 tuition rate
Average tuition discount for undergraduates, fall 2021
2,315
$1.06 million
Donors gave to OCU
Donated as unrestricted cash and pledges to meet the immediate needs of the university
Endowment
*
The market value of endowment funds, including endowments held by other entities for the benefit of OCU, was $142,416,418 as of June 30, 2022. This report highlights the funds directly managed by OCU trustees through the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation: $79.3 million in fiscal year 2022. This fiscal year was challenging for the markets due to record inflation levels, a rising interest rate environment, and the increasing possibility of an economic recession. Periods of market volatility and down market cycles can be difficult for institutions, but OCU remains focused on the long-term nature of endowments, portfolio diversification, and a disciplined approach to investing. Many of our donors choose to direct their gifts toward endowments. OCU’s endowment, including endowment funds held by other entities for the benefit of OCU, is made up of 665 individual funds designated to provide perpetual financial support for scholarships, faculty professorships and chairs, the various schools, library resources, and other endowed programs. Of these funds, 575 are held by OCU, 68 by the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, and 22 by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Donors have steadily built the OCU endowment the past 120 years to provide OCU with consistent support. Despite a challenging market year, the endowment funded scholarships, professorships, research, and programs.
* The fiscal year 2022 audit is in progress; audited financial information for fiscal year 2022 will be posted when complete on okcu.edu.
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Unrestricted Gross Operating Revenues $103.78 million • FY21 Clockwise from top of graph: Tuition and Fees (Gross) • 78.46% Net Assets Released from Restriction • 13.03% Auxiliary Enterprises (Housing and dining revenues) • 6.13% Unrestricted Gifts & Other Contributions, Including the OCU Fund • 0.65% Return on Investments Designated for Operations • 0.26% Other Sources (Educational department sales, service revenues, and miscellaneous income) • 1.47%
Net Assets Released from Restriction Sources of Restricted Funds Used During FY21 Includes Funds Received During Current and Prior Years but Used During Current Year
Clockwise from top of graph: Endowments (Distributions) • 40.86% Grants (Federal, state, and private) • 33.01% Gifts (Restricted, non-endowed contributions) • 26.13%
Endowment Growth Millions of Dollars 160
120
80
40
0 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22*
Net Assets Fundraising Overview
Millions of Dollars
Cash and New Pledges
250
15
Capital (Building) Endowment Excellence Fund Operating (OCU Fund) Programs
12
Millions of Dollars
9 6 3 0
200 150 100 50 0
’18
’19
’20
’21
’22*
’17
’18
’19
’20
’21
* The fiscal year 2022 audit is in progress; audited financial information for fiscal year 2022 will be posted when complete on okcu.edu.
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Endowment Management Oklahoma City University is committed to prudent, time-tested investment strategies and fiscal policies. The Board of Trustees Investment Committee is charged with overseeing its funds and measuring the returns they produce against nationally recognized standards and metrics for investment performance. The Board of Trustees Investment Committee actively monitors the financial markets to control risk and evaluate exposure for all asset classes. The Oklahoma Methodist Foundation serves as the advisor and record keeper, and Wespath Institutional Investments serves as investment manager to the committee. In managing the endowment, the university seeks to balance the dual objectives of enhancing the future purchasing power of endowment funds and meeting current spending needs. The endowment is invested with a long-term horizon to ensure that it will grow at a rate above inflation, while providing a stable stream of income to support the purposes for which its funds were created. Endowment growth is due not only to the generosity of thousands of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations through the years, but also to the careful stewardship provided by the Board of Trustees.
Total Endowment
Endowment Assets by Purpose
$142.4 million • FY22*
$79.3 million • FY22* OCU Endowment Managed by the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation • 55.71%
Scholarships • 57.67% Academic Professorships & Chairs • 13.18%
Oklahoma Methodist Foundation Endowment for the Benefit of OCU • 40.38%
Other • 29.15%
Other Private Foundations • 3.91%
Endowment Assets by Department/School $79.3 million • FY22* Clockwise from top of graph: Alumni • 0.11% Arts & Sciences • 9.53% Athletics • 2.24% Business • 18.52% Dance & Entertainment • 1.77%
Law • 16.73%
Student Aid • 14.34%
Library • 0.49%
Theatre • 1.17%
Music • 15.73% Nursing • 1.96%
University-Church Relations • 0.59%
Religion • 10.06%
Other • 6.64%
St. Paul School of Theology • 0.12%
* The fiscal year 2022 audit is in progress; audited financial information for fiscal year 2022 will be posted when complete on okcu.edu.
