OCU Alumni Magazine, FOCUS 2024

2024

OKL A HOM A C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y

Magazine

GREETINGS ALUMNI & FRIENDS, Over the years, I have enjoyed working with the many constituents who exist in a university setting and have found the ones at Oklahoma City University are particularly exceptional. Between the eager students and the supportive alumni to the passionate faculty and staff, OCU stands as a beacon of educational excellence around the world.

Here you can be who you want to be, pursue your dreams and become successful in your chosen journey.

This issue of Focus highlights some of the many faces who make OCU such a uniquely original campus. From Anthony Carranza, a student athlete leading the way not only in student government but numerous other organizations across the university to a trailblazing alumna, Tabatha Carr, forging a path in health through her products, you can see the excitement and passion for what they do in each individual’s impactful story. Other articles concentrate on students such as Kaden Peebles who overcame unsurmountable odds to thrive at OCU’s School of Law as well as author a book about her challenges in life. Alumni are featured like Salvator Ontiveros who is stepping up within Oklahoma’s Latin community to make

a meaningful difference and Janie Simms Hipp, previous general counsel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Additionally, OCU’s partnerships have always been beneficial to our students and community but especially a few new ones on the horizon. The university is working with Apple and Native American tribes to help bring digital offerings to schools while preserving their cultural heritage. The new Saints and Stars program kicked off this year with SSM Health providing scholarships and careers for nursing students to assist the nursing shortage within the state of Oklahoma. New articulation agreements are being signed with community colleges in the area such as with Oklahoma City Community College offering business and nursing tracks to encourage students to earn their bachelor’s degree at OCU. Our students are setup for more success than ever before. A new first-time experience class is now required for all freshmen for the first eight weeks they are on campus to assist with the adjustment to college life and being a student at OCU. Overseeing these courses is Levi Harrel-Hallmark, dean of students, who is also featured in this issue.

The overall enrollment is up this year due in

large part to an influx of international students and the intentional work done by our Office of International Admissions. The article highlighting these efforts also tells a bit of the story of one graduate student, Jake Adebayo.

Project 21 is another initiative within music and dance that not only provides opportunities for our students to collaborate and learn from each other and their instructors but to do so in a completely innovative way.

I encourage you to also check out the information in this issue about OCU’s Bright Society and a short profile of one of our alumni members in this exciting program, Danny Phan. We would love for you to become a member of this society and join a growing supportive leadership entity within the university. Additionally, we are pleased that our Office of University Advancement heading up these efforts with the Bright Society has a new vice president—Koby Harrington.

Enjoy this now annual issue of Focus magazine and best wishes for a prosperous 2024.

S I N C E R E LY ,

PRESIDENT

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT • Oklahoma City University

acknowledges that we gather on land indigenous to the Osage, Caddo, Kiowa, Comanche and Wichita tribal nations, and that lands extending throughout the state were originally inhabited by many tribes, including those that were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory under harmful federal policies.

We acknowledge that the 39 sovereign tribal nations inhabiting what is now Oklahoma originate from all four corners of the North American continent, and that indigenousness is hemispheric in scope. We honor the land and the people who have stewarded it since time immemorial, and we commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit for future generations.

2

Oklahoma City University

OCU

WELCOMED THE LARGEST

CLASS OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

IN MORE THAN A DECADE STUDENT FACULTY RATIO

11 TO 1

90+ STUDENT-LED ORGANIZATIONS 25% OF STUDENTS INVOLVED IN GREEK LIFE (FIVE SORORITIES, THREE FRATERNITIES)

73 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS STUDENTS HAILING FROM

46 STATES AND 43 COUNTRIES

OKC OKLAHOMA CITY #2 IN TOP 10 PLACES FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO LIVE A TOP 10 BEST CITY TO START YOUR CAREER 1.4 MILLION+ POPULATION IN OKC METRO ONE OF THE 50 BEST BIG-CITY COLLEGE TOWNS IN THE COUNTRY 2024 FOCUS Magazine

3

2024

OKL A HOM A C I T Y U N I V E R S I T Y

Magazine

Uniquely OCU

OCU stands proud in the Oklahoma City metro area representing excellence in higher education. The uniqueness of our university with students, alumni, faculty and staff shines bright as we embrace the originality and vibrance of our campus community.

Photos by Ian Weston

FOCUS MAGAZINE 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73106 405-208-7000 • okcu.edu/focus Kate Downing • kdowning@okcu.edu

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TABLE OF CONTENTS Alumni Spotlights

14 Developing Oklahoma’s Latino Community 18 A Dare, a Presidential Nomination and a Commitment to Serve 24 Carr Creates Health-Based Brands 36 When The Stars Align Student Highlights

8 Resiliency and Resolve 12 Navigating the OCU Journey: The First-Year Experience Course 26 Meet Anthony Carranza: Leader Extraordinaire Features

10 Bringing Creative Visions to Life: Project 21 Fosters Original Work 15 Student Success Heralded by Harrell-Hallmark 20 Empowering Through Education: A Partnership Guides Communities into the Digital Age

29 OCU and OCCC Partner to Cultivate Future Community Leaders 30 Have You Heard The Word?: OCU Boosted by Word of Mouth in International Recruitment Efforts

Schools

7 Wanda L. Bass School of Music 9 School of Law 13 Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment 16 College of Health Professions 23 Petree College of Arts and Sciences 25 School of Theatre 28 Meinders School of Business

Louise L. Bass ’79 Andrew K. Benton '79 Phil G. Busey, Sr. ’74, ’77 Dr. Emmanuel E. Edem ’82 Jacque Fiegel ’76 Debbie Fleming ’77 Gerald L. Gamble ’68 Jane Jayroe Gamble ’69 Nicholas Harroz, III ’09 Joe Holt Gary B. Homsey ’74 Joe R. Homsey ’73 Michael S. Homsey ’76 Margaret Johnson Ann Johnstone ’81 Lou C. Kerr ’86 Donald H. Kim Cathy Leichter ’06, ’13 Jenee Naifeh Lister

Robert Long ’94 Judy Love ’15 Paula Marshall ’83 Lance McDaniel ’07 Paul E. McLaughlin ’75, ’80 Billy Meade William Mee ’87 James Nunn Richard Parry ’83 Tammy Powell Clinton Purtell ’97 George Randall ’65 Patrick T. Rooney Teresa Rose ’88, ’93 Shane Sanders ’84 William Shdeed ’62, ’65 Jerry B. Vannatta ’70 John Veal ’96, ’18 Kathy L. Williams ’11

ADMINISTRATION Kenneth Evans • President Michelle Kiec • Provost Amy Ayres • Vice President for Student Affairs Blythe Benson • Interim Vice President for Human Resources Corey Bray • Director of Athletics Talia Carroll • Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Anna Davis • Interim Chief Financial Officer Koby Harrington • Vice President of University Advancement Gerry Hunt ’89, ’05 • Chief Information Officer Casey Ross ’00, ’03 • General Counsel Adam Ryburn • Assistant Provost Nick Trougakos ’23 • Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Kevin Windholz • Vice President for Enrollment Management

ALUMNI Megan Hornbeek Allen ’03 Executive Director of Alumni Engagement alumni@okcu.edu

WRITERS Brooklyn Brumley, Destry Holzschuh, Megan Hornbeek Allen, Rod Jones, Cady Lewis, Chris Maxon, William Peetoom, Nick Trougakos, Natalie Turner, Ethan Zambrano

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Anderson/Performing Arts Photos, Bryan Cardinale-Powell, Lizette Casas, Michaela Childs and Ian Weston

DESIGNERS

4

Lechelle Calderwood, Carmela Dela Isla Oklahoma City University

SSM HEALTH PARTNERSHIP BOOSTS NURSE EDUCATION

BY BROOKLYN BRUMLEY AND NATALIE TURNER

In early 2023, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and Oklahoma City University announced their partnership called Saints and Stars. The five-year program intends to combat the Oklahoma nursing shortage while providing unique opportunities for OCU nursing students. It also gives nursing students the opportunity to work part time with SSM Health while still working on their degree. The selected students receive a $3,500 annual scholarship from SSM Health and a $5,000 annual discount from OCU. SSM Health provides program participants with opportunities for paid leadership clinical hours, participation in clinical rotations and a summer nurse extern program. They are also assigned a nurse mentor.

Tammy Powell, OCU trustee and president of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and SSM Health Bone and Joint Hospital at St. Anthony, emphasized the importance of initiatives such as Saints and Stars to ensure effective health care environments state- and nationwide. “SSM Health St. Anthony is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to Oklahomans across the state,” Powell said. “That begins with training and employing a new generation of health care professionals. We see Saints and Stars as a key component in doing just that.”

OCU senior and program participant Joy Warlick described her experience. “After I was accepted, there was someone helping me each step of the way with my onboarding process, and I have been enjoying furthering my education and growing ever since,” she said.

“This agreement is extremely beneficial because it allows students the flexibility to complete their schooling and to do so with a job. St. Anthony Hospital is also very flexible with the hours we work, and they completely understand our workload as nursing students.”

OCU and SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital have a long history of partnerships, going as far back as 1959. In 1981, the St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing merged with OCU and formed the Oklahoma City University School of Nursing. “We are proud to continue the tradition of collaboration between OCU and SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital,” said Gina Crawford, dean of OCU’s Kramer School of Nursing. “We are very excited to be able to offer additional support to our students and to continue to build on the high-quality education at Kramer School of Nursing. This partnership will assist in building a more robust nursing workforce in Oklahoma.”

Twenty junior nursing majors are selected for the program each year.

Eligible students are invited by OCU admissions to complete initial applications. The admission process also includes an interview for SSM employment. “I will say, my experience getting into the program was challenging but also very rewarding,” said Warlick. “I submitted my resumé and an essay, as well as going through an interview process with Saint Anthony’s. As soon as I walked into my interview, I can still remember the hospitality that I was greeted with.”

OCU nursing senior Joy Warlick is interviewed by local television stations after the press conference last February announcing the Saints and Stars program.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

5

President Evans enjoys the homecoming parade with OCU students in November.

6

Oklahoma City University

Wanda L. Bass School of Music ALUMNUS AND PROFESSORS TOUR CHINA

Parthena Owens

Jeffrey Grogan

Tony Gonzalez

Edward Knight, director of music composition and founder of Project 21, and alumnus violinist Kyle Dillingham joined forces over the summer on a two-week tour of performances, presentations and masterclasses across China. In the remote Tibetan region of western China, the duo became the first-ever Western artists to perform and present at Gansu Minzu Normal University.

Dillingham returned to China with Peter Markes, associate professor of music and longtime member of his band Horseshoe Road, to represent the United States at the Sixth Annual Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, Gansu.

FACULTY HONORS Parthena Owens, associate director of flute and director of the OCU Flute Studio, is celebrating her 36th year on the OCU faculty while Dean Mark Parker and Larry Keller, associate professor of voice, are both beginning their 34th year.

Jeffrey Grogan, professor of music and director of orchestral activities, led the Oklahoma Youth Orchestras in their Carnegie Hall debut June 6 co-concert with the NYC All-City Orchestra and Staten Island’s Wagner High School, emceed by alumna Midge Woolsey.

Tony Gonzalez, associate director of choral activities, was a featured presenter over the summer at the 2023 Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop at Boston Conservatory.

Kyle Dillingham

Peter Markes

NEW DIRECTOR OF CHORAL ACTIVITIES

Kelli O’Hara

Kristin Chenoweth

2024 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING MUSICAL THEATRE COMPETITION Tony-winning alumnae Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth joined forces in January for the gala finals of the 2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing Musical Theatre Competition, celebrating our own Professor Emerita Florence Birdwell. Chenoweth continues her tenure as an OCU artist in residence, having visited campus October 19 for a two-hour masterclass with performing arts students.

Julie Yu was recently appointed as the new director of choral activities.

Dean Mark Parker noted, “I am elated that Julie Yu is leading the choral program at Oklahoma City University.

Together with our good partners Canterbury Voices, we have brought one of the nation’s finest choral directors to Oklahoma City.

I know that she will create performances that will inspire, enrich and impact us all.”

Julie Yu

Julie Yu

FOCUS Magazine 2024

7

Student Profile

Resiliency and

RESOLVE

BY DESTRY HOLZSCHUH

Kaden Peebles signs her book, “One True Scrapper: A Memoir of Childhood Cancer, Good Eyeliner, and a Fighting Spirit” at a recent book signing.

First year law students in Kaden Peebles’ class celebrate the conclusion of their first year at OCU School of Law.

8

Oklahoma City University

There’s no question that law school is tough, but Kaden Peebles has some experience in overcoming tough circumstances. As a teenager in southwest Arkansas, she was living a regular life as a high school cheerleader in a small town before she was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma her junior year.

Peebles would spend the rest of that year and most of her senior year doing chemotherapy and radiation treatment before reaching remission and graduating high school in good health.

Less than two months into college, Peebles was diagnosed with cancer again—this time leukemia caused by her previous cancer treatments. She restarted chemotherapy and underwent a bone marrow transplant before reaching remission. A year later, the leukemia relapsed, and she did it all over again. After all of that, Peebles was able to graduate from the University of Central Arkansas and started thinking about law school.

For her, going through cancer treatments and frequently being the youngest person in rooms full of doctors helped her learn to advocate for herself and taught her that she wanted to use those skills to advocate for others. That will to be a voice for those who needed it led her to OCU’s School of Law. “I love it here,” she explained. “I didn’t have a traditional college experience, so I’ve really enjoyed getting to have this law school experience.”

In the thick of the second semester of her 1L year, Peebles was spending the end of her spring break working on her 1L appellate brief when she learned her younger brother Andrew had been in an accident, and she needed to rush home to Arkansas. She was able to make it home in time to be with her family when her brother died. After Andrew’s celebration of life, she returned to law school to finish the semester. “I cannot imagine not being in law school during this time of grief because it’s given me something to focus on,” Peebles said. “And, I’ve had such an amazing support system.”

She now serves as president of her 2L class and is weighing internships and studying abroad for her post-2L summer. She also recently published a book about her story: “One True Scrapper: A Memoir of Childhood Cancer, Good Eyeliner, and a Fighting Spirit.” As for after law school, Peebles says she is drawn to criminal law and feels that the traumatic experiences she’s been through in her life will give her a unique ability to empathize with clients, and her goal to advocate for others remains at the forefront. “They hopefully make me more understanding of other people’s hard experiences.”

School of Law STONY THE ROAD: THE ROAD TO EXECUTION

OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT, A 2009 GRADUATE OF THE OCU SCHOOL OF LAW, BECAME LAW DEAN ON JULY 1.

In the spring semester, OCU Law and the OCU Law Diversity Council hosted the Third Annual Stony the Road Lecture Series.

The panel of experts gathered to shed light on Oklahoma’s capital punishment legal process and the path of a capital case/ defendant from the time of charging through actual execution.

Panelists included former Attorney General Drew Edmondson, current Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna, First Assistant Federal Public Defender Emma Rolls, and Oklahoma Innocence Project Legal Director (and former Oklahoma County Appellate Public Defender) Andrea Miller.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY On September 26, 2023, OCU Law alumni who passed the bar in July were sworn in by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

QUINLAN LECTURE HOSTED BY OCU LAW OCU Law hosted its annual Quinlan Lecture on March 30, 2023, with Helen Norton presenting “When Speakers’ and Listeners’ First Amendment Interests Collide.” Norton is a university distinguished professor and Rothgerber Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado Law School. She explained the role of listeners’ interests in shaping past Supreme Court decisions, some involving commercial speech and others involving political campaigns. Norton then examined the role that listeners’ interests currently play in disputes that now divide the lower courts, disputes that will no doubt soon reach the Supreme Court.

These include ongoing disagreements about how to define “true threats” unprotected by the First Amendment, as well as free speech challenges to recently enacted laws that restrict platforms’ choices about whether to publish certain speakers’ posts on their sites. Throughout this discussion, Norton explored several different “tiebreakers” for resolving First Amendment conflicts between speakers and listeners.

WRONGFUL CONVICTION DAY DINNER HOSTED BY OKLAHOMA INNOCENCE PROJECT The Oklahoma Innocence Project at OCU Law hosted its annual Wrongful Conviction Day Dinner October 2, 2023, at the Skirvin Hotel. Franky Carrillo, a criminal legal reform advocate, exoneree, and congressional candidate in Los Angeles County seeking to become the first-ever exoneree elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, was the keynote speaker.

NEW FACULTY Ying Zhou joined the faculty of the School of Law as an assistant professor of law in the fall. She earned her LLM and JSD degrees from Cornell Law School and is a member of the bar in both China and New York. Her scholarship lies at the intersection of business law, data privacy and technology law, as well as international and transnational law, with a specialization in both U.S. and Chinese law.

In recent years, her research has examined issues that arise in connection with international corporate regulation, with particular emphasis on the U.S. model of corporate enforcement.

Zhou’s scholarly work has been published in the University of New Hampshire Law Review, the Richmond Journal of Law and Technology and multiple peer-reviewed journals in China. Prior to her appointment at OCU, she was a post-doctoral global fellow at New York University School of Law from 2021 to 2022. During her time at NYU Law, Zhou conducted research on emerging trends and new challenges in international business regulation, with a particular emphasis on anti-corruption law.

