Vision - Spring 2022

VISION THE WORLD AWAITS YOUR STORY

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PICTURE THE FINISH LINE

MR. BECAUSE YOU CAN

THE MISSION O F E D U C AT I O N

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon & OC Honor #TeamDarci

Marcus Black Empowers the World

Helping Oklahoma Through Prison Education

SPRING 2022

V I S I O N STA F F President John deSteiguer

Director of Alumni Relations Aubrie Ross (’04)

Advancement and Alumni Christine Merideth (’91), Hannah Dawson (’18), Ellie Johnson (’18), Kim Reiter (’91)

Editors Mandolin Skipworth (’19), Tessa Wright (’12), Teri Mueller (’95)

Writers/Contributors Elizabeth McLeckie (’20), Dr. Josh Watson, Murray Evans (’89), Dr. Philip Patterson

Designers Jonathan Curtis (’03), Tessa Wright (’12)

Project Manager Mindy Stafford (’17)

Photographers Judson Copeland (’02), Alison Helms (’22), Steven Christy (’01), Blake Mayfield (’21)

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: VISION Magazine PO Box 11000 Oklahoma City, OK 73136-1100

VISION Alumni Magazine of Oklahoma Christian University (USPS 405-420) Volume 23, No. 1, Spring 2022

© Oklahoma Christian University 2022 Oklahoma Christian University admits students of any race, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.

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STORY FROM THE PRESIDENT

In the past year, we’ve made strides in innovative programs and fresh campus updates. Our programs meet the needs of our community, and our campus honors loved ones and provides high-tech, hands-on resources and labs that allow our students to thrive.

I may be biased, but it’s no secret that we’re among the best universities in the country. But, don’t just take my word for it! According to Niche, we’re the #1 campus location in the state. According to the U.S. News, we’re the #35 Best Value University in the country. None of this should come as a surprise. Innovation is what we do best.

This year we have… teamed up with Integris, Mercy, SSM Health and the Chickasaw Department of Health to innovate in nursing; created a paraprofessional program in teaching to face the teacher shortage in Oklahoma; been named a Certified Healthy Campus by the Oklahoma State Department of Health thanks to the diligent work of Team OC; received Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Designation by the National Security Agency for our Cyber Center.

And the list goes on and on!

And as we grow, our alumni continue to grow alongside us. In this edition of Vision, you’ll read stories about how one OC alumnus followed his heart to pursue medicine in New York after graduation, how OC professors are teaching inmates at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, how a beloved alumna created a lasting legacy of mental, spiritual and physical health on campus, and so much more.

Plus, we were able to celebrate another Associates Gala after 1,092 days apart what a reunion! Let me just say, it’s easy for me to be proud of the work that comes out of OC! So, I invite you to flip through Vision to see the great, innovative, missional accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni over the past year. I also invite you to come out to campus to visit us and see it all in action. And while you’re here, drop by my office to say hi! We can pray together, snack on M&Ms, and I’d love to hear your story since graduating.

Thanks for your prayers, your encouragement, your support, your sending students our way - every time you do one of these things, you make OC stronger. And, I really do hope you will come visit your OC campus, where Jesus still matters.

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MORE THAN A COACH

Coach Ray Vaughn with Tom Hibbits, Doy Burchel, John Doughty and Tom Heinen.

20 KYLE ROBERTS: PRODUCTION WITH PURPOSE 26 EAGLES ON THE

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MOVE N AT H A N J I A : M E D S C H O O L AT N Y U

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THE FINISH LINE

By Mandolin Skipworth

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OKC MEMORIAL M A R AT H O N & OC HONOR #TEAMDARCI OC has a long history of being home to inspiring leaders. Each carrying their own unique gifts, these leaders left an indelible mark on our campus.

And while each icon has changed OC for the better there is and always has been space for the campus to grow more integrated spiritually, mentally and physically.

AND THEN CAME DARCI.

TOP (L to R) Wade Miller, Mark Thompson, Paige Arter, President deSteiguer and OKC Mayor Holt.

BOTTOM Darci Grisso Thompson (front center left) standing with her family who participate in OKC marathon events annually.

After a semester at Harding University, Darci Grisso Thompson graced OC’s campus with her deep love for people and passion for growth.

She characteristically became a leader, directing a Tri-Theta Spring Sing show and making a name for herself on campus. After graduating in 2000, Darci quickly felt called to pursue a career at OC. She worked in Admissions, seeking out students who belonged on campus as well as staff members whose talents would benefit OC. With an enchanting charisma and belief in the campus mission, few dared to deny Darci.