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+ The spending policy for OCU’s Endowment is 5% of the average market value of the endowment for the previous 20 quarters (five-year rolling average). This rolling, multi-year average helps to provide more predictable spending budgets. Distribution for the 2021-22 fiscal year was $3,346,101.
100
8
75
6
50
4
25
2
0
’18 ’19 ’20 Assets Under Management
’21*
’22*
0
Distributions from Assets Under Management
Broad Asset Allocation
Detail Asset Allocation
OCU Endowment • $79.3 million • FY22*
OCU Endowment • $79.3 million • FY22* Clockwise from top of graph: Cash • 2.8% U.S. Equity Funds • 32.7% International Equity Funds • 26.9% Fixed Income Funds • 25.7% Inflation Protection Funds • 9.6% Alternatives • 1.4% Mineral Interests • 0.9%
Equities • 59.6% Fixed Income • 38.1% Alternatives • 2.3%
Investment Performance* 10
Net of Fees • As of June 30, 2022
The historical returns presented herein represent the actual historical returns of the OCU Endowment, which reflect the deduction of fees charged by third parties. The information in this document was obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, accuracy is not guaranteed. Historical returns are not indicative of future performance.
5 0 -5
Percentage
-10 -15 -20
Millions of Dollars
OCU’s directly managed endowment portfolio of $79,336,959 was composed of these asset classes as of June 30, 2022. The guiding principle of OCU’s consolidated endowment program is that funds should be managed so that a gift today will fund a donor’s objective in perpetuity.
Assets & Distribution Policy+ Millions of Dollars
Asset Class Overview
Notes
1 Year
OCU Endowment Lipper Median
3 Year
5 Year
10 Year
35% S&P 500 / 25% MSCI EAFE / 40% US Intermediate
* The fiscal year 2022 audit is in progress; audited financial information for fiscal year 2022 will be posted when complete on okcu.edu.
1 Lipper Median returns from the Lipper mutual fund universe for balanced funds in the asset class category. As of 7/18/22, the universe consisted of 4,356 peers. Source: Wilshire Associates, Lipper, and Wespath. 2 Historical returns are time-weighted. Returns greater than one year are annualized. 3 Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. 7
A S E A S O N for N E W P R O M I S E
New Endowments Joseph A. Salem and Adele A. Salem Civil Liberties Awards Micheal Salem, son of Joseph and Adele Salem, established these awards in spring 2022 to honor his parents and their commitment to legal education. Salem envisioned the awards enabling future lawyers to engage with constitutional rights. He created the awards to increase awareness and interest in civil rights litigation among OCU law graduates and encourage legal scholarship.
James C. Buchanan III & Becky Buchanan Endowed Scholarship Established by the Buchanans, this endowment supports students studying to become nurse practitioners. They believe meeting the workforce needs of Oklahoma depends on educating more healthcare providers, particularly nurse practitioners. The scholarship benefits students who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and are working toward their Doctor of Nursing Practice.
James C. and Kay Bass Scholarship Funded during summer 2022 through a generous estate gift, this scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to law students who plan to practice law in Oklahoma outside the major metropolitan areas.
Lisa Reagan Love Vocal Scholarship Established in fall 2021, this scholarship provides recognition and financial assistance to undergraduate musical theater and vocal performance students who have outstanding vocal talent. Lisa Love, an acclaimed professional singer and devoted music teacher, established the scholarship with her husband, Greg, out of her appreciation for the Bass School of Music and her desire to make an OCU education attainable for dedicated students with great promise.
James Stuhlmiller Theatre Technician Scholarship To honor the legacy and dedication of longtime and beloved technical theatre manager James “Stu” Stuhlmiller, many former students came together to establish this scholarship aimed at recognizing and encouraging secondyear students who show aptitude for theatre design and technology. This needs-based scholarship will be awarded to students who work in the School of Theatre production shop, with a preference for students who “show an affinity for the jigsaw,” a nod to one of Stuhlmiller’s areas of focus when teaching students the art of technical theatre design and operations.
