Please continue to pray for the victims of the recent tornadoes that killed a combined 26 people and injured hundreds of others in Oklahoma.

Here is a list of people with Oklahoma Christian University connections who were impacted by the EF5 tornado that hit Newcastle, Moore, and south Oklahoma City on May 20.

• Ryan Frampton, OC alumnus - Lost his home; has a baby on the way.
• Kevin Hixson, OC alumnus - Teacher at Briarwood Elementary; helped protect students from the tornado; was at the ER until late Monday.
• Jason Leger, OC alumnus and adjunct art instructor - Lost his home; you may have seen his story on several media outlets (see video above).
• Rhonda Morris, Associate Professor of Education - Home wasn’t damaged, but no electricity.
• Kyle and Samantha Shesteen, OC alumni - Home slightly damaged.
• Jennifer Simonds, OC alumna – Teacher at Plaza Towers Elementary School; went to ER after getting hurt laying over students to protect them. Money and gift cards from Mardel, Lakeshore Learning Center, Target and Wal-Mart are being collected to help Jennifer replace her classroom materials. For more info, email chris.adair@oc.edu.
• Brandon Smith, OC alumnus - Lost his brother Randy to the storm; Randy also was a cousin to Micah Hobbs, OC alumnus.
• Jason and Sarah Thomason, OC alumni - Home wasn’t damaged, but no electricity.
• Brian Trumbly, OC alumnus - Lost cousin (a student at Plaza Towers Elementary School) to the tornado; aunt and uncle also lost their home. Here is a link to the memorial fund if you want to help financially: http://www.trumbly.com/ross-danni-legg-family-tornado-relief-fund
• Kristin Wallace, OC student - Parents lost their home.

We have the opportunity to provide general donations through several organizations, including our home congregations. In addition, you can click this link to see a listing by the Christian Chronicle of churches of Christ and associated ministries that are providing relief and shelter.

The following is a list of other organizations along with the needs at this time.

FEED THE CHILDREN

Feed The Children accepted donations from the public on Tuesday at the McCormick Distribution Center, 29 N. McCormick. Items accepted included diapers, canned goods, nonperishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks. Feed The Children is coordinating with other organizations and authorities at the scene to deliver disaster supplies as requests are received. Cash donations to help with relief efforts can be made by phone at 800-627-4556 or online at www.feedthechildren.org/disaster.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF

With Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams already responding to severe weather from Sunday in several locations, including Shawnee, Edmond and Little Axe, Oklahoma Baptists are assisting with recovery efforts from the tornado that hit Moore. Those interested in helping can make a tax-deductible donation to the BGCO’s Disaster Relief ministry, by visiting www.bgco.org/donate or calling 405-942-3800. All money goes toward disaster relief and helping victims. For photos, information and updates, visit the Oklahoma Baptists’ blog at www.okdisasterhelp.com.

OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE

Donors to the Oklahoma Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in all metro-Oklahoma City hospitals and 140 others across the state. Presently, the state’s blood supply is adequate to meet the needs of patients in all hospitals caring for victims of the Moore tornado. Since there is no substitute for blood, the supply constantly needs to be replenished. Those with O-negative and Rh-negative blood types are most needed. Locations of donor centers and mobile blood drives can be found at www.obi.org.

RED CROSS

The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate $10 by texting “Red Cross” to 90999. Local Red Cross units will be dispatched throughout the damaged area. Those who are looking for family members can visit www.safeandwell.org.

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite responding charity. Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged. Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase whatever items are deemed necessary without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work donated product. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams. Donations can be made to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks. Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769. Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds/aok.

TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Tulsa Community Foundation, the nation’s largest community foundation, has established the Moore and Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund. This fund has received a lead gift of $100,000 from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Contributions to the Moore and Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at 7030 S Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK, 74136.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts. To donate, go to www.unitedwayokc.org or give by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief. For more information, contact Karla Bradshaw at kbradshaw@unitedwayokc.org.