“Darci was so infectious; she was very enthusiastic,” Assistant Athletic Director and friend Teresa DeBoard said. “When she was passionate about something, she wanted to share it with anyone.”

Her passion for campus growth eventually manifested itself into a health and wellness program for OC. Inspired by her husband Mark’s love for fitness, Darci saw a need on campus that she called on herself to fill.

“Love is what created ‘Darci the Runner,’” longtime friend Summer Lashley said.

Darci wanted the Team OC program to make OC a healthier campus. It wasn’t about winning. Darci fiercely wanted to compete, but not with others as much as she wanted each person challenging themselves. Even more than that, Darci established Team OC to be a space that advocated for mental and spiritual health as well as physical.

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LEFT

BELOW

Mark Thompson with

Darci made runners out of those

daughters Tinley and

who didn’t think they could,

Tallulah.

recruiting large teams for Team OC.

Darci cutting the ribbon for the renovated campus fitness center, The Dub. (L to R) Greg Wedel, President deSteiguer, Valari Wedel.

S O S H E D I D J U ST T H AT. “Darci was the one who presented [Team OC] to President deSteiguer,” Current Director of Team OC Arianne Gillham said. “We didn’t really have any fitness initiative before then. It’s all her.”

As the Director of Wellness, Darci built Team OC as a place where the campus community could find accountability, attend fitness classes, take advantage of the Dub (OC’s renovated fitness center), participate in motivating fitness challenges and, the big one, run in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

Each year, Team OC brings a team of

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runners (and walkers) to participate in the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. In the early days, while just a few people participated, Darci committed to making it a valuable and memorable experience. She loaded up a truck full of Team OC relay racers and dropped them off at their handoff zones. She had signs made to cheer them on. And it wasn’t long until more people were enchanted and wanted in on the fun.

“If you were in the room with her, you were her best friend,” DeBoard said.

Team OC began to grow and became the consistently largest group to compete in the marathon year after year. Darci had a seemingly magical way about her that made people feel like they could do anything, so the team continued to grow.

In 2013, Darci received a cancer diagnosis during her pregnancy with their second daughter, Tallulah. While the news hit hard, Darci, in classic Darci fashion, began to fight for more than herself. She began raising awareness for cancer, and Team OC,

Her way with people came in handy throughout her time at OC. She helped people find their calling on campus.

She raised money for Team OC and the Dub through her charisma and passion for the program. Donors saw that passion and didn’t think twice about giving. Darci met even the most intricate challenges head on.

OC SOARS WHEN SHE WAS PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T SOMETHING, SHE WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH ANYONE. if anything, grew in importance.

“It was never about just running the marathon,” friend Risa Forrester said.

“That’s the last thing it was about.”

Despite her diagnosis, she continued to live a faithful, encouraging life.

She fought hard when illness hit hard.

She faithfully invested in her friends.

Her race was not yet complete, and Darci encouraged others in theirs. She faithfully led Team OC and brought many more teams to the marathon and many more people into healthier lifestyles.

In February 2020, Team OC lost Darci’s force of nature to cancer, but her legacy lives on. Darci lives within her husband Mark and daughters Tinley and Tallulah, closest friends, Team OC and the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

She’s remembered for her determination, heart, charisma, competitiveness and faith, so much so that many of her friends still pursue their health journey in her honor.

This year, not only did the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon recognize Darci’s legacy, but we also had the honor of running together as #TeamDarci with around 400 team members. And while the marathon is over, bettering your spiritual, mental and physical health is a lifelong race. Picture that finish line, and continue to run, if not for yourself, do it for Darci.

Watch the OKC Memorial Marathon video honoring Darci’s legacy.

THROUGH 2022 M A R AT H O N EVENTS As we reflect on the success of this year, we want to highlight several OC alumni, faculty, staff and community members who soared across the finish line seemingly with ease (though they may argue otherwise). Congratulations to our Eagles who ranked high in the following categories!

Photos: OKC Memorial Marathon

M A R AT H O N

MEN’S 1st Bryant Keirns (’16) 5th Mark Thompson

(his FIRST marathon!)

H A L F M A R AT H O N WOMEN’S 3rd Kelsey Castillo (’20, MBA ’21) (OC Track & Field alumna) MEN’S 18th

Allen Thurman (1st Team OC Half Marathon finisher & former employee and friend of Mark & Darci)

R E L AY 2nd (Overall) 1st (Coed)

“For Darci” “For Darci”

The “For Darci” team was made up by friends of Mark & Darci Thompson; Catherine Lisle, Stuart Lisle, Ashley Carreon, Scott Downard and Wade Miller, OC’s Head Track & Field/XC Coach.

5K

MEN’S 2nd Trevor Talley (’19) (OC Cross Country alumnus)

WHEELCHAIR 1st

Glenn Pemberton (former OC faculty)

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MR. BECAUSE YOU CAN MARCUS BLACK EMPOWERS THE WORLD

By Mandolin Skipworth

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Not many people have ministered to an NFL athlete one-on-one through an audio-only keynote-speaking app and have also become an international speaking sensation overnight, but Marcus Black (’11) has. However, his story doesn’t end there.

In August of 2008, Black transferred to Oklahoma Christian University on the word of friends who touted OC’s praises. Having been raised in Mississippi, Black had few connections in Oklahoma, but he took the risk and made OC home. He became an interdisciplinary studies major, eventually joined social service club Chi Lambda Phi and shared his voice in New Reign.

“New Reign would have me speak to the crowds,” Black said. “Even though public speaking wasn’t my thing, I just had a heart for people and the ability to connect, so I did it.”

Black found his voice through New Reign, but wrestled with finding his calling once he graduated.

After exploring several jobs, Black

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GOD ISN’T GIVING YOU STRUGGLES eventually landed at Youth For Christ, a faith-based mentoring program for students located in Oklahoma City. As the Campus Coordinator and Pastor, Black ministers to students by teaching them to love God and grow in spite of adversity. This job allowed him to further explore God’s calling for him, and he started working on podcasting, public speaking and writing.

“I asked Trent Shelton [an established public speaker] to allow me to shadow him. I agreed to set up chairs, tables, whatever it took,” Black said. “He walked me through, showed me the ropes of what this [career] looks like at a high level.”

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With the blessing of mentorship from Trent Shelton and the power of a new keynote-speaking app called Clubhouse, Black’s career took off.

He gained followers and grew a reputation for his inspiring charisma, getting invited to speak in keynotes all over the world.

Black’s The Vitalize Podcast is available on any podcasting platform and has over 60,000 listeners to date.

Black also ministers to people through his new movement, Embrace Your Ambition, a program that empowers people to tap into their calling.

“I could open every door for you

TO CAUSE YOU TO STUMBLE, BUT TO BUILD UP YOUR STRENGTH SO YOU CAN FULFILL THE MISSION AND P U R P O S E T H AT H E PUT YOU HERE FOR.

LEFT Marcus Black and business partner Ashlee Fay Branstetter started Embrace Your Ambition to encourage courage, creativity and Christ in others.

PHOTOS Taylor Moore & Emily Brumley of Storyteller Films

right now, and I could bring a lot of visibility, millions of viewers your way.

But I’m not going to do that. Because if I do, I deprive you of the joy that you never needed me,” Shelton told Black.

As his platform expands, Black encourages people to courageously move forward. His mission grows worldwide. He’ll soon take a group to Mexico and also visit Africa and Europe. And he isn’t done yet!

“Don’t stop believing,” Black said.

“You’ve got to embrace the struggles.

God isn’t giving you struggles to cause you to stumble, but to build up your strength so you can fulfill the mission and purpose that He put you here for.

Take a step every single day, because slow steps are better than no steps.

Hold to your faith. Go live the life you love living. Because you can.”

RECENT RECOGNITIONS LA Weekly Top 10 Keynote Speakers to Watch in 2021 Wealth Insider Top Coaches to Follow in 2022 USA Today Top 9 Coaches to Help You Level Up Your Life in 2022

JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

@mblackspeaks @eyambition

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R MORE M RE ORE MORE MORE THA MORE MORE MO E

By Murray Evans

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FROM NOTHING, VAUGHN C R E AT E D A POWERFUL AT H L E T I C PROGRAM

N A COACH When Ray Vaughn accepted the job as the athletic director at Central Christian College in 1958, the school – which had just moved from Bartlesville to the northern edge of Oklahoma City – had no athletic facilities for its fledgling intercollegiate basketball and track and field programs. It was a far cry from the local high school powerhouse he’d helped build at Capitol Hill High School.

“They told him, ‘We’re going to hire you to start this athletic program and you have zero facilities with which to do it,’” said Vaughn’s son, Ray Vaughn Jr. “But Dad never let the lack of facilities inhibit what we needed to do. He had a good run.”

Soon enough, through Vaughn’s hard work and persistence, facilities were built, programs were created and thrived, and lives of students were changed – so much so that it was difficult to tell where Vaughn’s job at Oklahoma

Christian ended and where his ministry began. And make no mistake about it – Vaughn was the first of many OC coaches and athletic staff members through the decades who have used sports as a ministry vehicle.

“He was good at showing all of us that you could be competitive, successful and want to win and do it legally and ethically and in a Christian manner,” said Randy Heath, who was one of Vaughn’s track athletes and later succeeded him as OC’s Cross Country and Track Head Coach.

“One quote he always said, that’s always been in my mind, is ‘Under-promise and over-deliver.’ That speaks a lot about him. He was able to achieve in business and church and the school. He was a deliverer of action and promise.”

Read Vaughn Jr.’s book, “More Than A Coach,” and you’ll

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Jeff Bennett celebrates NAIA award along with Coach Vaughn and Stafford North.

I T WA S D I F F I C U LT TO T E L L W H E R E VAU G H N ’ S J O B AT OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN ENDED AND WHERE HIS MINISTRY BEGAN.

see story after story about how Vaughn’s faith was an integral part of his coaching. He prayed with track athlete Hal Ballou – who wasn’t yet a Christian, but became one while attending OC – before a race in which Ballou posted his career-best time to that point.

“I looked at him with a different set of eyes after that,” Ballou said. “I’d run any race he asked me to.”

Jeff Bennett – US Olympian and the greatest athlete in OC history – credits Vaughn and Vaughn’s wife, Sue, with nurturing his faith and helping convince him to become a Christian. “Coach Vaughn was much more than my coach.

He was my father figure, my mentor, my financial counselor and my confidant. Sue Vaughn … also was like a mother.

My experiences at Oklahoma Christian helped me develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.”

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Vaughn oversaw the development of what became a successful small-college athletic program, one that produced not only dozens of All-American athletes and many championship teams, but also faithful Christians who went on to successful careers in business, medicine, law enforcement, education and many other fields.

Coach Vaughn died in 1980 at age 63, but his influence lives on to this day, as OC’s athletic department has continued its steady growth during the ensuing decades. Now a member of NCAA Division II, the university now sponsors 17 NCAA sports and seven club-sports programs.

Coach Vaughn built OC’s first track facility, on the northwest corner of the campus, in 1961. In 1991, the cinder track surface was replaced with an all-weather running surface and OC named the renovated facility as “Ray Vaughn Track.” It served the Eagles well over the next two

I’D RUN ANY RACE HE ASKED ME TO.

decades, but by 2010, the surface began showing extreme wear and tear, forcing OC to stop hosting its annual Ray Vaughn Classic meet. By the mid-2010s, OC’s teams began having to practice off campus because of the track’s condition.

But now, the Eagles again practice on campus, as a longawaited $700,000 project to renovate the facility wraps up.

Vaughn Jr. and his wife Suzanne, his sister and her husband Drs. Lynn and Barry Mitchell along with Dennis and Dena Lovett made significant gifts to get the project off and running. Track and field alumni helped bring it to the finish line by contributing more than $165,000 in a little over two months.

“I think he’d be very glad that we were able to continue on after his passing and of the things we’ve been able to accomplish,” Vaughn Jr. said. “I think he’d be very proud that we’re still a force to reckon with in the athletic field and that we’re persevering. We’re doing it in spite of all odds.”

MORE ORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MO E M R E OC Track student Verrell McBride welcomes the fresh surface at the Ray Vaughn Track.

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T H E G I F T S T H AT KEEP ON GIVING Thanks to generous gifts from Eagle families and community members, we are able to continue to enhance our campus so we can offer top-notch facilities to our top-notch students, faculty and staff.

On behalf of our campus, thank you for continuing to support the following capital projects and efforts over the last year and beyond.

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Adams Recital Hall Lights Baseball Infield Turf at Dobson Field Baseball Scoreboard* Center for Diversity Classroom Center for Diversity Offices Computer Science Lab* Day Six | Calling and Career Office Esports Arena & Lounge* Meinders Conference Center* North Crossing NW Pond Improvement Pickleball Courts Ray Vaughn Track Renovation* Shreck Office Suite & Lobby* Soccer Locker Room Facility Soccer Pressbox* Sunrise Plaza* Wilson Landing *project in progress

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THE MISSION OF E D U C AT I O

By Dr. Philip Patterson

HELPING OKLAHOMA THROUGH PRISON E D U C AT I O N Oklahoma Christian University created an Associates of Science degree at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center (MBCC) with enthusiastic response from inmates, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) and faculty in the program.

The program began in the fall semester of 2021 with a cohort of 16 students taking a speech class under Dr. Philip Patterson, Distinguished

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Professor of Communication. The program was expanded in the spring semester to include another cohort of 14 in speech with the initial group going into a composition class taught

by Dr. Nathan Shank, Associate Professor of English. Plans are for the 60-hour associate’s degree to be completed in about three years, as the program ramps up.

Officially called the HOPE (Helping Oklahoma through Prison Education) Institute, the partnership with Mabel Bassett Correctional Center began with OC’s Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jeff McCormack after he saw firsthand the success of an “inside-out”

program at Lipscomb University in Nashville, where Lipscomb students, including both of Dr. McCormack’s daughters, were allowed to study alongside prison students inside of the state facility.

MBCC is the state’s medium/ maximum security prison for women located about 35 miles from OC’s campus. The State of Oklahoma has the highest incarceration rate of women in the nation, and some 1600 inmates live at MBCC, making it an ideal site to launch the HOPE Institute, decreasing recidivism. When COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, OC hopes to work with the DOC to make

O H N it an “inside-out” program with OC students in each class.

Dr. Patterson called the experience of teaching in prison “absolutely the highlight” of his more than forty years in higher education—all of it at OC. When his MBCC students all volunteered to do a faith-based speech in the fall (a two-minute speech on one’s favorite scripture), he was moved to share the choice of scripture and the gist of the speeches with the campus and the board of trustees in a document entitled “Scripture through the eyes of the Incarcerated.”

P E “When you hear their stories, you can’t help but be moved,” Dr. Patterson said. “You can’t assign them to tell their stories—you earn them—and you feel very privileged when you hear them.”

Dr. Shank also had strong feelings about his MBCC experience.

“I was left an emotional wreck when I read their first essays, because of the stories they told. To get to grade stories that can make you cry is the highest privilege of teaching.”

Both professors mentioned the eagerness of every student to answer

every question as another pleasure of teaching the class.

Dr. Patterson and Dr. McCormack have traveled to Lexington, OK, south of Norman, looking at a prison for men to expand the HOPE Institute.

Immediate plans include raising funds to hire a director of the prison programs at Oklahoma Christian.

“Of all the new programs at OC that I’ve suggested in my role as CAO, this one has the most universal buy-in of any of them—probably because it is so missional to what we do here,” Dr. McCormack said.

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PRODU WITH PURPO Kyle Roberts (’07) approaches film production with passion and purpose. Owner and Founder of Reckless Abandonment Pictures, Roberts produces, directs and edits commercials, short series, stopmotion and feature films. From bigname contracts with Dreamworks, Hasbro and Mattel, to Emmy-winning Oklahoman coverage, to his own feature-length film and upcoming faith-focused series, Roberts’ story began with action figures.

high school, his potential gave young Roberts keys to both the broadcast editing bay and the school for him to create anytime.

said. “Between class assignments and personal projects, our professors wanted us to put our knowledge into practice.”

His impressive film reels before college allowed Roberts to continue his creative education in Broadcast Journalism at Oklahoma Christian University. While at OC, he had hands-on experience participating in Eagle Angle, Eagle Radio and Eagle basketball games.

Following graduation in 2007, Roberts became a video editor at The Oklahoman, Oklahoma’s largest daily newspaper, earning Emmys for his music video docu-series and Oklahoma City Thunder coverage.

As a boy, the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie was the first Roberts saw in the theater, and it sparked a love for storytelling. As the resident “AV kid” in

“While I loved community and connections most, my department gave me the foundation of what it means to be a storyteller,” Roberts

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After work, he would create on the side late into the night and on weekends. His stop-motion film of beloved action figures went viral and earned features in USA Today, MTV and the LA Times, opening doors with

K Y L E R O B E RT S K I N G D O M M E D I A C LU B

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R EC K L E S S A B A N D O N M E N T P I C T U R E S

UCTION

By Elizabeth McLeckie

high-profile products like Ninja Turtles, Nerf, Trolls and Thomas and Friends.

HOW DO [WE] EARN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BY OUR AUDIENCES?

“We are in the world for His purpose, not our own, and that’s why we begin each project day in prayer,” Roberts said. “Reckless Abandonment began following a closed door as God gave me a chance to focus on my science-fiction, superhero movie, The Posthuman Project (2014).

These successes even landed me at a Japanese Comic-Con between a Marvel artist and D.C. Comics writer.”

People of all ages watch Roberts’ purposeful videos. He often asks his team, “How do [we] earn the right

to be heard by our audiences?” His dedication to this mantra and Godgiven passion allow for celebrations in the successes and praises for sharing stories each day.

Roberts and his team are working on raising over 10 million dollars for a multiple film slate, What Rhymes With Reason, radically familyfriendly stories of hope produced in Oklahoma. If you would like to donate to his latest project, visit kingdommediaclub.org.

KINGDOMMEDIACLUB.ORG

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OC TO NYU N AT H A N J I A

TA K ES O N M E D S C H O O L

IN NEW YORK

By Dr. Josh Watson

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Nathan Jia (’16) stays incredibly busy in New York City, completing his medical school residency in orthopedics at any of the nine hospitals run by the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. Those who meet him there and hear about his parents’ journeys from China to the U.S. are not surprised, given the largest U.S. city is known as a melting pot. They are surprised, however, that Jia came to NYU from OC. “I feel like there’s no way it wasn’t a higher power that is working here,” Jia said. “It’s not my own doing that got me here.”

According to Jia, that path began before he was born, through love demonstrated by Christians working at OC and attending the Memorial Road Church of Christ.

“The Skaggs family and many others truly welcomed my family when they moved to the U.S.,” Jia said. “My parents really had nothing when they arrived, and that kindness was key to

them becoming Christians.”

Jia’s dad, Dr. Greg Jia, who was a hand surgeon in China, came to the U.S. because the college he worked at had a relationship with the Oklahoma University Medical School. Jia’s mom, Mary, is also from China, but his parents first met in Oklahoma and married just six months later.

“It was a Memorial Road ministry, helping them at that point in their lives, that led to them becoming Christians,” Jia said.

His family soon moved to Woodward, Oklahoma, where Jia’s dad served as a doctor. When it came time for college, Jia knew where he wanted to go.

“Among all the colleges in-state, picking OC was a no brainer,” he said. “The faith community was great, but the influential professors were amazing. After medical school, I realized even more how good an academic education I had. My

THERE’S NO WAY I T WA S N ’ T A HIGHER P OW E R T H AT I S WORKING HERE. professors did a great job of not just teaching us, but also motivating us to learn on our own.”

While it may seem that Jia was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps as a doctor, he said that’s not true.

“I definitely felt pressure to be a doctor, since that’s what my dad did,” he said. “So, that was the last thing I wanted to do in high school.

“At OC, I realized I only resisted

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I N N OVAT I O N S I N H E A LT H

YO U C A N P R AY A L L D AY LO N G , BUT YOU HAVE TO WORK THE FIELD, TOO. I P R AY T H AT H E LOOKS OUT FOR ME, BUT I KNOW I HAVE TO DO THE WORK, TOO. because so many expected me to do it. I liked biology and science, and I fell in love with everything about it. It was what I was meant to do. When I stopped resisting, it really became a positive snowball.”

Once Jia committed to a pre-medical school degree, he got to work, graduating in just three years. He attributes this as one of the positive benefits of studying at OC. “I had a close group of friends who were competitive and pushed each other to get the best grade,” Jia said.

“If I didn’t do well, I knew I would have to look my buddy in the eye and admit he did better than me, and I didn’t want that. None of us did, and it was great.”

That competitive experience also helped pave the way for Jia’s success in medical school.

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“I wanted to explore the world a little more,” Jia said. “NYU had a 3-year program, and I could start my specialty residency program a year earlier than most schools.”

Knowing Jia’s story, it’s not surprising that he gives others credit for his success.

“I think it has to do with my family and church,” he said. “My parents worked so hard for me to be successful. It feels like someone is watching over me.”

Of course, Jia does know that success also comes from hard work.

“One of the parables I really like is the farmer and the field,” he said. “You can pray all day long, but you have to work the field, too. I pray that He looks out for me, but I know I have to do the work, too.”

Jia also recommends that OC students who want to follow his path stay connected to what is most important.

“It’s good to look forward, but it’s also good to appreciate what you have,” he said. “Personal success would mean nothing if I didn’t have my family.”

At Oklahoma Christian, we’re blessed to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in health care.

Like Nathan Jia, our alumni are career ready after graduation, prepared to change lives and make a difference in the industry, learning on a campus that emphasizes mental and physical health. Check out some of our most recent milestones in health and medicine.

Work-Based Nursing Programs We introduced some of our workbased Integris U Nursing students to Oklahoma Governor Stitt, showing him the value of the program in addressing the Oklahoma nursing shortage.

Graduate Programs Address Family and Mental Health Director of Graduate Programs in Human Sciences Dr. Kelly Roberts is meeting needs in mental health with new graduate programs in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Family Life Education.

Medical Laboratory Sciences Accreditation The five year old MLS program went through the re-accreditation process this year and was approved for another 10 years under the NAACLS Review Committee!

OC Named Certified Healthy Campus Thanks to Arianne Gillham and her Team OC staff, OC has been named a Certified Healthy Campus by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. We received an “excellence” certification - the highest rating given!

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EAGLES ON THE MOVE 1

SHOW US YOUR MOVES Tag us @OCAlumni Email alumni@oc.edu Learn about weddings, babies, adoptions and more ‘Eagles on the Move’ from the Alumni blog at OC.EDU/ALUMNI

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1 ROBERT (CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ’56) AND WILMA HUFFAKER celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in December of 2021.

Robert was a preacher at Mt. Zion Church of Christ for 59 years, he also served as a teacher, principal and bus driver at Mars Hill Bible School for 30 years. Photo: The Christian Chronicle 2 SUE OTT ROWLANDS (’75) is President of Randolph College.

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3 DR. LYNN (VAUGHN ’76) MITCHELL was named Chief Medical Officer by Oklahoma Complete Health.

4 DONALD (’80) AND PATRICE (VOSS ’79) ZIEGLER show off their future Eagle grandkids. (L to R) Korbyn, Kynlie, Kamdyn and Kyndall, children of KACEY (’04) AND JENNIFER (ZIEGLER ’04) GOSS. 5 TOM SNIDER (’80) (Middle) was inducted into the Edmond Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame in October 2021.

6 LANA REYNOLDS (’81) serves as Seminole State College’s President and was honored among 25 other top educators for her educational and institutional leadership in the “Power 2021 Education” publication put out by The Journal Record in Oklahoma City.

7 ALLISON GARRETT (’84) was named the ninth Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by the Oklahoma State Regents.

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8 KYLE WRAY (’89) was appointed the Interim Senior Vice President for Executive Affairs at Oklahoma State University.

9 STEVE LACKMEYER (’90) was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame on April 28.

Steve started at The Oklahoman in 1990, and his work has appeared in newspapers nationwide!

10 BOBBY ROSS JR. (’90) was named “Best Reporter” by the “Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists.”

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11 MIKE BOSLEY (’95) is the owner and engineer at SeatbeltPlanet.com LLC. 12 JOSH (’97) AND HEATHER (KOPF ’99) FOWLER show off Li’l Eagle and first grandchild, Sofia Arabella Fowler, born on 3.3.22.

13 RYAN BARNETT (’99) is the Chief Operations Officer for the First Americans Museum. Photo: Marshall Hawkins, Edmond Outlook

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14 ERIN (RICHARDS ’00) ENGELKE, APR, was honored on the Top 25 Most Powerful Young Professionals in Oklahoma City list for 2021. Erin is the Executive Director at Calm Waters Center for Children & Families.

17 HEATHER DEAL (’06) is the Founder and Director of Cornerstone Classical Academy (CCA) in Bartlesville, OK.

15 MICHAEL MITCHELL (’04) is serving as the Director of Development and Discipleship at Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO).

16 KEVIN (’05) AND KRISTI (PHILLIPS ’07) PLUMLEE show off Li’l Eagle, Ransom, born 10.29.20.

18 DENI (CORYELL ’06) EIRING was appointed to fill a judicial vacancy on the Cheyenne County Court in the 15th Judicial District in Colorado.

19 TONY ROSE (’07) was named Executive Director of Educational Services by the Edmond Public Schools’ Board of Education.

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26 20 GERARDO CIFUENTES (CASCADE ’08) was named the Associate Provost for Admissions at the University of Portland.

21 JARED AND WAYNOKIA (VILTZ ’08) JARRETT were married 03.05.22.

22 DAVID BOWDEN (’10) is Co-Founder and CEO of Spoken Gospel, a nonprofit dedicated to speaking the Gospel out of every corner of Scripture through free online resources.

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23 REBEKAH BRUCE (’10) was the pianist for The Lehman Trilogy on Broadway and in Los Angeles. Previously, she was the Music Director of the First National Tour of Mean Girls the Musical, and is now playing at Stephen Sondheim’s revival of Company on Broadway.

26 KENDALL (’14) AND LOGAN (MCKEE ’15) MAYES show off Li’l Eagle, Drew.

24 MARSHALL (’10) AND WHITNIE (SWAN ’10) HUSER’S Li’l Eagle, Quinn, shows off her OC gear!

28 The Today Show honored education alum KINDRA ANDERSON (’15) as an A+ teacher and an educator who “goes above and beyond.”

25 IAN (’13) AND INDIA (FARR ’12) MORRIS show off Li’l Eagle, Harrison.

27 PEACE UWASE (MBA ’14) is the Executive Director, Financial Stability at the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).

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29 CHRISTELLE KWIZERA (’15) founded the start-up Water Access Rwanda in 2014. As of March 2021, this organization has provided 47,612 people in Rwanda with access to safe drinking water!

30 ZEKARIAH McNEAL (’16) graduated from Harvard, having studied and focused on corporate law, criminal law and dispute resolutions. McNeal was also on the Harvard Law Review, and he has had his work featured on the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program blog.

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31 SYDNEY (HILL ’16) RENEAU received the “Rising Star in Construction” award at The Journal Record’s second annual Excellence in Construction and Real Estate awards.

32 MICHELLE UMURUNGI (’16) is a Senior Strategy & Policy Analyst at Rwanda Finance Ltd. Umurungi recently helped represent Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) at COP26, a global climate summit.

33 LAYNE HAMMER (’17) was the female winner of the 2021 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Photo: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon 34 MOISE INGABIRE (’17) was promoted to Construction Manager at Amazi Water in Burundi. Amazi Water is the primary and in-country partner for clean water projects in Burundi.

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35 ABBY (DAVIS ’17) MESSICK was named to the Teaching & Leading Initiative of Oklahoma’s (TLI) third annual list of 20 Under 2 Novice Teachers - an award for promising new Oklahoma teachers.

36 LUKE SWANSON (’17) made the Tulsa World’s Oklahoma Best-Sellers list in August 2021. Luke’s book, “The Other Hamlet Brother,” was number two on that week’s chart.

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37 CALEB (’17) AND EMILY (CAMPBELL ’17) WIMER show off Li’l Eagle, Callan.

38 TORI GARRETT (’18) was named to the NextGen Under 30 Policy and Public Service list.

39 AARON JOHNSON (’18) works for Delaware Nation Investments (DNI) as a Marketing and Communications Manager and received the 2021 SHINES Employee of the Year Award.

40 BONAVENTURE URIMUBE (MBA ’19) was appointed by Bank of Kigali as their Chief Credit Officer.

41 JUSTIN (’20) AND ELIZABETH (KILLOUGH ’20) McLECKIE were married 07.10.21.

42 DEDRIAN PARMER (MBA ’20), former OC basketball standout, signed to play for Basket Almada Clube, a professional basketball team in Portugal.

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THE

ASSOCIATES GALA

IS BACK!

1 On March 31, 2022, after 1,092 days since our last Associates Gala in 2019, we were FINALLY able to gather again to celebrate our progress and the donors who blessed OC with their generous giving.

In 2020, we had planned to present the Lee Allan Smith Award to Byron Berline for his talent and dedication to the community. Unfortunately, Byron passed away in 2021, so the award was presented to his wife Bette. In appreciation for their heroic efforts during the pandemic, the Oklahoma health care workers were honored as the 2022 LAS recipients. Similarly, we brought OC alumni and a current student on stage for a conversation with President deSteiguer to discuss their work in medicine and what called them to the profession.

Alumni Harriet Martin, Lucas Ross, Blake Cunningham and Bob Lashley welcomed the crowd with uplifting bluegrass music. Dr. Heath Jones & the Jazz Combo along with the OC Chorale under the direction of Dr. Kyle Pullen shared their amazing musical gifts as well, rounding out a beautiful night.

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4 1 President deSteiguer presents Bette Berline with Lee Allan Smith Award.

2 Representatives from Integris Health, Mercy, SSM Health Oklahoma, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, The Unconquered and Unconquerable Chickasaw Nation Department of Health, The Oklahoma State Department of Health and The Oklahoma City and County Health Department accept the Lee Allan Smith Award.

3 President deSteiguer hosts Q&A with OC health care workers Matt Dowell, Kaitlyn Knedler, Kyler Walker, Andee Gower and Lucas Martinez.

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4 OC Jazz Combo performs for audience.

5 Performance Artist Zonly Looman from Studio Z paints Eagle during gala.

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Office of Alumni Relations Box 11000 Oklahoma City, OK 73136

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU!

Not only does Oklahoma (and many other states) need more nurses and educators, but industries everywhere are in desperate need of YOUR talent. As an adult, you’re likely working, trying to get the kids to school on time, finding time to take care of yourself and have a laundry list of chores. We get it. You’re juggling a lot.

That’s why we’ve created programs that meet state and nation-wide needs AND are tailored to you. Ready to turn your RN into a BSN? Join our 100% online, competencybased RN-to-BSN program! Have a heart for serving families? Earn your Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy OR Family Life Education. Looking to level up your teaching? Tackle the teacher shortage by jumping into the new Graduate School of Education or earning your alternative certification. Take your pick! We’re here to help you make your education a priority on your time.

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