ENDOWMENT FAQ: Learn more at okcu.edu/endowment-faq. 8
LEFT:
The autumn window of the chapel reflects on the 2022 University-Church Relations dinner. ABOVE: Adelaide and Shelby Smith, son of the late Bishop W. Angie Smith, the chapel’s namesake.
“With the right passion and the right opportunity, we are able to take a moment in time to address the challenges the building presents.” PRESIDENT KENNETH R. EVANS
Historic Reflections Walk into the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on a quiet morning, and find yourself transported into a hallowed space. With more than 3,600 pipes, the organ rises from the shadows on the east wall, gently gleaming, but the stained glass windows steal the show. Vivid blues, reds, aquas, greens, and yellows reflect down the center aisle and onto the chairs from the “summer” window. The ceiling soars high, with angular alcoves for each seasonal window designed by György Kepes. Oklahoma City University dedicated the iconic chapel on May 9, 1968. An Oklahoma Methodist Foundation grant initiated the project, and renowned architect Pietro Belluschi designed it. The chapel is named after W. Angie Smith, Jr., who served as the bishop for the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church for 24 years and was president of OCU’s board of trustees for 25 years. Smith’s son, Shelby Smith of Louisiana, keeps a photo of “this wonderful chapel” on his desk so he can see it every day. OCU began fundraising in the spring to restore the chapel windows as a first phase of completing all necessary repairs and upgrades to the building. “When I was contacted about the restoration of the chapel, I was glad to support this program,” Smith said. “This restoration will ensure the chapel’s longevity for many years to come.” The “old cathedral windows” make up large portions of the chapel’s walls, and over the years, pieces of glass have broken and become loose and the wood between panes has started to rot. The glass will be recemented, new protective coverings will be installed, and heavy-duty aluminum divider bars will support weight distribution. The process will ensure the structural integrity and weatherproofing of the windows—and the chapel itself—far into the future. “György Kepes who designed the glass has been very influential in his field both before and well past the design of the chapel windows,” said OCU President Kenneth R. Evans. “The chapel has served the campus over many decades and continues to be a beacon of capturing the seasons and their reflections. We were in jeopardy of losing much of the glass within three or four years. With the right passion and the right opportunity, we are able to take a moment in time to address the challenges the building presents.” Today, the chapel is home to a vibrant array of events. Renovations are scheduled to begin this academic year, ensuring this unique OCU and community treasure will provide a space for reflection, celebration, comfort, and community for generations to come. 9
A S E A S O N for L O Y A L T Y
“When you are a student, every penny counts. If I can help, I’ll help.”
32 Years of Giving Back In the mid-’80s, Oklahoma City University was a magnet for students from Taiwan. When Benjamin Chang found out his test scores qualified him to skip additional language training and attend OCU right away, he jumped on the chance to get a bachelor’s-plus-master’s combo as a transfer student. He graduated in 1986 with a bachelor’s in computer science and 1987 with an MBA. He briefly moved to Iowa before returning that same year to OCU, where he’s remained ever since. He started as a computer operator and advanced through the ranks to become director of Administrative Information Systems, a 10
position he’s held for about two decades. Chang has been an OCU donor for 32 consecutive years. “If I can contribute back based on my pay, just a little bit, it’s going to help someone, and if I can contribute more, I would like to,” Chang said. “Small amounts become very powerful.” Chang keenly remembers how every penny counts for college students. He met his wife, Eno, at OCU, and they got to know each other over snacks in Chang’s room in Smith Hall. Their first and only date was to Duncan Donuts on May Avenue and a nearby movie theater. Chang proposed after he
became a full-time OCU employee, and on Christmas Eve, then-OCU President Jerald Walker married the couple in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on campus—with traditional Taiwanese red candles glowing. The Changs have two sons, Joshua and Caleb, who each have two young children. Joshua Chang is completing a medical residency locally while also earning his MBA from OCU. Caleb Chang works locally for the U.S. Department of Defense. Chang appreciated OCU President Kenneth Evans’ inauguration message of weaving the OCU family together. He sees power in working together to accomplish OCU’s mission. “OCU is really where I belong,” Chang said. “I just love the university.” Chang oversees enterprise resource planning, which allows OCU to manage operations—from accounting to payroll to student financial aid—through common software. Ever a servant-leader, Chang tells his employees that students come first. “Remember when you were a student,” he tells them. “If you can help them, their appreciation will go beyond even when they graduate.”
