OC staff, faculty attend Christian Scholars’ Conference

Drs. Mike O’Neal, Harold Shank, Bill Luttrell, Allison Garrett, Chris Altrock, Scott LaMascus, Bailey McBride, Robert Mitchell and Tim VanWagoner are presenting and/or serving on panel discussions in the 29th annual Christian Scholars’ Conference at Lipscomb University this week. 

According to Lipscomb the Christian Scholars’ Conference is the largest of its kind and is an interdisciplinary gathering to explore the intersections between Christianity and the arts and sciences. The 2009 attendance has grown by 40 percent since last year, including 243 presenters from 72 universities and 35 other institutions.

This year’s conference focuses on The Power of Narrative, exploring the power of story-telling to shape the very meaning of our lives as we relate to each other and live out our faith. Each of the conference’s keynote speakers has captured the power of narrative to create innovative literature in their own discipline: fiction, poetry, scholarship and biography.

Plenary speakers Billy Collins (US Poet Laureate, 2001-2003), Marilynne Robinson (Pulitzer Prize Winner, 2005), Hubert G. Locke, and Barbara Brown Taylor will stimulate dialogue on the intersection of faith, academics, and narrative’s captivating quality. Paper and Panel sessions highlight the conference, bringing together fellow academics for collaboration and dialogue.

Oklahoma Christian adopts VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) has elected to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program.  Under the federal program, veterans and their eligible family members qualifying for 100 percent of the VA’s post 9/11 GI Bill will be able to attend Oklahoma Christian’s undergraduate program tuition-free.  The bill also provides a stipend for books, supplies and housing. 

“Oklahoma Christian University is pleased to welcome increasing numbers of veterans to its campus community,” said Risa Forrester, vice president for enrollment management.  “I’m thrilled we’re participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, making it possible for qualified veterans to gain a top-notch degree tuition free.

“We already enjoy the benefits of serving several veteran families—both former soldiers and their dependents,” she said.  “These students bring diverse life experiences to our campus and we’re looking forward to the increased impact this important group will make at Oklahoma Christian.”

OC president and Viet Nam veteran Dr. Mike O’Neal added, “Our veterans are individuals with a strong interest in leadership, personal discipline, and serving our country.  We are excited about the possibility of helping them further that service by completing their college degree and exploring the opportunities available through Oklahoma Christian. 

“Our goal is to enable all of our students to discover, enhance, and effectively apply the gifts and talents God has bestowed upon them,” O’Neal said.  “There is no other place I know where veterans will be encouraged and mentored better and I hope they will take advantage of this great opportunity.”

In addition to serving veterans already enrolled at OC, the university hosts the annual Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. 

For more information about the post 9/11 GI bill, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/. For more information about Oklahoma Christian University admissions criteria, visit http://www.oc.edu/veterans.  For more information about Oklahoma Christian, log on to www.oc.edu.

Oklahoma Christian, a “Best Western College” according to The Princeton Review, is a private, four-year comprehensive university. OC offers degree programs in more than 60 fields of study in three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Biblical Studies and the College of Professional Studies. The university also offers two graduate degree programs in Biblical studies, a master of science in engineering as well as one- and two-year master of business administration programs.  In addition to its Oklahoma City campus, OC has study abroad opportunities in Vienna, Austria, Honduras, and throughout the western Pacific. 

Oklahoma Christian launches online MBA program

Oklahoma Christian University officials announced today the offering of the school’s first completely online degree.  OC’s MBA students now have the options of online, onsite or blended curriculum to earn the 36 credit-hour degree. 

Like the Fast Track onsite class curriculum, the online MBA degree can be completed in one year.  Online classes are seven weeks long and follow the same class schedule, use the same textbooks, and take the same breaks as do the onsite classes.  While online MBA students have greater flexibility to manage their busy schedules, they will still experience the academic rigor of a high-quality graduate education. 

“Early student evaluations for our online classes have been very positive,” said Ken Johnson, director of graduate business studies.  We have excellent in-class professors who have successfully conveyed not only their expertise but also their enthusiasm, encouraging nature, and accessibility into their online courses. Whether onsite or online, our classes address real-world situations and are taught by experienced instructors. 

“Adding online courses to the MBA curriculum was a direct result of our students’ request for flexibility and scheduling options,” he said.  “The professors have embraced the challenge of developing these online courses to be practical, personal and academically rigorous.  Online or onsite, I believe our classes are on target.”

Tuition and fees for the MBA degree are identical whether online or onsite.  OC issued laptops are available for MBA students attending on-campus orientation.  All prerequisite classes are available online each semester.  All core classes are offered online in the spring and fall semesters.  Elective courses, which are offered during the summer, are also taught online.

For more information about OC’s MBA degree, contact Ken Johnson, MBA Director, at 405-425-5562, or visit the OC MBA website at www.oc.edu/mba, or request information by email at mba@oc.edu

Family Fun Night this Friday

Oklahoma Christian University will again offer the community an entire evening of free family entertainment during Family Fun Night Friday, June 26. The festivities will kick off at 7 p.m.

The evening will include dinner, a concert and to top it all off a movie under the stars. All activities will take place on the lawn of Lawson Commons located on the Oklahoma Christian campus.

The Disney Pixar hit movie, Wall-E, will be shown on a giant inflatable screen at dusk. Prior to the movie, OC alum Erick Alexander and OC’s own acappella group New Reign will take the stage. A variety of inflatables will be set up for kids to enjoy.

“Family Fun Night is becoming a wonderful summer tradition at OC,” director of alumni relations Katy Roybal said. “We love this chance to bring the community together with OC and to offer a night of free fun for everyone.”

OC has again partnered with the Memorial Road church of Christ to put on the program. Family Fun Night serves as an end to the MRCC Vacation Bible School program.

To find out more information about Family Fun Night or to pre-register, visit www.connect.oc.edu or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 425-5110.

Student uses summer to visit international students in China

OC student Tracy Tindle is serving in Xi’an China this summer visiting OC Chinese students and reaching out to their families.  Attached is a picture of Tracy with one of our Chinese students Yun “Kim” Tang.

Read an excerpt of his reports below:

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I met with the international director there to arrange a time to meet the new international students who will attend OC. Next week I will show them a power point presentation of Oklahoma Christian’s campus and student life. The director was very happy to meet me and extremely pleased that I want to greet the students before they come to America. He arranged an office for us to meet in next week as well as a projector for the presentation.
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When I first came to Xi’an I visited the university that is home to the Chinese students currently attending Oklahoma Christian. This year there are 16 more students coming from this university to OC. I met with the international director of this university to schedule a time to meet the new students and to give them a PowerPoint presentation of OC. My goal was to make them feel welcome to our school and more comfortable about knowing what to expect. A couple of days ago I gave this presentation to the new students and it was very successful.

Half of my mission while in China is to encourage as many students as possible to come to OC. I think that these students’ lives can be changed at OC.
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Every time I go to a friend’s home to spend time with them and their family they always want to take me around their city to show me everything great or unique about it. It has been so much fun being able to spend time with everyone’s family and to experience their homes, culture, and daily life. I read a quote about faith and about how everyone wants to share their faith until the other person starts to share theirs. There is not a lot of faith in China but I want my friends to share with me whatever they have to offer which is mostly culture and I hope that this will help me and my faith gain rapport with them as well as their families.

I will be traveling much more very soon. Keep my safety and health in your daily prayers. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers on my behalf.

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To learn more about the Office of International Programs at OC, click here.

To give a gift to help international students settle into life at OC, click here.

Oklahoma Christian names new Trustees

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) officials announced today the appointment of two Board of Trustee members.  The new members, whose appointment is effective immediately, are Dr. Grant Newton of Medford, Ore., and Greg Wedel of Edmond. 

“We are extremely pleased that Grant and Greg have agreed to serve on our Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Mike O’Neal, OC president. “Their leadership, wisdom and service to the board will be a blessing as we work to fulfill the mission of this great university. Grant and Greg have extensive experience in finance and accounting and will provide a high level of expertise in these important areas to the board as we continue to face a challenging world economy.” 

Wedel is a managing partner of the accounting firm, Wedel Rahill & Associates in Oklahoma City. He is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oklahoma Society of CPAs. 

Wedel is active in civic and business activities and currently serves on the boards of a number of local companies, including the Kirkpatrick Bank; PTC, Inc, Jetta Corporation; The Battery Company; Summit Resources, Inc.; Black Mesa Investors, LLC; Anadarko Partners, LP; Oklahoma Life Science Fund; Summit Venture Partners; PJ Trailers, Inc.; The Servicenter, Inc.; Acorn Growth Capital and Gateway Land Services. He also has served as a board member and treasurer of the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond. 

He and his wife, Valari, an OC alumnus, have three children, Colby, Jessica and Abby. They are members of the Memorial Road Church of Christ where he is active in youth, mission and disaster relief ministries. 

Newton, CIRA, CPA, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Accounting at Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif. He taught accounting and finance courses in the undergraduate (Seaver College), MBA and Executive programs for more than 20 years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors. Grant is the author of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Accounting: Practice and Procedure, 7th edition (to be published in 2009), Corporate Bankruptcy (2003) and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Taxation (co-author with Robert Liquerman, KMPG), 3rd edition. His articles have appeared in Journal of Accountancy, Management Accounting, Practical Accountant, CPA Journal, Commercial Law Journal, ABI Law Review, and other professional periodicals.

Grant received his Ph.D. degree from New York University, his master’s degree from the University of Alabama and his B. S. degree from the University of North Alabama from which he received the Alumnus of the Year award in 1992. He is a Past President of the Institute of Management Accounting, Los Angeles Chapter, and has served as National Director for the IMA. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors and president of the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors and served as a council member of INSOL International for seven years. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute (served as director and member of Executive Committee) and a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy (served as a board member and Treasurer). Grant is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He previously taught at the University of Alabama and California State University. He received the Tyler Award at Pepperdine University as SGA’s 1994-1995 Outstanding Professor and, along with his family, received the Helen Pepperdine Service Award for work in Mexico building houses for families in need.

Grant, and his wife, Valda, live in Medford, Ore., where they are members of the West Main Church of Christ. Grant frequently teaches Sunday school and he and Valda work with Hispanic church members in Medford. Grant serves as a deacon and, with the assistance of Valda, coordinates the church’s outreach programs in San Felipe, Mexico. They have two sons, Aaron and Paul, and a daughter, Danae.