FROM THE
PRESIDENT
READ MORE FROM JOHN AT WWW.OC.EDU/PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni and Friends, So, what am I supposed to say? You’ve read presidents’ letters in alumni magazines. All we talk about is the really great stuff. Or, how everything is getting better and the future looks bright. These aren’t lies or misrepresentations. But we often selectively share the good news we love and want to hear. But what do you say when the storms of grief engulf you? I believe in transparency and honesty when times are good. And I believe in them when times are bad as well. Thursday, April 16, 2015, was the worst day of my life. And Darla’s life. And Abby’s life. Our son and brother, Joe, passed from this world. We are in shock. We are profoundly sad. We struggle with the questions of “Why did this happen?” and “Why did God allow it?” We will surrender our will to God’s will. He will sanctify us and this situation. And through it, we will serve Him. These are the stages that a well-known man of God shared with Darla and me on Friday, April 17. He knew what he was talking about. He lost his son two years ago. I think God was insistent that we talk to this man. I am glad God insisted. I have said that OC is home. I believed that before our loss. I am convinced of it even more now; OC is home. Within minutes of learning of our great tragedy, scores of the OC family were at our home – employees, students, alumni, trustees, community friends. And they were at our home with us for days. Hugging. Talking. Listening. Praying. Crying. Laughing. Serving. Thousands around the world have been praying for us and calling, texting, writing, emailing, and visiting us. Even today, people are letting us know that they continue to pray and think of us. I think God knew 14 years ago that my family and I would need the OC family, and our Memorial Road church family, in a profound way. I didn’t fully understand in late 2002 why I should transplant my family from Tahlequah to Edmond. Now I understand. Honestly, I can’t fathom how people
without spiritual communities make it when the storms hit. The evening of Joe’s death, I slipped back onto campus to observe from the shadows our students praying in a campuswide vigil in the Thelma Gaylord Forum. I was strengthened. The next day, Darla and I attended the last Chapel of the school year. We were hugged and we shared tears. We were strengthened. A week and a half later, I briefly welcomed incoming students and their families at Take Flight. People I didn’t know hugged me and said they were praying for us. I was strengthened. We hurt. And we will for a long, long time. We don’t have good days and bad days. We have a good 15 minutes, then a bad 15 minutes. But we have a God who comforts and loves and gives us hope. And, he answers prayers – especially prayers for comfort, peace, and hope. I believe God gave us some extra time with Joe. Time to learn and love and get closer. Because of Joe, I am not so quick to judge. I listen better. I appreciate others who see things a bit differently than I do. I see good in others, and I am more likely to look for it. I realize that people wage hidden battles – hidden until we really get to know each other. Because of a car wreck, Joe’s sole transportation since Christmas was his bicycle. For the next four months, Darla, Abby, and I got to drive him to work on bad weather days, to surgery and therapy for an injury he sustained in the car accident, and on other errands. Without fail, at the end of each trip, Joe did three things. He said, “thank you.” He said, “I love you.” And he gave us a hug. I miss those things. I miss Joe. But I am convinced that Joe is in a better place now. And we will be with him again someday. OC is home. It’s not a slogan. It’s not hype. It’s real and it’s reality. And, it’s a blessing. Thanks. Love. Hugs.
SUMMER 2015
On The Cover: Dr. Stafford North carries OC’s academic mace at the university’s spring commencement ceremonies.
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After more than six decades of service, Dr. North retires from full-time work at OC.
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OC science prof earns prestigious appointment to Oxford summer program.
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Second-generation professor boosts OC’s computer science program.
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McDonald’s promotes PR grad to senior director of communication and field activation.
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Comings and goings of your former classmates.
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Honors Program alumni find success in many endeavors.
OC trustee lives out his faith as a business leader in Silicon Valley.
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Alumni Bill Hall, Jim Utley, and Jay Hanan make waves in the bottled water industry.
FOLLOW US ONLINE www.oc.edu/connect #OCisHome
Summary of recent highlights and accomplishments at OC.
Upcoming events at your alma mater.
VISION STAFF PRESIDENT:
EDITOR / DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS MARKETING:
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
John deSteiguer
Wes McKinzie (98)
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT:
WRITERS/CONTRIBUTORS:
Chris Adair (97), Judson Copeland (02), Steven Christy (01), Holly Farrar (15), Michelle Leach, Kelcy Nash (15), Alan Phillips (76), Hayley Waldo
Kent Allen (79)
Chris Adair (97), Will Blanchard (07), Murray Evans (89), Chelsie Flagg (14), Kaitlin Franklin, Christine Merideth (91), Kim Reiter (91), Dawn Shelton (90), Josh Watson
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMISSIONS & MARKETING: Risa Forrester (96)
DESIGNERS: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS: Bob Lashley (74)
Judson Copeland (02), Jonathan Curtis (03), Adam Weiss (13), Tessa Wright (12)
VISION Alumni Magazine of Oklahoma Christian University (USPS 405-420) Volume 165, No. 2, Spring 2015 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISION Box 11000, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-1100
© Oklahoma Christian University 2015 Oklahoma Christian University admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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The annual Homecoming Parade featured a big crowd of students, alumni, faculty, and staff ... plus really cool floats! Students turned out in force with their “Talons Up” for the Lady Eagles’ and Eagles’ Homecoming games. The 90’s Barn Bash featured OC trivia, fun, food, and fellowship. The 2014-15 Homecoming King and Queen: Ty Belt and Shelby Richards. John and Darla deSteiguer with the Missions Award honorees from our original Brazil Mission team: Carol Vinzant, Jane Norton, Barbara Campbell, and Jerry Campbell (55). Sean Steele and Kendall Haliburton sing a duet during the Homecoming Musical, “Little Women.” Richard and Mo Anderson accept the Honorary Alumni award at the Alumni Banquet.
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Multicultural and Service Learning Coordinator Gary Jones (06) interviews Civil Rights pioneers Claudette Colvin and Dr. Fred Gray during OC’s annual “History Speaks” event. Colvin discusses her role as the first woman to be arrested for not giving up her seat on a Birmingham bus. Colvin signs copies of her biography, Twice Toward Justice. Dr. Gray speaks about a lifetime of service that includes his role in desegregating the University of Alabama and Auburn University, and his legal representation of Colvin, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Best-selling author Donald Miller speaks to a capacity crowd in Hardeman Auditorium during OC’s “Ethos Presents” event. Dr. Ravi Zacharias speaks to an audience of more than 3,000 people in OC’s Payne Athletic Center at the McGaw Lecture.
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Kappa Sigma Tau captured the Spring Sing championship with its Robin Hood and Little John show. Delta Gamma Sigma went with a Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza theme. Iota Kappa Phi stepped up to the plate as Dottie and Kit from “A League of Their Own.” Chi Lambda Phi’s Spring Sing quest featured a Lewis and Clark theme. The freshman class got all dolled up as Barbie and Ken. Gamma Rho displayed the fruits of their labor as Pineapples and Strawberries. Spring Sing’s Just Duet theme included Brandi Williams (foreground) and Hayley Waldo singing “Halo.”
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Team OC again had the largest group at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon with more than 500 participants. Beau Bailey (03), Dr. Gary Lawrence, and Chris McKeever run the half-marathon. Bianca Woods finishes the half-marathon. North Institute instructional designer Mark Thompson and President John deSteiguer run the half-marathon. Major Gifts Officer Gary Mason, Valari (Boker 82) Wedel, and Director of Wellness Darci (Grisso 00) Thompson celebrate the start of the fitness center renovation. Valari (Boker 82) Wedel helps with the demolition. Now known as “The Dub,” the fitness center will reopen this fall with a new look and new equipment thanks to a gift from Valari and her husband, Greg, a member of OC’s Board of Trustees.
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Dr. Scott LaMascus (84) presents a diploma to Monique Elliott. Ty Belt points to the crowd in celebration. Grace Umutesi receives the award for Outstanding Female Non-Major Bible Student from Dr. Charles Rix. 4 President’s Medal recipient Cassie Partin was one of seven students to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. 5 Mortarboard turned message board for Mom and Dad! 6 Patrick Glueck escorted by his mother during the processional. 7 Distinguished Professor of Bible Dr. Stafford North delivers the commencement address. 8 Graduate Caleb Lenon receives his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. 9 Dr. LaMascus presents the Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching to Department of Communication chair Dr. Larry Jurney 10 The March 2015 graduates from OC’s MBA program in Rwanda. 11 WWW. OC. E D U
SIX-DECADE REPEATER METHOD NORTH RETIRES AFTER 61 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, SCHOLARSHIP, AND MENTORSHIP
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Left to right: Dr. North visiting with students in the 60s; Dr. North in 1952; Dr. Bailey McBride, Dr. North, and Gary Fields. Below: Dr. North with his wife, Jo Anne, and their children, Susan (in Jo Anne’s lap), Linda, David, and Julie.
He gave us the “Six-Shot Repeater Method” to help us learn, the submarine story to help us think, and the end goal to “Be There.” As he prepares to gradually retire from Oklahoma Christian after 63 years, Dr. Stafford North offers one more tagline to guide our days: With a reminder that Jesus said it first, Dr. North told 265 OC graduates to “Let Your Light Shine” during his April commencement speech. “You can be a light of good, a light of service, a light of moral integrity, and a light of spiritual hope to those around you,” he said, wearing his academic regalia after having led the faculty procession, for perhaps the last time.
endured gracefully. They were committed, of course, to each other … and to the cause of Christian higher education. Stafford and Jo Anne, while they raised their four children, also helped raise a university. As the years progressed, the university grew and matured, and the Norths saw their own family expand to another generation of grandchildren and another to the greatgrands. We knew him as our academic dean in the early days under President James Baird, and as the executive vice president for President Terry Johnson (64).
You can be a light of good, a light of service, a light of moral integrity, and a light of spiritual hope to those around you. Dr. Stafford North
Stafford was about the same age as this year’s undergrads when he came to a fledgling OC as a speech teacher. He earned $2,400 that year, but since he was still a single guy, he survived in the economy of 1951. He married Jo Anne a couple of years later when he took a leave at OC to pursue his doctorate at the University of Florida. She joined him in Bartlesville in August of 1953 – a summer of record heat and drought that Mrs. North, a Florida native,
Stafford transitioned to fulltime teaching in 1995 while also taking on special roles such as Lectureship director, and author of the definitive treasury of OC’s history in the 525-page book, Soaring On Wings Like Eagles. (Continued on page 14)
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It’s been amazing to be here through this whole run. That’s a fun way to spend your life. And you have the satisfaction of seeing it happen. We’ve stayed true to the purpose we were founded for 65 years ago. Dr. Stafford North
Indeed, he has served with every president OC has ever had. Experiences, he laughs, that have all been “very interesting.” He might not be ready for the tell-all memoir just yet! We know him as our technology innovator. Before computers became ubiquitous, he brought OC national acclaim with study carrels for every student, dial-up lectures, and Enterprise Square. Always a classroom innovator, he was one of the first OC professors to take his courses online. The North Institute for Teaching and Learning, funded with a gift from son David (79) and daughter-in-law Beverly (Hobson 79) North, is named for him. And, with his signature grin and laugh, he says he is on Facebook and adeptly uses his smartphone. In six decades, he’s seen many generations pass through campus. Are they different today than they used to be? In some ways, he says. They are more technologically oriented and are being raised in a different culture; but learning, he said, is much the same. “Education is to help you learn and think and organize and plan. You don’t always end up using those skills in the exact thing for which you were trained. But you use communication and put those skills to use in lots of ways,” he said. “I think our academic programs are very strong. The spiritual and residential elements are important.” His bride, now of 60 years, has made her own indelible mark on OC. Jo Anne’s work with Stepping Stones and OCWA helped grow needed support.