Developing Dreams Alumna and the Students She Supports Jump-Start Their Passions at OCU Having grown up in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Treva Hancock is a selfdescribed “smalltown girl,” but her passion for the arts set her on a different trajectory than she imagined.
Her father who valued adventure and mother who wrote poetry encouraged her to develop her own interests. Hancock remembers performing in every school play and church production, fostering a love of acting that she continues to carry with her. When it was time to apply to colleges, she thought somewhere close to home would be good enough. However, her father insisted she spread her wings, and she toured Oklahoma City University. “I just knew I wanted to go there,” Hancock said. “And the simple decision of me choosing to come to OCU impacted my life tremendously.” Hancock graduated in 1957 and went on to teach drama and speech in the Denver Public Schools system. She married Homer Hancock, and they raised three sons. She made her first gift—$10—to OCU in 1980 to express her gratitude and spread the word about her alma mater. “There weren’t many OCU grads from rural areas. I wanted those individuals to be aware of its existence, and I wanted to show my appreciation for all the good times I had at OCU.” Then in 1986, she felt compelled to give back on a larger scale and established the Treva Hancock Endowed Scholarship for Drama, a $10,000 endowed scholarship available to any OCU theatre student. The scholarship was also made to honor her former OCU professor and dear mentor, Marianna Davenport. Fast-forward to today, and Hancock has been giving to OCU for more than 42 years. “Watching the faculty build such an impressive theatre program over the years motivated me to keep giving.” She has since included OCU in her will, as well. Due to Hancock’s continued generosity, many theatre students, including Lauren Leppke, are still impacted today. Leppke graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theatre performance this year. She, too, is from a small Oklahoma
ABOVE LEFT: Treva and Homer Hancock. ABOVE: A 1950s newspaper clipping. LEFT: Treva Hancock Endowed Scholarship for Drama recipient and 2022 OCU theatre graduate Lauren Leppke.
town and has loved the stage since she began taking classes at age 10. She even attended a theatre camp at OCU and much like Hancock, knew immediately she was meant to go to OCU. After being awarded Hancock’s scholarship, the two met virtually in May. Leppke recalled how uplifting it was to hear her name during the scholarship awards ceremony, and spoke of how OCU’s theatre program allowed her to explore a newfound passion for backstage work. “I worked on probably 15 or 20 shows,” Leppke told Hancock, to which Hancock responded, “They’re going to miss you around there!” Hancock encouraged Leppke to follow her dreams. “I got to teach and impact lives after OCU. That was my journey, and I’m so lucky.” Leppke has begun a career in stage management. Today, the Hancocks continue to live in Colorado, and Treva is enjoying retirement after teaching for more than 30 years. “It’s always nice to hear from the students,” she says. “Especially now that I’ve lived my life, it’s just so nice to see what they’re all accomplishing.” 11
Homsey’s Determination for Excellence IT STARTED WITH A CONVERSATION ABOUT rings. Specifically, national championship rings. It was the late 1980s, and J.R. Homsey was in conversation about one of his favorite subjects, OCU athletics. Just weeks before, the women’s basketball team had earned the school’s first national championship. Trouble was, the department was trying to find a funding source to provide the team with one of the most traditional celebration pieces—a ring. While contributing to this particular cause was a no-brainer for Homsey, it frustrated him that this was even a problem in the first place. Within days, Homsey began having meetings with university officials to talk more about athletics funding and the opportunities that could be waiting. “One thing is always for certain—there is never enough money,” Homsey shared some 30 years after those initial conversations. “Because of that, we needed to find a way to supplement the annual budget in any way possible.” So, with a pen and the back of a napkin, the idea of an annual athletics fundraising event was conceived between Homsey and OCU administration. Ticket sales, entertainment, an honoree, and silent and live auctions were all on the table, with proceeds to help the department have means for expenses such as buying national championship rings for student-athletes and coaches. Today, with 72 OCU athletics championships, the investment was well worth it, and the Sports Spectacular remains the signature event each year for the athletics department. 12
“One of the first people I met—and definitely the first person who was off-campus—was J.R. Homsey,” said OCU Director of Athletics Corey Bray. “Within just a few minutes of visiting, J.R.’s love of the university was so apparent, and his pride in the Sports Spectacular was undeniable. As it should be, given the history of that event.” The 2021 Sports Spectacular was extremely special for Homsey when he was honored for his involvement in the event since its inception. However, he didn’t know it was going to happen. While following the normal routine in the days and months that led up to the event, he was delighted to learn of so many friends sharing they either wanted to attend or had already purchased their tickets. Little did he know that while his long-time friend Al Eschbach was being honored that night, he would also be a major part of the program. Behind the scenes, athletics department personnel had been working with Homsey’s family and friends with a surprise announcement of his induction into the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame. It was no small feat to simultaneously promote the event, but also ask people to keep the secret. J.R.’s wife, Patsy, served one of the most important roles by helping keep track of who was coming from their inner circle, but also making sure they knew to keep the surprise intact. Appropriately, the Sports Spectacular was the site of the announcement, and also appropriately, his son, Jason Homsey, opened the ceremonies with the big reveal. But that wasn’t all.