Trevor Wedman joined the faculty at the School of Law in the fall as an assistant professor of law. He received his JD from the University of San Diego School of Law. After graduating, Wedman began practicing international corporate law with law firms in Europe and the Middle East while working toward his PhD in legal theory from the University of Leipzig. He has been a visiting researcher at the University of Stockholm, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Vienna.

Wedman has published internationally and his monograph, “Inverting the Norm—Law as the Form of Common Practice,” appeared in 2022 with Mohr Siebeck in Germany.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

9

Bringing Creative

Visions to Life PROJECT 21 FOSTERS ORIGINAL WORK

BY BROOKLYN BRUMLEY Every Friday in a rehearsal room at noon, Project 21, a group of composers, meets to bounce off their new ideas with one another, practice new pieces and play around with new sounds. With at least four shows a semester, the artists are always workshopping their pieces and bringing their ideas to life. It is a student-based organization involving music and composition in the Bass School of Music.

“It is completely student-run, and it’s a chance to explore,” said the president of Project 21 and senior music composition major Kiegan Ryan. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a composition major or not. Anybody is welcome to attend or participate in our concerts as long as they are students and it’s just a place for us to work with other collegiate musicians, composers and artists in any field.

It’s all about collaboration. It’s about working together, either in conventional or in divergent and experimental ways. And it’s just a place for artists to come together and build their own voice through their study and their way through music.”

Before OCU hired him, Ed Knight, professor of music and composer-in-residence, dreamed of mentoring a tight-knit group of student composers. That dream came true when OCU hired him as composer-in-residence in 1997 and Project 21 was born. Since then, enrollment in the composition program has more than tripled.

10

Oklahoma City University

Students who are part of Project 21 gain many connections useful after they graduate.

Throughout their years at OCU, members work with dance, theatre, marketing, film, game development and many other departments and people. “It’s incredibly important for composers to be collaborative,” Knight said. “Whether you’re writing concert music, commercial music or anything else, composers have to work with performers, audio engineers, stage directors, conductors, choreographers and fellow composers.”

Knight also encourages students to work on commercial projects as a team. “Working as a team on projects allows one to learn how to work without letting your ego get in the way and without getting hurt feelings,” he said.

“This is a crucial skill to learn as a student.”

In the spring semester, Project 21 joins forces with the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. Dance students choreograph pieces to help bring the music to life. This process teaches students “collaboration, compromise and communication,” according to dance professor Tiffany van der Merwe. “To match up the chorographers with composers, they go through a sort of speed dating,” van der Merwe said. “The chorographers will explain their vision and style to the composers, and then the composer will pick whose vision matches theirs the best. After that, the

chorographers select their dancers, and they get to work.” Because Project 21 is student-led, everyone in the program is exposed to all of the steps of an entire show.

Danielle Thomsen ’23 served as the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and Wanda L. Bass School of Music student liaison for Project 21. She worked closely with van der Merwe; Michael McCarthy, assistant professor of dance; and Clint Williams, adjunct instructor of composition; along with her assistant, Kelsey Byrd, to help be the backbone of the entire production. “In general, my work revolved around ensuring that both composers and choreographers were able to accurately express their creative visions in the given performance format while adhering to guidelines set in place by administrative bodies,” Thomsen said.

Project 21 has been able to show students how much they are capable of doing. “Project 21 is a wonderful way to expand one’s artistic horizons,” Thomsen said. “Whether you’re a budding choreographer, a passionate dancer or a marvelous composer, Project 21 offers an opportunity to create collaborative art with unconditional support. Project 21 gives participants a sense of ownership over their work and creative process, which so many students desire during college.”

Project 21 student composers this year see their efforts pay off.

Project 21 student composers this year see their efforts pay off.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

11

NAVIGATING THE OCU JOURNEY the First-Year Experience Course

BY MEGAN HORNBEEK ALLEN THE FALL 2023 SEMESTER SAW THE LAUNCH OF FYE 1000, A FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE COURSE THAT PROMISED TO REDEFINE THE WAY NEW STUDENTS TRANSITION INTO UNIVERSITY LIFE.

A NEW BEGINNING

FYE 1000 is an eight-week course tailored exclusively for first-year students. Levi Harrel-Hallmark, OCU’s dean of students, describes it as “a hands-on, creative venture designed to harness experiential learning and team-building activities to support students as they transition to university life and study.” FYE 1000 is a crucial addition to OCU’s academic landscape, focusing on equipping students with the knowledge, skills and resources essential for a successful journey through their undergraduate years.

UNIQUENESS AT ITS CORE

What sets FYE 1000 apart from traditional classes at OCU is its singular focus on transitioning first-year students to life at OCU. While the course covers OCU’s history, values and mission, it also delves into topics like academic preparedness, holistic wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion. The unique aspect of this course lies in the dual support system—students receive guidance from both course facilitators and peer mentors.

The facilitators, drawn from various departments across the university, are passionate about helping first-year students connect with the OCU community. Simultaneously, peer mentors—consisting of sophomores, juniors and seniors—serve as role models and provide valuable insights into university life, fostering a sense of belonging

12

Oklahoma City University

among newcomers. This unique blend of classroom instruction and peer support elevates FYE 1000 to a class of its own.

THE GENESIS OF FYE 1000

Existing orientation programs, including Stars Week and FIRST, maintain their value in onboarding students to OCU. However, through collaborative conversations between the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Academic Affairs, university leaders recognized the potential for boosting the first-year experience. FYE 1000 emerged as a shared experience course for all first-time students, providing an essential onboarding process that assists students in discovering their identities within the campus community. This course serves as a bridge between first-week orientation and the students’ full immersion into the OCU community.

A TESTIMONIAL OF SUCCESS

Danielle Shipley-Crook ’18, ’21, associate director of admissions, provided additional insight into the impact of FYE 1000. As an alumna, FYE instructor and OCU staff member involved in working with the firstyear student population throughout the admissions process, ShipleyCrook offers an interesting perspective. She highlights the rewards of witnessing students with whom she built relationships during their senior year of high school who then thrive at OCU. She also describes the influence of the course on the students’ lives: “I think this course helps students find their place at OCU quicker.”

The course not only imparts knowledge but also fosters quick friendships, making the transition from home to college less intimidating. FYE 1000 ensures all OCU freshmen have a support system in place from day one.

Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment SCHOOL HOLDS TITLE SPONSORSHIP AT RHEE GOLD DANCE CONFERENCE AND SOUL DANCE CONFERENCE In July 2023, the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment played a prominent role as the title sponsor for two significant dance conferences: Rhee Gold’s Dance Teacher Life Conference and the Soul Dance Conference in Las Vegas. Executive Director Melanie Shelley, alongside dance chairs Tiffany Warford and Jessica Fay, represented OCU while emphasizing the institution’s commitment to the industry of dance and entertainment education. OCU’s sponsorship allowed for valuable presentations, enabling attendees to gain insights into the Ann Lacy School’s exceptional programs. Additionally, an OCU alumni reunion in Las Vegas provided an opportunity for alumni to reconnect and network, further strengthening the school’s community. OCU continues to be a driving force in advancing entertainment education and fostering professional connections in the industry.

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOW BACK IN PERSON 2023 OUTSTANDING FACULTY AWARD HONORS TIFFANY VAN DER MERWE The Ann Lacy School’s artistic director, Tiffany van der Merwe, received the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award. This esteemed accolade recognizes her exemplary contributions in teaching, scholarship and service to the university and community. Van der Merwe’s commencement address, titled “The Place in the Middle” featured an extraordinary performance by Ann Lacy School dancers. This unforgettable moment showcased commitment to excellence in both artistry and academia.

ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS MAJOR KYLE CRANE COMPLETES SAVANNAH BANANA INTERNSHIP Senior Entertainment Business major Kyle Crane’s summer internship with the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition professional baseball team, was a unique experience that began as a course project but turned into an opportunity. Inspired by his passion for sports, Crane chose to take the Savannah Bananas on a fictional tour for his entertainment business project. “While working on the project, I learned they were actually going on a national tour, so I contacted their tour director to gain information not found online,” recalled Crane.

Remarkably, they created a summer internship tailored specifically for him: tour logistics intern and audio technician.

His educational background at OCU played a crucial role in his success during the internship. “I was able to apply what I learned in my classes to actual projects I was working on with the Bananas,” he further explained.

“We’re Back Again,” the 2023 student choreography show directed by Shadoe Brandt, associate professor of dance, and Alana Martin, instructor of dance, continued a rich tradition that has been showcasing OCU students’ leadership, talents and knowledge since 1984. In 2020, the show adapted to virtual platforms, challenging our students to explore new avenues of choreography and artistic expression. This year marks a significant milestone as “We’re Back Again” returned to a live stage for the first time in three years. Directors Brandt and Martin shared, “This show is a culmination of courses and a year’s worth of work, into which our students have poured their hearts and artistic souls. We are immensely proud of the dedication and creativity our students have poured into crafting such an incredible show. It was electrifying, witnessing their artistic brilliance shine on the live stage.”

STAR DANCE COMPANY INTRODUCES SUBSET GROUP “REP COMPANY” The Ann Lacy School is proud to provide students with many performing opportunities, and one of the most exciting additions began last fall with the introduction of the Star Dance Company’s Rep Company. This dynamic company has expanded the school’s reach by gracing stages and events across the city, including the OCU Holiday Gala, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s Christmas Show, Dean Bedford & Jo Rowan Legacy Celebration, the OCU Blu Party and the Day of Peace Celebration, among others. The Star Dance Company’s Rep Company takes pride in connecting with its growing community and sharing the incredible talents that the Ann Lacy School has to offer.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

13

Developing Oklahoma’s LATINO COMMUNITY

BY KATE DOWNING Salvador Ontiveros ’06, ’09 is a local success story. After moving to Oklahoma City from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, with his family when he was just a year old, Ontiveros attended schools across the metro as his mom worked as a Spanish translator and office assistant. She provided her son with a violin and private lessons to learn how to play so that he could audition for Classen School of Advanced Studies within the Oklahoma City Public School District. He was accepted and graduated in 2003 before attending OCU as a Clara Luper Scholar, which allows students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a financial need to attend OCU on the Clara Luper Scholarship honoring the legacy of the Oklahoma City civil rights leader.

Ontiveros excelled during his five and a half years on campus, majoring in business administration, earning both his bachelor’s and then master’s degree, and being active in the Clara Luper Scholars program, OCU Leads and Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity. He worked part time at RadioShack throughout his time at OCU and was active off campus in Latino Youth in Action, an organization of Latino young

people that performed community service throughout the city. His favorite memories while attending the university revolve around the many friendships he made. “I still talk to a lot of the people I grew up with at OCU,” said Ontiveros. “The late night study sessions, the odd jobs and the unforgettable experiences shaped who we are and what we do.”

Today, Ontiveros is the president and chief executive officer of the Latino Community Development Agency with a mission to improve the quality of life in the Latino Community through education, leadership, services and advocacy. He came to the LCDA in August from the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center where he served as chief financial officer, overseeing finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, and at one point, operations. He is excited to be more involved with the area’s Latino population. “I grew up down the street from this organization and have benefited tremendously from their programs and services,” said Ontiveros. “It is an honor for me to now give back to my community in this capacity.”

The Ontiveros family at the LCDA Annual Luncheon August 2023. From left, Antonio, 13 years old; Salvador; his wife, Jennifer (Rico) Ontiveros (BS ’07, BSN ’10) who was also a Clara Luper Scholar at OCU; Salvador III, 16 years old; and Ruben, 11 years old.

14

Oklahoma City University

STUDENT SUCCESS HERALDED

BY HARRELL-HALLMARK

BY WILLIAM PEETOOM Levi Harrel-Hallmark, who currently serves as Oklahoma City University’s dean of students, is an Oklahoma native who spent time away from his home state to find his passion, but has since brought his professional talents back home to work at Oklahoma City University. He started his college education at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, continued on at Ohio State University in Columbus, and found his first professional position at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. He explained that Ohio Wesleyan is a small, private, religious school, so the atmosphere between Ohio Wesleyan and OCU was similar, but he explained, “I was there for three years and felt like it was time to come back.”

Harrel-Hallmark has worked for OCU for nearly eight years, starting in 2015 as the assistant director of student development, and eventually working his way up to dean of students in 2019.

He described the position as connecting with students through things like student organizations, recreational sports, religious life and by supporting students through the OCU Care and Conduct processes. His philosophy on students is important to him, saying, “I fundamentally believe that my role on campus is help students

succeed,” and that, “finding those paths and places of success is something different with every single student.”

The subject of grace was touched on by Harrel-Hallmark when he discussed his relationships with students, saying, “I want to extend the grace that you would want extended to you, we are all in this world and we do great things. We make mistakes and we certainly hope we are not judged by our worst day on our best.”

Harrel-Hallmark spoke extensively about dreaming big, explaining his own take on an old saying with, “we can shoot for the stars, land on the moon and we still have an accomplishment.”

He additionally believes what makes OCU students unique is, “the students who come to OCU have a spark in them, a spark to connect, grow and learn.” Harrel-Hallmark uses his position as dean of students to focus on the student experience, connecting with them and focusing on their growth, giving them a place to accomplish and fail, but always have an opportunity to learn.

After nearly eight years at OCU, Harrel-Hallmark has seen several classes of students come in and graduate, but said his goal is always to, “grow right alongside our students.”

2024 FOCUS Magazine

15

College of Health Professions

STUDENTS LEARN UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS Students from the class of 2025 learned about universal precautions with Zachary Huff, clinical assistant professor, in a clinical examination and intervention course.

PROFESSOR PRESENTS RESEARCH ON PRE-PARTICIPATION DANCE SCREENINGS AND INJURY SURVEILLANCE TO PROMOTE INJURY RISK REDUCTION In October, Kimberly Veirs, clinical assistant professor, presented at the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Conference on pre-participation dance screenings and injury surveillance to promote injury risk reduction in a university dance department.

16

Oklahoma City University

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM NOW OFFERED The College of Health Professions is now offering interprofessional education, which occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. This philosophy teaches effective strategies to improve patient care through professional collaborative practice and is demonstrated through teamwork, reduction in provider error rates and improvement toward competencies in healthcare professionals.

One example of this in action is a nursing/physical therapy collaboration in the simulation center where students collaborate with each other over simulated patient care in an inpatient setting. It is a great learning experience prior to the PT students embarking on their first 12-week clinical rotation.

Another example is the Physician Assistant program and the School of Theatre working together to provide curriculum designed to develop training caregiver skills regarding displayed compassion and sensitivity, methods of communication to evaluate patient needs, recognition of personal limitations and roles of the interprofessional team, beneficence and maleficence, and respecting and upholding the autonomy of the patient. In January, there was a curriculum component and performance of the Pulitzer Prize winning play “W;t” which included an in-person talkback session with playwright Maggie Edson. The additional playwright perspective provided a more diverse interprofessional view of the performance and applications to medical care.

The college also hosted an IPE event for first year nursing, physician assistant and physical therapy students, introducing them to multiple healthcare professions where they learned about the various roles and responsibilities while working through case studies that required teamwork and collaboration among the three disciplines.

FACULTY HONORS KRAMER SCHOOL OF NURSING The Kramer School of Nursing formed a partnership with Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma to provide health and wellness education to Girl Scouts in Oklahoma.

Two new programs have been developed within the Kramer School of Nursing, including the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner— Nurse Educator track, and this January, the first cohort will begin the 12 month accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Cheryl Frutchey, clinical associate professor, received the 2023 Oklahoma Nurses Association award for “Excellence in Nursing Education.”

Michelle Johnston, assistant professor, has been named the Oklahoma City Regional Representative for the Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners board of directors.

Cene’ Livingston, chair of advanced practice programs and associate professor, published an article titled “Using Appreciative Inquiry to Improve Cultural Humility in Primary Healthcare” in the International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry.

PHYSICAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM Jose Medina, director of assessment and evaluation, recently completed his Ph.D. He has been working at OCU since 2021 and has practiced as a physician’s assistant for the past 17 years in the Oklahoma City area. His doctorate is in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with a focus in Anatomical Science with the successful defense of his dissertation titled “Establishing a Relationship Between Emotional Quotient and Academic Performance within Third Year Medical Students During Their Surgical Clerkship.”

The implications of his dissertation are to develop a consistent and objective method for training and evaluating professionalism in the medical student providers by utilizing non-cognitive skills.

Additionally, Medina and another faculty member are currently investigating the “Effects of Empathy Training in First Year Physician Assistant Students.” Medina and Rebecca Carlozzi are conducting this institutional research board approved study that is a non-randomized control trial designed to evaluate the potential impact of formalized clinical practice-based empathy training during the didactic phase of first year PA students. The primary aim is to demonstrate the effects of empathy training in first year PA students with this data collection portion concluding in March of 2025.

PHYSICAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM Wendee Lentz, clinical assistant professor, was named as the clinical director for Special Olympics Healthy Athletes FUNFitness in Oklahoma. Lentz was also awarded an OCU faculty scholarship to support professional development and training for the new Special Olympics clinical director position.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT Students from the class of 2024 learned about child development and developmental assessment in three pediatric labs where children and their families from the community participated.