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She was also an instructor – teaching swimming in Bartlesville, an homage to her Florida water roots. She also taught reading improvement and a religious education for children course. A hostess, she welcomed hundreds of students in her home. And for 25 years, she hosted a July 4 faculty and staff picnic at their home near campus. Jo Anne also is involved in prison ministry, moved years ago by a letter from an inmate in the Gospel Advocate. Stafford says she wrote to the inmate asking if she could help and he replied with three pages of ways she could. For 30 years, she has been involved with female inmates at the county jail through Bible study and prayer, and has witnessed baptisms every month. Wouldn’t those experiences make a great book? She may be swayed to write it. If Stafford sits down to write another book, he says former executive director of church relations Bob Rowley (70) is after him to write a commentary on Daniel. So he might do that, but he also has some other book ideas. That is, if he really slows down. Even though he is “retiring” this year, it is gradual. He hopes to teach two classes per semester, including his signature Personal Evangelism course. And this October’s lectureship will be his last as director. Then, maybe he’ll write. Or accept more invitations to preach around the state, or around the world. “It’s been really satisfying to be able to see all that’s happened to something you’re committed to. As I thought about what I wanted to do with my life, I
expected to be a preacher and trained to be one at Abilene. I majored in speech, minored in Bible, religious education, and Greek. “I got the invitation to come and teach at a Christian college, I thought if I can help train preachers and prepare students to be what they need to be in the church, in the scheme of things that would be a larger contribution than just being one preacher in one church,” he said. So for 63 years, he has let his light shine. “It’s been amazing to be here through this whole run. When I came it was a 100-student junior college not known by many people. And now it’s 2,500 students with lots of graduate programs. Campus then was pretty limited. Now we have a great campus,” he said. “That’s a fun way to spend your life really. And you have the satisfaction of seeing it happen. The key thing is we’ve stayed true to the purpose we were founded for 65 years ago.” Lest that purpose slips, he says with a hearty laugh and a twinkle in his eye, he’ll still be watching. “When I die, I will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery. When we picked our lots, we picked out the highest place,” he said. “And I will be buried standing up looking over at the campus to be sure that things go right.” May we be letting our light shine. By Dawn Shelton (90)
DR. NORTH TALKS ABOUT HIS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE IN A SPECIAL VIDEO INTERVIEW. WWW.OC.EDU/VISION
Left to right, top to bottom: Dr. North’s 1954 yearbook photo; Dr. North in his Bartlesville office; Dr. Harold Fletcher and Dr. North working on Songs America Sings in Hardeman Auditorium; Dr. North teaching a class with his trusty overhead projector; Dr. North teaching freshmen the six-shot repeater method; Enterprise Square; Bubbin, Zazzie, and Quonk, characters from the Enterprise Square story; Dr. North and Bob Hope in Hope’s Beverly Hills home.
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HAROLD FLETCHER “You gotta face the music.” That was Dr. Harold Fletcher’s mantra, his exhortation for his Music History students to immerse themselves in what they studied. “It means you’re not just listening to the music, you’re paying attention to the technicalities of the music writing, what the composer was trying to say,” student Marissa Madison said. “It’s not just hearing melodies, it’s what’s behind the music.” At his last class before retiring, Dr. Fletcher wrapped up his 64-year tenure with a few more peeks behind the musical curtain, providing his trademark insights on “Dead Elvis,” a Bach cantata, and “Hail to Oklahoma Christian.” “When I wrote the alma mater in 1951, I clutched for words. I was no poet, not even a lyricist. But I had in mind that we needed a song, so I did the best I could,” Fletcher said. “I put two secondary dominant sevenths in the alma mater. There are also some parallel fifths in there, theory students. I’m not going to tell you where they are. You find them.” That witty comment filled a packed Adams Recital Hall with laughter, as friends, family, colleagues, and current and former students had the chance to learn at Fletcher’s feet in a class setting one final time. It just happened to be December 4, Fletcher’s 91st birthday. “These 64 years have been great,” Fletcher said. “It’s been a wonderful place to be – friends of great quality, scholars of great ability, students of wonderful interest.”
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Dr. Stafford North, Dr. James Cail (58), Dr. Harold Fletcher, and Dr. Bailey McBride (54) at Dr. Fletcher’s retirement reception.
Many of those friends, scholars, and students wrote notes of congratulations and gratitude for a gift that Dr. Ken Adams (69) presented to Fletcher, whom he called “my colleague, my mentor, and my friend.” “Some men’s personality and character are so influential for encouraging good in others that just being around them increases the good in the world,” former student Dessain Terry (67) said in his written note. “You, Dr. Fletcher, are such a man.” By Wes McKinzie (98)
LOREN GEIGER
JOE McCORMACK
Professor of New Testament Dr. Loren Gieger retired this spring after 31 years of service in OC’s College of Biblical Studies. Loren was beloved by students throughout his three decades at Oklahoma Christian. He received OC’s Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching Award in 1997. Loren is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, and the Near Eastern Archaeological Society. He has done archaeological studies in Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. He also preaches for the Church of Christ in Stroud, Oklahoma, and teaches the Early Bird class at Memorial Road Church of Christ. His wife, Iola, was an administrative assistant, most recently in OC’s College of Liberal Arts. They have three children – Leland, Gayland (89), and Shawn (93).
Language and Literature professor Joe McCormack (59) retired at the end of the fall semester. Joe was a student at Central Christian/Oklahoma Christian in both Bartlesville and Oklahoma City. He returned to teach in 1967 and helped launch OC’s exchange program with Ibaraki Christian in Japan and our study abroad programs in Europe and the Pacific Rim. Joe also developed OC’s Teaching English as a Foreign Language degree, making Oklahoma Christian one of the few schools in the nation offering such a degree. He earned OC’s Merrick Teaching Award in 1987 and the Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching Award in 1993. OC named him a Master Teacher in 2013. He and his wife, Lottie, have four chlidren: Tim, Jeff (83), Steve (84), and Connie Penick (87). Jeff is the dean of OC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences.
BOB ROWLEY Bob Rowley, who worked at our alma mater since his graduation from Oklahoma Christian in 1970, retired in December. Through the years, Bob served as director of admissions, director of advancement, executive director of church relations, and other important roles. Beyond OC, he has been a minister for Church of Christ congregations in Fairview and Okeene, Oklahoma. Always known as an encouraging people person, Bob helped strengthen Oklahoma Christian through his many relationships with donors, church leaders, and other friends of the university. His wife, Lynne (Hearn 71), also is an Oklahoma Christian graduate.
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NORTH HIRE BOOSTS OC’S CS PROGRAM David North brings four decades of experience and expertise to his new roles as OC’s director of computer science advancement and associate professor of computer science. The 1979 OC graduate has held vice president roles with MBO Partners, Netplex and Applied Intelligence Group. He was MBO’s chief operating officer prior to returning to OC. David has been a chief technology officer, project manager, system architect and computer systems consultant. He has managed hundreds of software development projects and been involved in the startup of several businesses. He is a noted early adopter and innovator in the areas of software engineering, objectoriented development, and Internet application development. At Oklahoma Christian, David is working to enhance the undergraduate curriculum and add a master’s degree in computer science to the university’s graduate offerings. OC’s undergraduate program, featuring degree tracks in Computer Science, Computer Science with Business, and Computer Science with Gaming and Animation, will prepare students for careers in a wide range of organizations. The program provides a foundational knowledge of computer science principles and concepts, plus courses that focus on software engineering and web, security, and mobile technologies. Students’ real-world practice opportunities also will grow. “OC has had a strong computer science program for many years. Our graduates have been very successful in getting great jobs with excellent employers,” David said. “But these changes will strengthen our degree with a focus on new, popular technologies. That’s going to benefit our students as they prepare for successful computer science careers.” Computer science is one of the most lucrative and fastestgrowing job fields. CNN, Money Magazine, and U.S. News
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and World Report list multiple computer science professions – including computer systems analysis, database development, information security analysis, software architecture, software development, and video game design – among the nation’s top 10 jobs in salary and availability. “OC’s computer science degree produces graduates that are in demand as the technologists of the future,” David said. “With their foundation in computer science principles, concepts, and current technologies, OC graduates can quickly contribute to a company’s operations.” In addition to the rigorous curriculum, OC students will benefit from mentoring relationships with instructors like David and other expert alumni who are leaders in various fields. Recent OC graduates have computing jobs at NASA, ESPN, the FBI and a host of other companies and organizations. Alumnus Richard Lawson (66), a member of OC’s Board of Trustees, founded Lawson Software and built it into a $2 billion business with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. David’s accomplished career actually began when he created technology solutions for Oklahoma Christian as an undergraduate student. He went on to lead the team of computer experts that developed innovative exhibits at OC’s Enterprise Square in the 1980s. He currently directs the Capitol Hill ministry at Memorial Road Church of Christ, where he serves as a deacon. He and his wife Beverly (Hobson 79) have three children and five grandchildren. David’s father, Stafford North, is a member of the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame and is retiring this spring after 61 years at Oklahoma Christian. By Wes McKinzie (98)
SCIENCE PROF CHOSEN FOR OXFORD PROGRAM It may take half a day to fly to Oxford, England, but OC chemistry professor Dr. Amanda Nichols (03) is more than happy to make that trip. Amanda was one of just 25 scholars from around the world chosen for two summers of study in the Scholars and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) program at the University of Oxford. An associate professor of chemistry at OC, Amanda was selected for her proposal to study the aesthetics and functions of molecular symmetry. “We classify molecules in inorganic chemistry based on symmetrical look and function,” said Amanda, who joined OC’s faculty in 2008. “These classifications are worthy of additional research because the symmetry suggests a design, which also suggests a designer.” During her two summers at Oxford, Amanda will research literature overviews and case studies of specific molecules. According to Dr. Jeff McCormack (83), dean of OC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences, Amanda’s accomplishment is a reflection of excellence in her work. “Dr. Nichols is a dedicated teacher and researcher who truly serves OC’s students,” McCormack said. “It is a great honor to have Amanda representing Oklahoma Christian alongside such esteemed colleagues.” In addition to funding her research and travel to Oxford, the SCIO program will fund an undergraduate research assistant position for Amanda at Oklahoma Christian. Amanda will mentor the student, who will serve as a coauthor for Amanda’s published research. In addition, Amanda will receive a stipend to help fund a science and religion club at Oklahoma Christian.
“My selection by the SCIO program will enhance how we integrate faith and science in our classes at OC,” Amanda said. “The research assistant position and the new club will provide significant career- and faith-building opportunities that students simply don’t receive at other universities.” Amanda teaches chemistry classes in OC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences as well as a course on science and Christianity in OC’s Honors Program. Her recent research is focused on science education and mentoring female undergraduates studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. She is a member of the American Chemical Society and has served as a section chair in recent years. While the SCIO program is new this year, Amanda was encouraged to apply by two OC professors who were chosen for a similar experience a few years ago. Professor of Physics Dr. Len Feuerhelm and Professor of Bible and Philosophy Dr. Jim Baird (78), a graduate of Oxford and OC’s Honors Program director, attended a similar program on the intersection of faith and science at Oxford. That experience led the professors to further enhance their popular Honors Program course, “The Bible, Science and Human Values.” “I am incredibly thankful for the encouragement I received from Dr. (Jim) Baird (78) and Dr. (Len) Feuerhelm,” Amanda said. “Their guidance was extremely important throughout this process. I am honored to follow in their footsteps.” By Josh Watson
WATCH DR. NICHOLS TALK ABOUT FAITH AND SCIENCE IN A VIDEO FEATURE. WWW.OC.EDU/VISION
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SMARTS WITH HEART HONORS PROGRAM PRODUCES STUDENT AND ALUMNI LEADERS Being a student in OC’s Honors Program means more than a prestigious diploma. For the 2015 graduating class, their Honors experience helped them get closer to achieving their goals. In April, the Honors Program graduated the first class with two cohorts and the first students to live in Honors House at Davisson Hall from the beginning of their OC experience. Every Honors student who applied for graduate school was accepted, with six students attending medical school, one attending pharmacy school, and seven attending law school. These Honors graduates look forward to studying at law schools like Southern Methodist University, the University of Chicago, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Virginia, and the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. They will attend medical school at institutions like the University of Kansas School of Medicine, the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. Honors graduates also received job offers from Boeing, China Now, Moore Public Schools, the Oklahoma Policy Institute, and the OU Medical Center. This class included Helen Holmlund, a finalist in the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Program, and Chas Carter, a member of OC’s state and regional champion Ethics Team who served two years as Honors Advisory Council president. Other standout Honors grads included Tyler Parette and Afton Paris, who both spent a semester at the University of Oxford through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, and Mark Street, who joined Tyler as Nigh Scholars during their time at OC. Mark will attend medical school at the OU Health Science Center this fall. He said his Honors curriculum gave him the opportunity to undertake a research internship the summer before his junior year.