As the Sports Spectacular has grown through the years, the silent and live auctions have been a major source of funding. Trips, dinners, artwork, OCU memorabilia, professional sports items, and electronics are just a few items that have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for student-athletes and their teams. On the night of Oct. 25, 2021, along with the trips and the dinners and the electronics, J.R. Homsey’s name was added to the list of items expressly procured to do what they’ve always done—fund OCU’s athletic programs. This time, when the live auction began, people were pledging support for the new J.R. Homsey Fund for Excellence in Athletics. “As much as I was absolutely floored by the surprise of being honored on stage and with the Hall of Fame—and was I ever surprised, I might add—the fund is what excited me even more,” said Homsey. “I’m so happy about what that money will do for those student-athletes and their coaches, and for the athletics director, too.” In all, donors gave nearly $40,000 to the J.R. Homsey Fund on the night of the event alone. Created to be an additional source of funding for the department, its intent and purpose fulfills exactly what Homsey planned all those years ago. The namesake has since made a contribution of his own, and opportunities to grow the fund will continue each year. Even after all the Sports Spectaculars, all the annual giving appeals, and all the charity golf tournaments, J.R. and Patsy Homsey remain ready to support whenever asked. When a new coach or administrator makes their initial introduction at J.R.’s office or somewhere on campus, the message and advice is always the same: “There’s never enough money.” Thanks to him, though, there’s always a running start.
Homsey speaks at the 2021 Sports Spectacular and is honored by former OCU Athletics Director Jim Abbott and his son, Jason Homsey.
“I’m so happy about what the money will do for those student-athletes and their coaches.” J.R. HOMSEY
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A Shared Victory The Oklahoma City University community banded together for the third annual Giving Day and soared past goals, garnering $282,529 from 741 donors. The amount is 19 percent higher than in 2021, and the number of donors surged 68 percent over last year. “Giving Days are all about demonstrating collective impact, showing what a donor base can do when we all come together for a common cause, and OCU alumni and friends showed up in a big way to support this special university,” said Koby Harrington, assistant vice president of university development. “We are excited to see this critical fundraising strategy continue to grow and engage more and more of our stakeholders.”
Donors’ Giving Day generosity supports students with scholarships, provides needed campus improvements—notably to the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel this year—and provides OCU with the flexibility to innovate in this season of opportunity. Continuing tradition, college deans challenged one another to raise the most money, with the Kramer School of Nursing and College of Health Professions coming in first this year. “This campaign illustrated our passion for OCU and our students,” said Interim Nursing Dean Gina Crawford. “We came together, raised money for scholarships, and supported each other in a fun, friendly competition.”
Steadfast Support Terry Baransy is the sort of alum who makes a contribution when his alma mater tells him there’s a need. He stepped up with lead Giving Day donations the past two years, encouraging Oklahoma City University supporters in his wake, but for him, that was just part of his regular philanthropy. A 1962 journalism graduate, Baransy served as yearbook editor, class senator, and a choir and Lambda Chi Alpha member on a Banning Scholarship. He followed his older brother, John, to OCU from Mooreland, a small town a few hours from Oklahoma City. “OCU was small enough that I wasn’t overwhelmed,” he said. “It was a really good choice, and I’ve always been grateful not only for that scholarship but also that the scholarship encouraged me to go to OCU.” He continues to gather with about a dozen friends from his time at OCU every year.