This summer, more than 120 students, staff and faculty are leaving the comforts of home to serve and spread the Gospel in around 20 countries, showing that “OC is Mission,” too.

“We are motivated and encouraged by the pure hearts for service that so many OC students have,” deSteiguer said. “We commend them, as well as our many faculty and staff who exemplify OC’s Christian mission to spread the good news and serve others.”

OC summer missionaries will lead Bible studies, make new friends and work on service projects, all in the name of Jesus. Those traveling appreciate prayers for success and safety.

Last year, students serving in Tanzania, Africa, helped as a "bucket brigade" that put out a fire at a school dormitory. To read about updates on some of the current OC mission projects, visit OC’s Center for Global Mission’s Facebook page.

Below is a list of countries and the OC students, staff and faculty that are serving in each location.

Argentina: Madison Huntsman, Josh McCoy, Jenny Stewart

Australia: Adam Bowman, Kent and Nancy Hartman, Kyle Keesee

Austria and neighboring countries: Anna Berthold, Jillian Bryson, Kolby Calhoun, Bradford Eckhart, Daniel Griffin, Ryan Hinds, Elizabeth Maher, Payton Minzenmayer, Alexander McMannama, Candyce Moore, Afton Paris, Alex Powers, Brayden Reiter, Seth Reiter, Shelby Richards, Alissa Stephens, Hardeman Tucker, Hayley Waldo, Dylan White

Brazil: AnnaBeth Duncan, Kristine Pike, Mindi Powell, Jess Tucker

Burkina Faso: Quinn Fields, Chelsea Leigh, Jessica Parker, Caleb Smith

Canada: Zechariah McNeil

Chile: Abi Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Craig Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Kara Johnson, Sarah Johnson

Czech Republic: Clayton Brewer, Jeremy Lasso

Germany: Clyde and Gwen Antwine

Honduras: Eric Alberts, Erin Bailey, Hope Casey, Dudley Chancey, Kayla Cook, Meredith Corwin, Carli Covalt, Mariah Danley, Kelli Ewert, Miriam Flores, Linda Fly, Shawna Hood, Kym Langford, Bradley Litzkow, Peyton Moehlenbroch, Andrea Moore, Ivan Noffsker, Katie Pryor, Marion Rich, Kaitlyn Schemeissner, Liz Webb

Japan: Mitch Aufiero, Karley Davis, JoLin Nguyen

Peru: Kasey Aufiero, Kayla Frei

Russia: Branson Hartshorn

Rwanda: Bonaventure Bikorimana, Francois Birori, Ines Dushime, Becca Greenwood, Yves Iradukunda, Christelle Kwizera, Alyssa Lui, Yingui Lui, Hunter Marris, Jeanmarie Ndayisaba, Darian Russell, Ariette Sangwa, Paige Shaw, Marci Smith, Grace Umutesi, Diane Uwacu, Lauren Whitworth

Thailand and Cambodia: Jonna Bezner, Mahya Inoue

Tanzania: Bret Arnold, Eddie Brumley, Abbie Bryant, Bethany Dean, Molly Gettle, Mackenna Jones, Ben Langford, Jonathan Parker, Julianne Stinson, Stuart Woodfin

U.S.-based mission work: Kaler Campbell, Carley Cave, Amber Cox, Quinn Drake, Jamal George, Zeke Gustafson, Loryn Hammer, Sierra Harris, Kelsey Henson, Josh Jones, Dillon and Ariel Leu, Mike Lynn, Jessica Parker, Crystal Robinson

Do you know someone on a mission trip that is not on this list? Let us know! Please include their name and location.

Gabbi Cook's parents were missionaries in Peru and planned a quick visit to the U.S. in August. Unexpectedly, doctors found cancer in Gabbi's liver and her parents have had to give up their missionary calling. Luckily, Gabbi received a new liver right before Christmas, but her family has incurred numerous health expenses. 