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“Because of the Honors Catalyst Project, I was able to study ovarian cancer at the OUHSC Stephenson Cancer Center,” Mark said. “I was able to research, be published, and competitively present my findings at the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences Technical Meeting and the EPSCoR Research Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol.” Afton, who received the Outstanding Delegate Award at the 2013 Model Arab League, will continue on to the University of Chicago to study for a master’s degree through its Committee on Internal Relations. She said the challenge of her Honors courses strongly impacted her collegiate success. “The academic rigor of the Honors Program is something that really challenged me throughout because they really expect you to produce quality scholarship right off the bat,” Afton said. “Though that is difficult, the whole process really grew me as a writer and as a scholar.” Named OC’s Outstanding Vocational Ministry Major this year, Mark said the Honors Program shaped his goals as a future family practice physician, as he seeks to join that career with his spiritual life. “I hope to be able to show God’s love to every patient and help those in need,” he said. “I loved being a part of the Honors Program and I truly feel it prepared me both spiritually and academically for joining the medical field.” Afton said she looks forward to using the skills developed in the Honors Program in her graduate studies and legal career. “I have already experienced the benefits of having gone through the Honors educational experience, as many of the skills I learned during my time at OC were invaluable when I ventured out of the university,” she said. “I am ecstatic to take those skills and grow them even further.” By Kaitlin Franklin
Left to right: Darian Minzenmayer, Dillon Byrd, Payton Minzenmayer, Steven Langley, TJ Becker. (Not pictured: Mark Kuneman)
BUILDING COMMUNITY THE GYM TAKES FITNESS MINISTRY TO OKC’S INNER CITY Recent Oklahoma Christian graduates are living out their passion and setting out to work in a troubled community through a project called The GYM. Payton (14) and Darian (Russell 16) Minzenmayer, TJ Becker (13), Mark Kuneman (13), Steven Langley (14), and Dillon Byrd are developing a physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness ministry in Oklahoma City. “The GYM is a non-profit effort in the Oklahoma City area that is seeking to re-envision health,” Payton said. “We’re looking at physical, mental, and spiritual health.” The GYM will offer affordable workouts, nutrition classes, and tutoring to struggling and underserved people. The team is currently in the process of finding a permanent facility after launching at a temporary location just south of downtown. “Fifty percent of the people who are incarcerated or in prison are in the neighborhood just south of us,” Payton said. “We’re next to government housing, and we’re literally right in the middle of a neighborhood that is the heart of this kind of problem. We are seeking to just plant ourselves in the middle and to grow out and to be a gym for the community.” Payton and Steven graduated from OC in December, but they dreamed up the idea of The GYM during their sophomore year. Now their plan is in development, and the OC community is rallying behind the team to make it possible. “All of it links back to OC,” Payton said. “We’ve talked to multiple professors and people who work here, and OC has been receptive to it. It’s good to have this community to gather around us in this effort.” The GYM’s future likely will include members of the OC community, particularly current students. The team ultimately plans to hold free sports camps for kids in the area.
“It will be a great way to come out to help,” Payton said. “It would be great to have a community of people who just love to play sports and love kids come down there and help us teach these classes, help kind of keep it organized.” Payton’s passion for ministry spurred him to pursue a master’s degree in OC’s Graduate School of Theology. Josh Bailey (98), the GST program director, said he sees likely success for The GYM and its ministry. “I’ve seen Payton in action around the Bible and he is definitely equipped to do what he is doing,” Josh said. “I think they have a lot of indicators that say it definitely will be a success.” Payton said he hopes The GYM will be fully operational by August. He hopes the first year brings significant growth for the ministry. “The big dream is to be working toward our new building, to establish our own space, to really start setting up a garden, to really start setting up memberships,” Payton said. The group will launch a campaign to help fund the new building in the coming months. Payton said he and his cofounders welcome anyone interested in giving, volunteering, or joining the team. For more information, follow the effort at facebook.com/ thegymokc. “Anybody can help,” he said. “If you find any spark of interest, you have the ability to help us and you have the ability to make this grow, because we are trying to build a community to help a community.” By Kaitlin Franklin
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ALUMNI SUPERHERO FILM FLIES HIGH The award-winning independent superhero film “The Posthuman Project,” directed by alumnus Kyle Roberts (07), continues to rack up the accomplishments and accolades. The family-friendly comic-book-styled film sold out shows all over the United States, including a multi-city theatrical release through AMC Theatres. It had the largest grossing opening weekend ever for an independent film at AMC Quail Springs. “The Posthuman Project” has won awards at numerous film festivals, including seven awards for “Best Feature.” Kyle was named “Best Director” at the Orlando Film Festival. The movie also has been featured at festivals in Brazil, Europe, and Japan.
“This whole independent film journey has been an uphill battle from the beginning,” Kyle said. “We couldn’t have done it without our talented cast/crew and support from everyone around us continuously lifting us up.” In March, OC hosted a special screening of the film with a post-screening Q&A with Kyle and actor Alex Harris, also an OC alum. Alumnus Lucas Ross (03) also had a role in the movie while alumni Dani Hebert (15) and Sandra Peck (14) worked as production assistants. It was filmed entirely in Oklahoma, including one scene shot on the OC campus. By Wes McKinzie (98)
(Left) Co-writer Matthew Price, actors Alex Harris and Collin Place, and director Kyle Roberts answer questions after a screening of The Posthuman Project in OC’s Hardeman Auditorium. (Right) Kyle talks during the Q&A.
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S AV E T H E D AT E
SEPTEMBER 17 TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN
FEATURING SERGE IBAKA, FORWARD FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, AND BOB GOFF, NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF LOVE DOES O C . E D U /A S S O C I AT E S
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Climb the ladder quickly with the applied knowledge and experience you’ll get with a Master of Science degree in Engineering or Computer Science from OC. Classes are affordable and held just 1-2 nights a week, with some online. That means you don’t have to put your life on hold to get the skills you need to lead.
You need intense study to become the Christian leader God wants you to be. With three rigorous degree options, OC’s Graduate School of Theology equips students for effective ministry through accredited and affordable classes just one day a week in the Oklahoma City metro or online.
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SHE’S LOVIN’ IT Photos by Michelle Leach, Magnolia Adams Photography
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Susan (Smith 99) Nelson grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, graduating in a class of just 68. From those humble beginnings, Susan has found success in public relations at McDonald’s, one of the world’s largest and most-recognized companies. She works as McDonald’s senior director of communication and field activation in the United States. “I oversee the main communications between our corporate office in Chicago and our 22 field offices across the country,” she said. “I also work with our 22 regional communicators across the U.S. to make sure our strategic plan is being executed across all 14,000 restaurants. It’s a very busy job.” While the small town girl who came to OC and made it big is an exciting story, Susan did not necessarily have a master plan beyond being faithful to her Christian values. Her husband, Ryan (98), grew up on a farm just down the road from Susan. In fact, Ryan is the only boy Susan ever dated. They got married soon after their time at OC, and moved to Detroit for Ryan’s engineering position in the automotive industry. Susan responded to an online job posting for the McDonald’s Detroit field office, a job she landed. She excelled in Detroit and was soon promoted to a position in McDonald’s
corporate office in Chicago, and this time, Ryan and Susan moved for her job. More promotions followed for Susan, taking them to Raleigh, Chicago, Phoenix, and Chicago again. But McDonald’s rewarded Susan’s commitment and excellence by allowing her to move back to Oklahoma to work from her home state. She travels by plane a lot, but the move has been worth it. “With small children, Ryan and I really felt like it was time to be closer to family,” Susan said. “McDonald’s is such a great company, and they have been really flexible with my work schedule so I can remain committed to the values that are most important to me. It also helps that technology allows me to be in constant communication with my team regardless of where I am.” Since her first interview with McDonald’s, Susan has been committed to balancing her faith with her professional success. In that interview, someone commented that Susan’s faith must be important to her, given the cross necklace she was wearing and the name of her alma mater. “I was really just being true to myself, not trying to make a statement,” Susan said. “My faith has helped me in my career, not only trying to be a role model, but by showing up every single day and letting that influence how I lead a team.
It is very hard to achieve and maintain a high level of success, but I am committed to doing so by being who I am.” Susan says OC strengthened her commitment to her values. “My college experience at OC was the launching pad for my professional career,” Susan said. “The faith foundation reinforced my values, and an OC connection helped me land my first internship in Gov. (Frank) Keating’s office. My last internship turned into my first full-time job. I am thankful that my communication professors gave me the confidence to do big things.” Dr. Larry Jurney, chair of OC’s Department of Communication, remembers Susan as a dedicated student. “Susan was an excellent student,” Larry said. “She was a delight to have in class, and I am so very proud of her. She demonstrated great ability and dedication in her studies, so it is not surprising that she has been so successful in her public relations career.” According to Susan, that success built on her experiences as an OC undergrad. “I am really proud of my time at OC, and I cherish my experiences there,” she said. “It was about being involved in campus life and clubs and taking advantage of all the experiences OC had to offer. I am a big fan of OC.” By Josh Watson
NELSON STAYS TRUE TO VALUES IN MCDONALD’S CORPORATE ROLE
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Left to right: Jim Utley, Bill Hall, Jay Hanan
THIRST QUENCHERS ALUMNI TRIO LEADS NIAGARA BOTTLING
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There’s something in the water at Niagara Bottling Company. That something has drawn three OC alumni to the successful company and propelled it to even more success. Bill Hall (96), Jay Hanan (97), and Jim Utley (94) are OC engineering graduates. One by one, they all joined Niagara – a company that manufactures
approximately 35 percent of the bottled water in the United States. So for the job seekers among us … they plan to hire up to 1,000 more people in the next year or so. What if they’re all OC alumni? The story of Bill, Jay, and Jim at Niagara is a case in point of how our friendships, talents, and connections pay off in the job market and life. Bill joined Niagara first in 2004, hired by the Peykoff family, who founded the company in the 1960s. Bill began as a plant manager and when the company expanded to the second and third plant, he began aggressively recruiting Jay and Jim. He was elevated to executive vice president, responsible for manufacturing at 20 sites. “I guess I’m smart enough to know that you need as many smart people as
physics in 1997 that Dr. Len Feuerhelm encouraged him to consider grad school. With three days to go, he emailed his application to Caltech, and got into the Materials Science program. He is a songleader at Sierra Madre Church of Christ and has two kids. “One is a successful professional actress. The other is a smart young man who believes he will achieve his dreams, inspired by his loving sister,” he said. Jim Utley didn’t get to Niagara until 2011. He still lives in Blanchard, Oklahoma, with wife Julie (Begin 94) and three kids. He offices in Dallas and travels 60 percent of the time. Jim is Niagara’s director of technical services. Despite a little ribbing from Jay and Bill, Jim embraced the role of being the most verbose of the three during our email exchanges for this story. But in fairness, Jay was in China and trying to
We want someone with high ethics, solid ability to learn, and a drive to win. OC alumni can usually check the boxes on these traits. Jim Utley you can find when you are growing a company, and these two were some of the best I had ever met,” said Bill, who lives in California with his wife Lara. She owns a Pilates and yoga studio, and the couple rescues, trains, and fosters dogs. Jay Hanan, also in California, is the director of research and development. He remembers when he was finishing up his majors in chemistry and engineering
reply while riding in taxis. When it comes to hiring, Jim says they seek out OC alumni. “When we look for people at Niagara, we are looking for a fit,” Jim said. “We want someone with high ethics, solid ability to learn, and a drive to win. When we find these people, we know they can be successful at Niagara. OC alumni can usually check the boxes on these traits.”