Following Philanthropic Passions
As he has fostered relationships over the years with the library and music school leaders, he has faithfully given to 14
those causes. Baransy sang in choir in high school and college and appreciates OCU’s music programs as an “outstanding part of the university.” Now in his 80s, Baransy continues to run 35 miles a week and use an exercise bike. The year he turned 80, he ran his 206th marathon, which was his 20th and final Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. But staying in shape for marathons meant running 55 miles a week all of the time, and “I didn’t want to push my luck.” So now he runs for “satisfaction and health”—and makes contributions to OCU cross country and track in a nod to his passion.
Faithful Advocate
He also advocates for OCU, making connections to improve lives and strengthen the university. Even in his early years, he spotted a friend from high school with musical talent and encouraged her to attend OCU. “She went on to become one of the foremost composers of children’s choral music in the country—church choirs, too.” Joyce Eilers-Bacak died in 2009. Baransy stays connected to OCU because of the scholarship he received
and the friends he made. “I have a fondness for that part of my life that was important, and I need to honor it,” Baransy said. Years ago, Baransy’s undergraduate classmate and then-OCU President Jerald Walker flew out to San Francisco, where Baransy lives, and told Baransy that his employer, IBM, made matching donations. “I said, ‘It’s time I started returning the favor,’ so I’ve done that ever since.” Of course, he also created a trust with OCU as a beneficiary when he sold some property years ago, and he chips in on OCU’s general fund every year. “It gives me pleasure knowing I’ll assist the school and others who come after me.”
Giving Day 2022 Successes
$282,529
$40,000
Total dollars raised
Largest gift
$25
$70,581
Median gift
Amount raised for chapel renovations
215
155
First-time donors to OCU, 113% more than in 2021
Gifts from young alumni, 99% more than in 2021
“I’ve always been grateful not only for that scholarship but also that the scholarship encouraged me to go to OCU.” TERRY BARANSY, ’62
Gold Star Society Membership
Former OCU classmates gather in their annual tradition during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon weekend. They gave Baransy a silver platter to celebrate his 200th marathon. His brother, John, stands in the back at left. “The last two years were tough on us,” Baransy said. “Four in the picture, plus another who couldn’t make it that year, are now gone after 60 years of friendship and are very much missed.”
The Gold Star Society honors alumni, donors, and individuals who have chosen to support the university through a deferred or estate gift, regardless of the amount. A variety of estate planning tools qualify for Gold Star Society recognition. Gifts through estates and wills can transform OCU in a variety of ways, such as through scholarships or academic support. To learn more, visit oculegacy.org, or contact Alan D. Herndon, director of gift planning, at adherndon@okcu.edu or 405-208-5454. 15
A S E A S O N for T R A N S F O R M A T I O N
A Musical Life Brimming with Joy
LISA LOVE H AS ALWAYS H AD A PASSION FOR MUSIC and a keen understanding of the enjoyment that music can bring. She has experienced this firsthand as a music student, an accomplished performer, a composer, a teacher, and now a benefactor, providing scholarship support to deserving musicians studying at OCU through the Lisa Reagan Love Vocal Scholarship. Oklahoma City University has played a significant role in Love’s life from a very early age. Her first OCU music experiences began at age 6, when she started taking piano lessons on campus, and soon thereafter, Dean of Music Clarence Burg noticed Love and offered to teach her. “I remember working so hard to always be prepared for my weekly lessons with Dean Burg,” Love said, “not out of fear of 16
“I remember working so hard to always be prepared for my weekly lessons with Dean Burg … out of joy for the opportunity to learn and hone my craft from him.” LISA LOVE
disappointing him, but out of joy for the opportunity to learn and hone my craft from him, especially at such an early age.” By age 15, Love was studying with legendary OCU voice professor Florence Birdwell. After high school, and because of the scholarship money she earned through the Miss Oklahoma program, Love enrolled as a full-time vocal performance student at OCU. Love learned firsthand the important role scholarships play in ensuring students have a pathway to study music at OCU. She also realized that everyone involved— students, faculty, and OCU as a whole—benefited when OCU could attract and retain the most talented musicians without the cost of the education becoming a barrier. This lesson never left her. While Love’s career has taken her all over the world and brought too many accolades to list, she said she loves teaching music the most. The joy of teaching OCU students in the Wanda L. Bass School of Music has resulted in life-changing experiences for Love and for the many students she has impacted over the years. In 2022, Love accompanied vocal music students on a study abroad trip to Italy.