FACULTY PRESENT AT 18TH ANNUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Amanda Porter, director of clinical education, and Maria Jones, program director, presented a poster titled “Developing Effective Communication in Physical Therapy Students: The Role of Embedded Opportunities” at the 18th Annual Physical Therapy Education Leadership Conference in October.

A DARE, A PRESIDENTIAL

NOMINATION AND A COMMITMENT

TO SERVE

BY DESTRY HOLZSCHUH

18

Oklahoma City University

TO BECOME THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ONE HAS TO BE NOMINATED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CONFIRMED BY THE U.S. SENATE. FROM 2021-2023, THE POSITION WAS HELD BY JANIE SIMMS HIPP ,84.

From the forests of southeastern Oklahoma to the halls of the USDA and beyond, Hipp, who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation, has spent the majority of her career fighting for farmers in Oklahoma and across the country.

Along with food and agriculture, her work also has focused on Indian law and Indigenous issues, and the topics have often overlapped.

Hipp grew up in Idabel, Oklahoma, where her grandfather owned a small tractor and farm implement dealership. Her mother and grandmother were both teachers who emphasized the importance of education, so Hipp always knew she would go to college.

After high school she left for Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she attended Oklahoma State University for a couple of years before finishing her college education with a degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma.

After college, Hipp spent some time working for the State of Oklahoma as an affirmative action officer under the commissioner of mental health. Her position was a new one that focused on equality in the workplace, and Hipp was partially creating the job as she went. “If you look at my resumé and what I’ve done, that’s been a common thread,” Hipp said. “Plop me in and figure it out, then move and go figure something else out.”

Hipp was happy with the work she was doing in the mental health field and thought she might spend the rest of her career there, but one of her supervisors encouraged her to think about her future and how she might grow in her career. Then, he (a lawyer himself) challenged her to go to law school. “He issued it as a dare, and that has stuck with me forever,” Hipp said. “So now I dare young people who I work with: ‘I dare you to go get that advanced degree.’”

She decided to take the LSAT and got a score she was happy with and applied to OCU and OU. Ultimately, she decided to enroll in OCU Law’s night program. She continued working full time while attending law school in the evenings and completed her degree in three and a half years.

After law school, Hipp accepted an associate job at a private law firm during the height of the farm financial crisis of the 1980s.

At that time, she was primarily representing lenders foreclosing on their collateral: mostly homes and tractors. “I just woke up one morning, and I knew that I couldn’t do it anymore,” Hipp said. “My psyche and my upbringing just won’t allow me to do this.”

Hipp went on to work at the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office under Robert Henry.

Shortly after starting there, Hipp said Henry walked through the office and asked Hipp and

her colleagues who was from rural Oklahoma, and she was one of a few hands raised.

Because of that, Hipp was sent to the National Association of Attorneys General Conference in Minnesota to attend the agriculture and rural legal affairs committee meeting. The meeting consisted of people from across the farm belt of the U.S. who were working to save as many farms as possible.

Under Henry’s guidance, the AG’s office started hosting meetings all over the state to try to help farmers find the resources they needed to save their farms. Hipp continued this work for a few years before moving with her young daughter to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to pursue an LLM in agricultural law. “It’s [Fayetteville] all of two and a half hours from Tulsa, but in my mind, I was going to the edge of the Earth,” Hipp said. “But it reminded me of McCurtain County and home because there’s a lot of trees and water, so it kind of felt comfortable and safe.”

“

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. I WAS SITTING WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER AG LAWYERS, SO I WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE STEEPED IN LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO VERY SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AT THE USDA AND IN THE AG LAW SECTOR. THAT’S LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE, AND YOU’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.

JANIE SIMMS HIPP Hipp stayed in Fayetteville and had taken on several teaching roles since graduating in 1996. After getting her degree, she continued meeting with farmers, ranchers and food businesses and also started going to D.C. to talk with lawmakers and farm lobbyists. She began speaking on agriculture law in forums like the Sovereignty Symposium and doing some international work as well. “I started realizing that I’m an ag lawyer, but I’ve never actually worked for the USDA,” Hipp said. “I figured out I needed to crawl into the belly of the beast and see how things work.”

Hipp was appointed to be a national program leader within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the research arm of the USDA, in the last two years of the Bush administration. After those two years, Hipp

was packing up to head back to Fayetteville when she got a call from the office of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. From that call, she was offered the opportunity to be the first ever senior advisor for tribal relations. Throughout the Obama administration, Hipp traveled back and forth between D.C. and Fayetteville before eventually moving back to Fayetteville full time and going to work at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Always ready for the next thing, Hipp cofounded the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative—the first of its kind at a law school.

Hipp’s next move was the culmination of a nearly 20-year class-action lawsuit where Native American farmers alleged unfair lending practices against the USDA, Keepseagle v. Vilsack. In a landmark agreement, the agency settled the case in 2011 for more than $760 million. After distributions to the named plaintiffs, much of that settlement was used to develop the Native American Agriculture Fund, a charity to assist Native American farmers. When the NAAF was established in 2018, Hipp was named its founding executive director.

A few years later, Hipp got a call from President Biden’s transition team asking her to assist with the transition to the new administration. Soon after, she got another call asking her to serve as general counsel for the USDA. After her presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, Hipp began her time as general counsel and for two years oversaw more than 200 attorneys and 12 field offices. “It was an incredible experience,” Hipp said. “I was sitting with all of these other ag lawyers, so I was surrounded by people who were steeped in legal issues related to very specific programs at the USDA and in the ag law sector. That’s like a dream come true, and you’re all in it together.”

Incredible as it was, Hipp soon got another call that compelled her to leave the USDA: a chance to be a part of building a new organization that will provide resources to Native American farmers for a long time to come. Hipp took the chance and became the chief executive officer and president of Native Agriculture Financial Services in August 2023.

“In many ways, what I’m doing right now is at the core of how I started in ag law in the 1980s, so I feel like I’ve come full circle,” Hipp said. “Standing this financing institution up within the farm credit system is going to allow the access to capital issues, to have some additional assets; we’ll have some additional options that can help native agriculture just continue to grow and thrive. In many ways that means the most to me.”

2024 FOCUS Magazine

19

EMPOWERING THROUGH EDUCATION

A PARTNERSHIP GUIDES COMMUNITIES INTO THE DIGITAL AGE

BY ROD JONES

BY ROD JONES

OCU delivers Apple technology to the Cherokee Nation government in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, for use in their classrooms.

20

Oklahoma City University

WHEN THE WORLDS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURE AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY COLLIDE, THE RESULTS CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE. THIS IS EVIDENT IN A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY, APPLE AND FOUR OF OKLAHOMA’S LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES — THE CHEROKEE, CHICKASAW, CHOCTAW AND OSAGE NATIONS. THEIR MISSION? TO PROPEL TRADITIONALLY UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES INTO THE DIGITAL AGE, ALL WHILE PRESERVING THEIR RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE. FOR MANY, THIS PARTNERSHIP GOES BEYOND JUST CODING. AS OCU PRESIDENT KENNETH EVANS STATED, “FROM CODING TO MORE BROAD TECHNICAL SKILLS, WE’RE HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE PREPARE FOR IN-DEMAND JOBS WHILE STILL HONORING THE HERITAGE, LANGUAGE AND TRADITIONS OF THE CHEROKEE, CHICKASAW, CHOCTAW AND OSAGE NATIONS.”

A PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP BEGINS

In 2022, OCU began its partnership with Apple’s Community Education Initiative (CEI), which works with organizations and institutions to bring coding, creativity and workforce opportunities to communities that are traditionally underrepresented in technology.

With their support, OCU is reaching students in schools within Native American sovereign boundaries, hosting teaching academies on campus.

The fall 2022 academy introduced coding along with drone piloting.

The 2023 academy focused on virtual and augmented reality, and how to expand classroom learning opportunities for students.

Biology Professor Emeritus Helen Gaudin came out of retirement to serve as project manager. Before each academy, Gaudin said that through the partnership, they’re able to hear from tribal leaders on what they’d like to emphasize, then figure out how to best leverage technology to reach those goals.

Following the academies at OCU, the teachers meet with Apple Professional Learning Specialists remotely once a month for continuing education.

Gaudin says OCU is also leveraging its resources and expertise to help advance the program. For instance, each teacher who participates in an academy is tasked with assembling a project showcasing how they’re applying what they learned to their classroom instruction.

EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT IN ACTION

Gaudin noted that in some rural Oklahoma areas, the only place in town with Internet access is the local schoolhouse. “We’re reaching people who wouldn’t otherwise have access,” she said.

With support from this program, educators are now equipped with the tools they need to transform their classrooms. Some of the academy’s participants have become strong advocates, saying the program has supercharged educational outcomes in their respective schools soon after they received the technological learning tools.

Take the case of Lavina Stepp, a library media specialist at Pershing Elementary School in Muskogee. After her training at OCU last year, Stepp received a plethora of tech-related materials, including Apple hardware and software, and even drones donated by OCU Trustee Phil Busey. She says the impact was immediate. Her after-school club became an instant sensation. But the most profound influence was on student participation and engagement.

“These kids want to come to school now,” Stepp said. “Before, we practically had to beg them to come. Now, we have to beg them to go home at the end of the day. They want to stay as long as they can.”

And they’re not just learning to code. They’re using these tools to tell their own stories, to rediscover their heritage and to shape their futures. Melissa Million teaches seventh-grade ELA in Muskogee and hosts after-school programs like a “Reading Squad,” opportunities to learn coding with Apple’s Swift Playgrounds and a drone program. As someone who teaches reading, Million appreciates how the addition of iPads in the classroom made learning more fun and engaging without having to persuade the students to read the assigned material. “When it comes to coding, you have to actually read the material. You have to read the instructions to get the code to work right,” she noted.

One of her students appears to have changed his entire life trajectory for the better. “This was his first experience in a public-school setting,” Million said. “He had been kicked out of schools before he came to us.

When the gear arrived mid-year, he recognized the drones right away and said he knew how to fly them. He downloaded the software on his iPad, took it home, learned how to program it, and came back to school to show me how it worked. He flew the drone from our classroom, down the hall to the principal’s office. A lot of other students were watching, and the excitement it generated was amazing.” That student became one of Million’s star pupils.

BRIDGING GAPS AND CRAFTING FUTURES

The skills being imparted aren’t just about job opportunities, they’re also about preserving culture and identity. The languages of the

2024 FOCUS Magazine

21

Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Osage tribal nations are supported in the keyboard on Apple devices running iOS, iPadOS and macOS. This allows teachers and students to engage and learn in these languages, helping to preserve them and the cultures and ensuring that their communities can continue forward.

Why is it vital to preserve Native American language and culture?

“If you lose your language, you lose your identity,” President Evans said.

Modern languages professor Dr. Mark Griffin considers himself an “amateur linguist” who is committed to language preservation. He realized the importance of learning a Native American language, seeing it as a way to connect more deeply with Oklahoma’s history.

He recently started learning Chickasaw, one of the Native American languages most at risk of extinction with only a handful of fluent speakers left. “There are a lot of theories about how language preserves a culture. It helps us filter our perspectives, to understand the world in a way that you can’t get by reading a textbook,” Griffin said.

A PATH FORWARD

With the initial results showing promise, stakeholders know that this is just the beginning, and plan to continue their work with CEI. However, the true success of the initiative won’t be measured just in the number of apps developed or drones flown. It will be seen in the rejuvenation of tribal communities, the

OCU is taking a multilayered approach to Native American cultural preservation. The Oklahoma Supreme Court transferred its annual Sovereignty Symposium to the School of Law this summer. The symposium provides a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues among federal and state officials and the state’s Native American tribes can be exchanged in a scholarly, nonadversarial environment. (Read more in the law school’s 2023 In Brief magazine at okcu.edu/inbrief.)

22

Oklahoma City University

preservation of languages and in the stories of every child who discovers that their heritage is their strength.

Bryan Warner, deputy principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, noted his appreciation of the technological tools to reach those goals. “With the convergence of traditional learning and innovative technology, the Cherokee Nation and other sovereign nations are witnessing a resurgence of pride and unity, as our ancestral languages resonate in the voices of a new generation,” Warner said. “The Cherokee language, the foundation of our culture, is not just a link to our past, but will forever remain a source of strength for our people.

Collaborating with critical partners like OCU and Apple helps propel us all forward.”

Arts and Sciences SECOND ANNUAL WIDE OPEN EXPERIMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL HOSTED BY OCU FILM DEPARTMENT The OCU Film Department hosted the second annual Wide Open Experimental Film Festival in April. The festival showcased experimental films highlighting alternative forms, structures and styles of film. More than 200 film submissions were received from individuals representing 50 countries with 45 films selected for screening. The festival was presented by the OCU Film Department in partnership with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

FIRST DOCTORAL STUDENTS GRADUATE WITH DOCTORATE OF PSYCHOLOGY The Petree College of Arts and Sciences had the tremendous honor of celebrating the first doctoral students to graduate from the Doctor of Psychology in the Clinical Psychology program at May’s graduate commencement ceremony.

The OCU PsyD program started in spring 2018 with (from left) Drs. Abigail Lamp, McKenzie Sprowls, Cassandra Burpo and Camryn Lopez serving as a portion of the first cohort of students.

2023 NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR REBECKA PETERSON SPEAKS TO STUDENTS In April, OCU education students had the opportunity to hear from Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson. Peterson is a math teacher at Union High School in Tulsa and provided students with valuable insights and motivation as they prepare to head into classrooms in the future.

MATTHEW DESMOND SPEAKS AT THE MARTHA JEAN LEMON DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES OCU hosted Matthew Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author, for the Martha Jean Lemon Distinguished Speaker Series in September. Dr. Desmond hosted more than 200 OCU students for an informal question and answer session and gave a public presentation on his latest book, “Poverty, by America.”

Desmond is the author of the New York Times bestseller and 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winner “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” and the recently released book “Poverty, by America.” His lecture shed light on the urgent challenges faced by marginalized communities and proposed solutions to address the growing crisis.

During his presentation, Desmond delved into some of the root causes and discussed innovative strategies with his mission to encourage the populace to become “poverty abolitionists.”

The event was attended by representatives from numerous local nonprofit organizations that work with Oklahoma City’s homeless population. A resource fair highlighting the work of those organizations was held immediately following the event to assist attendees with getting more involved in the community.

NORICK ART CENTER HOSTS PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW Last fall, the Norick Art Center hosted Poetic Justice: Voices on the Inside. Voices on the Inside emerged from the work done by Poetic Justice, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit whose mission is to offer restorative writing and creative arts programs to individuals who are incarcerated in women’s prisons and jails. Photographer Lisa Loftus journeyed inside three women’s prisons to collaborate with more than 30 individuals to produce extraordinary self-portraits. Curators Loftus and Ellen Stackable coupled larger-than-life photos with fine art pieces that are representative of the individuals who made them. The exhibit offered a unique view of incarceration by amplifying the voices and talent of Poetic Justice participants.

Carr Creating Health-Based Brands

BY NATALIE TURNER Dr. Tabatha Carr ’00, ’03 is a paramount businesswoman focused on helping and empowering women with her work in health and wellness.

She began her own holistic health service, Living and Loving Life, in 2014, and in 2017, she founded Good Girl Chocolate. Carr earned both her bachelor of science in Biology and MBA in Health Administration from OCU. She then studied naturopathy at the Trinity School of Natural Health.

Good Girl Chocolate has since gained international popularity as one of the leading plant-based chocolate brands. It has appeared in more than 100 media outlets, including Good Morning America, USA Today and Forbes. She received a grant from Beyonce’s BeyGOOD Foundation, and the chocolate also was included as gifts at previous Grammy Awards events and the Oscars. Additionally, it was recently chosen to represent Oklahoma and the Southwest Region by Whole Foods Market in their first Local and Emerging Accelerator Program.

It began as a way to indulge in sweets without feeling guilt. “I created Good Girl Chocolate while on a personal transformation Tabatha Carr speaks to students as the Homecoming Legacy Speaker during the festivities in November.

24

Oklahoma City University

and quest to live and love life,” explained Carr. “After changing my relationship with food and shedding over 80 pounds, I wanted something sweet to eat. I love chocolate, and I could never find a gourmet chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth that had clean ingredients.

I decided to create a chocolate that I could eat every single day.”

Before founding Good Girl Chocolate, she created Living and Loving Life LLC, a holistic health service based in Oklahoma City that offers consultations, hormone testing and an assortment of wellness products. After her own struggles with weight loss, she became dedicated to helping and empowering others through personal health and wellness. At Living and Loving Life, she works with women to identify their personal struggles and find natural solutions. As a naturopathy doctor, Carr specializes in women’s hormonal health. She focuses on natural remedies, including herbal supplements, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications.

“I believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself if we feed it the right nutrition and eliminate the things that we are intolerant to,” said Carr. She has been inspiring women and other business owners with her work in wellness. “The most rewarding part of my business is knowing that I’m providing jobs, providing a solution to all women who love chocolate and want to indulge in it every single day, and most importantly I have the ability to give back to my community in multiple ways.”