Kid President mentioned Gabbi at the end of one of his most popular videos, OC students are doing good on Gabbi's behalf through the 30 Day 30k campaign aimed at inspiring 30,000 people do good works on Gabbi's behalf. Those good deeds include raising money, but giving encouragement and praise are sometimes just as important. 

Talented OC students and alumni Sandra Peck, Brett Vanderzee and Laura Vanderzee are performing. Students are also selling drinks, snacks and balloon animals. The event will conclude around 8:30 p.m.

To learn more about helping Gabbi, visit Facebook.com/30day30k, twitter.com/30day30k or the donation page at Give Forward. 

The 50 selected students will meet with authors, politicians and global thought leaders, such as Karl Rove, former presidential adviser, author and FOX News commentator.

Oklahoma Christian is the primary host for the all-inclusive program (tuition, room, board, travel and fees), which is free to the 50 selected students.

This year's Four Star Leadership Congressional Debate competition offers students expert policy briefings so they may address those issues in persuasive speech and editorial contests, while collaborating in a model Student Congress. Students will investigate contemporary policy controversies ranging from energy policy to human rights.

Excursions during the week will provide participants with opportunities to further develop leadership skills and employ them through cultural experiences and service projects.

General Tommy Franks, former commander-in-chief of American and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, hosts the program, with OC, the National Center for Policy Analysis and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs as partners.

Since 2008, Four Star Leadership has welcomed 206 American high school students from 42 states and 32 international students. Kings, governors, senators, Olympic gold medalists and top national policy experts have mentored students in developing and demonstrating the core leadership principles of the program: character, common vision, communication, and caring.

To apply, go to http://fourstarleader.com. The application deadline is May 15. For more information, call (580) 726-5900.

Any of the 50 students who choose to pursue their college education at Oklahoma Christian will receive a $1,000-per-year scholarship for up to four years.

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Oklahoma Christian University (OC)
Oklahoma Christian, which set an enrollment record with 2,271 students this year, is recognized as one of the best universities in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review. The university offers undergraduate programs in more than 60 fields of study and graduate programs in business administration, engineering, ministry, and divinity. In addition to its Oklahoma City campus, OC has study abroad opportunities in Europe, Honduras and the Pacific Rim. For more information, go to www.oc.edu.

National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA)
With offices in Dallas and Washington, D.C., the NCPA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization, established in 1983. The NCPA’s goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. For more information, go to www.ncpa.org.

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)
With thousands of members across the state and a staff based in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs operates as an independent, nonprofit public policy research organization - a think tank - focused primarily on state-level issues. Throughout its 20 years of existence, the primary purpose of OCPA has been to educate the citizenry to equip them for self-government. They want to empower Oklahomans to lead the nation in the defense of freedom by providing fact-based public policy analysis that promotes free markets, limited government and entrepreneurial opportunity. OCPA publishes the conclusions from its research in the monthly policy journal Perspective and online at www.ocpathink.org. Within the arena of public policy and politics, OCPA is regarded as the flagship of the free-market movement in Oklahoma.

OC has dedicated a week of Chapel services to foster care, adoption, and the fatherless.

“We believe that every child deserves a family,” said Holly Towers, executive director of Lilyfield. “Participation with the fatherless and the modern-day orphan is not optional when we are focused on Christ and living a Godly lifestyle.”

Lilyfield  lined up speakers and organizations from the community and other not-for-profit organizations to speak on the needs of the fatherless in our community.

“Many people can foster or adopt. But even those who cannot open their homes to a child can ensure that other Christian families are able to,” Towers said. “We also hope that a seed might be planted in the hearts of these students to one day foster or adopt.”

Towers kicked off the week by sharing Lilyfield’s dream of a family for every child in Oklahoma. The campus then heard from Tom Ward, CEO of SandRidge Energy and founder of White Fields. He shared his passion of supporting the fatherless as an act of obedience to the Gospel. 