“The students were so talented. One night while in Italy, the students and I got together and just sang our favorite songs. It was so inspiring and encouraging. We all enjoyed being in the moment and the fellowship of that memorable evening—that’s what it’s all about,” Love said. When the opportunity arose for Love and her husband, Greg, to make a significant gift to OCU, Love knew she wanted it to be for music student scholarships. The Loves’ scholarship provides financial support for talented young students who light up the stage but may not have the financial means to afford an OCU education. Love said it feels rewarding to be able to help. She saves all the letters from the students who have written her notes of gratitude, and she is so proud to be able to play a part in their musical experiences. Love often dreams about the bright future OCU has ahead and all the lives that will be shaped, molded, and changed forever in the halls of campus. Love is a shining example of the impact of dedicated alumni, and she said everyone can play a part in helping OCU grow. And, as Love will tell you, when you give, there is a whole lot of joy that comes back your way! 17
Academic Transformation Unfolding A NE W SEASON for opportunity commenced in Fiscal Year 2022, as President Kenneth R. Evans took the helm of the university. OCU completed three successful national searches this year, hiring Dr. Michelle Kiec as provost and vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Sri Beldona as the dean of the Meinders School of Business; and Corey Bray as director of athletics. Kiec and Beldona bring experience in growing student enrollment in innovative ways, such as through certificate programs and transfer agreements between universities, and in creating unique opportunities for underserved populations to attain education. Enrollment growth has emerged as a theme; in January, OCU partnered with Everspring, a leading provider of higher education technology solutions. Through that partnership, OCU is offering online versions of its Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and Master of Science in Nursing programs and may expand its online portfolio over time. The collaboration is particularly timely as the anticipated level of traditional or first-year students is expected to decline over the next decade. Following the intense years of the pandemic, international enrollment is once again on the rise, and new and redesigned degree programs continue to attract students to OCU.
• The online Leadership MBA now offers new concentrations in leadership, healthcare administration, corporate accounting, data analytics, financial analytics, and energy. The Leadership MBA includes a 16-week leadership class and personalized coaching. • A new Bachelor of Arts in Film provides enough flexibility for double-majoring in theatre or acting, dovetailing with the rise of Oklahoma’s film industry. OCU’s film department partners with Green Pastures Studios for students to take the Oklahoma Film and Television Set-Ready seminar to begin networking before graduation. • Students in the new Master of Fine Arts in Screen Acting spend their first year in Los Angeles and their second year in London and have learned from such guest artists as alumna Kristin Chenoweth and screenwriter and playwright Aaron Sorkin. • OCU revamped its master’s degree in computer science, naming seasoned industry expert Jeff Maxwell as director, and added the second two graduate tracks this fall, after kicking off the first two tracks in the spring. The tracks are designed to meet booming market demand and consist of mobile development, cybersecurity, data science, and web development.
• The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team and Meinders School of Business announced a partnership in March to establish the Thunder Leadership MBA, in which students learn from and contribute to the strategic direction of the Thunder business model.
Finally, through the generosity of donors, five professors were awarded the inaugural Presidential Faculty and Student Research / Creative Activity Fellowship for the 2022–23 academic year. The award allows professors and students to partner and dive more deeply into scholarly and creative projects.