School of Theatre STUDENTS AND FACULTY ATTEND 2023 WORLD THEATRE EDUCATION ALLIANCE FESTIVAL

AMERICAN PREMIER HELD AT OCU “Paradise,” a modern adaptation of Sophocles’ Greek Classic, “Philoctetes,” which premiered at the Nation Theatre in London in August 2021, was presented by the School of Theatre in December. The production originally featured an all-female cast telling the story of the storied war hero Philoctetes. OCU’s School of Theatre is honored to present the first production of note of the show in the United States—and to have this production helmed by acclaimed director Leslie Swackhammer.

Equally at home with new and established works, Swackhammer has workshopped, directed and produced more than 100 new works at theatre and opera companies across America. Her work has been seen and praised at National Opera at the Kennedy Center, Opera Omaha, San Francisco Opera, Cleveland Playhouse and ACT Theatre.

A passionate advocate and activist for new play and works by women, Swackhammer is the executive director of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the oldest and largest international prize specifically honoring women playwrights. She also founded the Women’s Playwright’s Festival and was the founding board member and president of Theatre Puget Sound in Seattle.

OCU School of Theatre students and faculty represented North America at the 2023 World Theatre Education Alliance festival held from October 20 to November 1 in Beijing, China.

Eight OCU students presented an abridged production of “Romeo and Juliet” before an international audience in Beijing and Guilin during the festival, which invited member schools from 14 countries including Japan, Germany, Russia, Greece, Georgia and China. Oklahoma City University was the sole school from North America.

Dean Mark Parker, Associate Dean W. Jerome Stevenson and Head of Performance Professor D. Lance Marsh traveled nearly 14,000 miles round trip with eight students to participate in the festival. Marsh adapted the 90-minute version of the classic Shakespearean tale especially for the WTEA festival with the students presenting three performances in two different venues.

In addition to the high praise of the OCU production, two OCU students, Lauren Harrison and Jordan Smith, were recognized with WTEA Excellence in Acting and Outstanding Performance awards, respectively. Students from around the globe also were afforded the chance to attend a masterclass presented by Marsh.

GUEST ARTISTS TO VISIT CAMPUS Guest artists slated to inspire students with performances, workshops, and/or master classes during the school year include: Matt Cox, playwright and actor, creator of “Puffs and Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” Craig Holzberg, Talent Agent, Avalon Artists Group Mike Pasetopah, an Osage, Creek and Cherokee storyteller Classical dancers of India from the Sainrythia Dance Academy, a Bharatnatyam school Paul Strickland, professional storyteller and theatre— “Best of Fest” winner at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada

Cast and director of “Romeo and Juliet” in Guilin, China 2024 FOCUS Magazine

25

Student Profile

MEET ANTHONY

CARRANZA

LEADER

EXTRAORDINAIRE

BY CHRIS MAXON The email signature line of Anthony Carranza reads like a small directory of university leadership. Human Performance/Business Entrepreneurship ’24, New Student Orientation programming executive director, cross country/track/pom member, OCU Association of StudentAthletes’ president, NAIA Council of Student-Athletes representative, NASPA fellow, OCU Athletics student professional and OCU’s American Red Cross president.

Actually, the list above is only partially complete—there really is more, and by the time someone reads this, the list may have grown.

Carranza truly is the definition of the term student-athlete.

While the senior from Enid, Oklahoma, could easily carry the moniker “Big Man on Campus,” he is a force off the OCU campus too. The best evidence can be found in a couple of those titles on the signature line.

In the summer of 2022, Carranza was selected to the prestigious Red Cross Collegiate Leadership program as a representative of OCU in Washington, D.C. One of the required components of the program is that participants set blood drives on their local campus and start an American Red Cross organization or club. Beyond those tangible benefits, the leadership program also educated and motivated Carranza in his constant pursuit to lead and assist.

“One of the main themes was having a servant’s heart and why being a servant leader is important,” said Carranza. “It all goes back to treating others the way we would like to be treated. There are many people who do not see that we have hope here in the U.S., and I know I would want those around me to help me get back on my feet if I ever experience a setback in my life.”

His 2023 travel agenda featured inclusion with the NAIA Men’s National Basketball Championship where he spent Spring Break interning through the NAIA, along with also attending the NAIA National Convention in New Orleans in April. The organization states that the convention is an opportunity for those who work on behalf of the student-athlete to meet with peers to discuss legislation, engage

26

Oklahoma City University

in professional development and honor those who have excelled throughout the previous year.

Carranza is a member of the NAIA’s Association of Student-Athletes, made up of student-athletes from around the country. They serve as an advocacy group to enhance the collegiate athletics experience.

“It is such an honor to serve as the president of OCU’s ASA, much less being part of the prestigious group at the national level,” said Carranza. “The national convention was an incredible experience working among peers and representing our university.”

For good measure, after returning from New Orleans, his campaign for student-body president wrapped up in the best possible way. He and his track and field teammate, Tate Smithhart, were elected to the president and vice president’s seats for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Having earned the title of student-body president, you would think he would stop there. Carranza then proceeded to intern this past summer at the University of California, Merced, where he worked within student affairs and athletics. He aided in a multitude of different projects ranging from social justice, coding, housing and residence life, and lastly helping provide input in the transition of UC Merced from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II. As his senior year is wrapping up, you can see Carranza always on the run throughout campus as he awaits to see where he ends up for graduate school, where he plans to study sports management/business administration. The signature line continues to grow.

Athletics ELI DAVIS NAMED NAIA PITCHER OF THE YEAR Senior Eli Davis capped another dominating season at OCU by being named to the NAIA Baseball All-America first team and the NAIA Pitcher of the Year.

Davis was fantastic on the mound in the spring, finishing first in the country in wins (12), second in games started (16) and leading the nation with 103.1 innings pitched. He struck out 137 batters, averaging 11.93 per game and faced 378 total batters in his 17 total appearances. Davis allowed only 11 doubles, three triples and one single homerun while tallying a batting average of .196 and an ERA of 1.83. Davis tossed six complete games for the Stars and shutout the opposition once.

He was named the Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and all-conference first team for the second year in a row. In two years with the Stars, Davis was 22-3 on the mound with a 1.67 ERA and 232 strikeouts.

Members of the OCU women’s basketball team stand at the jobsite of a Habitat for Humanity project held this summer in the Oklahoma City metro area.

COMPETITIVE DANCE TEAM WINS NATIONALS OCU captured the NAIA dance team performance championship in the National Dance Alliance College Nationals in April in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Stars bested the competition with a score of 90.40. They collected their fifth NDA title after winning the 2011 large dance title, 2013 NAIA large dance championship, 2016 NDA Division III hip hop title and 2016 NAIA small dance championship. OCU took the NAIA dance championship in 2014.

WOMEN’S GOLF TEAM THIRD IN NATION, TYRRELL WINS CHAMPIONSHIP, KAMAS GOLFER OF THE YEAR On the strength of a final-round +1 (72), OCU freshman MaKayla Tyrrell won the NAIA women’s golf individual national championship in May. As a team, the Stars finished third in the tournament after a final-round of 308.

For the week, Tyrrell was 10-over (294), three strokes ahead of the field at TPC at Deer Run. The Southlake, Texas, native stayed at or near the top of the leaderboard through all four rounds. Sophomore Maddi Kamas finished in a tie for 14th with a 306 on the par-71 course. Both were named to the all-tournament team.

Kamas also was selected as the NAIA Women’s Golfer of the Year as chosen by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association. She is now a two-time NAIA First-Team All-American. Kamas was twice named NAIA Golfer of the Week, Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the individual medalist at the SAC tournament.

The OCU women’s basketball team, Alpha Phi sorority and personnel from the Petree College of Arts & Sciences pose for a photo this summer during work on a project with Habitat for Humanity.

TEAMING UP FOR CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity scored big when it came to attracting women university student athletes from the greater Oklahoma City area to volunteer in August. COHFH Chair and CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said the influx of women university student volunteers included OCU women’s basketball. “These young women athletes and their coaches wore their school colors and were ready to work helping limited-income individuals and families build their future Habitat homes,” Felton Gilliland said. “It is always inspiring when local universities and colleges encourage their student athletes to volunteer for Habitat. They not only assist people in need—they also learn valuable new skills getting the job done.” OCU Stars Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kris Seigenthaler said one of the OCU program’s mottos is to “leave your legacy,” which fit in perfectly when it came to her squad volunteering on a home build in northeast Oklahoma City. “We’ve really had a blast volunteering for Habitat for the past two summers,” Seigenthaler said. “We are really challenging our players to leave their legacy by being servant leaders in the community and by giving to people who don’t have a lot.”

STARS WIN MORE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS In the spring semester, OCU athletic teams won Sooner Athletic Conference championships in five sports. Women’s golf, women’s outdoor track and field, softball and men’s wrestling. Additionally, each of those teams qualified for national tournaments along with women’s wrestling, men’s golf, men’s outdoor track and field, competitive cheer, competitive dance, STUNT, men’s rowing and women’s rowing.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

27

Meinders School of Business NEW BUSINESS FACULTY WELCOMED The Meinders School of Business welcomes Vance Johnson Lewis to the Department of Management as clinical faculty; Yuri Hupka to the Department of Finance as an assistant professor; and the following faculty to the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence: Andrew Gin, clinical instructor; Loknath Sai Ambati, assistant professor; and Md Jabir Rahman, assistant professor.

NEW MBA PROGRAMS LAUNCHED The Meinders School of Business launched the data analytics program this year with new degrees including MBA in Data Analytics, MBA in Financial Analytics, MS in Data Analytics and MS in Financial Analytics.

PROFESSOR PRESENTS TAX PAPER Susan Jurney, associate professor of accounting, attended the 15th Annual Behavioral Tax Symposium in Washington D.C., where she presented her research titled “Taxes in Reel Life: An Experimental Examination of Taxpayer Reliance on Social Media.”

STUDENTS VISIT BANK OF OKLAHOMA FINANCIALS’ TRADING FLOOR Top: Louise and Clay Bennett are presented their award by Dean Sri Beldona and Jane Jayroe Gamble; bottom left: Kristin Chenoweth takes a moment with Herman Meinders before her performance of “God Bless America”; bottom right: Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. speaks to what the honor means to him.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HALL OF HONOR’S 37TH ANNUAL INDUCTION LUNCHEON CELEBRATES COMMUNITY LEADERS On October 18, four Oklahoma leaders were inducted into the Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor, housed in the Meinders School of Business, during the Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor’s 37th Annual Induction Luncheon at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Louise Bennett, manager for Bennett Group and on the board of directors for Dorchester Capital, and Clay Bennett, chairman of the Professional Basketball Club, owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA and chairman of Dorchester Capital, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Kristin Chenoweth, Emmy® and Tony® Award winning film, television, voice-over and stage actress and singer, received the Outstanding Achievement Award. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, received the Chairman’s Award. The event was presented by the Chickasaw Nation and Dorchester Capital.

28

Oklahoma City University

In September, 14 Meinders School of Business students, led by finance professor James Ma, visited the Bank of Oklahoma Financials’ trading floor, where they were introduced to the fixed income team and their business practices.

GROUP PRESENTS AT AMERICAN ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATION TEACHING CONFERENCE Suye Wang, assistant professor of accounting, presented a case study coauthored with graduate student Vivian Guan and her tax supervisor Matthew Ames from Devon Energy. The study concentrated on using machine learning in tax compliance and was presented at the American Accounting Association Teaching Conference in July.

TEAM PUBLISHES MEDIA-BASED MANAGEMENT EDUCATION EXERCISES Department of Management Clinical Professor Vance Johnson Lewis’ research team published “Two Thumbs Up,” a collection of media-based management education exercises, in the Journal of Human Resource Education.

Adam Ryburn, assistant provost, welcomes the large crowd to the articulation agreement signing event.

OCU and OCCC Partner to Cultivate

Future Community Leaders

BY CADY LEWIS On April 13, leadership from Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma City Community College met to formally sign an articulation agreement creating a pathway for OCCC students to continue their studies and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or business at OCU. Oklahoma City Community College is the largest community college in the Oklahoma City metro. OCCC students can earn two-year associate degrees as well as one- or two-year certificates, focused on career training and development, during their studies at the college.

Many students wish to continue their studies after a two-year program and move on to earn a bachelor’s degree. This agreement makes an OCU education more attainable for these students.

“We love the idea of knowing that Oklahoma City’s best and brightest scholars can stay close to home for the duration of their academic journey, and we want OCCC students

to know they are welcome at our university,” said Adam Ryburn, OCU’s assistant provost.

With the establishment of the partnership, the worries that can come with the journey to a bachelor’s degree are lessened for students from OCCC. “Oklahoma City Community College is honored to partner with Oklahoma City University to educate and empower the next generation of leaders in business and health care,” said Mautra Staley Jones, OCCC president. “OCCC and OCU’s articulation agreement and the generous scholarship support from Herman Meinders will help OCCC students reach success in their academic and career goals.”

These scholarship dollars are stackable with other merit-based university scholarships, which aids in making an OCU education possible. The agreement specifically highlights the need in the local community for more healthcare and business trained individuals.

In-demand professionals can be educated and

Herman Meinders speaks about the impact of the articulation agreement between OCU and OCCC at the press conference last April.

provided with scholarships to lessen the financial stressors that often come with furthering their education.

Through this partnership, the doors are opened wider so that more students can call OCU home while specifically providing funding for OCCC students who want to continue their education, earn a bachelor’s degree and join our community.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

29

International graduate student Jake Adebayo is originally from Nigeria and studying computer science at OCU.

Have You Heard The Word?

OCU BOOSTED BY WORD OF MOUTH IN INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT EFFORTS

BY NICK TROUGAKOS Jake Adebayo is a testament to the idea that word of mouth is a powerful tool in international higher education recruitment.

The 33-year-old was born in London to African parents. His mother is from Nigeria, his father is from the Seychelles, and Adebayo has lived in all three countries—calling himself a “global citizen.” He completed his undergraduate degree in computer science in Nigeria at the University of Ibadan.

When Adebayo decided he wanted to pursue a graduate degree in the United States, he solicited the advice of several friends, including some who had attended Oklahoma City University. “Their stories of dedicated professors, hands-on learning experiences and vibrant campus life assured me that OCU was the perfect place for me to not only receive a quality education rooted in

30

Oklahoma City University

Christian values,” Adebayo said, “but also to grow personally and make lifelong memories within a diverse and welcoming community.”

Adebayo enrolled in OCU’s Master of Science in Computer Science program, and now is part of a growing roster of international students who have chosen to call Oklahoma City University home. In fact, a climb in students from India, Africa and Southeast Asia, among other regions, was a driving force in pushing OCU’s overall enrollment up 8% yearover-year in the fall of 2023. It is the largest total enrollment the school has seen in five years. In the fall, there were 257 international students enrolled at OCU, up from 169 the year before.

The uptick is aided by word of mouth, as in Adebayo’s case, but also through tactical efforts by university leaders to put the right

promotion and programming in place to win in the international market. Sri Beldona, dean of the Meinders School of Business, has played a role both on the promotion and programming side of the equation. In February, Beldona and OCU President Kenneth Evans undertook a whirlwind goodwill trip through India, Malaysia and Taiwan to visit local universities and help get OCU’s name out in international recruiting circles.

The trip resulted in the signing of memorandums of understanding with four universities to create pathways for foreign students to earn graduate business degrees at OCU. Beldona said such efforts are vital in today’s higher education environment.

“Trips like these allow us to make connections in foreign countries by talking to potential students and, more importantly, meeting with

International students from around the world met at an orientation and reception at the beginning of the academic year.

OCU SEEKS TO BE HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS For many international students, traveling to America for college can be a life-defining experience. Many students have never visited the United States before and must deal with a variety of language and cultural adjustments as they settle into their new educational landing spot.

OCU international student Jake Adebayo said that in addition to Oklahoma City being a good destination for international students like him, Oklahoma City University staff have worked hard to make foreign students feel welcome and at home as they make the transition to a

the parents of potential students,” he said. “In most of the Asian and African countries, going abroad to study is a family decision.”

While wooing the family is critical, providing degree choices that resonate may be even more important. Beldona has made headway in this area since joining OCU in 2022. The following year, he moved to have Meinders’ MBA degrees in Data Analytics and Financial Analytics recognized as STEM-designated programs. He also added Master of Science degrees in Data Analytics and Financial Analytics, both designated as STEM degrees.

“Most international students gravitate toward STEM-designated programs because these degrees are in great demand by employers,” Beldona said. Students with STEM-designated degrees also get to take advantage of extended employment opportunities in the United States, giving them a chance to firmly establish their careers before heading home. “When international students do return to their home country with an American degree and American work experience, they are often hired by multinational companies.”

When Adebayo enrolled at OCU, he chose the cybersecurity track within the university’s Master of Science in Computer Science program. He said he plans to pursue work as a cybersecurity analyst at a tech company. “I am also interested in starting or co-founding a startup in the future,” he said. The option of a cybersecurity track—one of four options OCU’s graduate computer science students

can choose from—also helped push Adebayo to OCU, he said.