He knows from experience; when he hired 78 interns in a previous job, 47 of them were from OC. “I saw a pattern. The OC students were willing to learn from any situation, not minding if the work was tedious or hard or dirty or thankless. They all engaged and viewed every challenge as an opportunity to learn,” Jim said. “I am proud that both Bill and Jay were interns in my program.” Active in campus life back in the day, Jim looks back fondly at those transformative years. “I had so many great professors, it’s hard to single them out. Drs. (Jerald) Parker and (Jim) Cutbirth persuaded me not to give up on being an engineer, teaching me that grit is more valuable than brains in many cases, and Dr. (Lynn) Tyler taught me that grit can still be done with a smile,” he said. “Dr. (Wayne) Whaley challenged me mentally more than can be described. Dr. (Avon) Malone instilled me with the ability to understand scripture at a more mature level and Dr. (Bailey) McBride (54) taught me how to take that knowledge and put it in words that I could use to talk to someone else. “But the single most influential professor was Dr. John Fletcher (82). I didn’t make great choices and I had real trouble growing up during my college years. He had a front row seat to that and was always supportive, encouraging, and positive. But he was also firm, held high expectations, and modeled Christ’s leadership with both grace and consequences. There’s no way I’d be where I am today without Fletch.” Must be something in the water here, too. By Dawn Shelton (90)
27 WWW. OC. E D U
HUMBLY SERVING COMPTON CULTIVATES SUCCESS IN BUSINESS, FAITH, AND FAMILY Described as a hard worker, an avid believer, a loving family man, and a supportive person, Marc Compton exemplifies what success truly is. Marc graduated from Oklahoma Christian with an engineering physics degree in 1986, then earned his MBA degree in finance and marketing from Southern Methodist University. He quickly climbed the ladder of success in the business world and is now a managing director and market executive for U.S. Trust and Bank of America. He joined OC’s Board of Trustees in 2013. Through his work ethic, Marc was able to prove himself as a businessman, but his priority has always been raising a family who seeks God, praises God, and lives Godly lives. “He doesn’t inspire me through his success in the business world, but through his success in raising a God-loving and Godserving family,” his son Riley said. “It is extremely inspiring to have someone you respect so much show that level of effort, love, and devotion to you.” Marc and his wife Jody (Anderson 87), have been married for 27 years. They’re quite the dynamic duo; Jody directs Christian College Day Northwest, an annual event hosted by Southwest Church of Christ in Tigard, Oregon, that allows prospective students to interact one on one with Christian university representatives from around the United States. Big brother Riley and sisters Cassidy and Carley give the Comptons a trio of children. Though Marc spends much of his workweek traveling, he remains a husband and father first. “I really value being present – trying to participate and watch what the kids do in sports, in music, in dance, or whatever they are doing,” Marc said. He makes a habit of traveling from the Compton home in Oregon to their OC home to see his children; Riley graduated
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in April with a mathematics degree and Cassidy will be a sophomore at OC this fall. “My dad would always seem to visit at the perfect times; just when I was starting to miss home, he would fly in to OC and spend a weekend,” Cassidy said. Marc has taught his family many lessons that go deeper than business titles. “He has taught me that smarts can only get you so far. What truly separates people in the business world is the work ethic and effort they show in their lives,” Riley said. Above all, Marc makes sure his children know that God is the source of his strengths. “He puts God before everything and makes sure we know that God and our faith are what help get you through anything in life,” Cassidy said. With everything that Marc has accomplished since graduating from Oklahoma Christian, he continues to model true success and continues to give back to OC. “Out of all my work, OC is the most important for me. It’s spiritually related, it’s related to things of permanence, in terms of eternity,” Marc said, “I’m just trying to humbly serve and add what I can to the efforts of the school.” By Chelsie Flagg (14)
He doesn’t inspire me through his success in the business world, but through his success in raising a God-loving and Godserving family. Riley Compton
NAC SPOTLIGHT
A CLOSER LOOK AT NATIONAL ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS
NAME: REAGAN HIGHTOWER (11) HOMETOWN: Valley Center, Kansas CURRENT JOB: Travel RN CHILDHOOD AMBITION: Stunt performer FONDEST MEMORY: My first overseas mission trip. I traveled with OC students to Moshi, Tanzania, for five weeks doing Let’s Start Talking. I found my passion for serving overseas on that trip. WILDEST DREAMS: Running a clinic in an underdeveloped country with no worries for supplies or budget. ALARM CLOCK: 12:30 PM ... one of the few perks of working the evening shift! FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” PROUDEST MOMENT: Watching and listening to my mom speak at functions. BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Having to work every other Sunday as a requirement for my job. INDULGENCE: Chocolate covered strawberries and Ella Fitzgerald. INSPIRATION: Those who face adversity and are not discouraged ... they change their weaknesses to strengths. MY LIFE: I try using the talents God has blessed me with to bless others in any way I am able. I am so thankful for an amazing support system in my friends and family! MY SCHOOL: The friendships I made at OC forever changed and shaped my life for the better. God has opened so many doors for me and many of those doors were opened by being an OC alum. The OC community never fails to make me feel like I’ve never left campus ... the spirit of OC is contagious!
NAME: DR. BRUTE WOLF (86) HOMETOWN: Lyons, Kansas CURRENT HOME: Tulsa, Oklahoma CURRENT JOB: Ophthalmologist, Dad, Husband, Snark Provider (Facebook and Sunday Bible Class). CHILDHOOD AMBITION: To fill out a bio listicle for a small Midwestern college. (I did it, honey!) FONDEST MEMORY: Watching Stafford North scowl while Kevin Bryan and I gave Chapel announcements, then later demand reassurance from Dean Mock that we were under control. (My fondest non-OC memory was asking actor Ned Beatty if he knew where the restroom was). BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Calibrating the proper ratio between chips and salsa so neither is left over. Other than that, life is good. BIGGEST INDULGENCE: I love brie. There’s so much brie in my system that it’s tilted me politically leftward; so I’ve started eating just enough Slim Jims to keep me moderate. FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES: Proverbs 26:4a: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly” and Proverbs 26:5a: “Answer a fool according to his folly.” These verses, side by side, tell me two things: 1) God has given me wisdom and discernment, and expects me to use it; and 2) Solomon could have done standup comedy. WHAT I WOULD TELL MYSELF THE DAY I WALKED INTO OC: You’re going to do fine. You’re going to find a beautiful, smart wife; you’ll have amazing kids, a great job, a wonderful church home, and enough money to buy any video game system you want, SO QUIT GRIPING ABOUT THE CAFETERIA FOOD! Never again in your life will you be able to eat Cap’n Crunch for dinner with 20 of your best friends. Also, when you’re a junior, you’ll be on a first date with a girl, slam your finger in your car door, and rip off your pinky fingernail. Try to avoid this if you can. 29 WWW. OC. E D U
MILESTONES KEEP UP WITH MILESTONES ONLINE AT WWW.OC.EDU/ALUMNI
1964
1984
1998
2005
Don and Linda (Apple) Young celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 21, 2014. They were married in Tulsa and now reside in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
Eric Tooley is now a Certified Pastoral Specialist Life Coach and Marriage Coach. Eric and his wife are Celebrate Recovery ministry leaders. Eric also founded a new non-profit ministry called Noble Choices. eric.tooley@gmail.com
Steven D. Minor, minister at Kingfisher Church of Christ, served as “Chaplain of the Week” at the Oklahoma state capitol building February 15-18. He was chosen by Rep. Mike Sanders (98).
Chris and Ann (Archer) Barthel announce the birth of their daughter, Caroline, on February 8, 2015.
1967 Lois (Lawrence) Cox completed a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technology and Online Learning in September from Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, AZ. She is a Technology Integration Specialist in a small Minnesota public school. lcox67@ gmail.com
1991 Paul and Kelli (Clark) Jewett have moved to Campinas, Brazil, with their three children, Katelyn, Cody, and Caden. Paul transferred from General Motors’ North America Proving Grounds to their South America Proving Grounds. Col. Wade Lawrence was assigned as Vice Wing Commander at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He has served as an Air Force engineer and leader for more than 22 years. He is married to Landa (Bode 92); they have 2 children: Grayson and Sierra. wadenlanda@hotmail.com
Lois Cox
Caro line Barth el
2000
Steve n D. Min or an d Re p. Mike Sa nd ers
Erin Engelke joined the management team at Sunbeam Family Services as their Chief External Relations Officer, managing the organization’s marketing, PR and fundraising efforts. eengelke@ sunbeamfamilyservices.org
1974
2003
Tony D. Sellars, M.B.A., has accepted the position of Director for the Office of Communications with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Tony has more than 30 years of experience in broadcasting and journalism, and has directed corporate communications for several large companies.
Shelley (Prather) Doremus received her master’s degree in History from HardinSimmons University in 2012. Her husband Brian retired from the Air Force in 2013 after 21 years of service. They live in Abilene, TX.
1979
Col. Wade Lawrence
Kim (Bean) Reiter was recently named Coordinator of Alumni Relations at Oklahoma Christian University. Her oldest son, Brayden, graduated from OC this year with a degree in Mechanical Engineering; he will begin working on his master’s degree in engineering at OC this fall.
Matt and Lori (Ford 03) Bell announce the birth of their son, Hudson Kendrick, on June 16, 2014. Hudson joins big sister Adley Lynn.
2004
Hu ds on Be ll
Jake and Becca (Daniel) Jones announce the birth of their daughter, Scout Louise, on April 17, 2014. Scout weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz., and is adored by her big sister, Finley.
David and Chelsea (Staudinger 05) Sparks announce the arrival of their daughter, Julia, who they adopted from the Ukraine. Julia enjoys swimming, singing, and playing with her two little brothers.
Tony Sella rs
Danny Henderson became the Civilian Force Policy Division Chief in the Force Management Directorate at U.S. Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon in September. He is responsible for the development and implementation of policy for approximately 180,000 Air Force civilian employees.
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Sco ut Jon es
The Reiter family
Randy Roper earned a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. His research areas include family communication, verbal aggressiveness, and expressions of grief and bereavement. He is the preaching minister for Edmond Church of Christ.
The Sparks family
2007
2008
2009
2010
Tyler Brassfield wrote an article on reviewing application software for the February issue of The Christian Chronicle. He has developed more than 50 apps, mostly created for church congregations to share and connect with other believers around the globe.
Jason and Jennifer (Cox) Davis announce the birth of their second son, Hudson Michael, on June 4, 2014. He was 7 lb., 3 oz., and 19 inches long. He joins proud big brother, Caden.
Logan and Kelly (Luallin) Finley announce the birth of their son, Jackson Donald, on October 15, 2014. He was 9 lb., 2 oz., and 22.5 inches long.
Matt and Carly (Marshall) Batchelder announce the birth of their son, Myles Henry, on September 30, 2014. Marcus and Rachel (Cook) Black announce the birth of their son, Marcus Dewayne II, on November 24, 2014, He was 7 lb., 11 oz., and 19 3/4 inches long.
John and Micah (Wooten 05) Domina announce the birth of their first child, Kate Marie, on October 8, 2014. She was 7 lb., 8 oz., and 19 inches long. John is Manager of Building Maintenance at OC. Hudson Davis
Mike and Elizabeth (Siltman) Patton announce the birth of their twin sons, Joshua and Caleb Patton, on June 18, 2014. They join big sister, Madeleine.
y Log an, Kelly, and Jack son Finle
Aaron and Megan (Collier) Gunderson announce the birth of their first child, Caleb Dean Qalluuraq, on July 10, 2014.
Ma rcu s Bla ck II
Jessica (Hartman) Coghill joined BKD’s tax practice in the company’s Oklahoma City office in October. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from OC and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri.
Kat e Dom ina
Rick and Jenn (Gill) Wagner announce the birth of their daughter, Kaiya McKenzie, on April 12, 2014.
2014 Caleb Gunderso n Mike, Elizabeth, Madeleine, Joshua and Caleb Patton
Dustin and Quinn (Hudgens 06) Rayner announce the birth of their son, Hudson, on August 17, 2014.
Jacob and Jennifer (Verner 07) Wright announce the birth of their second son, Case Ray, on July 17, 2014.
Chelsey Wade and Emily (Lundblad) Pierce married on October 18, 2014, and are living in Wellington, KS. Emily is the Human Resources Coordinator at Sumner Regional Medical Center. They began working with the youth at their church this summer.
Kaiya Wagner
Case Wrigh t
Chels ey and Emily Pierc e
LI’L EAGLES We want to see your Li’l Eagles! Send your photos to alumni@oc.edu or tag @OCAlumni in a tweet! Email kimberly.reiter@oc.edu to get a Li’l Eagle tee for your newborn or toddler. Jocelyn Bailey, born October 8, 2014, to Jacob (10) and Paige (Layman 10) Bailey.
Brooks Coshow, son of Zach (12) and Whitney (Weber 10) Coshow.
Ivy Annette Morse, born November 7, 2014, to Mitchell (10) and Jessica (Swisher 10) Morse. jessicamorse1987@ gmail.com
Neelie Faith Wilson, born July 15, 2013, to Chris (06) and Lacie (Milton 05) Wilson. She joined big sister, Braylie Grace.