Other speakers include: John Sowers, author of The Fatherless Generation and president of The Mentoring Project; Ben Nockels, director of the 111 Project; and Josh Kingcaid, adoptive father and a minister at Memorial Road Church of Christ.

OC students have the opportunity to donate a meal swipe to help fund the cause of providing families for children in Oklahoma through the adoption and foster care programs at Lilyfield. 

Other efforts include donating spare change in baby bottles located around campus and connecting with featured organizations through volunteer and internship opportunities.

“Students often wonder how they can be involved in making a difference in the lives of children. Through these efforts, students can help provide homes for children by donating their time and resources,” Towers said.

About Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care
Lilyfield Christian Adoption and Foster Care is an adoption agency providing comprehensive services to women in unplanned pregnancies and couples wishing to grow their families. Lilyfield provides women in crisis pregnancies a place to turn to for guidance. In 2008, the agency began serving infants and young children in state custody by matching them with loving, Christian foster families. Since its inception in 2000, Lilyfield has served more than 600 birth mothers and placed more than 120 children in loving Christian homes. For more information, go to www.lilyfield.org.

Jase came to OC with his wife, Missy, and their three children. Prior to Chapel, he did a video shoot with Oklahoma Christian president John deSteiguer ... standing in the OC Pond. (Click here to watch the video.)

"The Bible is a weapon of mass instruction, and a love letter from God Almighty. And the message is clear - He is for you, not against you," Jase said during his Chapel talk. "The power is in the message. Share the message and let God water the seed."

Duck Dynasty is the most-watched program in the history of the A&E Network. The premiere of its third season on February 27 was the No. 1 cable show of the week.

1st - Chi Lambda Phi - "Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh"
2nd - Gamma Rho - "Jessie from Toy Story"
3rd - Psi Epsilon - "Monsters, Inc."
4th - Freshmen - "Finding Nemo"

Faculty/Staff Favorite - Psi Epsilon
Student Favorite - Psi Epsilon
Most Original - Psi Epsilon
Best Banner - Psi Epsilon
Best Choreography - Chi Lambda Phi
Best Costume - Psi Epsilon
Best Lyrics - Kappa Sigma Tau
Best Video - Freshmen
Best Vocals -  Gamma Rho
Unity Award - Lambda Chi Zeta
Tealridge Golden Cane Award - Chi Lambda Phi

For more about OC Spring Sing, click here to read a preview of this year's show and click here to see past videos and results.

This year, Oklahoma Christian joins a select group of programs Apple is renewing nationwide as exemplary learning environments.

The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that integrate technology in education and meet criteria for visionary leadership, innovative learning and teaching, ongoing professional learning, compelling evidence of success, and a flexible learning environment.

“Oklahoma Christian has been selected as an Apple Distinguished Program because we support the way students live and how they want to learn,” OC vice president for information technology John Hermes said. “From the iPhone and iPod touch, to the iPad and our current MacBook Air program for all undergrads, we’ve adapted to the technology needs of our students. We’re honored to be recognized by Apple for enhancing and extending teaching and learning with the thoughtful and innovative implementation of educational technology.”

OC’s technology innovation dates back to the 1960s, when individual study carrels gained national media attention and attracted college representatives from around the country to see the concept firsthand.

Oklahoma Christian stayed on the cutting edge, and in 2001, became the first university in the state and one of the few nationwide to offer campus-wide wireless Internet and a laptop for each full-time student.

Oklahoma Christian became an Apple Digital Campus in 2008. This year’s incoming students received the Macbook Air, which is the ultimate, lightweight, everyday notebook featuring the world’s most advanced operating system.

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The gift was made during a ceremony Monday afternoon on the OC campus. AT&T made a previous donation of $15,000 to OC’s Bridge Program in 2011.
 
“We are incredibly appreciative of AT&T’s continued generosity to our Bridge students,” OC president John deSteiguer said. “We want every student to succeed, and this gift helps ensure they have the tools to do so.” 
 