Jeff Maxwell, the director of Computer Science and Mathematics within the Petree College of Arts and Sciences, said the choice of tracks in the Master of Science in Computer Science program has been a driving factor in that degree’s explosive growth since the program came off hiatus in 2021. In fact, the program had only five graduate students in the fall of 2021. The fall 2023 semester kicked off with 156 graduate students, with a significant amount of that total coming from India. The choice of tracks and a bump in international movement post-COVID are key factors, Maxwell said, along with strong word of mouth. “We are getting a lot of referrals for friends and family of current students,” he said.

Adebayo said he is glad he listened to the word-of-mouth referrals and ended up in Oklahoma City. He said he has found the city very enjoyable. “The people are friendly and welcoming, and there is always something to do,” Adebayo said. “I have particularly enjoyed the city’s many parks and trails, as well as the diverse food scene.” His impression of the classroom experience has been just as good.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to study at OCU,” Adebayo said. “I have learned so much from my professors and classmates, and I have made many lasting friendships. I would highly recommend OCU to any international student considering studying in the United States.”

new country.

“I have experienced OCU doing many things,” Adebayo said. “OCU has an international student services office that provides a variety of services to international students, such as immigration assistance, academic advising and cultural support.

“For example, OCU hosts a variety of events and programs for international students, such as international student dinners and cultural festivals. OCU also has a number of international student organizations that provide a sense of community and support.”

Adebayo said he has found the city of Oklahoma City to be especially good for students who are visiting the United States for the first time.

“The city is very welcoming and diverse, and there are many resources available to support international students,” he said.

In the future, Adebayo would like to see even more opportunities for international students to connect with the local community and experience American culture.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

31

Honor Roll of Donors

OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY IS STRONGER BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT! Whether you give to the OCU Fund, endow scholarships or mentor a student, our strength is in community—thank you! The Honor Roll of Donors recognizes those who made cash gifts of $1,000 or more between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. The generosity of these donors allows students to immerse themselves in the OCU experience and helps to provide the resources and tools students need to reach their full potential. Please join us in honoring our alumni and friends for their significant contributions to our great university.

Our staff has worked carefully to ensure this list of donors is as accurate as

K E Y:

s Member in memoriam

possible. If you know of an error or omission or have questions regarding

 Current OCU trustee or chairman emeritus

(405) 208-7000.

FOUNDERS CUMULATIVE GIFTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE

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

s

Ann Simmons Alspaugh Wanda L. Bass Martha Burger« Phil  and Cathy Busey Chesapeake Energy Communities Foundation of Oklahoma John and Carol Davis Devon Energy DRH Health Foundation E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Estate of Jeroldine Zachritz Clark

s

ANNUAL GIVING Annual support provides a vital source of institutional momentum, allowing OCU to enhance learning opportunities, provide financial assistance to students, meet emerging needs and take advantage of new opportunities. The university is pleased to be able to recognize those who have shown exemplary support through their gifts between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

32

this information, please call the OCU Office of University Advancement at

« Current or former OCU employee

Oklahoma City University

Estate of Jimmie Heatley Close Estate of Marvin and Ena Dawson Estate of Mary Clary Sargent Estate of Thomas E. Barnett Estate of Vivian Wimberly Dan Owens and Margaret Freede Owens Jose Freede Gerald Gamble  and Jane Jayroe Gamble  Harris Foundation, Inc. Jeanne Hoffman Smith Inasmuch Foundation Ronnie and Shahnaaz Irani Clara E. Jones Kerr-McGee Corporation, Inc. Lou C. Kerr  / The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Ann Lacy Cathy  and Kurt Leichter Lynette Lemon Wert and Pete Wert Larry and Susan Lemon Martha J. Lemon Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai Tom and Judy  Love Paul  and Jonalee McLaughlin Charles E. Mehr Herman and LaDonna Meinders

Norick Investments Marjorie J. Norick Ronald  and Margaret Norick Oklahoma City Community Foundation Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. Foundation Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation F.M. Petree Margaret E. Petree Ray and Patricia Potts Robert & Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust Robert A. Parman Foundation Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Sarkeys Foundation Bill  and Pam Shdeed Dick Sias The Chickasaw Nation The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc. The Meinders Foundation The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation The Sumners Foundation

180 Medical 4M Family Foundation ABB Rob and Autumn Abernathy Todd and Kerri Ackerman William and Leslie Ackerman Ad Astra Foundation David and Kathie Aelvoet Andy Allen American Fidelity Assurance Co. American Fidelity Foundation American Spirit Championships, Inc.

Jackson Anderson Kyle and Heather Anderson Elizabeth Anthony Robert and Nancy Anthony Apple, Inc Greg and Ashley Arnold Arvest Foundation Ascent Resources Management Services, LLC Richard« and Dana Ayers Angela E. Bachman Amy Bailey Glen and Kolee Bailey

s

s

s

s

s

s

s

s

s

s

s

Troy and Marlene Bailey Brian and Julia Bakeman BancFirst Terry Baransy Rose Barber and Geoff Hefner Susan Barber« and David Nagle Ron and Debbie Barnes David and Leta Barry Louise L. Bass  Arnold and Jo Ann Battise Paula and Don Beck Jim Beers Mark Beffort Scott and Vicki« Behenna Mark« and Teena Belcik Gabe Bender Brent Benn Christy and James Bennefield Andrew  and Deborah Benton Trey Berndt Big Fire Showcases Steven« and Diana Bittle Kevin and Hilarie Blaney Jim Booher Art Bova Steve and Marla Bradshaw Karen Hunold and David Brahm Klindt Breckenridge Kathy Brown Randy Brown Bob and Karen Browne James and Becky Buchanan Kevan Buck« Barbara Bunce Philip and Heather Busey Phil  and Cathy Busey Bybee Foundation Carol Byrd Cadence Equipment, LLC Mike Camp Landon and Mindy Camp Peggy L. Campbell Steven and Taolo Cargill Talia Carroll« Joe and Kristin Carson Marie Carter John Cary Joe and Judith Case Dr. Amy Cataldi« Rosemary Cato Challenge Funds Benjamin« and Eno Chang Jeff and Deborah Chappell Charles Clifton Wisler, Jr. and Frances Joan Wisler Unitrust Chickasaw Nation Industries Christina Chicoraske« and Timothy Chicoraske« City of Oklahoma City Ed and Matilda Clements Elizabeth Clinton Brad and Janet Cloud James Cloud Jodi Cole

s

Brian and Sarah Coleman Comanche County Memorial Hospital Communities Foundation of Oklahoma Conklin Family Foundation Thomas Conklin Barbara Cooper Luke and Becky Corbett Bill and Mary Ann Corum Country Carpet, LLC Ryan Coventon Frieda Crabaugh Sue L. Crabaugh Cassady Craft Wayne and Carmen Craney Gina Crawford« Crossroads District of the OK Annual Conference UMC Timothy and Karen Crowley Brad and Patricia Curtis Cytovance Biologics Paula J. Dalley« Jim and Mickey Daniels Mark and Jackie Darrah Marie Davidson Clifton Ken Davidson Dan and Karen Davis Elizabeth Davis John and Carol Davis Kyle Dean« Chance Deaton Debra Ann Worley Trust Michael Decker Misty Delashaw Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC Sally Delgado Delta Airlines Foundation Patricia R. Demps Kenneth and Tiffany Dennis Devon Energy DeWitt, Paruolo & Meek, PLLC Robert Doenges Robert Dorman« Russell and Sandra Doty Dougherty Family Charitable Trust Fund Dennis and Nancy Dougherty Nick Drago George and Paula Drew DRH Health Foundation Dick and Cynthia Dugger Duncan Regional Hospital, Inc. Evebell Dunham E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Jo Anne Eason David Echols Emmanuel  and Irene Edem Edmond Music, Inc. Drew and Linda Edmondson Carl and Susan Edwards Eide Bailly LLP El Dorado Corporation Emily Eleftherakis

Donald« and Suzanne Emler Kenneth Evans« Express Employment Professionals Ryan Farha Scott Ferguson Christopher and Jacqueline  Fiegel Danielle Fielding Fields & Futures Foundation, Inc. Jennifer Finley First Liberty Bank First National Bank & Trust Company First National Bank of Oklahoma First Presbyterian Church Melinda Fitzgerald Paul« and Deborah  Fleming Charles and Carla Flournoy Timothy Foley Frank S. and Julia M. Ladner Family Foundation, Inc. Fred Jones Family Foundation Toni D. Frioux, DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-C« John and Lorraine Frost Philip Gainey Gerald Gamble  and Jane Jayroe Gamble  Timothy Gatton« Helen M. Gaudin« Alok Gautam Global Payments Direct, Inc. Steven and Carol Goetzinger Harry Goldman and Jettie Person Vicki Gourley Gary and Margaret Graham Linda (Hawkins) and Nathan Grantham Great Plains Coca-Cola Gregg Wadley Foundation, Inc Don and Shellie Greiner Gulfport Energy Hall Capital, LLC. Julia Carrington Hall Irene K. Ham Mrs. Treva Reuszer Hancock Theodore and Kaylee Hans Timothy and Courtney Harlin Jane Harlow Peyton Harrell Koby« and Sarah Harrington Nick  and Susan Harroz James and Jean Hartsuck Judy Harvey Richard and Elizabeth Hatcher Kim and Suzette Hatfield Robert and Deliliah Hayes Brian and Tamera Hays Health Care Service Corporation Heartland Campaigns Erik Heine« Rick Heine John« and Melvena Heisch

Larry« and Gay Hellman Michael and Emily Herman Kevin and Michele Hill Richard and Jessica Hill Claudia Holliman Gary  and Sue Homsey J.R.  and Patsy Homsey Michael  and Sydney Homsey Kevin and Miranda Hoos Houston Financial Matt Houston Kevin and Patty Howard Eric and Kami« Huddleston John & Janet Hudson Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods Ronnie and Shahnaaz Irani Niles Jackson and Barbara Thornton Dennis Jeter Johnson Hanan Vosler Hawthorne & Snider Tim Johnson Ann Johnstone  Bill Johnstone Maria Jones« Just Two Publishing LLC Pepper and Laremy Kamas Frank and Cathy Keating Chris Keesee Mark and Gayla Kelly Nancy Kenderdine« Linda Kennedy Rosser Lou C. Kerr /The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Michelle Kiec« Ed and Gay Kirby Calvin Kirkland Denver and Emily Kitch Steve Knight Sharon Koima Brad and Robin Krieger Ann Lacy Robin Ladd Eric Laity« Dan and Phyllis Larson Mary and Bill Layton Cathy Leichter  Charles and Gayla LeMaire John and Nicole Lenochan Levy Strange Beffort, LLC David Lim Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai Lingo Construction Services, Inc. Jenee  and Darren Lister Cene’ Livingston« Bradley and Linda Livingstone Brandon and Joanna Long Bob  and Marsha Long Martin J. Lopez, Jr. Dan Burdette and Janis Love Tom and Judy  Love Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores LSB Industries

s

s

2024 FOCUS Magazine

33

Aixin James Ma« Mabrey Bank Charles Mahaffey Ryan Manry April Marciszewski« and Charles Martin Brad and Debbie Margo Robert and Martha Margo Peter and Kris Markes« Samuel and Sally Marrs Phil and Darwina Marshall« Paula Marshall  Martin J. Lopez, M.D., P.C. Andy Martin Tony Martin Bill Massad McAfee & Taft, PC McCasland Foundation Don and Virginia McCombs« Gene and Mariann McCornack Mark and Stacy McDaniel Leroy Ball and Patricia McGarrity McIntyre Law Mackenzie McIntyre« and Blayne Childers Noble McIntyre Rick McKee Debbie McKinney David L. McLaughlin Jean McLaughlin Paul  and Jonalee McLaughlin Richard McLaughlin Phil McSpadden« Bill  and Tracy Mee Justin and Becky Meek Herman and LaDonna Meinders MGM Resorts International Michael S. “Mickey” Homsey, Inc. Attorney at Law Mid-America Law Library Consortium, Inc. Thomas and Brandi Mieger Joel and Nikki Miliband Karen L. Miller and John W. Ballard Jo Beth Moad« Isai Molina Nancy Moore Strecker Jake Moore John Morozuk Chris Purget and Christin Mugg Kyle and Ashley Murphy Dana L. Murphy Phillip and Debbie Murphy Richard and Christina Murray Kelli O’Hara Naughton Nicole Nelson and Lee Ann Riley Dolores Neustadt Larry and Polly Nichols David and Betty Nittler Keri Norris and Ty Norris Jerry and Frankie O’Pry

s

s

s

34

Oklahoma City University

W. H. and Keith Oehlert OK Runner Oklahoma Bar Foundation, Inc. Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Oklahoma City Community Foundation Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church Oklahoma County Bar Association Oklahoma Gas & Electric Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. Foundation Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation Brian Olden David Oliver Omni Construction, LLC ONEOK Foundation, Inc. Daniel Owens and Margaret Freede Owens Darren and Ann Parker Frank and Elaine Parker Charlotte Parrack Jim and Desree Parrack Richard  and Gayle Parry Bernie Patterson« Deriek Patterson Paycom Software Inc. Angela Payne Charlette Perryman Phillips 66 Phillips Murrah, PC Joseph Phillips David Pitzer Michael and Tammy  Powell Samuel Powers Prairie Surf Media Deana J. Prescott Ed Proctor and Nancy Dumoff Prosperity Bank Tom Quinn and Tommy Thompson Mark Raftery Dr.  and Mrs. George Randall Karla Rayburn George J. Records Betsy Replogle Mike and Carol Rhodes Douglas and Kelli Riddle Craig and Katresa Riffel Riversport OKC Kendra Robben« and Brandon Lewis Robert A. Parman Foundation Robinson Park, LLC Rockstar Championships, LLC Casey R. Ross« Jim Roth« and Phillip Koszarek RT Development, LLC Micheal Salem Ralph and Sandra Sallusti

Dean Emerita Lois L. Salmeron« Meg Salyer Shane  and Traci Sanders Paul and Kim Sanders Shelley Sanders Eddie and Rochelle Schafer Patsy Schafer Karen Schiler« James Schmaelzle James Schmidt Janet Schmitz Charles and Jane Schneeberger Edie Schneeberger and Gail Garloch Mary Schneeberger Andrew Schroeder Konya Schuh Nick Schwarz« Select Physical Therapy Barney and Gayle Semtner Don and Diane Shaver Bill  and Pam Shdeed Tony and Phyllis Shelby Jim and Melanie« Shelley Natalie Shirley Russell and Mildred Shultz Dick Sias Linda and Steve Slawson Lee Allan and DeAnn Smith Shelby and Adelaide Smith Derek Snell Stephanie Sorrels Terry A. Sparks and Richard F. Hicks Spencer Fane LLP Square Deal Investments SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital Richard and Kathleen St. Denis Blake Stacy Sally and Jeffrey Starling Susanna M. Stefanek Irwin and D. Kelley Steinhorn Brandon Brooks and Lynann Sterk-Brooks« Doug Sterk Jerome Stevenson« David Stewart Rebecca G. Stough-Clinton Susan & Nick Harroz III Family Foundation Inc Sweet Dewberry Hubbard, PLC Victoria K. Swinney« Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum Marvona Easley Tavlin and Michael Tavlin TD Ameritrade Clearing Emily Tew TG Medical USA, Inc. The Ann Lacy Foundation The Bama Companies, Inc. The Chickasaw Nation The Cycle Society The Kerr Foundation, Inc.

s

s

s

The Luke & Becky Corbett Foundation The Meinders Foundation The Mettise Group The Professional Basketball Club, LLC The University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. David and Jessica Thionnet Carrol Thomas Cullen and Bonnie Thomas Jack and Ann Thompson Ralph and Barbara Thompson Brian Thurber James and Elizabeth Tolbert Tom and Judy Love Foundation Joyce Toney George and Shirley Huber-Smith Trotter Linda Tucker United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Valliance Bank Jerry  Vannatta and Melinda Lyon John and Susan Vas John D.  and Ginger L. Veal Adam Villarrial Wal-Dot Foundation Dennis and Chrissy Walker Virginia K. Walker Joseph Walkowski Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison Ebony Washington Carroll Wheeler Ashlie« and Larry Wilhelm John Michael and Kathy  Williams Drew Williamson Lizette Williamson John Williford Stephen Wilson Beverly Wlodarski Women’s Energy Network of Oklahoma Wendy and Peter Wood Paul Woody Hub Worrell Sylvain Yang Zack« and Brigette Zuhdi

s

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

Victor and Karen Kay Albert Betty Alden Judy Altshuler Frank Atwater Brian and Julia Bakeman Terry Baransy Susan Barber« and David Nagle Tom Beadles Terry and Pamela Bergdall Stephen Bird Kay Bradley Robert Bryan Martha Burger« Bob and Chimene Burke Carl Cartwright Danny and Carol Cochran Nance and Mary« Coffey Christine Collins George Craig« Allen Sheldon and Lisa Crone-Sheldon Joe and Sherry Crosthwait Mark and Jackie Darrah Michael Decker Catherine Dougherty Patricia J. Downing Terry Drake Larry Eberhardt« Phyllis Edson Orville Edwards Ronald and Pat Eitzen Donald« and Suzanne Emler Dr. Robert D. Fry, MD Nick and Sue Gales Jeannine Gibbens Larry and Jeannette Haag Attieson and Sharon Halbrook Mrs. Treva Reuszer Hancock Roger Harrod Richard Hastings Patricia Hatamyar« Robert Henry« and Jan Ralls Henry Alan and Elisha Herndon James and Joan Hirnisey Gary  and Sue Homsey Megan Hornbeek Allen« and Jeremy Allen

William and Karen Howard Karen Hunold and David Brahm Dixie Jensen Fred and Patricia Johnson Nancy Kenderdine« Jeffery Key Jim and Mary Kutch Ann Lacy Eric Laity« Timothy Larason Marilyn J. Laughbaum Janet Leadbetter Ruth G. Leebron Cathy Leichter  Dan Burdette and Janis Love Andrea L. MacMullin Donald and Barbara MacPherson Daniel Majors Samuel and Sally Marrs John and Kathryn McInnis Burrel and Jo Ann McNaught Doloris A. McVay Herman and LaDonna Meinders Patrick K. Miles Mary A. Millard Maudie Miller and Mike Hicks Margaret L. Moedt Jim and Debbie« Musick Sharon K. O’Roke Mark Parker« Brenda Penwell Ray and Patricia Potts Scott Preston and Sheryl Herner Nancy Pryst Dr.  and Mrs. George Randall Karen Rice Casey R. Ross« Dennis Rubenstein Michael and Kelcey Schag Charles and Jane Schneeberger Hugh and Shirley Scott Timothy Scott Cheryl Seguine Garvin Senn Bill  and Pam Shdeed Shelby and Adelaide Smith Wayne Stone Samuel and Deborah Suddarth Marvona Easley Tavlin and Michael Tavlin Kelly Thompson Kevin Tully Patricia Tully Alireza Vahabzadeh Nancy J. Van Antwerp Robert Van House Jerry  Vannatta and Melinda Lyon Virginia K. Walker Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison Gladys B. Whetstine Lisa« Wolfe and Fred« Mischler Carl and Beverly Ann Young

s

The Bright Society is OCU’s donor recognition society for alumni, friends and corporate partners who contribute a minimum of $1,000 annually for three years to the OCU President’s Excellence Fund and optionally to scholarships.