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CM OI LNEDSOTLOENNECSE S KEEP UP WITH MILESTONES ONLINE AT WWW.OC.EDU/ALUMNI
MICKEY BOWLES (77)
DR. BEN HUTCHINSON
Mickey S. Bowles (77) passed away on April 19 at the age of 60. Mickey majored in business management at Oklahoma Christian, where he met his wife Patti (Cobb 77), an elementary education major. They married in 1977. Mickey worked 14 years with Halliburton and eight years with its successor company, Florida Progress Corporation, where his various roles included plant manager, general manager of the Quick Car Unit, and vice president of materials/procurement. For the last eight years, Mickey worked for MLS (United Hydraulics, LLC) as executive vice president. He had been a member of Altamesa Church of Christ since 1968, serving as a deacon, elder, and in various financial administrative roles. Mickey is survived by Patti; their daughters and their husbands, Whitney L. Carroll (08) and Courtney R. Meyer (09); two grandchildren; his mother, Bea Bowles; and brother, Larry P. Bowles.
Former dean and professor Dr. Ben Hutchinson passed away on December 30. Ben worked at Oklahoma Christian from 1998 to 2004, serving as dean of OC’s College of Science and Engineering and as a professor of chemistry. During his time at OC, the university launched its computer engineering program, opened an advanced anatomy lab, and strengthened its commitment to overseas medical mission opportunities for students. Ben and his wife Nancy, who taught English at OC, also served as sponsors of the 2003 European Studies trip. After his time at Oklahoma Christian, Ben was the dean of Lipscomb’s College of Natural and Applied Sciences from 2004 to 2009. He then became a faculty member in Lipscomb’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and served in that role until his passing.
AMY (SCHAEFER 05) CARNAGEY
Katrina (Forrest 78) May passed away February 26 at the age of 58. May, who had recently retired as principal of Crestmont Elementary School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was hailed as an icon in the school system there. May worked for the Tuscaloosa County School System for 26 years. In the decade she served as principal, Crestmont was named a Lighthouse School through the Leader in Me program, an achievement only 91 schools in the world have earned. Lighthouse status involved the school’s students and faculty fully integrating “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey into nearly everything they did on a daily basis. May earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Oklahoma Christian, then went on to receive graduate degrees from Austin Peay State University and the University of Alabama. She was a member at Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa.
Amy (Schaefer 05) Carnagey passed away May 4 after an inspiring battle with cancer. She was 33. Growing up, Amy was very involved with her church youth group and went on mission trips to South Dakota, St. Louis, and Mexico. She and her husband Luke Carnagey (03) met at OC and married on May 15, 2004. Amy worked at Stonebridge Eye Care as a Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) until their daughter Autumn was born and she became a full-time mom. Three years later, their daughter Cailyn arrived and completed their family. Amy was a devoted follower of God her entire life, but she may have made her most meaningful impact in the way she lived, loved, and worshipped during her 16-month battle with appendiceal cancer. If there is one thing Amy would want you to know, it was the guiding principle in her fight with cancer, “God is good!”
JOE de STEIGUER Joe deSteiguer, an OC student and son of OC president and first lady John and Darla deSteiguer, passed away on April 16 at the age of 22. An overflow crowd filled OC’s Hardeman Auditorium for the memorial service to remember Joe, who grew up in Tahlequah and Edmond, attended Edmond Memorial High School and OC, and was part of the Memorial Road Church of Christ family. During his time at OC, he participated in two summer mission trips to Australia, earning the nickname “boomerang child” when he returned there in 2014. Joe was known for his big smile, deep thinking, fervent writing, and creativity. He was deeply loyal to his friends and family. Joe was nonjudgmental, caring, kind, and genuine … and those traits endeared him to so many people on the OC campus and beyond. He truly connected with people of all ages and from all walks of life. The family desires to honor Joe by sending memorial gifts to funds established in his name at Oklahoma Christian University (Attn: Advancement / P.O. Box 11000 / Oklahoma City, OK 73136 / www.oc.edu/rememberingjoe) or Burnt Cabin Christian Camp (P.O. Box 97 / Tahlequah, OK 74465 / www.burntcabinchristiancamp.com).
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KATRINA (FORREST 78) MAY
JOYCE McBRIDE We mourn the passing of Joyce McBride, who passed away April 16. Joyce was a beloved Christian teacher and wife of longtime professor and administrator Dr. Bailey McBride (54). All three of their children graduated from OC and met their spouses here. Melissa (82) is married to OC trustee Phil Roe (82), Lynette (86) is married to Patrick Brown (86), and Mike (91) is married to Karen (Cloud 87). Three of the McBrides’ grandchildren, Jennifer (07), Luke (08), and Kailey (13), also attended OC. Joyce earned her bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb University, double-majoring in elementary education and home economics. After she and Bailey moved to Oklahoma, she was an indispensable leader at Memorial Road Church of Christ. Her prekindergarten class became a revered institution; many adults first learned the 23rd Psalm as children in her Bible class. Joyce’s authentic Southern charms comforted many a homesick student, guided newlyweds, and encouraged young parents.
PHIL WATSON Phil Watson passed away March 1 at the age of 81. Phil came to Oklahoma Christian in 1961 to teach speech and debate, and later became vice president for development. On September 11, 1963, Phil’s wife Jackie and daughter Angie lost their lives along with Oklahoma Christian students Karen Hetrick, Janice Novak, Sharon Stewart, and Jerry Wheeler when a train hit their vehicle as they traveled back from Wednesday services. In 1967, Phil became the full-time minister for Edmond Church of Christ, and served as an Oklahoma state senator from 1972 to 1987, when he became director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. He then worked with the Rural Development Cooperative in the U.S. Department of Agriculture until his retirement in 1998. Phil is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary; daughter Mary Rebecca (Becky) Walderbach and husband Scott of Edmond; daughter Phylis Frye and husband Jonathan of Houston; and four grandsons. Phil and Mary were heavily involved in mission efforts in Zambia, Africa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Zambia Mission Schools in Phil’s honor.
BEV WHIDDON Beverly Wynn Whiddon passed away on February 13, just two days after her 80th birthday. Beverly spent 23 years as a department secretary at Oklahoma Christian and was an active member of Edmond Church of Christ for the past 40 years. She is survived by her husband of almost 62 years, Robert Eugene Whiddon, and her five
children: Jan Lee Ramirez and her husband Gonzalo; Robert Eugene Whiddon, Jr., and his wife Debbie; James Dwight Whiddon and his wife Gay; Jill Ann Sanders and her husband Craig; and Jack Thomas Whiddon and his wife Renee. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her funeral service was held at Edmond Church of Christ.
COL. PEN WOODS Decorated World War II veteran and longtime OC staff member Col. Pendleton Woods passed away December 1. He was 90 years old. Woods’ military service is legendary. In 1944, part of his squadron was captured behind German lines. After five months as a prisoner of war, Woods and his fellow soldiers escaped on April 20, 1945, walking some 125 miles over the next five days to reach American lines. Woods later served as the 45th Infantry Division’s public information officer during the Korean War. He remained in the Oklahoma National Guard until he retired as a colonel in 1983, with 41 years active and reserve service. Woods began an oral history program at Oklahoma Christian in 1969, collecting almost 3,000 oral interviews of interviewees with first-hand knowledge of Oklahoma history. He also led OC’s American Citizenship Center and spearheaded OC’s Southwest Youth Leadership Conference for high school students. A winner of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Woods helped secure a gift of trees from the Tree Bank Foundation and the Apache Foundation that helps beautify OC’s campus, including the new Boker-Wedel Eagle Trail. He is a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame.
LEGACY PROGRAM
The Office of Alumni Relations wants to recognize your children at key times in their development with these gifts. Birth – Lil’ Eagle toddler shirt – Sent when you notify our office about your child’s birth. Start of School – OC Eagle backsack – We scan our records in mid-summer for alumni children with birthdates that make them 5-6 years old. Age of Mobility – Eagle lanyard and keychain – We scan our records monthly for alumni children with birthdates that make them 15-16 years old. Be sure to help us keep your records complete and up to date. To update your contact info, email us at alumni@oc.edu.
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COMPLETE CAMPAIGN LIVES UP TO ITS NAME
OC FAMILY INVESTS $13.6 MILLION IN FIRST YEAR
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The launch of Thrive: The Complete Campaign marked a bold cultural turn for OC. Unlike 99.9% of its counterparts, Thrive is an open, actionable, and flexible campaign from start to finish. Beginning June 1, 2014, the university took the OC family behind the curtain via oc.edu/ thrive and has not let up since. Successes, failures, price changes, strategy changes, emotions, considerations, dreams, and more have been made available for the world to see – and the world, by and large, has consumed Thrive hungrily. In fact, the momentum of Year One is nothing short of phenomenal, with 5,883 people committing more than $13.6 million to Oklahoma Christian this year. This total represents a full $1 million more than what the university targeted for the first year of Thrive. Moreover, and in line with the mantra of a “complete” campaign, the OC family helped fund seven of the 14 named projects in Year One, including the College of Engineering Launch, Strategic Planning Fund, Cail Auditorium Remodel, Das Millicanhaus Remodel, Apartment Refresh
Initiative, Fitness Facility Overhaul (now “The Dub”), and the HD Upgrade of Hardeman Auditorium. Beyond these named projects, our 2014-2015 general scholarship goal was smashed, with donors giving more than three times its initial goal of $700,000. Thrive: Year Two, now public, builds on this momentum. This year’s first priority is to complete the seven outstanding projects from Year One, which total approximately $6 million (see side menu). Three new menu items join the carryover projects: Eagle Landing, the 2015-2016 General Scholarship Fund, and the 2015-2016 Unrestricted Match Initiative. In total, all new and ongoing projects within Thrive total $12.5 million in additional targets for the next 12 months. Complete descriptions of these projects and progress reports can be found online at www.oc.edu/thrive.
CREATING DYNAMIC COLLEGES THAT WORK College of Natural & Health Sciences Launch Fund
HOMEWARD KEEPS MAKING HISTORY
$1,000,000
As an OC brand – as an idea and an ideal – Homeward has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon that has other schools drooling. According to the Council for Aid to Education, college alumni participation rates have seen more than two decades of straight decline, and continued to drop this year. Only 8.3 percent of graduates nationwide gave back to their alma maters in 2014. But through the Homeward campaign, 2,040 graduates gave back to Oklahoma Christian this academic year, giving the university a 17.4 percent participation rate. That’s more than double the national average for the second straight year. A major driver of this success was OC’s secondannual Homeward Pride club competition. Current OC students helped bring in 807 new grad givers for Homeward and raised $33,908 for scholarship funds, mission trip efforts, clean water initiatives, and more. Psi Epsilon took the Homeward Pride trophy this year with a record 57.6 percent participation from its alumni. Even with so much success, this year marked the first time in Homeward history that OC’s alumni fell short of a new record. The university targeted an unprecedented 2,300 grad givers in 2014-15 – a target we missed by 260. But OC’s advancement staff doesn’t see this as failure. “Homeward and Homeward Pride have surpassed everything we’d hoped for,” Director of Advancement Operations Will Blanchard (07) said. “Our grads have inspired us to aim incredibly high. And judging by our second straight year of doubling the national average, that’s paying off. I’m far from disappointed. I’m beyond proud of our alumni.”