At the ceremony, student Karissa Wheeler spoke of the positive difference the Bridge Program has made in her college experience. Wheeler will graduate in December with a degree in family studies/child development. She came to OC from Chicago and began as a student in the Bridge Program. She is now a mentor for other students in the program.
 
“My high school advisor told me I would never make it in college. It only took a few weeks for me to fall behind in algebra. I remember going to see (Bridge Program assistant) Lannea Pemberton and telling her my advisor had been right. Thankfully, she never gave up on me, even when I didn't believe in myself,” Wheeler said. “I have also had the privilege to become a mentor with the Bridge Program and work with students who struggle like I did. Watching my students succeed is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.”
 
The university’s Bridge Program helps students whose secondary education has not fully prepared them for college. It provides students with special tutoring, developmental classes, instruction in time management and study skills, career counseling, guidance and mentoring. Many of the students are the first generation of their families to attend college, and others often come from low-income families.
 
The program began in 2006 with 13 students and has more than 100 students today. Just a few years ago, OC was one of only two colleges in the state recognized in the Center for Student Opportunity’s College Access and Opportunity Guide, which highlights supportive college environments for low-income, first generation students.
 
Oklahoma Christian, recognized as one of the best universities in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review, offers undergraduate programs in more than 60 fields of study and an undergraduate Honors Program, plus graduate programs in business, engineering, ministry, and divinity. 

In addition to its Oklahoma City campus, OC has study abroad opportunities in Europe, Honduras and the Pacific Rim. This year, the university opened a Learning Support Center in Kigali, Rwanda, allowing Rwandan students to study in OC's online MBA program.

Rowland was president of OC’s American Citizenship Center, then served as executive director of Enterprise Square USA.

“I was conducting Freedom Forums and seminars in a five-state area, and I would reach maybe 5,000 students and teachers a year,” Rowland once said. “I thought, ‘What if you built yourself a museum of some kind, an educational attraction that would attract that many or more each month, year round?’”

The vision became reality in 1982, when Enterprise Square opened, offering economic education and history in a unique venue located on campus.

Although he retired in 1990, Rowland would look back at the impact of Enterprise Square on economic education with a special pride. When educators brought classes to the center, students often were tested before and after their visit.

“We would see those scores jump from a 25 to 30 percentile average to a 65 to 70 percentile, doubling their scores nearly every time,” he said. “That was a great source of satisfaction.”

In 2008, the Rowland Endowed Scholarship Fund was established at Oklahoma Christian to assist students from the northwest pursuing a Christian education.

Prior to coming to OC, Rowland served as president of Columbia Christian College in Portland, Oregon, from 1959 to 1968. He also served as Columbia’s dean from 1957 to 1959.

Rowland was born in Oklahoma and grew up in California. In addition to his work with Columbia and Oklahoma Christian, he served the Lord in mission work in Alaska, helping to establish congregations in Juneau and Sitka. He also served as an elder at Quail Springs Church of Christ in Oklahoma City.

Rowland’s memorial service will be on Saturday, January 26. Details can be found at www.walkerfunerals.com.

Baird, a professor of Bible and philosophy at Oklahoma Christian, will succeed Dr. Scott LaMascus, OC’s new vice president for academic affairs. LaMascus has directed the Honors Program since 2009.

Baird graduated from Oklahoma Christian in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Bible and English. He received his theology degree from the Harding Graduate School of Religion in 1982 and earned his doctorate in philosophy from Oxford in 1992.

He has taught in OC’s College of Biblical Studies since 1992 and has served as the preaching minister at Wilshire Church of Christ in Oklahoma City since 2000.

In 2001, Baird won OC’s Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching, which recognizes teaching excellence, innovation and effectiveness in working with students in and out of the classroom.

His class with Professor of Physics Dr. Len Feuerhelm, “The Bible, Science and Human Values,” is an integral part of OC’s Honors Program. The course, which explores the relationship between science and religion, won a $10,000 prize from the Templeton Foundation.

Baird and his wife Yodie have two sons, James and Taylor, and a daughter, Elizabeth. His father, James O. Baird, was Oklahoma Christian’s second president, serving from 1954 to 1974.

“Dr. Baird’s training at Oxford, his commitment to Christ and his family, and his intellectual leadership among faculty and students are all ingredients of a vision that will take OC Honors from regional leadership to national prominence,” LaMascus said.

OC’s Honors Program, which currently includes 30 National Merit Scholars, is accepting “waitlist” applications for fall 2013.

The program offers what the National Collegiate Honors Council calls the “most robust” model for Honors programs, with an Honors core curriculum in place of the general education core. Most OC Honors students live on campus in the new Honors House at Davisson Hall. 

Honors Program alumni have achieved a 100 percent acceptance rate to graduate schools the past three years. Recent alumni are graduate students at schools such as Florida State University, Stanford University, and the University of Texas at Austin. 

“OC’s Honors Program is one of the best in the nation. It is best in class because of high-caliber students receiving personal and expert instruction from top-notch faculty, and because of excellent leadership,” OC president John deSteiguer said. “Dr. Baird is the perfect choice to continue the OC Honors pattern of engaging, visionary leadership - pioneered by Drs. Bailey McBride and Scott LaMascus - that inspires students to be more than they thought possible.” 

Oklahoma Christian, which set an enrollment record with 2,271 students this year, is recognized as one of the best universities in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review.

The university offers undergraduate programs in more than 60 fields of study and graduate programs in business administration, engineering, ministry, and divinity.

In addition to its Oklahoma City campus, OC has study abroad opportunities in Europe, Honduras and the Pacific Rim. Honors students receive a stipend to participate in the Study Abroad program based out of OC’s new facility in Vienna, Austria.

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The Russian delegation toured OC as part of the Edmond Sister Cities Program, which Oklahoma Christian helped found.

President deSteiguer presented the students with certificates of accomplishment for participating in the educational portion of the Edmond Sister Cities Program.

The delegation also went to OC’s theatre production of “Barefoot in the Park” and visited a biology class taught by Dr. Eric Phelps, a music class taught by Dr. Kyle Pullen, and an international management class taught by Dr. Don Drew.

Drew, OC’s associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of graduate schools, was one of eight community leaders who went to Russia as part of Edmond’s first delegation to Engels in June.

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A jazz recital at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 in the Adams Recital Hall will feature Monaco, guitarist Mitch Bell, drummer Willie Peterson and saxophonist Dr. Heath Jones.

Jones, a professor of music at Oklahoma Christian, has played saxophone with the Temptations, the Four Tops, Frankie Avalon, Jim Neighbors, Leslie Gore, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

The jazz quartet will perform works by Monaco, Pat Martino and Duke Pearson, as well as a commissioned piece by Steve Million.

Monaco also will appear with Oklahoma Christian’s Jazz Ensemble at the Fall Instrumental Concert on Thursday, Nov. 15. The free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Hardeman Auditorium.

The Jazz Ensemble set will feature works by Louis Bellson, Duke Ellington, Les Hooper, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, including include Mike Tomaro’s setting of the Beatles’ “Blackbird.”

OC’s Symphonic Band will perform Gustav Holst’s Second Suite in F, Nelhybel’s Trittico, and Ticheli’s setting of Amazing Grace. 

The Chamber Orchestra will play J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto, Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, and Gustav Holtz’s Chaconne.

For more information about both free events and the OC Department of Music, call (405) 425-5530.

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Oklahoma Christian University will have a strong presence at the State of Creativity Forum next Tuesday at Oklahoma City’s Cox Convention Center.

The forum, in its third year, will attract approximately 1,500 educators, students, business and community leaders, technology experts, entrepreneurs and innovators.