Donors’ annual investment enables OCU to address the most pressing universitywide priorities. The following are Bright Society members from fiscal year 2023.

Jim Booher Martha Burger« Talia Carroll« John Cary Christina Chicoraske« and Timothy Chicoraske« Traci Cook Gina Crawford« Michael Decker Robert and Nancy Ellis Kenneth Evans« Christopher and Jacqueline  Fiegel Toni D. Frioux, DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-C« Emily and Dalton« Funkhouser Ann Felton Gilliland Linda (Hawkins) and Nathan Grantham Koby« and Sarah Harrington Nick  and Susan Harroz Michael and Emily Herman Gary  and Sue Homsey Jamie Kilpatrick Robin Ladd Cathy Leichter  Jenee  and Darren Lister April Marciszewski« and Charles Martin Phil and Darwina« Marshall Mackenzie McIntyre« and Blayne Childers Mrs. Jane Moran Kyle and Ashley Murphy Danny Phan Paul and Kim Sanders Jim and Melanie« Shelley Brandon Brooks and Lynann Sterk-Brooks« Chuck Thompson Jack and Ann Thompson John D.  and Ginger L. Veal Richard Wansley and Meredith Davison Ashlie« and Larry Wilhelm Kimberley« and Erick Worrell Zack« and Brigette Zuhdi

2024 FOCUS Magazine

35

When The Stars

Align

BY ETHAN ZAMBRANO

SERVE. LEAD. CREATE. These three words are the pillars of an

exemplary OCU student and alum. OCU gives students a place to find their leadership style, numerous ways to serve those in their communities and dream big dreams. Danny Phan ’13 is just one example of how transformative OCU can be.

Phan grew up in Oklahoma City and attended U.S. Grant High School. As graduation came closer, he was faced with the same question of all seniors: “What’s next?” He began to investigate colleges and the programs they had to offer. Initially drawn to OU and their aviation program, Phan’s course was altered when he learned of the hidden gem at the heart of Oklahoma City. Through the Clara Luper Scholarship, he was able to attend OCU on a full ride. While OCU did not have an aviation program, Phan found a degree track that not only fit his passions but would also give him a successful future as a system center administrator at Love’s headquarters in Oklahoma City.

As a child, Phan was captivated by technology and the inner workings of it all. He would constantly take apart and rebuild his old Nokia phone—replace the screens, get under the case and understand the workings. In high school, he was on the winning team for a national banking competition. When OCU introduced finance and information technology, he knew he had found his home in the Meinders School of Business. “OCU gave me a place to take my passions and make them a career,” Phan said. “Once I was in the classroom, I was able to build real connections with my professors that have lasted beyond graduation.”

Phan has fond memories of his time at OCU. Whether it was Kappa Sigma life events like Hayride with Alpha Phi, one-on-one interaction with his professors or the multicultural student organizations he was involved with, he made the most of his OCU experience. He recounts the time when he met Clara Luper. She was instrumental in the integration of high schools in Oklahoma, a true leader and visionary and everything Phan dreamt of being. Meeting her was a highlight of his time at OCU. He credits most of his adult life successes to OCU. His job at Love’s was by the stars aligning. It was at a Christmas party at Meinders School of Business where he met the company’s chief financial officer, kick-starting his internship, which led to his position there for the past decade. The connections and friendships he made while in school have lasted long after graduation. Phan explained, “It’s not always about what you know, but also who you know.” Because of the education, training and community of OCU, he continues to create new connections, serve and support his alma mater and lead those around him.

36

Oklahoma City University

4 4 4 4 4

7 7 7 7 7

BLUE & 38

Oklahoma City University

1 | Sovereignty Symposium, June | Sovereignty Symposium, June 1 |1Sovereignty Symposium, June 2 |2Homecoming Legacy Speaker, November 1 | Sovereignty Symposium, June 1 | Sovereignty Symposium, June | Homecoming Legacy Speaker, November 2 | Homecoming Legacy Speaker, November 3 | Homecoming Reunion Reception, November | Homecoming Legacy Speaker, November 2| Homecoming |2Homecoming Legacy Speaker, November Reunion Reception, November 3 |3Homecoming Reunion Reception, November 4| Homecoming |4Alumni & Donor Brick Installation, August Reunion Reception, November 3 |3Homecoming Reunion Reception, November | Alumni & Donor Brick Installation, August 4 | Alumni & Donor Brick Installation, August 5 | OKC Alumni Pub Crawl, September 4 | Alumni & Donor Brick Installation, August 4 | Alumni & Donor Brick Installation, August | OKC Alumni Pub Crawl, September 5 |5OKC Alumni Pub Crawl, September 6 | OCU:Kansas Alumni Reception, November |City OKC Alumni Pub Crawl, September 5 |5OKC Alumni Pub Crawl, September | OCU:Kansas City Alumni Reception, November 6 |6OCU:Kansas City Alumni Reception, November 7 |7Homecoming LipSync Judges, November | OCU:Kansas City Alumni Reception, November 6 |6OCU:Kansas City Alumni Reception, November | Homecoming LipSync Judges, November 7 | Homecoming LipSync Judges, November 8 | Matriculation, August | Homecoming LipSync Judges, November 7 |7Homecoming LipSync Judges, November | Matriculation, August 8 |8Matriculation, August | Matriculation, August 8 |8Matriculation, August

2023 2023 2023

WHITE | OKC Pride Parade, June 9 |9OKC Pride Parade, June 9 |10| OKC Pride Parade, JuneAlumni Reception, April Law Distinguished 10| Law Distinguished Alumni Reception, April 10| Law Distinguished Alumni Reception, April | Luper & American Indian Scholars Alumni Reunion, November 1111 | Luper & American Indian Scholars Alumni Reunion, November 1112 | Luper &Las American Indian Scholars Alumni Reunion, November | OCU: Vegas Alumni Reception, July 12 | OCU: Las Vegas Alumni Reception, July 1213 | OCU: Las Vegas Alumni Reception, July November | Homecoming Parade Marshals, 13 | Homecoming Alumni Parade Marshals, November 1314 | Homecoming Alumni Parade Marshals, November | Blu Party, October 14 | Blu Party, October 1415 | Blu Party, October | OCU:Tulsa Alumni Reception, November 15 | OCU:Tulsa Alumni Reception, November 1516 | OCU:Tulsa Alumni Reception, November | OCU Graduation, May 16 | OCU Graduation, May 16 | OCU Graduation, May

2024 FOCUS Magazine

39

In Memoriam DOLORES “DOT” NEUSTADT

TOM LOVE

1928-2023

(HDCS ’04) 1937-2023

Dolores “Dot” Neustadt passed away in May yet her impact on Oklahoma City University will live on through the establishment of the Neustadt Lecture Series at OCU with her husband, Walter, since 1983. The goal of these lectures is to teach about the contributions of the Judaic religious tradition to Western Civilization with presenters speaking on themes of Jewish ethic, Hebrew scriptures, Judaic thought and Jewish art. Their family also established the Dolores K. and Walter Neustadt Jr. Professorship of Comparative Literature and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature at the University of Oklahoma as well as the Dolores and Walter Neustadt Lecture series at Temple Emanu-El, a synagogue in Dallas, among others.

Neustadt was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1928, attended Mt. Vernon Junior College in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1950, the same year she married Walter Neustadt, Jr. They lived in Ardmore, Oklahoma, until 1998, when they moved to Dallas, where they resided until Walter’s passing in 2010. Their family includes daughters Nancy Barcelo, Susan Neustadt Schwartz and Kathy Neustadt, who have continued their parents’ legacy in the excellence and support of higher education.

MARJORIE DOWNING 1933-2023 Marjorie Downing passed away in October after 90 years of life through which she broke down several barriers becoming the first full time female faculty member at the Oklahoma City University Law School. During her tenure at OCU, she would go on to serve as interim and acting dean for the law school. She eventually retired from OCU in 1998 but continued her work in women’s equality.

Downing graduated from Ponca City High School in 1953, continuing her educational career at the University of Oklahoma where she studied law and was the only woman in her graduating class. After graduating, she started a family and did clerical work for her husband’s law firm, which would lead her to serving as legislative assistant for Fred Harris where she worked towards the advancement of equal rights of women and marginalized groups, a goal that continued throughout her life.

40

Oklahoma City University FOCUS

Tom Love, who holds an honorary doctorate in Commercial Science from Oklahoma City University, passed away in March.

He was the founder and executive chair of Love’s Travel Stops and inducted into OCU’s Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor in 1998. He and his wife and business partner, Judy, are great supporters of the university through the establishment of Love’s Entrepreneurial Center within the Meinders School of Business and the Love Boat at the OCU Devon Boathouse. Their widespread philanthropy can be seen throughout Oklahoma, and OCU is honored to have been one of many organizations touched by their generosity.

Love was born in Oklahoma City in 1937, attended St. Gregory’s Preparatory School in Shawnee, St. John’s University in Minnesota, and joined the United States Marines Corps in 1954. He and Judy married in 1960 the day after Christmas, and they founded Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964. He was the first to create the concept of a gas station with grocery offerings, now commonplace across the country. Love’s is headquartered in Oklahoma City and has since grown to 644 locations in 42 states, with more than 50 in Oklahoma. The couple have four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

C. BLUE CLARK 1946-2023 Blue Clark passed away in December after a long life of serving the Oklahoma City University community and Native American people. He was a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and started his career at OCU in 1991 when he joined as the executive vice president of academic affairs. He served as interim president in 1997 and taught at both the law school and main campus, retiring in 2016.

Clark graduated from Northwest Classen High School and the University of Oklahoma before working at OCU and serving as a consultant for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. and the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. He was honored as the Indian of the Year in 2013 by the National Indian Education Association and Ambassador of the Year for the Red Earth Festival in 2015.

Additionally, Clark established the field of American Indian Studies at California State University, the University of Utah and Morningside University.

ANN LACY (HDHL ’01) 1927-2023 Ann Lacy and her incredible legacy permeates the Oklahoma City University campus through the numerous ways she impacted the institution.

From the Ann Lacy Stadium, which is home to numerous softball national championships, to the Ann Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center that offers a warm welcome to visitors and potential students and the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment that consistently ranks within the top dance schools in the United States, these facilities have welcomed, championed and taught thousands of students throughout the past 20 years. Her involvement with OCU began as a result of her husband, James Alexander, who was a former dean of the Meinders School of Business.

The Ann Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center was dedicated in her name in 2003, with the School of American Dance and Arts Management being renamed to honor Ann Lacy in 2004. She was a major player in the renovation and construction of the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center just three years later in 2007, and the Ann Lacy Stadium was dedicated in 2008, with the first game played being a sweep over Mid-America Christian University.

She served for many years as a trustee emerita, was a recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters from OCU, was a generous supporter in the OCU centennial campaign, “Lighting the World—One Star at a Time” and studied writing at OCU. Lacy additionally established the OCU-NYC Spring Break Workshops where students spend a week learning to work and live in New York City from alumni professionals.

She put time, energy and love into her passion of helping Oklahoma City University students grow and develop before passing away in August. Few students will be able to say they were not touched

by Ann Lacy during their time at OCU.

1940s

Verna Wycherley ’46

1950s

Wilma McHenry ’50 Vernon Frame ’51 Geraldine (Jere) LaCrosse Knox ’51 Rosanna Grossman Beckham ’55 Gerald Knight ’55, ’60 Larry Bradshaw ’57 Barbara Parker ’57, ’73 Raymond Gilbert ’58 Rodney Campbell ’59 Ronald Norgaard ’59

1960s

Clifford Daniels ’61 Leonard Northcutt ’63 William “Bill” Weaver ’63 C. Norman Blacklee ’64 David Necco ’65 Reginald Parsons ’65 Buvil West ’65 Luther Cowan ’66, ’73 John Murphy, Jr. ’66 Robert Stearns ’66 Craig Winborn ’66 Cecil Callicott ’67 James Clark ’67, ‘89 Robert “Bob” Mayhew ’67 Cheryl Blackwell ’68 Kenneth Carney ’68 Richard Hasley ’68 Richard Linsly ’68 Lester “L.K.” Pitchford, Jr. ’68

1970s

Ralph Smith ’70 Gregory York ’70 Charles Alden ’73 Charles Campbell ’74 James Hetherington ’74 Tom Cook ’74 Lucille Rose ’74 Evelyn Thomas ’74

Gholam “Joe” Ahmadifar ’75 Dan Hensley ’75 William Simpson ’75 Edward Sutter III ’75 Gerald “Jerry” Hill ’76 Ralph “Ted” Stricker ’76 Michael Kanz ’77 Leon Collins IV ’78 Jack Smith ’78 Robert Woehleke ’78 David Kedy ’79

Friends

Michele Kashner Bell Joann Booher Florence Bowles John Chelf Franklin Clark Richard Cohoon Harvey Court Richard Cox Dennis DeFreese Marilyn Denn Mary Dobson Margaret Dodson Marjorie Rose Downing Tomilou Liddell ’81 Susan Ellerbee James McCright ’82 Jamarcus Ellis Paul Smith ’82, ’89 Tod Ferguson Margorie Johnston Linda Goad Ramana ’83 John “Sonny” Kanoski ’84 James “Jim” Grigsby, Jr. Marceillia “Marcie” Meyer Gene Pekah ’84 James Joseph Walkowski ’84 John Johnson Gary Chappell ’85 Virginia Kingsolver Riley Nix ’85 Ann Pearson Leftwich Janice Green Marsh ’86 Lavon “Mac” McAfee Lee Howard ’87 Gifford “Jerry” Scott Carter ’89 McBride, Jr. Nettie Jo Mitchell Marty Moelling David Morgan Donna Miller ’90 Leroy Orsburn Derick Peters ’90 William “Bill” Overman Kathy Snodgrass ’90 Roby Park Earnest “Ernie” Valerie Redpath Upton, Jr. ’90 Charles Sales, Sr. Ralph Zeller ’90 Patsy Schafer Barbara Covalt ’93 James Schwark Debra Scadden ’93 Joy Schwartz Peter Palughi ’96 Marcus Scott Kathryn Wilson ’96 Cherry Scott Joseph Carter III ’97 Charles Spitler Carolyn Erickson ’98 Joyce Calderwood ’99, ’01 John Taylor Ellen Vanderslice Daniel Dooley ’99 Jeanette Webster A. Kelly West Catherine Couch Whiddon Cindy Shaw ’07, ’09 Paul Wilson

1980s

1990s

2000s 2020s

Nathan LeBlanc ’22

FOCUS Magazine 2024

41

Class Notes

1960s

Former OCU golfer Susie Maxwell Berning (BS ’64) is a World Golf Hall of Famer and three-time winner of the U.S. Women’s Open who was honorably invited to the USGA Reunion of Champions earlier this year.

Barbara McAlister (BM ’64), Cherokee Nation voice instructor, has been recognized as a 2023 Cultural Capital Fellow. The $10,000 award from the First Peoples Fund recognizes artists and culture bearers working to advance Native history, ancestral knowledge and storytelling through art and culture.

The Choctaw Nation recently recognized Muriel Hazel Wright (HDHL ’64), a former teacher, historian and editor who served as secretary of the Choctaw Committee and editor of the Chronicles of Oklahoma.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett (BS ’67) was selected as an honoree for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame earlier this year. He also received the Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council and was appointed to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Charles Hunter (BA ’67) was named to the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2023 induction class.

