Oklahoma City University will celebrate the inauguration of its 19th president, Kenneth R. Evans this semester. The celebration, however, will not be occurring as initially planned.
The university’s COVID-19 alert level has risen. Due to an increase in the number of cases in the city and on campus, many events scheduled for early in the semester have been suspended. The presidential inauguration was one of those.
Originally scheduled for Jan 20, the inauguration has been delayed due to increased COVID-19 mitigation protocols. The university released a statement in early January which stated “With the foremost desire to protect the health and safety of our OCU community members, we have made the decision to reschedule the inauguration festivities…”
President Evans has been welcomed by students, faculty, and the community.
President Evans in his first year at OCU has already made positive impacts and has been welcomed by the students, faculty, and OCU community.
Prior to becoming President of OCU, Evans served as the business dean for the University of Oklahoma. Evans left the University of Oklahoma in 2013, he went on to serve as the President of Lamar University for eight years.
Following the position at the University of Oklahoma, President Evans served eight years as the president of Lamar University.
FOCUS magazine featured President Evans in their Fall 2021 magazine. The magazine focused on President Evans’ love for cycling and the career path that led him to OCU.
In the magazine, President Evans said supporting the local homeless population is important to him. Evans said that rising levels of gentrification and homelessness are major problems.
President Evans arranged for members of campus leadership to meet with the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City to discuss methods of aid and possible solutions for the high rates of homelessness locally.
In October a flash mob welcomed President Evans at the homecoming LipSync competition. President Evans expressed his gratitude for the welcome into the community.
President Evans spoke and expressed his gratitude for the welcome into the community.
Though delayed, the university will host a proper inaugural celebration to honor its newest president. The university invites the OCU community to celebrate the inauguration of President Evans on April 7. The event’s theme is “Weaving Together the OCU Family.”
There are three main events which include an Investiture Ceremony from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, the event will have limited seating.
The next event is the All-Campus Celebration in the Tom & Brenda McDaniel University Center from noon-1:30 p.m., the university invites students, faculty, and staff to attend.
The last event will be the Investiture Ceremony in the First Americans Museum. The event is invitation-only, and the guest list includes trustees, alumni, donors, and leaders in the community.
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