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Unlocking Access to College WITHOUT SCHOL ARSHIPS, college would not have been possible for Raven Wade. The finance senior from Oklahoma City grew up with a single mom who wasn’t able to set aside money for her education. “I saw her work really, really hard,” Wade said. “She didn’t have a college degree, and I wanted something different.” Wade began at a public university but was overwhelmed, “partying and trying to get to math class at 10 a.m. I wasn’t performing to my potential.” She took a year off and worked as a stocker at Walmart, which had recently increased its wages to $11 a hour. “It was rough,” she said. “It underlined the desire to go to school and have a career path lined out for myself. I always wanted to achieve at the highest level academically. It never was an option for me not to go to college.” Wade began again at Oklahoma City Community College and discovered best friends and fierce advocates. “I tried to stack my resume to make sure I stood out in scholarship applications.” During an OCCC scholarship reception unveiling a video that featured Wade, Oklahoma City University officials unexpectedly filled Wade’s table to honor her. “I had wanted to go to Oklahoma City University,” she said. “I just didn’t think it was an option for me because of the price. That personal touch made it real for me and cemented my decision. I started working on my application the next day.” At OCU, Wade has appreciated learning from professors who are experienced in their fields. She especially loves Dr. James Ma’s classes in finance, investments, and Bloomberg. “He’s just so passionate about finance. If your professor makes it engaging and relevant to your life, it really helps.” This summer, Wade worked as an Inasmuch Fellow in the Regional Food Bank’s advocacy department and developed a passion for food security. She also cares deeply about the housing market, health care, and the environment. “I think I’m going to end up managing funds for my community and make sure people are taken care of. I hope to eventually start my own scholarship so another student will have the opportunity I had.”
OCU finance senior Raven Wade with her Oklahoma senator, Kay Floyd, at the state Capitol this summer.
“I do think I’ve felt a pressure to achieve more as a woman of color—make sure I’m respected and seen as someone with potential and with something to offer.” Her family still has to remind her she is successful and capable, she said. This year, she’s determined to leave a legacy at OCU by working through student government to get copies of textbooks placed in the library for students to check out instead of buy, and she’s applying for an internship through Princeton University. She wants to set an example for people without many resources that it’s possible to earn a college education. “I don’t know how donors feel,” she said, “but I want to make sure they really know they are helping a human achieve things, and they are investing in someone’s success and it really means a lot. It has positive effects that go on for years, and everyone I touch is, in part, because of them. It really, really means a lot.”
Annual Report Contributors WRITERS
Koby Harrington Lisa Littrell April Marciszewski Chris Maxon Rayelee McFee Lynann Sterk-Brooks
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michaela Childs, Class of 2024 Eric Gomez Ian Weston
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
April Marciszewski
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
OCU Business Intelligence OCU Financial Accounting Services OCU Student Financial Services OCU University Advancement Oklahoma Methodist Foundation
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Meet the Office of University Advancement LEFT TO RIGHT: Lisa Littrell, senior administrative assistant; Mathew Burkholder, director of development; Emily Bendick, director of annual giving and digital engagement; Chris Maxon, associate athletic director for development; Koby Harrington, CFRE, assistant vice president of university development; Jennifer Stevenson Prilliman, assistant dean for advancement and external relations, School of Law; Lynann Sterk-Brooks, vice president for university advancement; Megan Hornbeek Allen, executive director of alumni engagement; Dalton Funkhouser, director of advancement operations; Marcie Jackson, coordinator of alumni engagement; April Marciszewski, donor relations manager; Jo Heidebrecht, senior development services specialist; and Rayelee McFee, advancement operations specialist. Not pictured: Kate Downing, director of marketing for university advancement and special projects; Alan Herndon, director of gift planning; Mackenzie McIntyre, leadership annual giving officer; and Carson Wright, special events manager.
OCU Board of Trustees Officers
Gary B. Homsey, Chairman Jane Jayroe Gamble, Vice Chairman Dr. Emmanuel E. Edem, Secretary Nicholas Harroz, III, Treasurer
Trustees
Louise Bass Andrew K. Benton Phil G. Busey, Sr. Jacqueline Fiegel
Deborah S. Fleming Gerald L. Gamble Joe R. Homsey, Jr. Michael S. “Mickey” Homsey Ann Johnstone Bill Junk Lou C. Kerr Donald H. Kim, MD Ann Lacy, emerita Cathy Leichter Jenee Naifeh Lister Dr. Bob Long Judy Love Paula Marshall
Lance McDaniel Paul E. McLaughlin, Chairman Emeritus William Mee Ronald J. Norick, Chairman Emeritus James “Jimmy” Nunn Richard Parry Tammy Powell Clinton Purtell Dr. George Randall Patrick T. Rooney Teresa Rose Shane A. Sanders
okcu.edu/advancement
William F. Shdeed, Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jerry B. Vannatta John Veal, Jr. Kathy L. Williams Rev. David M. Wilson
Representatives
Mohamed Daadaoui, Faculty Danielle Shipley, Staff BreAuna Shaw, Student