FUNDED
College of Engineering Launch Fund $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
FUNDED
$250,000
100% Funded
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY & NURTURING SPIRITS Campus Café Reboot $4,246,000
92% Funded
Common Grounds Coffee Shop $551,000
25% Funded
Ethos – Spiritual Life Transformation $1,000,000
60% Funded
ENHANCING THE FACILITIES WHERE WE LIVE & LEARN Nursing Transformation – Heritage Plaza $1,750,000
12% Funded
Academic Building Refresh #1 – Davisson American Heritage $500,000
Das Millicanhaus $350,000 FUNDED
$290,000 FUNDED
100% Funded 100% Funded
Apartment Refresh – 10 Suites
100% Funded
Campus-Wide Fitness Equipment Overhaul $250,000
100% Funded
Hardeman High-Def Digital Projection $64,000
100% Funded
EMBRACING EAGLES NEAR & FAR 2014-2015 General Scholarship Fund
Eagle Landing $500,000
(57.6%) (51.9%) (38.4%) (25.9%) (24.6%) (23.9%) (23.1%) (20.7%) (18.9%) (15.8%) (8.7%)
0% Funded
Strategic PLANNING Fund
2,040 Grad Givers
Psi Epsilon Delta Gamma Sigma Chi Lambda Pi Iota Kappa Phi Pi Zeta Phi Theta Theta Theta Gamma Rho Alpha Gamma Omega Kappa Sigma Tau Lambda Chi Zeta Omega Psi Omicron
20% Funded
OKLAHOMA CITY Marketing & Recruiting Initiative
Homeward 2014-2015
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
100% Funded
College of Business Launch Fund
$700,000
2015 HOMEWARD PRIDE RESULTS
34% Funded
320% Funded 89% of Goal 32% Funded
2015-2016 General Scholarship Fund $1,000,000
0% Funded
2015-2016 Unrestricted Match (All Gifts Double) $2,500,000
14% Funded
Year One STATS
Year TWO GOALS
8 Projects FUNDED
9 Projects to
$13.6M raiseD
$12.5M to raise
2,040 Grad Givers
HOMEWARD GOAL TBD
KEEP UP WITH YOUR ALMA MATER AT WWW.OC.EDU/NEWS
OC PICKS RIX AS BIBLICAL STUDIES DEAN A classical piano virtuoso, experienced minister and respected scholar is the new interim dean of OC’s College of Biblical Studies. Associate Professor of Bible Dr. Charles Rix moves into this leadership role after serving as interim chair of OC’s undergraduate programs in biblical studies over the past year. “I like this opportunity to think Dr. Charles Rix creatively about how we teach Bible. We want to help students think through how scripture speaks to 21st century challenges,” Rix said. “Our world and culture are changing so fast; there are so many competing voices. We want our programs and the way we teach not just to be relevant, but faith-forming. We want students to know what it means to be Christians in whatever professions they pursue.” Rix came to OC in 2011 from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where he worked as an associate dean and professor. He also served as the pulpit minister for Monmouth Church of Christ in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and held various financial positions with ExxonMobil Corporation domestically and overseas. An accomplished pianist, Rix has performed around the world and has been a finalist in international competitions. “Charles Rix is the whole package,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Scott LaMascus (84) said. “He is an executive whose success in a global corporation proves his many skills, a minister whose faith and ministry survived the untimely loss of his beloved spouse, a theologian whose scholarship is respected among the best, and a teacher who has a large following among OC students and faculty.”
OC WELCOMES JENNIFER GRAY AS ASSOCIATE DEAN Dr. Jennifer Gray (77) has returned to OC to serve as associate dean for the College of Natural and Health Sciences. Gray comes to OC after more than 20 years at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she last served as associate dean and chair of the graduate programs in the College of Nursing. While there, Gray received multiple teaching awards and was named to the
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Dr. Jennifer Gray
Academy of Distinguished Teachers. “Jennifer brings exemplary academic accomplishments and a skill set that is exactly what OC needs to grow our nursing program,” said Dr. Jeff McCormack (83), dean of OC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences. “She is an excellent cultural fit with OC who will also help advance our spiritual goals.” Gray has helped secure $2 million in nursing education funding, written more than 60 research articles and book chapters, and authored multiple nursing education textbooks. Dr. Scott LaMascus (84), OC’s vice president of academic affairs, said Gray’s talents will have a direct impact in the classroom and help cultivate OC’s strong relationship with the Oklahoma City metro healthcare community. “Dr. Gray is an amazing alumna whose accomplishments illustrate that OC has a legacy of exceptional strength in natural and health sciences,” he said. “She will help us build on that legacy as the foundation for OC’s strategic focus on growth in training new generations of Christian leaders.” Gray served as a founding board member of OC’s North Texas Alumni Association and has served on OC’s National Alumni Council. Her husband Randy (71), daughter Jenny Jones (08), and son-in-law, Alex Jones (10) are OC alumni. “I really believe that OC is home and we are thrilled to be coming back to Oklahoma,” Gray said.
HOFMEISTER PICKS MILLER FOR STATE LEADERSHIP ROLE Dr. Robyn Miller (85) recently joined the Oklahoma State Department of Education as the first hire by new state Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. Miller oversees policy research and development, as well as teacher quality initiatives. She has taught at Oklahoma Christian for 20 years and had served as Dr. Robyn Miller School of Education chair since 2007. “My entire professional career has been in education, and I am thrilled to embrace a new challenge where I can serve the state of Oklahoma,” Miller said. “Dr. Miller’s leadership at OC has ensured modern, relevant and effective programs for our education students, preparing them for success as teachers,” OC president John deSteiguer said. “We will miss her, but I am confident her talent and expertise will lend great support at our state’s Department of Education, preparing young Oklahomans for college and careers.”
OC’s Ethics Team at the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl: Jasper Bawcom, Chas Carter, Gabriel Gasiorowski, Megan McKinley, Dr. Jeff Simmons, and Sean vanDyke.
OC ALUM CHOSEN TO LEAD ALBERTA BIBLE COLLEGE
OC WINS STATE, REGIONAL ETHICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dr. Stanley Helton (88) will become president of Alberta Bible College in Calgary on July 1. He previously worked as a dean at Western Christian College in Saskatchewan. Helton was twice honored as OC’s outstanding undergraduate Bible major. He cites former faculty like Elmo Hall, Raymond Kelcy, Bailey McBride (54), Howard Norton, and John Thompson Dr. Stanley Helton (78) as helpers and influences. “I’m proud to be an alumnus of OC,” Helton said. “I have aspired to be the gentle, guiding kind of teacher and minister that Raymond Kelcy was. I am grateful for how God has brought me to Alberta.”
OC’s ethics team won its third straight state championship and first regional crown, then went 2-1 at the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, defeating Clemson University and the University of Michigan. Sponsored by Dr. Jeff Simmons (91), interim dean of OC’s College of Business Administration, OC’s team at the national contest featured Megan McKinley, a freshman political science major, Chas Carter, a senior English/pre-law major, and Sean vanDyke, a freshman computer engineering major. Jasper Bawcom, a senior majoring in teaching English as a foreign language, and Gabriel Gasiorowski, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, were on OC’s state and regional championship squads. OC placed ahead of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University at the state and regional contests. “I am extremely proud of OC’s teams,” Simmons said. “To win the state tournament is very good. But to have both of our teams place at regionals and qualify for the national tournament is just outstanding. When one considers that these students represent our future, one can rest assured that our world is in good hands.”
CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE NAMED TOP INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER The Christian Chronicle, operated on OC’s campus, won Best in Class at the Associated Church Press’ annual awards banquet. The Chronicle also won in the National/International Newspaper category in 2012. In all, the Chronicle brought home nine awards. Chief Correspondent Bobby Ross (90) took first place in both the feature article and news story categories. Ross also placed second in the feature article category. “Every member of the Chronicle organization, from the writers and support staff to the Board of Trustees, shares in this accomplishment,” said President/CEO Lynn McMillon (63), a distinguished professor of Bible at OC. “May this bring honor to our Lord and strengthen his kingdom.”
OC AGAIN LISTED AMONG TOP GAME DESIGN SCHOOLS SuccessfulStudent.org ranked Oklahoma Christian 21st in the nation on its new list of Best Video Game Colleges. OC is the only school from Oklahoma and one of just three universities from the southwestern United States to be honored. In OC’s gaming and animation program, students learn 30 software programs, study the history of film, video, and animation, and develop their own games in studio classes.
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Factors in the rankings include well roundedness of academics, cost, career prospects, technological instruction, graduates’ success rates, and schools’ location in relation to entertainment epicenters. “We’ve worked really hard to have an outstanding program so I’m glad OC has been picked up on the radar again as a quality education in the gaming and animation industry,” Professor for Art and Design Jeff Price said. “The thought of coming to a Christian university that teaches game development really attracts a lot of awesome students.”
Simmons was a member of OC’s debate team during his time as a student. At one point, the team was ranked as high as third in the entire United States. At the team’s first collegiate tournament since its reinstatement, sophomore Cody Milner tied for fifth place against 21 competitors from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. “There is always a benefit for Christian college students to develop the skills to defend what they believe in and being able to critique what others believe,” Simmons said. “If ever there is a context that demands there be a debate team, it’s this one.”
OC ANNOUNCES DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM WITH JAPAN UNIVERSITY Officials from Oklahoma Christian and Japan’s Ibaraki Christian University announced a new dual degree program in February. OC and IC are in the 40th year of mutual exchange of students and faculty, making the partnership one of the longest lasting programs between universities in Japan and the United States. Nearly 1,000 students have participated in the universities’ short-term and long-term programs over the past four decades. The new program creates the opportunity for students from Japan to complete undergraduate degrees from both OC and IC. Students will attend classes at Ibraraki for two years and complete their final two years on the OC campus. “OC is committed to giving our students the finest global education. This means developing strategic global relationships that give OC students unique learning experiences, like this partnership and the more than 20 study abroad and off-campus learning options we offer,” OC director of international programs John Osborne (91) said.
OC HOSTS STUDENT SUCCESS EXPERT Oklahoma Christian welcomed student success expert Dr. Vincent Tinto to campus for April workshops on student engagement and retention. “Student success is incredibly important for our students, and engaging with students in meaningful experiences and relationships is a hallmark of this campus,” OC vice president for academic affairs Dr. Scott LaMascus (84) said. “Our emphasis on improving the quality of an OC education is having a positive impact right now.” Led by director Amy (Hoover 98) Janzen, the Student Success Center is OC’s Higher Learning Commission quality initiative. It partners with academic programs to promote students’ personal and academic responsibility.
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN STUDENTS REVIVE DEBATE TEAM The OC debate team has been revived after 23 years. The team is led by Dr. Brian Simmons (87), associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and a professor in OC’s Honors Program.
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The Seitsinger family joins OC students and instructors Dr. Philip Patterson, David Jurney (94), and Larry Jurney in OC’s newsroom.
OC DEDICATES KYLE SEITSINGER NEWSROOM A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of OC’s new convergence journalism lab, known as the Kyle Seitsinger Newsroom in honor of an OC student killed in the line of duty. When Seitsinger, an Army Sergeant, and seven other soldiers were killed in a weapon cache explosion on Jan. 29, 2004, it was the largest U.S. loss of life in Afghanistan to that time. Seitsinger was the first Oklahoman killed serving in “Operation Enduring Freedom” and is the only active student in OC’s history to be killed in the line of duty. Oklahoma Christian remodeled the office previously used for The Talon, OC’s student newspaper, and made it a combined newsroom and studio for The Talon and Eagle Broadcasting to further integrate their reporting. “Kyle’s story needed to be told,” Distinguished Professor of Mass Communications Dr. Philip Patterson said. “He would be pleased that he was tied into innovation. He had a plan for his life. If this innovation does the same for the students now and gets them on the ground faster than otherwise, he would be thrilled.”
OC COMMUNICATION STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL, STATE AWARDS OC communication students and alumni continue to produce award-winning work at the national and state levels. In April, four public relations students placed in the 2015 Zenith Awards, a nationally-recognized competition for undergraduate students studying strategic communications.
Senior Karly Monday won first place for Social Media and senior Jessica Thompson received third place for PR Campaigns. Seniors Jake Whiteley and Michaela Lawson received second and third place for PR Writing. OC students also received seven awards in the student competition co-hosted by the Oklahoma Broadcast Educators Association and the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Senior Geoffrey Fogle placed first for Music Video and junior Travis Pauley placed first for Long TV Narrative. Spring graduate Nehemiah Knox placed second for TV Directing and senior Micah Woodberry placed second for Sports Story. Mitch Allen placed third for Music Video and senior Morgan Lindsay placed third for Scriptwriting. Junior Sierra Cleverdon and senior Cheryl Jorgensen placed third for Long Radio Narrative. “These students and their award-winning work represent some of the best from our department,” said Dr. Larry Jurney, chair of OC’s Department of Communication. “We are proud of them, and we know their work helps even more of our students continue to aspire to excellence.”
OC won honors for all of its entries at the 2015 Oklahoma City ADDYs, highlighted by two gold awards. OC’s Marketing Office took top honors for its admissions campaign and the launch of the university’s new Ethos spiritual life program. The marketing team also earned silver awards for its public website redesign and the Thrive fundraising campaign website, plus a bronze award for a video about a group of OC students cheering at a University of Oklahoma women’s basketball game. OC’s staff for the ADDY entries included Vice President for Admissions and Marketing Risa (Johns 96) Forrester, communications director Wes McKinzie (98), creative director Judson Copeland (02), Stephen Bell (03), Jonathan Curtis (03), Micah (Wooten 05) Domina, Jana Miller (09), Kendra Ribble (14), Kris Strobeck, Adam Weiss (13), and Tessa (McGee 12) Wright. Other OC alumni winning gold this year included Brandon Anderson (05), Bobbie Earles (07), Jonathan Hord (10), Blake Jackson (06), Steve Jones, Amy Nickerson (04), and Christy (Robinson 96) Watson.