“Big Game” Hunter earned the nickname after scoring 55 points in a single game as an OCU freshman.

Jane Jayroe Gamble (BM ’69; HD ’11) was named to OKC Friday’s 2023 list of the Most Powerful People in Oklahoma City. She is a trustee of OCU, founder of Esther Women OKC and serves as the board president of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

1970s

Dee Morales (BA ’72) was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in May. She covered national news for a five-state region for World News Tonight and Good Morning America as well as being an award-winning reporter and Emmy nominee.

John Kennedy (BA ’76), founder of Irish Realty, was honored with a Santa Fe Family Life Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award in September. He earned his master’s degree from Harvard, receiving the Spirit Award for his work in public service, and served as Oklahoma’s secretary of state from 1991-94. Currently, he serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum.

Mark McClellan (JD ’78) serves as director of Hispanic programs and professor of missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. Before working at SBU, he was a U.S. Army infantry captain and trial lawyer.

He earned his master’s degree in divinity and his Doctor of Philosophy in theology from SBU.

42

Oklahoma City University

1980s

Rick McCormick (MA ’81), a real estate agent with EXP Realty West, was included this year on Oklahoma Magazine’s Top Real Estate Agents list. He also is a successful basketball coach at the collegiate and professional level, being named National Coach of the Year.

Forbes Advisor included Emmanuel Edem (JD ’82, HD Laws ’98) on its Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Oklahoma City list. He is on the OCU board of trustees and serves as chair of the School of Law executive board. Edem formerly served as president of the Civil Justice Foundation and an adjunct professor at OCU’s School of Law. Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (JD ’82) is the lead counsel to the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria. He served in the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a barrister and solicitor, and as chairman of the Onitsha Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. He was the governor of Nigeria for four years.

Brad Krieger (JD ’82), Tony Shinn (MBA ’84), previous law school Dean Jim Roth (JD ’94), and law school Dean David Holt (JD ’09) were all included in 405 Magazine’s “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leaders.” The article highlighted examples of each individual going above and beyond in their work within this important area of focus.

Ross Plourde (JD ’82) was named to the 2023 “Oklahoma Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the state’s top five percent of Oklahoma attorneys.

Doug Fuller (MBA ’83) and Cameron McLain (MBA ’89) were nominated to return as directors of the Reserve Petroleum Co. board. Fuller has been a director on the RPC board since 2000 and is the president and chief executive officer of Quail Creek Bank. McLain is president and chief executive officer of RPC along with serving as exploration manager of the company.

John Dorman (JD ’84) was recently appointed to serve as interim council for Jones, Oklahoma, and currently works at Spencer Fane, LLP. Previously, he practiced law for the cities of Edmond, Broken Arrow, Tulsa and Stillwater, where he served as city attorney for 18 years.

Joel Bieber (JD ’86) was recently named one of the top five personal injury attorneys in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Joel Bieber Firm is based in Virginia with offices in five additional states. Bieber is a founding member of the North American Brain Injury Society and a member of the American Association of Justice.

Janie Simms Hipp (JD ’84) served as commencement speaker for the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources in May. She was nominated by President Joe Biden to be general counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, making her the first Native American woman in the post. She also has received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama for her work in volunteer service.

(See article p. 18) Victor “Vic” Albert (JD ’86) joined the Porter Hedges firm in Oklahoma City as a new partner in the employment section of the litigation practice group. He has tried more than 70 cases in state and federal courts in Oklahoma and was named a leading lawyer in labor and employment by Chambers USA.

Edgar Cruz (BM ’86) held a concert in July at the Sheerer History Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cruz has played throughout the U.S., Europe and South America and headlines the Chet Atkins Guitar Festival every summer.

The Oklahoma Gazette has named him Oklahoma’s Top Performing Artist and Acoustic Guitarist.

General Ret. David Goldfein (MBA ’87) received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Air Force Academy this summer. He serves as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force in President Joe Biden’s administration.

Goldfein graduated from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has over 4,200 hours as a command pilot through flying combat missions in numerous operations, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Richard Worley (BS ’87) recently was named acting commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department that he first joined in 1998 as a police officer trainee.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2003, then Lieutenant in 2008, and continued moving up the ranks until being promoted to acting commissioner in June.

Meeghan De Cagna (BA ’89), chief community and learning officer for the American Physiological Society, recently accepted an APEX Award for excellence in graphic design, editorial content and overall communications excellence on behalf of her organization.

Agnelo Fernandes (MBA ’89), chief executive officer of Cote Family Companies, was named to the executive committee of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. He has led the development and launch of hotels and resorts across North America and Asia and held senior executive positions in the hospitality industry with numerous hotel brands.

Lynne McGuire (JD ’89) is a new special judge in District 21 representing Cleveland County. She has served as an Oklahoma County special judge in the family law division since 2009, including working with the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma District Attorney’s Office. She also was president and chief executive officer of Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, a nonprofit organization that represents abused or neglected children in court proceedings.

1990s

Ramona Tumblin-Rucker (MBA ’90) was named director of design/build and construction management at M Property Services in Missouri where she will utilize her more than 30 years of project management experience in healthcare, academic and corporate industries.

Fred Brent (BS ’91) superintendent of the Georgetown, Texas, Independent School District, recently retired and now serves as chief of staff for Sport Clips Haircuts, where he works with leadership to manage internal operating systems and community connectedness.

Mark Hasting (MBA ’91) was promoted to president and chief commerce and operating officer of Blain’s Farm and Fleet, a nationwide retailer. Previously, he spent more than 20 years at Target and also served as a regional vice president at Starbucks.

Tony Scott (JD ’91), will serve as the 2023-24 president of the Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council, which

Class Notes represents multidisciplinary professionals engaged in the practice of estate planning within Oklahoma. Active members include certified public accountants, attorneys, trust officers and chartered life underwriters/chartered financial consultants/certified financial planners.

Greg Andrews (BA ’92) was named director of dining services, food and nutrition last year at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he has overseen the opening of the late-night bistro and renovating the medical center’s Chick-Fil-A. While in this position, he has increased food service retention by 65% with his team of 200 members and 13 managers.

Amy Staab (JD ’93) was announced as a Point of Light inductee this year for the Thomas More Prep-Marian School in Kansas, an award given to honor those who have given significant service to the school. She currently serves as a board member for Ellis Credit Union, First Care Clinic and Hays Community Theatre.

Rafe Hall (JD ’94) was appointed to serve as district judge for the 3rd Judicial District, which includes Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa and Tillman counties in Oklahoma.

Matthew Myers (MBA ’94), owner of Switchgrass Capital, earned a Pivot Award in the real estate developer category at the 2023 Commercial Real Estate Summit held in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jim Roth (JD ’94) was featured in the June issue of Oklahoma Magazine in the “Closing Thoughts” profile, where he spoke about his experiences as Oklahoma’s first openly LGBTQ+ elected official, his public service work and the hope and joy he received from working with OCU law students.

Jeff Tebow (MBA ’94) was elected second vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association executive committee. He previously served as the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association president and is on their board.

Rene Gutteridge (BA ’95) presented at ReaderCon, an expansion of the annual WriterCon writing conference in Oklahoma City of which Gutteridge is a co-director.

Graphic designer Bryan Dahlvang (BFA ’97) created the official design for the 2023 Paseo Arts Festival merchandise.

Stephani Logue (JD ’97), associate judge of the North Texas Child Protection Court, was honored with the 26th Patsy Baggett Service Award by the Wichita County Child Welfare Board for her work and commitment to the wellbeing and safety of area children.

Chris Miciotto (JD ’97) was named a top attorney in Northwest Louisiana for his work in the areas of auto and truck accidents, workers compensation, criminal defense and social security disability.

Hock Chye Tan (MBA ’97) was appointed as a nonexecutive independent director of Aseana Properties Limited, a developer in Malaysia, as well as the organization’s audit committee.

“Maestra,” a documentary co-written by Neil Berkeley (BA ’98) about the La Maestra all-woman conducting competition in Paris, was favorably reviewed in the Hollywood Reporter.

Jana Etheridge (MBA ’98), a director at Capital One, was named as governance chair of the Texas Women’s

Foundation executive committee. The foundation’s goal is to make social and economic changes for women in Texas.

Todd Hensley (MBA ’98) was appointed as chief revenue officer for CUB Ventures/CDLLife, a truck driver recruitment and marketing firm.

Allen Karns (BA ’98), a professor at Vanderbilt University, will be a guest speaker at the 2023 Internet2 Technology Exchange in Minnesota.

Michael McClintock (JD ’98) was named to the Best Lawyers’ 2024 Oklahoma City Lawyers of the Year list for construction litigation. He previously served as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He also was an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Jagdish Rajan (MBA ’98) has been named as the first-ever chief technology officer for Del Grande Dealer Group, a car dealership company based out of Northern California.

At DGDG, he leads a nine-person information technology team and provides transactional and analytical reporting services for the group. He previously worked as chief technology officer for Reputation.com and senior vice president at ResponseLogix.

Kerry Ann Schultz-Battle (BS ’98, BA ’98), an attorney and member of Florida’s judicial nominating committee, was named a recipient of the North Platte (Nebraska) Public Schools Foundation’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni award.

Christy Burcham (BA ’99) was promoted to vice president of education and training for Bernina, a Swiss-owned manufacturer of sewing machines and embroidery software.

Jennifer Grigsby (MBA ’99) was appointed to the board of directors of Superior Plus Corp., a distributor of propane, compressed natural gas, renewable energy and related products and services. She previously served as secretary of economic administration for the State of Oklahoma.

She is a member of the National Association of Certified Directors and maintains certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant designations.

Music professors Jan McDaniel, conductor of OCU’s Opera and Music Theater Company, and Catherine McDaniel, associate professor of voice, were guest performers at Christian Morren’s (MM ’99) vocal recital at Cameron University in Lawton.

Neelima Parasker (MS ’99), president and chief executive officer of SnapIT Solutions, a women-owned technology solutions company, was appointed this year to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Janet Peery (BA ’99), chief executive officer of the YWCA in Oklahoma City, gave the keynote address at the Journal Record’s 2023 Woman of the Year ceremony.

The Choctaw Nation recently recognized Amy Pierce (JD ’99), Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma District Court judge, who was the first full-time district court judge for the judicial branch of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Carroll County in Georgia appointed Nathaniel Smith (JD ’99) as chief magistrate judge for the Carroll County Magistrate Court.

Attorney Courtney Warmington (JD ’99) was elected assistant secretary for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

2000s

Former U.S. Air Force cyberspace officer retired Lt. Col. Jason Huff (BS ’00) was named chief operating officer for security operations at Cyemptive Technologies, a cybersecurity provider for business and government. He was a cyberspace officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 23 years. He previously was the chief information officer of NATO Special Operations Forces headquarters.

Diana Ferguson (JD ’00) was named one of the 2023 Honors Recipients by the American Society of Landscape Architects. She is currently an attorney and lobbyist at Rutledge Ecenia in Florida.

Previously, she served the Florida Association of Counties as the legislative staff attorney.

SHARE YOUR NEWS Send personal and professional developments, along with high resolution photos, to alumni@okcu.edu.

Forbes Advisor included Darren Tawwater (JD ’00) on its Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Oklahoma City list. He is a member of the American Association for Justice and the Oklahoma Association for Justice.

Soprano Sarah Coburn (BM ’01) is the new goodwill ambassador for Tulsa Opera’s 75th anniversary season.

The Rev. Kristie Grimaud (MLA ’01) is the new pastor at Ramona United Methodist Church in California. She previously served as a pastor at Chapel of the Hills and an associate pastor at Foothills United Methodist Church.

Ryan Jackson (JD ’01), a veteran Washington, D.C., lobbyist with previous high-ranking roles in both the U.S. Senate and Environmental Protection Agency, joined the American Chemistry Council as vice president of federal affairs.

Brian Ruttman (BSB ’01), superintendent and chief executive officer of Moore Norman Technology Center; Margaret Creighton (BS ’02, MBA ’06), president and chief executive officer of Positive Tomorrows; and Rachel Cope (BA ’08), founder and chief executive officer of 84 Hospitality Group, were among this year’s honorees of the Journal Record’s Most Admired CEOs. The Washington County (Virginia) board of supervisors appointed Brandon Snodgrass (JD ’01) as its county attorney. In his 21 years of experience, he has served as an attorney for Smyth-Washington Industrial Facilities Authority and practiced in federal and state courts in Southwest Virginia.

Kendal Huber Tawwater (JD ’01) was sworn in as a municipal judge for the City of Oklahoma City Municipal Court. She previously served as barrister of Luther Bohanon American Inn of Court XXIII and a senior administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She is a member of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and the Bar Associations of Oklahoma and Oklahoma County.

Carrie Burnsed (JD ’02) joined the Day Pitney firm in Connecticut in the healthcare, life sciences and technology practice. She has served as a statewide legal referral for Oklahoma Assisted Living Association and Oklahoma Association of Healthcare Providers.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

43

Class Notes Kyle Coker (BS ’03) is part of the newly formed RWS Entertainment Group, an entertainment design and casting agency. He has worked as a casting director at Binder Casting and Donna DeSeta Casting and as a freelance writer, director and producer.

Schuyler Adkins (MM ’05) was named principal of Westside Elementary in Claremore, Oklahoma. He has worked in education for 17 years from elementary to college levels. He is the former assistant principal at Claremont Elementary School.

efforts that affect endangered bird species. She also serves as program coordinator for the species survival plan for Chilean flamingos and is on the committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals from Extinction program for Andean Highland flamingos.

Melissa Handke (JD ’03) was appointed to serve as district attorney for the 20th Judicial District, which includes Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall and Murray counties. She was the first assistant district attorney for the 20th Judicial District before her appointment and has more than 20 years of experience working in all areas of law.

Allesan Armstrong (BA ’05, JD ’09) has been appointed as director of academic success programs for the University of Akron School of Law. She is a member of the Order of Barristers and previously taught at Park University.

Hank Stampfl (BM ’06) recently performed with celebrity chef Pamela Morgan in a cabaret show in New York. He founded Revel Rouge in 2016 and previously worked with the Plaza Hotel New York, Bloomingdale’s, the Real Housewives of New York and many more.

Georgie Kastama (BS ’03), first vice president and the Bank Secrecy Act officer for MidFirst Bank, was a panelist for the “Reviewing Past SARs to Strengthen Future Ones” discussion at the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists AML and Financial Crime Conference in September. At MidFirst Bank, she oversees financial crimes risk management programs and is a certified anti-money laundering specialist and certified fraud examiner.

Aamir Mahmood (MBA ’03), vice president—Americas for MicroPort CRM, helped announce his company’s launch of a new pacemaker. He is on the board of directors at Leman Micro Devices and Aceco Valves. He also is a member of YPO, a global community of chief executives.

Trish Coleman Byars (JD ’04) was appointed to the 97th Judicial District Court in Archer, Clay and Montague counties in Texas. She previously served as the president of the 46th Judicial District Bar Association and a member of Texas City Attorneys Association and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Melissa Ford (BPA ’04) was appointed as associate vice president for advancement at Park University in Missouri.

She previously served as director of philanthropic giving for the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri—Kansas City.

Kyle Kanable (JD ’04) was selected as the Greene County (Missouri) Circuit Court family court commissioner. He previously had his own law firm, specializing in family law and criminal defense while serving as a guardian ad litem.

Ericka McPherson (JD ’04) was recently appointed as the executive director of Covenant Choice, a provider of captive insurance solutions and healthcare benefits. She previously served as the executive director of Oklahoma Families for Affordable Healthcare.

Kimberly Schafer (BPA ’04) was selected to be a member of the International Dance Council CID. She’s currently an adjunct professor of dance at Marymount Manhattan and Collaborative Arts Project 21 while serving as a director for Celebrity Cruise Lines.

Colin Spreier (BS/MS ’04) was named an audit partner for the Grant Thornton firm in Dallas. He has been working with Grant Thornton since 2019 when he joined as a managing director.

Beau Jennings and The Tigers, which includes bassist and sound engineer Michael Trepagnier (BA ’04), released their new single “People in This Town.” He previously worked as the house engineer at Looking Glass Studios and has worked with artists such as Coldplay, Counting Crows and Philip Glass. He opened his own recording studio, Cardinal Song, in 2020.

44

Oklahoma City University

Mirna Abyad Baloul (MBA/JD ’05), president, COO and board secretary of Spacee, was nominated among 50 of the most innovative leaders in the artificial intelligence industry and was featured in an issue of Dallas Innovates magazine. Under her direction, Spacee developed two new products, Hovertouch and Deming, where she is responsible for global operations and works toward the advancement of the company’s computer vision- and AIpowered technology.

Kate Dodoo (JD ’05) has been tapped to lead the appellate group at McAfee and Taft. She previously served as an assistant chief counsel in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of the principal leading advisor, and the assistant city attorney for the City of Enid.

Christi Jeffreys (BA ’05, MA ’11) has begun her new role as senior director of development at SSM Health St. Anthony Foundation and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy.

Todd Lamb (JD ’05) has been appointed as president of the University of Central Oklahoma. He previously served as the state’s lieutenant governor and an Oklahoma state senator.