Keynote speakers include Sir Ken Robinson, internationally-recognized creativity and education leader and author; Peter Diamandis, chairman and chief executive office of the XPRIZE Foundation; Gregg Fraley, a leading author, speaker and consultant; and David Green, Mart Green and Brent Ryan Green of Hobby Lobby.

Ken Parker, a 1983 OC graduate and member of the OC Board of Trustees, will lead the Education Breakout Session at the State of Creativity Forum. Parker has 28 years of experience in aerospace and Wall Street technology. In 2011, he founded NextThought, an innovative start-up focused on improving the quality and accessibility of online education.

“It is exciting to see Oklahoma becoming a global leader in encouraging and developing creativity,” Parker said. “Creativity is required if we hope to solve today’s most challenging problems, such as poverty, energy and environmental issues.”

David Bowden, who graduated from Oklahoma Christian in 2010, will be part of the closing session prior to the Greens’ keynote. Bowden, who serves as executive director of the non-profit Give-a-Goat, uses challenging and inspirational poetry to promote social justice and care for the needy throughout the world.

OC alumnus Ryan Groves and OC senior Yves Iradukunda will deliver “Creativity Slams” during the closing session. These short vignettes will feature inspiring stories about creativity and innovation in Oklahoma.

Groves, a 2011 grad, is chief executive officer of Wishing Well, a student movement he started at Oklahoma Christian aimed at ending the world’s water crisis. He also is the co-founder and co-owner of TheArtistbible.tv, a new platform designed to connect artists around the world with scripture.

Iradukunda is pursuing a mathematics and computer science degree at Oklahoma Christian. He is president of OC’s chapter of Rwandans4Water and serves as executive officer of ELE Rwanda - Rwandan Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs. ELE Rwanda seeks to inspire youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship to grow Rwanda’s economy.

Oklahoma Christian has a strong relationship with the Republic of Rwanda. In 2006, OC established its Presidential Scholars Program, which brings 10 to 20 of the brightest students from Rwanda to OC each year to study in important fields such as engineering and business.

Oklahoma Christian, recognized as one of the best universities in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review, offers undergraduate programs in more than 60 fields of study, an undergraduate Honors Program, and graduate programs in business administration, engineering, ministry and divinity. 

In addition to its Oklahoma City campus, OC has study abroad opportunities in Europe, Honduras and the Pacific Rim. 

For more information about the State of Creativity Forum, go to www.stateofcreativity.com.

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Courtesy of the Oklahoma Gazette. Click here for the original article and for links to more stories about the Oklahoma Christian alumni involved in the project.

Magnificent 7

What if seven local musicians collaborated on seven songs in seven days? You get The 7 Project, and the resulting album just adds up.

By Joshua Boydston / Photos by Nathan Poppe

The 7 Project
8 p.m. Sunday
ACM@UCO Performance Lab
329 E. Sheridan
acm-uco.com
974-4700
$10-$15 

The special ceremonies were part of OC’s annual Homecoming weekend. The honorees were:

College of Arts and Sciences

Scott Filleman (05) - Music
Amanda Gauthier (11) - Nursing
Jennifer Hill (94) - Psychology and Family Studies
Russell Hill (93) - History and Political Science
Lisa Landrum (89) - Biological Sciences
Dana McMichael (83) - Language and Literature
Brian Simmons (87) - Communication
Roy Stevens (79) - Chemistry and Physics
Megan Wilkes (09) - Art and Design

College of Biblical Studies

Chris Stinnett (87) - Alumnus of the Year
Jeremie Beller (00) - Preaching/Ministry
David Duncan (88) - Missions
Josh Yaeger (04) - Youth Ministry 

College of Professional Studies

Jeff Dimick (83) - Mathematical, Computer, and Information Science
Jeremy Edwards (97) - Business Administration
Ben Knowles (00) - Mechanical Engineering
Tessa Tefertiller (95) - Teacher Education
Mitch Warren (05) - Electrical and Computer Engineering