PROF CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF AMA PERFECT ATTENDANCE
OC HONORS ALUMNI FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
Professor of Marketing and Management Dr. Burt Smith celebrated 20 years of perfect attendance with his 200th meeting of the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Marketing Association. Smith was the youngest person named to AMA-OKC’s board in 1995, and he is a past president of the chapter, which Dr. Burt Smith received its first National Chapter Excellence Award under his leadership. A few years ago, the chapter renamed its lifetime achievement award in Smith’s honor. “It’s been an awfully good run, and I can’t thank AMA enough for the impact it has had on my career,” Smith said. “AMA has provided me and my students with access to the sharpest minds in the state. I’ve really enjoyed showcasing OC and helping students land great jobs and internships.” In addition to teaching undergraduate marketing classes at Oklahoma Christian, Smith is an advisor and professor in OC’s MBA program. In 2009, he was honored with the Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching award. He co-founded OC’s student chapter of the American Marketing Association, which he sponsors with Dr. Kerianne (Thomas 91) Roper. Smith owns EMI Research Solutions, a market research consultancy, and has served clients such as Cox Communications, OG&E, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Subway, and the Oklahoma City Zoo.
OC’s five academic colleges and Honors Program recognized outstanding alumni during Homecoming Weekend. The awards from the College of Biblical Studies honored Mark Brazle (75) – Missions; Toby Levering (99) – Youth Ministry; Shon Smith (91) – Preaching/Ministry; and Mitch Wilburn (05) – Alumnus of the Year. The College of Business Administration recognized Jimmy Arter (98) – Management; Matt Cole (99) – Accounting and Finance; and Cindy Smethers (89) – Master of Business Administration. The College of Engineering and Computer Science awarded Laura Hazen (05) – Engineering; Joshua Hensal (03) – Mathematical, Computer and Information Sciences; and Jeff Turner (00) – Mechanical Engineering. The College of Liberal Arts honored Gary Bruce (74) – Music; Aaron Collins (99) – Education; Susan Heath (71) – Sports, Wellness and Recreation Management; Lani Gunderson (09) – Art and Design; Heather Roberts (03) – Language and Literature; Jill Brown (87) – History and Political Science; Steve Lackmeyer (89) – Communication; and Holly Towers (02) – Psychology and Family Studies. The College of Natural and Health Sciences presented awards to Reagan Hightower (11) – Nursing; Dr. Nancy Nesser (84) – Chemistry; and Dr. Brute Wolf (86) – Biology. The Honors Program presented distinguished alumni awards to Preston Ackerman (00) – Information Systems and Sada Knowles (02) – Family Studies and Vocational Ministry.
OC WINS GOLDS AT OKLAHOMA CITY ADDYS
READ MORE ABOUT OC’S COLLEGE ALUMNI HONOREES. WWW.OC.EDU/VISION
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SPORTS NEWS KEEP UP YOUR OC ALMA MATERATATWWW.OCEAGLES.COM WWW.OC.EDU/NEWS KEEPWITH UP WITH SPORTS
and 2012 (NCCAA). Keirns finished second individually to earn All-America status for the second straight year. Gillock, the Heartland Conference freshman of the year, placed eighth while Durrill finished 15th. Keirns earned Capital One Academic All-District honors from CoSIDA and joined Nathan Giles, Brennym Kaelin, and Timothy Zuercher as NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.
GOLF TEAM WINS REGIONAL, TAKES 2ND AT NCCAAs The OC men’s golf team extended its remarkable streak of topfour finishes at a national tournament to 16 straight years with a runner-up finish at the NCCAA Championship. The Eagles had a pair of All-Americans in Sam Johnston and Trey Payne, who finished fourth and ninth individually at nationals. In a year that the Eagles won the NCCAA Central Region title, Johnston was named to the NCAA Division II PING All-Region team and honored as the Heartland Conference Player of the Year. Payne was a second-team All-Heartland selection and Jared Consoli was named an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PLACES 2ND AT NATIONAL MEET All-Americans Bryant Keirns, Sisay Gillock, and Evan Durrill led the OC men’s cross country team to a runner-up finish at the NCCAA Championship in November. It was the Eagles’ fourth straight top-four finish at a national meet, highlighted by national championships in 2011 (NAIA)
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LADY EAGLES WIN REGION TITLE; FINISH AS NCCAA RUNNERUP A three-run home run by Courtney Starr helped propel the OC softball team to a 7-0 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan and its second straight NCCAA Central Region championship. Shea Coats, Kendra Pierce, and Tom Heath were named the NCCAA Central Region pitcher, player, and coach of the year, respectively. OC’s Haley Squier, Monique Elliott and Courtney Starr also earned first-team all-region honors. Coats and Pierce were named to the NCAA Division II Daktronics all-region second team while Coats, Pierce, and Squier earned spots on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s NCAA Division II all-region squad, highlighted by Coats’ first-team selection. Coats starred for the Lady Eagles at the NCCAA World Series, throwing a no-hitter against Lee (Tenn.) to send OC to a national championship matchup with Simpson (Calif.). Coming from the losers’ bracket, the Lady Eagles had to beat Simpson twice, and got their first win by a 4-2 count on the strength of three RBIs from Niki Davidson. But the Red Hawks claimed the title in the winner-take-all second game, rallying from a 4-1 deficit to prevail 6-4. Coats, just a sophomore, was named the NCCAA pitcher of the year while senior shortstop Kendra Pierce also made the All-America first-team list. Jordan Chism, Monique Elliott, Kelsie Finch, and Pierce earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors.
join Arrese Cortadellas on the All-America team. Arrese Cortadellas was a first-team selection on the AllHeartland Conference golf squad; the senior finished in the top 10 in all but one of the 36 tournaments she played in her career, winning eight of them. Meisch made the second-team all-conference list, became the Lady Eagles’ first-ever selection to the CoSIDA Academic AllDistrict team, and joined Alyssa Schneider as NCCAA ScholarAthletes from the women’s golf team.
TRACK TEAM EARNS PAIR OF TOP-10 NATIONAL FINISHES EAGLES 3-PEAT AT REGIONALS, PLACE THIRD AT WORLD SERIES The OC baseball team made an unbeaten run through the NCCAA Central Region tournament to capture its third straight regional championship. Austin Orth went 3-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in OC’s 13-3 win over Central Baptist in the title game. Head Coach Lonny Cobble was named the region’s coach of the year for the second time in three seasons. Eight Eagles earned all-region honors, including first-team selections Dillon Endecott and Derek Jones. The Eagles’ trip to the NCCAA World Series was highlighted by three wins and two extra-inning thrillers. OC opened with a 2-1 win over Bethesda (Calif.) in 10 innings. Jordan Lopez’s one-out single in the bottom of the 10th brought home Cody Rosecrans with the winning run. The Eagles completed pool play with wins over Oakland City (Ind.) and Trinity Christian (Ill.) and a loss to Lee (Tenn.), then advanced to play Fresno Pacific (Calif.) in the semifinals. OC rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the seventh with a Kyle Lacy leadoff home run, a pair of singles, an FPU error, and a Rosecrans squeeze bunt to plate the tying run. The score remained tied until an RBI single in the 12th gave the Sunbirds a 4-3 win. They claimed their second straight NCCAA title the following day. Orth was named to the World Series all-tournament team. Matt Brown, Caden Cleveland, Garett Hill, Chase Kuwitzky, Jordan Lopez, Ben McKenzie, Robert Rosser, and Brennan Walker earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors.
WOMEN’S XC POSTS BEST-EVER NATIONAL FINISH Maci Rich became the fifth OC women’s cross country runner ever to earn All-America status as the Lady Eagles posted the best national-meet finish in program history, placing sixth at the NCCAA Championship. Rich finished 16th individually. Tavia Hoheisel and Christina Pulpan were honored as NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.
ARRESE PLACES 2ND AS LADY EAGLES FINISH 3RD AT NCCAAS Anna Arrese Cortadellas earned All-America honors for the fourth time with a second-place showing that keyed the Lady Eagles’ third-place team finish at the NCCAA women’s golf championship. Audrey Meisch and Catherine Odgers placed sixth and eighth, respectively to
The OC men’s track and field team placed fourth at the NCCAA Indoor Championships and 10th at the national outdoor meet this season. The Eagles had a pair of runner-up finishers indoors – Brennym Kaelin in the 3,000 meters and the 4x400-meter relay team. Landon Huslig took third in the 55-meter hurdles, and the Eagles also Landon Huslig placed third in the distance medley relay. Roberto Diaz finished fourth in the 3,000 and Ryan Lutterloh placed fifth in the 800. At outdoor nationals, Huslig placed second in the 400-meter hurdles, then anchored the Eagles to a runner-up showing in the 4x400-meter relay. Zuercher took second in the 10,000 meters. Huslig was honored as an NCAA Division II all-region selection in the 400-meter hurdles by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He earned NCCAA All-America honors in five events as a freshman – the indoor 55-meter hurdles, the indoor 4x100-meter relay, the indoor 4x400-meter relay, the outdoor 4x400-meter relay and the 400-meter hurdles. Nathan Giles, Joshua Jones, Kaelin, Bryant Keirns, Lutterloh, Ryan Parker, and Timothy Zuercher were named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes for both indoor and outdoor track and field.
OSTLUND SISTERS LEAD LADY EAGLES TO 8TH AT NATIONALS
Anna Arrese Cortadellas
Katie Ostlund and Miranda Ostlund went 1-2 in the javelin at the NCCAA Outdoor Championships as the Lady Eagles placed eighth in the nation.
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Katie Ostlund
It was Katie Ostlund’s second javelin title in three years; she stands with Peggy Murphy and Denise Mattoon as OC women’s student-athletes to win national track and field championships. McKenzie Stanford took second in the high jump to join Roz Hamilton as OC’s only female two-sport All-Americans. Makenzie Brown and Miranda Ostlund placed fourth in the discus and hammer, respectively, and Audrey Hayes took fifth in the heptathlon. At the indoor championships, Maegan Cowan placed fifth in the 400 meters, then anchored the 4x400-meter relay team that took sixth. The Lady Eagles finished 13th as a team. The Ostlund sisters and Stanford were honored as NCAA Division II all-region selections by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Rebecca Bloodworth, Sarah Cobb, Kara Drewke, Christina Pulpan, and Maria Sargent were named NCCAA ScholarAthletes for both indoor and outdoor track and field.
MOON’S HONORS HIGHLIGHT MEN’S HOOPS CAMPAIGN Center John Moon extended OC’s All-American streak to 14 seasons in men’s basketball by earning honorable mention on the NCCAA All-America list. He also received All-NCCAA Central Region first-team honors and second-team All-Heartland Conference laurels. Moon also earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete status and joined Casey Covalt, Zach Norris and Deric Shelton on the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete list.
John Moon
McKenzie Stanford became the sixth first-team All-American in OC women’s basketball history with her selection by the NCCAA.
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MEN’S SOCCER COLLECTS POSTSEASON HONORS Domenico DeGrazia was named to the Daktronics All-South Central Region men’s soccer second-team list and Ante Susic was a second-team All-Heartland Conference selection. The Eagles also earned recognition as a Team Academic Award recipient by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a 3.24 team GPA. Four players earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete status – Connor Davenport, Matt McLain, Octave Mugiraneza, and Angel Nisi. McLain also was named a CoSIDA Academic All-America thirdteam selection and made the NSCAA’s All-South Central Region third-team and College Division Scholar All-South Region second-team honor list.
WOMEN’S SOCCER EARNS TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD The OC women’s soccer team was named a Team Academic Award recipient by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with a 3.11 team GPA. The Lady Eagles had four NCCAA Scholar-Athletes: Areli Bermudez Delgado, Estefania Bermudez Delgado, Carley Cave Keesee, and Alexis Farrell. Estefania Bermudez Delgado was an All-Heartland Conference third-team selection.
WEATHER POSTPONES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME DINNER
STANFORD HONORED AS FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
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She was also named the NCCAA Central Region Player of the Year, was a first-team selection to the OklahomaSports. Net Division II all-star team, and earned second-team honors in the NCAA Heartland Conference. Sydney Hill earned allconference honorable mention and second-team recognition on the All-NCCAA Central Region honor team. Emma Gade, Aisha Martin, McKenzie Stanford Logan McKee, and Kaitlyn Morris were named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.