Additionally, he was a special agent for the U.S. Secret Service from 1998 to 2002, a member of the national joint terrorism task force and an investigative lead of the 9/11 inquiries.

Salvador Ontiveros (BA ’06, MBA ’09) was named to the Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40 list this year. He is a current commissioner for the Oklahoma City Arts Commission and a member of the Leadership Oklahoma City Signature Class 40 as well as serving as president and chief executive officer of Oklahoma's Latino Community Development Agency. (See article p. 14) Eric Nelson (JD ’05) was appointed as a district judge in Iowa, where he previously served in the State of Iowa Public Defender’s Office and as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission. He is a current member of the Iowa Judges Association and 4th Bar Association.

Holly Ray (BS ’06) was promoted to curator of birds for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, where she will oversee all species of birds, working to manage dayto-day operations and to support the zoo’s conservation

John Ratliff (JD ’07) was appointed as city manager of Lawton, previously working as city attorney. In his role as city manager, he will oversee day-to-day operations and makes sure to deliver essential services to the city.

John Stratton (JD ’07) joined the Stange Law Firm, a divorce and family law firm, as a senior associate attorney.

He previously worked as a volunteer attorney for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and as a solo practitioner at his own firm.

Daniel Shackle (JD ’08) was appointed as commissioner of the Department of Local Government Finance in Indiana.

He previously served the DLGF as their chief of staff and general counsel and also worked as the chief legal officer and leader of the fraud and security enforcement division for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Sheena Thompson (BS ’08, MS ’09), previously department chair and associate professor of kinesiology at Midland College in Texas, was a finalist for the Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Award. She recently moved to Dallas College, where she now serves as the department chair of Kinesiology.

Aaron Brown (BM ’09) is directing the 4th Wall Theatre Company’s production of “Fairview” in Houston. He is currently the co-head of musical theatre: director of student relations, production and new work at Texas State University. He previously served as co-coordinator of musical theatre at Sam Houston University.

The University of Texas at Austin promoted Amanda Cochran-McCall (JD ’09) to vice president for legal affairs and general counsel. As vice president, she serves as chief legal officer and chief ethics officer for the university.

She previously worked at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, where she managed and directed 12 civil litigation divisions.

Stuart Hene (JD ’09) was re-elected to the Tyler City Council in Texas. He is co-founder and partner at Tarry and Hene, PLLC, president of Prestige Energy Consultants and board member for St. Paul Children’s Services.

Law Dean David Holt (JD ’09) was named president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors for 2025-26. He was elected as mayor of Oklahoma City in 2018, becoming the first Native American mayor of Oklahoma City, and was re-elected in 2022. He was named one of TIME’s “100 Next” most influential people in 2023.

Rick McKee (BM ’09) arranged and scored “Un Monde Qui S’Illumine” for Disneyland Paris’ “Disney D-Light” evening illumination. The score was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Studio One and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra before final mixing by McKee. Ewa Płonka (MM ’09) performed in October in the title role of the Dallas Opera’s production of “Tosca.” She has her undergraduate degree from Julliard and has performed in concerts around the world.

Class Notes

2010s

Justin Briggs (MBA ’10) joined Prime Movers Lab, a company that invests in scientific startups, as the resident biologist and life sciences partner. He was previously an operator at several companies dealing in biotech, nanotech, robotics and software.

Kaitlyn Fitzgerald (BS ’10) was promoted to vice president of organ operations for LifeGift, a non-profit organ and tissue donation organization in Texas. In this role, she leads the planning, development, execution, evaluation and strategic direction of clinical organ operations by implementing nationally recognized best practices and designs.

Kari Hoffhines (JD ’10) was elected to the executive committee of Crowe and Dunlevy, where she is the director of the Oklahoma City office, a member of the firm’s real estate and banking and financial practice groups and a member of the firm’s wind energy team.

Nissy Mathew (BS ’10) joined the family medicine department at Variety Care, a community health center.

Chaz Wolcott (BPA ’10) joined the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music as a professor of musical theater after several years of work on Broadway, television, film, the Penn State Musical Theatre and various other organizations.

Timothy Campbell (JD ’11) joined Hall Booth Smith’s Oklahoma City law office, where he focuses on medical malpractice, health care, professional liability, bad faith defense and general liability.

Holly Clouse (JD ’11) has been selected to be the probate commissioner for the Greene County Circuit Court in Missouri.

Nathaniel Harding’s (MBA ’11) Cortado Ventures helped start The Verge, a nonprofit supporting Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial community by offering mentorship opportunities and tax benefits.

Lisa Hargis (BS ’11) joined SSM Health Medical Group as an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner.

Scott Taylor (MBA ’11) was named vice president of operations for Safe-Way Garage Doors, a company based around the manufacturing and distribution of overhead garage doors, headquartered in Indiana.

Tenor Robert Watson (BM ’11) made his Santa Fe Opera debut as the prince in Dvorak’s “Rusalka” and his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Erik in Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” to rave reviews.

Former OCU wrestler Nicole Woody-Tyson (BA ’11) was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. She was one of four athletes awarded this honor for 2023. She currently serves as an assistant coach of women’s wrestling at King University. During her time at OCU, she was a four-time All-American, three-time World Class Wrestling Association national finalist and winner of the 2011 WCWA championship.

Marriya Wright (BS ’11, MS ’12), dean of Allied Health and Nursing at South Puget Sound Community College in Washington, recently was honored with the DAISY Award

recognizing the hard work nurses do and the care they provide to patients and families.

Belinda Allyn (BM ’12) and Jessie Peltier (BPA ’16) are cast members in the national touring company for “Frozen,” that performed in 2023 at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City, as well as other parts of North America.

Phil Busey Jr. (MLA ’12) was named president of Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma with Phil Busey Sr. (BA ’74, JD ’77) staying as chairman.

Deonna Marie Cattledge (BM ’12) presented the world premiere of her one-woman show, “The Deonna Marie Experience: From the Crack House to the Opera House, Blooming Through Brokenness” at Factory Obscura in downtown Oklahoma City. She is currently touring with National Public Radio’s “The Moth.”

Brian Cowing (BM ’12) is starring in the Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of “Peter Pan” as Mr. Smee in Madison, Wisconsin. Cowing also is currently serving as interim director of the theater.

Former OCU wrestlers Michaela Hutchison (BS ’12), Brittany Delgado (BS ’13), and Emily Webster (BS ’15) were featured in one of the three National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Oklahoma-themed exhibits at the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Tulsa.

Soprano Marlen Nahhas (BM ’12) performed in Eureka Chamber Music’s “A Night at the Opera” in California this past November.

Marcus Sams (BA ’12) won best interior designer in 405 Magazine with his firm, Studio Merge. He serves as principal designer and managing partner of the Oklahoma City-based company.

Composer/producer Or Kribos (BM ’13, MM ’15) is founder of Or Kribos Music and cofounder of ARB4 while currently collaborating with media and video game partners including Riot Games, Warner Chappell, Universal, BMG, Amphibious Zoo, Sonoton and Megatrax.

Ben Lanham (BPA ’13) was in the cast of “Bad Cinderella” on Broadway, performing as part of the ensemble.

Marisa Macella (BFA ’13) was named executive director of the Steep Theatre in Chicago after serving as senior manager for fundraising events for the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Evelyn Bollenbach Schaefer (MBA ’13) has been named executive director of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. She previously served as executive director of the Oklahoma City Community College Foundation.

Jared Snedden (JD ’13) joined the Stange Law Firm in Oklahoma City as a senior associate attorney. The firm is a multi-location firm with a focus on divorce and family law.

Benjamin Rivera (BS ’14) performed in the ensemble of Broadway’s “New York, New York.”

Jeff Sherwood (BFA ’14) joined Michigan Tech as an assistant professor of visual and performing arts.

Clay Taylor (JD ’14), principal lobbyist of Taylor Capital Group, and Adam Rainbolt (MBA ’12), BancFirst’s insurance senior vice president, were ranked two and four respectively on the OKC Friday’s “Most Powerful Young Professionals” list.

English and film studies professor James Cooper (MFA ’15) spoke at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City’s National Voter Registration Day and Constitution and Citizenship Day celebration.

Franchesca McDowell (BBA ’15), post producer of Hungryman Productions, NYC, is part of the team working on a new campaign for Noodles and Co. with the goal of showing consumers the diversity of the company’s menu.

Daxx Jayroe (BM Musical Theater ’16) played Sildat in Oklahoma City Repertory Theater’s “Superstitions.”

Gulfport Energy Corporation recently named Michael Hodges (MS ’17) executive vice president and chief financial officer. He was enrolled in OCU’s first cohort of the Master’s in Energy Management at Meinders School of Business while working at Sandridge Energy.

Heather Levy (MFA ’17) released her book “Hurt for Me,” which is set in Oklahoma City and follows single mother, Rae Dixon, as she and detective Dayton Clearwater try to solve murders occurring around her secret underground business.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma announced Jonathan Wynn (MS ’17) as the new external affairs manager for a nine-county area including McAlester, Okmulgee, Okemah and Wilburton. Wynn will work to build relationships to enhance the business and handle public and community affairs.

Kaleb Benda (BM ’18) is the new music director of the Oklahoma Christian University Chamber Orchestra. He also serves as music director for the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony, assistant conductor of the Enid Symphony Orchestra and band director at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Quincy Chapman (MS ’18) is the newly elected president of the Project Management Institute’s Northern Utah Chapter while serving as executive director of programs at Cyrq Energy. In these roles, he collaborates closely with boards and senior leadership of organizations as well as start-ups to improve oversight, accountability and transparency.

He also owns his own business, Quinch William, LLC, which is a media company specializing in product development.

Aimee Majoue (JD ’18) joined the Oklahoma City office of Steptoe and Johnson PLLC as a part of the firm’s litigation department as an associate.

Amanda Rodriguez (MBA ’18) was named to the Citizens Bank of Edmond board of directors. She works at Accenture, where she provides thought leadership and expertise to solve critical business issues in the oil and gas industry while previously serving as the State of Oklahoma’s chief financial officer. She also managed internal audit and accounting at Chesapeake Energy.

Frederico Marques Teixeira (BM ’18) recently earned his master’s degree at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he organized the ljudOljud Music Festival, and has accepted a fellowship in composition to pursue his doctorate at the University of Minnesota.

2024 FOCUS Magazine

45

Class Notes Sarah Pool Wilhelm (MM ’18) is the newly named associate music director for the North American tour of “Come From Away.”

Nash Carey (BA ’19) recently opened Sanctuary Comics and Games store and ministry. He founded the store with the goal of creating a safe space for people to explore Christianity through an intersection of religion, comic books and fantasy games.

Blackwelder Brass alumnus Andrew Carrillo (MM ’19, BM ’17) is the newly appointed principal trombone with the Tulsa Symphony.

Joe Charlton (BS/BM ’19) won the principal horn position with the Dallas Winds, America’s premier windband located in North Texas.

Ethan Zambrano (BS ’19, MA ’22) was promoted to director of annual giving for the Office of University Advancement at OCU and also teaches dance at Ascend Dance Studios. Previously, he taught at Harding Fine Arts Academy and held an internship in fundraising and development at Make-AWish Oklahoma.

Project, which aims at commissioning new works by Black and Latinx composers for the classroom.

Hallie Schmidt (BM ’20) co-founded Olympia Opera Theatre, the first new opera company that Thurston County in Washington has had in decades. She also earned first place at the Seattle Opera Guild’s 2023 Singer Development Awards.

Andrew Abraham (JD ’21) joined the newly opened Gilson Daub law firm in Oklahoma City as a trial attorney. He previously worked as a civil defense attorney at McAtee and Woods and interned at Farha Law. Littleton “Taz” Ellett (JD ’21) joined the Hall Estill firm’s Oklahoma City office, where his primary practice area will be litigation. He previously served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Gary Lumpkin in the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.

Cierra Foster (BS ’21) was named an assistant coach of the Olentangy Orange girls wrestling program in Ohio. During her time at OCU, she was a three-time NAIA All-American and is currently competing at the USA Wrestling national level.

Clayton Garner (BM ’21, MM ’23) has been appointed adjunct instructor of percussion and drumline director at Southern Nazarene University. He also serves as percussion director at Putnam City High School and percussion ensemble director at Oklahoma Homeschool Bands and Strings.

2020s

Brianna Kaleen (BM ’21) and Chris Richie (BM ’22) both performed in Times Square in the Playbill and Prudential’s Stages on Broadway concert, chosen as two of four finalists from more than 400 original contestants.

Kaleen won the $10,000 prize in September, previously performing as Little Inez in the national tour of “Hairspray.”

Cassi Gardner (BM ’20) has booked the role of Marina in Houston Grand Opera’s Opera To Go production of “Katie, the Strongest of the Strong!”

Madeline Powell (BM ’21) had her national tour debut as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” this year. Previously, she performed nationally on Oprah, the Rachel Ray Show and Disney’s Corey In the House along with numerous professional sporting events.

Emily Carpenter Duncan (BM ’20), instructor of harp and academic specialist at OCU, has accepted an appointment as principal harpist with the Fort Smith Symphony.

Teddy Edgar (BM ’20) is starring as Guiseppe Zangara, the attempted assassin of President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, in Lyric Stage Boston’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins” as his debut for the Lyric Stage.

Michael Power Jr. (JD ’21) joined the McAfee and Taft firm’s aviation group as a transactional attorney. Prior to this position, Power served as assistant general counsel for the Chickasaw Nation Chamber of Commerce.

MaKenzi Fox (BBA ’20) recently released her children’s book “The Day Cara Cut Her Bangs” and was profiled on the Write Any Genre blog site, where she spoke about her life, business pursuits, interests, hobbies and inspirations.

Former OCU golfer Natalie Gough (BS ’22) was named a co-winner of the 2023 Everett Dobson Award by the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame.

Celina James (BM ’20) made her New York City debut in “Both Sides Now,” a combination of her interests in musical theatre and popular songs, at the Green Room 42.

Chance Ingalls (BM ’22) is performing as part of the featured ensemble in his national tour debut in “Annie” for a 48-city run.

Jordan Knapick (BM ’20) performed a mixed concert of classical musical theatre and classic songs in Mooresville, North Carolina, with a share of the profits benefitting the YMCA Central Carolinas.

Gabriella “Ella” Lofton (BS ’22) was named assistant coach of the Carleton College volleyball team in Minnesota. She previously served as the director of events and athletic inclusivity, equity and diversity initiatives for the Carleton Knights. She ranks in the top-five players in OCU volleyball history.

Kaiden Maines (BFA ’20) became director of the Waxahachie High School drama department in Texas, returning to her alma mater after graduating in 2016 with several theatre awards.

Marina Quintanilla (BA ’20) was named to the first cohort of the American Choral Directors Association’s New Canon

46

Oklahoma City University

Kate Morton (BM ’22), performed with the professional Montana-based opera company Intermountain Opera Bozeman, for “Wheels of Harmony,” which features all Native American performers touring rural and tribal schools, including Morton’s hometown of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Anna Schmidt (BS ’22) was awarded the Norton Rose Fulbright Outstanding FirstYear Student Award at Baylor University’s School of Law for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Colton Sprenkle (MM ’22) was hired as an elementary music teacher in the Carthage School District in Missouri. He also recently performed at the Pittsburg Festival of the Arts in Kansas.

Zouhair Talbi (BS ’22) finished fifth in his debut marathon—the Boston Marathon in April, and then in July of this year, he and his fiancée, Elizabeth Heffernan, who attended OCU, won their respective divisions in the John Carson 2-Mile Road Race in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with Talbi setting the course record.

Danny Phan Tran (MS ’22) joined SSM Health Medical Group as a digestive tract specialist.

Alexis Benitez (JD ’23) has been named assistant district attorney in Carter County, the same county where she grew up in Healdton.

Vivian Cooper (BM ’23) is the new assistant band director at Ousley Junior High in Arlington, Texas.

Connor Curtis (JD ’23) and Jacob Patton (JD ’23) joined the McAfee and Taft law firm, with both joining as trial lawyers.

Collin Ellsbury (BM/BA ’23) performed as a guest solo vocalist with the Karl L. King Municipal Band in his hometown of Fort Dodge, Iowa, to sing selections from “Man of La Mancha.” He also was selected as a national Phi Kappa Phi Fellow. The $8,500 fellowship began this fall, as he undertakes study for his master’s in vocal performance and pedagogy at New York University.

Amanda Gonzalez (BS ’23) has been named development officer for OCU's Office of University Advancement.

She previously served as the coordinator of alumni engagement and strategic communication for the Office of Alumni Affairs at the university.

Colby Karcher (JD ’23) joined the Phillips Murrah law firm as a litigation attorney. During his time at OCU, he was a merit scholar and on the dean’s and faculty honor roll. He also was a member of the Law Review and Phi Delt Phi Honor Society.

William McClendon (JD ’23) was one of three people to be awarded a rural law practice grant from the Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Donation as he begins his career practicing law in Kansas.

Paul Nguyen (BM ’23) has been appointed band director at Putnam City Schools’ Kenneth Cooper Middle School.

Class Notes

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

2501 N. Blackwelder Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Paid

PERMIT #2164 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK