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Recent happenings at OCC
PASSING THE BATON: FACULTY AND STAFF DEPARTURES
Ozark has always been blessed with godly men and women in leadership. This year, several longtime leaders will retire or transition into new roles. Join us in praying for our “coworkers in God’s service” (1 Corinthians 3:9) as they begin new seasons of ministry. Pray also for those who will take their place in carrying out our mission of training men and women for Christian service.
Dr. Chad Ragsdale to Become OCC’s Sixth Academic Dean
Since 2011, Doug Aldridge has served as OCC’s executive vice president of academics and academic dean. Doug has provided outstanding leadership—guiding the college through the addition of an online program, the pursuit of regional accreditation, and the planning of a graduate program. Former Academic Dean Mark Scott once said the dean’s job is “to guard the mission like a junkyard dog,” and Doug has fiercely guarded OCC’s mission of training men and women for Christian service.
At Doug’s recommendation (and with the confidence of OCC’s faculty and the unanimous support of Ozark’s trustees), Dr. Chad Ragsdale will begin this summer as OCC’s next academic dean. In 2005, Chad moved from his Illinois preaching ministry to join Ozark’s faculty as a professor of Bible, and since 2013, he has served as assistant academic dean. Chad has the biblical foundations of a theologian, the pastoral experience of a preacher, the cultural engagement of an apologist, and the scholastic bent of an academician. More importantly, he has a genuine faith in Christ, a deep commitment to his family, a demonstrated love for the church, and a firm belief in Ozark’s mission of training men and women for Christian service.
In the fall of 2020, Chad completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. He has shadowed Doug Aldridge closely in preparation for his succession. On July 1, 2021, Chad will become the sixth academic dean in the 79-year history of Ozark Christian College. Like previous deans Seth Wilson, Lynn Gardner, and Mark Scott, Doug will step out of the dean’s office and back into the classroom to teach full time. Please join us in expressing appreciation to Doug Aldridge for his exemplary leadership, and join us in praying for Chad, his wife Tara, and their children Logan, Adeline, and Ryane as he embraces this new kingdom assignment.
22 years of service Academic Dean
Kathy Stammer Retires
After 22 years of service in Ozark’s Business Office, Kathy Stammer will retire this summer. Kathy served as accountant and payroll administrator for the college. Her diligence and attention to detail helped to further our mission of training men and women for Christian service. Thank you, Kathy!
Intercultural Studies
Alumni Engagement
Brice Wurdeman Named Director of Intercultural Studies Department
This fall, Brice Wurdeman will become OCC’s next Director of Intercultural Studies, following the longtime leadership of Dr. Chris DeWelt. In December, Chris will step down from teaching full time but will continue to teach part time in the Intercultural Studies Department. Brice has served as the executive director and professor at Windward Islands School of Evangelism (WISE) since 2011. Under his leadership, WISE purchased and moved to a new campus, increased enrollment, built a wide network of supporters, paid off all debt, and developed strong partnerships with local churches. Prior to that ministry, Brice served as an instructor at Sonlight Academy in Port-de-Paix, Haiti, and as a youth minister in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Schell City, Missouri. Brice graduated from Ozark in 2004 and holds a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Liberty University. Brice and his wife Amanda have six children: Naiyah, Beckett, Paxson, Kensington, Greeley, and Rusk.
Due to a COVID-related enrollment drop this year, OCC had to make several budget cuts, including some personnel cuts. In all, six positions in the 2020-2021 budget will not be included in the 2021-2022 budget. (Hear more at occ.edu/presidentsaddress.) Unfortunately, one of the positions eliminated was that of our alumni engagement director, Troy Nelson. Troy served at Ozark in various leadership positions for over 19 years. In his most current role, Troy’s ministry was marked by thoughtfulness, grace, and a heart for our alumni. We are very grateful for his care for our graduates and his longtime investment in training men and women for Christian service.
Troy concluded his service at OCC in February and now serves as development director with American Rehabilitation Ministries (ARM) in Joplin. In Troy’s absence and in addition to her role as executive assistant to President Matt Proctor, Kathy Bowers will serve as coordinator of alumni engagement. Kathy will be the primary contact for alumni, coordinating communication with alumni through OCC’s alumni Facebook page and other means. Contact Kathy Bowers at alumni@occ.edu.
35 years of service
Dr. Mark Scott Accepts New Ministry Position
At the close of the 2020-2021 academic year, Mark Scott began a new ministry position full time with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin. Mark has been a faithful teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend. Most of all, Mark has tirelessly, faithfully preached the Word of Christ in the Spirit of Christ. “I could not put in words or quantify what it has meant for us to serve at OCC,” Mark says. “When you cut us, we bleed OCC blue. How can I thank you for the privilege of serving with you for these 35 years? All our children and all their mates have come to college here—one of them even teaches here now. Now three of our grandchildren are studying and preparing here. Thank you, OCC, for giving us a clear call to come and teach in 1983. We owe the college more than we could pay in a thousand lifetimes.” Please pray for Mark and Carla as they begin a new season of ministry with Park Plaza Christian Church. Watch a video about Mark at occ.edu/markscott.
OCC is excited to announce regional accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This adds to Ozark’s national accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which the college has held since 1988. Ozark began seeking regional accreditation in 2012 and received candidacy status with HLC in November of 2016.
“The Ozark team has worked hard over this eight-year journey,” says OCC President Matt Proctor, “and we’re excited to achieve HLC accreditation. We’re grateful for the process that helped us improve, excited for how this serves our graduates’ future pursuits, and humbled by the affirmation of the quality education Ozark has long provided.”
The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting, postsecondary educational institutions in the North Central region of the United States, so OCC now shares accreditation with other regional universities like the University of Missouri, the University of Arkansas, and our educational partner Missouri Southern State University. While ABHE accreditation focuses on the quality of institutions that engage students in biblical higher education, HLC assesses an institution’s overall quality and evaluates the college alongside other schools within the region.
“Accreditation assures that an institution meets accepted standards of quality and integrity,” says OCC Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Dr. Teresa Roberts. “Since 1942, our mission and focus as a single-purpose Bible college have not changed. Ozark remains committed to training men and women for Christian service.”
Jeremy Storms Digital Learning Studio Opens
OCC is excited to open the Jeremy Storms Digital Learning Studio, located within the Hillside Building across from Strong Hall. Under the direction of the Digital Learning Department, the studio will be used by the campus for recording videos, podcasts, webinars, and more. Special thanks to OCC trustee Roger Storms and his wife, Nancy, for their generous gift to make the project possible. The studio is named for their late son, Jeremy Dale Storms, who passed away at age 15. Funding for the studio was also made possible by gifts from Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY), Southland Christian Church (Lexington, KY), and Crossland Construction (Columbus, KS).
Seven Sessions Available Online
Last February due to COVID-19, Ozark’s Preaching-Teaching Convention was held virtually. Over 1,000 people attended the conference online. All six sessions are now available on Ozark’s YouTube channel, along with a special address from President Proctor. Watch them all at occ.edu/ptonline. And, mark your calendars for next year’s inperson Preaching-Teaching Convention, February 21-23, 2022.
Bob Russell
Dr. Frank Smith, Jr.
Randy and Julie Gariss Jason Poznich
Shane J. Wood
Aaron Brockett
President’s Address - Matt Proctor
MAGGIE SCHADE
Community Impact Minister, Christ’s Church of Oronogo
DR. CHAD RAGSDALE
OCC Academic Dean-Elect
“We need to be living sacrifices, and the extent to which we’ll do that often reveals
the value we place on people’s souls.”
DOUG ALDRIDGE
OCC Executive Vice President of Academics