Good things come to those who wait, and the new class of the OC Athletic Hall of Fame will have to wait awhile for official induction. Snow and ice blanketed Oklahoma City on February 23, forcing the postponement of the Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. Mike Baldwin, Lauren Decker, Tom Heath, Ron Stangeland, Jason Taylor, Clint Vaughn and Steve Wolfe will formally receive OC’s highest athletic honor at the rescheduled banquet in early 2016. FORMER ALL-STAR PITCHER DAVE DRAVECKY WAS AT OC FOR THE DINNER BEFORE IT WAS POSTPONED. WATCH PRESIDENT DESTEIGUER’S INTERVIEW WITH HIM. WWW.OC.EDU/VISION
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE HEATH RETIRES AFTER 46-YEAR TENURE; MILLER FILLS HIS SHOES It wasn’t long after Neil Armstrong made history as the first man to walk on the moon and the Woodstock Festival became a seminal musical event that Randy Heath (69) became a coach at Oklahoma Christian. Randy was a multi-sport athlete for the Eagles, competing in cross country for three years, track for two years, and baseball for three years. Invited in 1969 by then-OC athletic director Ray Vaughn, Sr., to coach the men’s cross country team and assist him with the track and field squad, Randy began an odyssey that ended in May when he retired from coaching after 46 years on OC’s athletic staff. The 67-year-old was the longest-serving current head coach at any four-year college in Oklahoma in any sport. Randy will remain on staff as the chairman of OC’s sports, wellness, and recreation management program and will continue teaching. “It’s been a great career,” Randy said. “It’s been a blessing to me personally and to my family. If you like it and you enjoy it and can be good at it, then you stay at OC. It’s a place to build a career. This has been a good group of coaches at OC. I’ve enjoyed working with them.” When Vaughn retired as the track head
coach in 1979, Randy took over that program and has run it ever since. He helped begin the women’s track and cross country programs, which first competed during the 1986-87 academic year. He stepped down from his cross country duties in 2006, but has continued coaching track and field. All told, Randy spent 38 years as the men’s cross country head coach, 21 years as the women’s cross country head coach, 36 years as the men’s track head coach and 29 years as the women’s track head coach. He was inducted into the OC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2004. He’s a 10-time winner of coach of the year awards from either NAIA District 9 or the Sooner Athletic Conference. In District 9 competition, his teams won 12 men’s titles and five women’s titles. Randy coached 90 OC student-athletes to either NAIA or NCCAA All-America honors a combined 236 times. In cross country, he coached nine runners to a total of 12 NAIA All-America honors. Wade Miller (06), OC’s cross country coach since 2012, will succeed Randy as head coach of the men’s and women’s track and field programs.
Wade was a three-time national qualifier in cross country and track and a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He also was a three-time member of Wade Miller the CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Wade was an assistant coach when the Eagles won the 2011 NAIA championship and was head coach when they claimed the 2012 NCCAA crown, earning NCCAA Coach of the Year honors. “Looking back on my time as an athlete, I remember Coach Heath was always working behind the scenes to help people. He was great about encouraging people through academic difficulties or helping people through the various struggles of college life,” Wade said. “He has been very helpful in my coaching career and I hope to run the program as efficiently and with the success he has had, while at the same time upholding a very high standard of character.” By Murray Evans (89)
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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES & REWARDS We love our alumni! To thank you for being an Eagle, we offer several benefits we hope you’ll enjoy. 1
EAGLE EXCERPTS
ALUMNI CHAPTERS
Our monthly online newsletter features recent stories and upcoming events. Between issues of Vision, it’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening at your alma mater. Subscribe to Eagle Excerpts by contacting us at alumni@oc.edu.
We expect more alumni chapters to be developed in the near future to join the chapters we have in North Texas, Houston, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. The objective of these chapters is to unify local alumni to advance OC’s work in their areas of the country. To find out how to start a chapter in your community, contact Bob Lashley at 405.425.5110 or at bob.lashley@oc.edu.
ALUMNI JOB NETWORK Type in “Oklahoma Christian Alumni” at LinkedIn.com to connect with a network of alumni professionals across the country, now numbering more than 1,900 members. This project, designed to serve new graduates and other alumni by giving them job leads and connections in their desired geographical areas, is a cooperative effort with OC’s Office of Career Services.
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NATIONAL ALUMNI COUNCIL This group of alumni functions as a sounding board regarding alumni programs and events, and as a conduit for OC alumni with questions, thoughts, and/or concerns about our alma mater.
Feel free to contact members with questions, concerns, or ideas. Their info is available at www.oc.edu/NAC.
ALUMNI DISCOUNT CARD
Each alum receives a personalized discount card good for discounts on campus. Make sure you keep up with your card so you can use it when you come back home!
LIBERTY MUTUAL DISCOUNT
OC’s Alumni Office has entered into an agreement with Liberty Mutual to offer alumni a 10 percent discount on home, auto, and renter’s insurance. To find out more, go to libertymutual.com/OCalumni.
VIENNA OR BUST!
Whether you were a part of the Vienna/
1 Students gather on the Chesapeake Energy Arena court at one of the Alumni Office’s Senior Sendoff events at an Oklahoma City Thunder game. 2 President John deSteiguer and First Lady Darla deSteiguer with Racquelle, LaTece, and Otis Idlebird at OC’s North Texas Alumni Auction. Racquelle will be a freshman at OC this fall. 3 Ken (69) and Lindy (Scobey 69) Adams with Zack Giles (87) at the North Texas Alumni Auction, where Ken and Lindy were honored for their decades of service to Oklahoma Christian.
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European Studies program as a student, or you’ve always wanted to see what you missed, we have exciting news for you!! We recently got the green light to offer alumni a week in Vienna at OC’s own Das Millicanhaus in May 2016! Dr. Ken (69) and Lindy (Scobey 69) Adams will be the trip’s official hosts; Bob (74) and Judi (Williams 76) Lashley also will be on the trip. We hope you’ll come along! Look for an online registration site soon.
EAGLE LANDING
The Eagle Landing is a structure to be built on campus that will honor all of our Central Christian/Oklahoma Christian grads. We want to make “Eagle Landing” a place on campus where people will gather to relax, study, visit, and have small outdoor classes
and devotionals. The new design will feature a garden look, with seating mixed among the water feature, large rocks and nameplates. To help verify your class and spelling for your nameplate, our goal is to mail all alumni a letter in the near future. Much time has been spent over the last two years confirming our records from transcripts, but we know there may be discrepancies with your information. A method for confirming your records will be made available in the process once fundraising for the project is complete. Watch for the mailing!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Keep your info up to date by emailing changes to alumni@oc.edu.
You can update your records to continue receiving information about your alma mater and alumni perks. Watch for and join in alumni gatherings and activities in your area. Many cities host recruiting/alumni gatherings in alumni homes (Road Shows), summer sendoffs for OC students (Eagle Exits), and tailgate parties for away athletic games. Consider helping us financially when you can, in order to pass on to current students the generosity that many passed on to us during our OC years. Even a few dollars a month by a large number of people can make a big difference. To find out how to get started, contact us at 405.425.5110 or go to www.oc.edu/ homeward.
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SAVE THE
DATE
FIND OUT ABOUT THE LATEST EVENTS GOING ON AT OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR ALMA MATER BY VISITING WWW.OC.EDU/CALENDAR
CELEBRATING 13 YEARS OF
J.J. MILLICAN
ETHICS SYMPOSIUM
MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE EXHIBIT • SEPT. 2-18
MILLICAN ETHICS CONVERSATION • SEPTEMBER 12
ASSOCIATES GALA • SEPTEMBER 17
LECTURESHIP • OCTOBER 4-6
HOMECOMING • NOVEMBER 6-7
LIGHTING OF THE COMMONS • DECEMBER 1
www.oc.edu/exhibit
www.oc.edu/lectureship
www.oc.edu/millican
www.oc.edu/homecoming
www.oc.edu/associates
www.oc.edu/lighting
OT H E R S P EC I A L E V E N T S
ARTS
ADMISSIONS
AT H L E T I C S
W W W.O C . E D U/ E V E N T S
W W W.O C . E D U/A R T S
W W W.O C . E D U/A D M I S S I O N S
W W W.O C E AG L E S .C O M
FA L L C L A S S E S B E G I N • Au g . 3 1 FIRST WEEK FOLLIES • Sept. 3 F R E S H M A N FA N FA R E • S e p t . 2 5 - 2 6 H O L I DAY H U S T L E • D e c. 5 W I N T E R C O M M E N C E M E N T • D e c. 1 8
T H E AT R E P R O D U C T I O N • O c t . 1 - 3 GRAND CONCERT • Oct. 4 H O M EC O M I N G M U S I C A L • N ov. 6 - 7 C H O R A L E C O N C E R T • N ov. 1 5 I N S T R U M E N TA L C O N C E R T • N ov. 1 9 C O C OA & C A R O L S • D e c. 3 T H E AT R E P R O D U C T I O N • D e c. 3 - 5
C A M P U S C O N N EC T • Sept. 25, Oct. 12, O c t . 1 9, N ov. 6, N ov. 2 3, D e c. 2
FA L L S P O R T S • Au g u s t - N ov e m b e r W I N T E R S P O R T S • N ove m b e r- M a rc h S P R I N G S P O R T S • Fe b r u a r y - M ay
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OC? The next time you take that vacation or mission trip to some famous or exotic location, do this! 1 Take some OC gear. 2 Take your picture with you wearing it. 3 Tell us where you are and what you’re doing. Send your photo to alumni@oc.edu and it might appear in the next Vision. We look forward to seeing those pictures! Juanita Davis (55) wearing her Central Christian College polo at Sonshine Mountain in Colorado.
Students Paige Green (left) and Abby deSteiguer (right) on the beach in San Cristóbal in the Galápagos Islands.
(Left) Ben Langford (98) delivers a lesson during OC’s Spring Break Cambodia Mission Project. (Right) OC’s mission team at the airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
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AERIE ARCHIVE A BLAST FROM THE PAST
One of Dr. Stafford North’s crowning achievements is the technology in the Mabee Learning Center, which earned national acclaim in the late 60s. MLC was featured in Time and Esquire magazines, plus newspapers like the National Observer, Washington Sunday Star, Amarillo Globe News, Fresno Bee, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Nashville Tenneseean, Phoenix Republic, and Wichita Eagle. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Marsie (Stratton 69) Walton at her carrel, which functioned like an office, locker, and social center all in one. Students work in the MLC carrels. Darvin Keck, Ron Bever, and Tommy Williams find something to laugh about on the learning center’s audio tapes. A lesson is recorded from the sound studio with a technician at the control room console. Dr. North assists a student. Tape decks from which 136 programs could be dialed.
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BOX 11000 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73136-1100 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Visit www.oc.edu/alumni to update your name, address, email and other information.
Check out #OCisHome for more warm fuzzies about OC on
TWITTER & INSTAGRAM
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@joshua_turpin The #lightingofthecommons was awesome. Glad I got to join my fellow students in celebrating Christmas. I was with people who randomly started caroling, so that’s a thing.
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@benrector Thanks for having us, OC! Pictured is Conner, who before I sang the first line of ‘Sailboat’ screamed ‘How do you feel Ben?’ I brought him up onstage because, come on, that’s pretty good.
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@jeffmcmillon Wow. The women of @okchristian shared their amazing hearts today. #OCiamenough. Couldn’t be more inspired. Ph. 2:1-3. #courage #connection @StumpzMcGee Having Donald Miller here on campus for chapel AND a keynote is one of my favorite things OC has ever done. @okchristian A covenant for all generations. #OCisHome
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@olivialcharles I wish I could convey to every prospective @okchristian student just how amazing and life-changing attending OC is. #OCreallyisHOME @SHANKS2U Love their giving ~ being the hands and feet of Jesus. #OCisMission #mcallen2015
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@okchristian The president’s @OKCMarathon half-marathon group! #TeamOC10 #RunToRemember #MissYouJoe
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@DickieV From a star sportswriter to a mystery writer - Mike Baldwin’s novel SMASHED TATER #AwesomeBaby
F O L LOW O C O N L I N E AT W W W.O C. E D U/C O N N EC T
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