Rix holds graduate degrees in business, theology, and philosophy and earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Drew University. As an artist, student, and teacher of Old Testament, Charles researches ways in which the scripture speaks to the issue of human suffering. Testut is originally from Ithaca, New York, and earned his Ph.D. at Hebrew Union College. A love of languages and a desire to provide Bible-less peoples with translations of the scriptures in their mother tongues has led him to work with Bible translators in East and West Africa. His research interests are in the Semitic languages and philological approaches to biblical texts.
Ryan Groves
David Bowden
Loren O’Laughlin
Brianna Gaither
OC PROMOTES DVORAK TO DIRECTOR OF NORTH INSTITUTE Oklahoma Christian has named Jim Dvorak (95) director of its North Institute for Teaching and Learning. He will lead the Institute’s efforts in providing technology support for faculty excellence and innovation in curriculum development, design and delivery. He also will use technology to help assess student learning and assist with Jim Dvorak scholarly activity. Since 2008, Dvorak has served as an associate professor of Greek and New Testament at OC. Among Dvorak’s first tasks in his new role will be overseeing expansion of online courses in graduate programs and key courses in undergraduate programs. The North Institute is named in honor of Dr. Stafford North, who has been a pioneer in developing and using technology in education at Oklahoma Christian.
OC REPRESENTED AT TEDxOKC Three OC graduates and one current student were among the 18 presenters at the prestigious TEDxOKC conference in April. OC student Ryan Groves (11) spoke about Wishing Well, a nonprofit company he cofounded that drills clean-water wells in developing countries. OC alumnus David Bowden (10), best known for his original poetry, also spoke at the conference. He is executive director of Give a Goat, which was founded by OC graduate Peter Cariaga (09). OC graduates Loren O’Laughlin (08) and Kyle Taylor (09), of the live painting group Rockwagon, also presented. OC graduate Brianna Gaither (11) also appeared at TEDxOKC as one of the event’s entertainers.
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ALUMNI WIN LOCAL MUSIC AWARDS OC alumni were well represented on the winners’ list for the 2011 Oklahoma Gazette Woody Awards. The “Best in Pop” winner was Brianna Gaither, the daughter of beloved biology professor Dr. Kim Gaither (81), who passed away in 2005, and alumnus David Gaither (81). Gaither, who graduated from Oklahoma Christian in April, has a criticallyacclaimed new album, “Love is Patient.” OC graduates Wil Norton (11) and Zach Zeller (11) are two of The Non’s four members. The band won the “Best in Rock” Woody Award from the Gazette.
OC HONORED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS Oklahoma Christian recently earned high rankings on two distinguished lists of schools using social media. Among all universities in the United States, OC ranks 43rd for using social media platforms by Student Advisor, a Washington Post organization. Measured interaction includes fans on Facebook, followers on Twitter, YouTube videos and more. OC also is among “10 university twitter accounts to learn from,” compiled by Patrick Powers, a higher education social media specialist. He said OC was “not afraid to share its mission with its followers or use appropriate social media tools to reach them. You may not agree with the message, but you have to admire the conviction the feed displays. It’s true to who they are. “ Ann White (04), OC’s interactive marketing coordinator, credits OC’s social media success to the larger OC community. “I see the amazing spirit of OC in the day-to-day happenings on campus and in our alumni. Social media gives me a chance to share that with others,” she said.