Dean says goodbye and good luck
Neil Arter
Letter to the Editor
Well, here we are again. Trying to figure out what to say to everyone as they ask “what are you going to do this summer?” or the bigger question “what are you doing after graduation?” Over my time of working at Oklahoma Christian I still have not adjusted to the big transition of people graduating and leaving OC each year. It has taken me four years to start liking some people and now you tell me they are leaving. What is wrong with this process?
The truth is that nothing is wrong with this process. I will tell it like my mom told me, “All I have ever wanted in life was for you to be normal, and it is normal for you to leave my house and accomplish all that you can.” Do you feel the love from my mom? All she wanted was for me to be normal. It makes you wonder how disappointed she must be.
I guess in a lot of ways that is what we want for our graduates; all we want in life is for you to be normal. As long as normal is pursuing excellence, committed and passionate about God and his will for you.
The graduates this spring have walked through a lot of mud on this campus, as we have been building and improving your university. Some of you helped OC transition to Apple’s MacBook while others held strong with your old Dell. You have valued our university and challenged the faculty, staff and administration toward excellence. And I know you have not counted, but I figure I have sent you at least a million emails…as well as a few not actually from me.
As a community over the past few years we have experienced the disappointment of the loss of two great academic giants. OC will never be able to replace a Dr. Thompson or Dr. Alley, but you helped us honor their lives through your own academic pursuit and commitment to stay the course. Both of these great men loved Oklahoma Christian and worked to give their lives to serve each of us.
Returning students, it is time to step up. Your campus is losing a group of leaders and mentors. OC is not OC unless returning students feel the void left by the graduating class each year. For some this new responsibility will be a continuation of the work you have already started. Others will need to change direction and commit to the cause. No matter which angle you are approaching it: your time has arrived to lead this campus.
Graduates, we love you; we have loved spending this time with you and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish. You don’t have to be normal, but please give it your best. The truth is, you will actually never leave us; your time on this campus has changed us and we can’t be the same.
Your accomplishments and character have endeared you to us in a way causing us to expect seeing you on campus again soon and often. You noticed in my reference above that my mom only said it was normal for us to leave. She didn’t say we could not come home for a visit.
To all our students: we love you and thank God for you. God bless, Neil.
