Transparency is commonly lacking across the campus of Oklahoma City University, especially regarding campus safety and administration addressing those matters. Recently, OCU was featured in the news after a break-in on campus, yet no mention of the event was made to students. However, greater than the lack of communication is the lack of action taken…
Assault charges filed after man breaks into OCU dorm
Oklahoma City University recently made local news after charges were filed against a sex offender who broke into an on-campus dormitory. The offender, Brandon Barr, was arrested on Jan. 17 after finding his way into the United Methodist Hall and a resident advisor’s room. Barr entered the building unauthorized, posing as a maintenance worker,…
Real Life Pitch Perfect: A Capella Group Wins Quarterfinals
The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella is not just for Pitch Perfect – it exists in real life, and OCU’s Tonal Eclipse is the winner of their quarterfinal competition. Tonal Eclipse is one of two a cappella groups here on OCU’s campus. It is an entirely student lead organization who do their own arrangements,…
Ministry Moment with Emma Goins
Early in the month of the March, OCU’s University Worship service celebrated International Women’s Day by amplifying female voices and emphasizing the foundational role of all members of the body of Christ. When I was asked to deliver the sermon, my brain was immediately filled with courageous, groundbreaking women of the Bible. We are reminded…
In the Tapestry of Womanhood
In the tapestry of womanhood, the thread of black womanhood weaves a complex and often misunderstood narrative. As a black woman myself, I’ve faced these challenges firsthand. From the echoing footsteps of history to the everyday struggles we face, being a black woman is a deeply personal journey that many people don’t understand. One of…
Becoming Bejeweled: Taylor Swift, Body Image, and My Daughter’s Inspiration
“This is the moment of truth,” I said, peering at my husband in the passenger seat. Dread and apprehension knotted within me as I continued, “Am I really going into church without my pants on?” From the backseat, my six-year-old daughter, always attentive, joyfully exclaimed, “Of course you are, Momma!” It all started innocently enough,…
Studio Series presents The Life of Galileo
The Life of Galileo explored a dramatized retelling of the famous scientist’s real life, exploring themes of faith versus fact, courage and betrayal. Directed by Hal Kohlman, this show opened in the Black Box Theatre on Feb 22 as the first Studio Series of the spring semester. The Studio Series is a production series through…
Freede Center hosts annual spring powwow
On Feb. 18, Oklahoma City University had the privilege of hosting its annual spring powwow in the Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The Oklahoma City Princesses Honor Powwow took place from 2-10 pm and was sponsored by the Changing Winds Cultural Society. The powwow was hosted by the OCU Office of Diversity, Equity…
Methane Matters campaign calls for reduced emissions
Methane is a key component in the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, natural gas. Yet, being clean does not make methane unproblematic. When released into the atmosphere, methane’s heat-trapping tendencies contribute directly to global warming. Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide when released into the environment and therefore has an extremely negative effect…
OCU celebrates Black history and heritage this February
The month of February has a ripe history of honoring Black Americans beginning as far back as 1926. However, Black History Month as it’s known today has existed since 1976 when it became officially recognized by President Gerald Ford. Since President Ford, every American president has dedicated and endorsed a specific theme for Black History…
Extreme Conditions Close Campus Two Mondays in a Row
Since the start of the spring semester, the University has been faced with many challenges related to the chilly weather. Friday, Jan 12 saw a delayed opening on both the main and Law school campuses at 9 a.m. Later that day, students, faculty and staff were informed through the OCU communications office that extreme freezing…
OCU set to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at parade
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an essential figure of the history of the United States, specifically the Civil Rights movement. Every year, the third Monday in January is observed as a federal holiday in honor of Dr. King. Dr. King was a Black Baptist minister famous for his advocacy of nonviolent methods to…
Why I love living in Walker Hall (as an RA)
Walker Hall, the notorious, main first-year dorm, is renowned around campus as a sucky but necessary part of coming to OCU. Almost every first-year student lives in Walker and becomes acquainted with its quirks – including its sad excuse for a laundry room and often out of order elevators. Yet, I chose, as an upper-class…
Upcoming Spring Semester Events
January 11: Winter Involvement Fair January 11: NAACP Legacy Event January 15: MLK Day Parade January 31: Lunar New Year Celebration February 2: Intramural Dodgeball Tournament February 13: All Majors Career & Internship Fair March 4: Intramural Table Tennis Tournament March 18 – 22: Spring Break April 5: Miracle Marathon April 20: Intramural Sand Volleyball…
Second Annual School of Dance Holiday Spectacular Draws in Crowds
The holiday season was kicked off this past year with the second annual Holiday Spectacular presented by the Oklahoma City University Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, running from December 7-11. The Spectacular was a two-act dance show with performances comprised entirely of student dancers with more student dancers filling several management positions,…
Tuition Increases 2nd Year in a Row
Photo Courtesy of Oklahoma City University On October 25th, 2023, the Oklahoma City University Board of Trustees convened and voted to increase tuition rates and fees for the upcoming school year. Beginning in the summer of 2024, the annual undergraduate block tuition rate will increase by 3%. This is on the back of the 3%…
The Yellowboat Leaves Audience Emotional
Oklahoma City University’s final Studio Series production of the fall semester came to a close today. The Yellowboat occupied the Black Box Theatre in one of the most moving pieces of the season so far. Directed by senior BFA Acting Major, Sarah Filek, the show developed a beautifully creative world that explored the tragic story…
OCU Begins New Organization “From Scratch”
Oklahoma City University is home to many student organizations including the recently founded From Scratch. From Scratch is a student organization housed under the School of Theatre that strives to promote original student work created “from scratch.” With an emphasis on playwrighting, co-artistic director, Olivia Akers, states that the organization focuses on producing new works…
Student Organizations Allocated Funds At Appropriations
The Oklahoma City University Student Government Association Appropriations Committee met the evening of November 13th in the Dulaney Browne Library to review grant funding requests from a variety of student organizations. The meeting was overseen by Senator Ben Ball, who serves as the chair of the committee. The remainder of the committee was comprised of…
Light and Sound on Steel and Glass Stuns Viewers
Every other year, Oklahoma City University School of Music and School of Theatre collaborate for a stunning multimedia display in downtown Oklahoma City entitled “Light & Sound on Steel & Glass.” This year the outside concert took place on Saturday, November 4th. Lighting Design students from OCU’s Theatre Design and Production under the supervision of…
Anna Marie Wright Crowned Miss OCU 2024
Miss OCU 2024, Oklahoma City University’s annual beauty pageant crowned a new winner last night in junior musical theatre major Anna Marie Wright. The competition featured 4 onstage sections as well as an interview prior. Competitors compete in an onstage question, health and fitness wear, talent, and an evening wear section. Nine women ranging from…
OCU ODEI Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed annually on the second Monday of October, celebrates the immense contributions the indigenous community has made to society. It serves to honor the resilience, contributions, struggles and successes of this community in the past, present and future. Instituted in 1992 in Berkeley, California, the observation eventually spread throughout numerous cities and…
OCU CARE Celebrates Diversity with 4TH Annual Color Cabaret
Oklahoma City University Creatives for Artistic and Realistic Equity (CARE) presented their first major event of the year, Color Cabaret, last Wednesday September 13th. Color Cabaret is an annual musical performance dedicated to showcasing performers of color. This year was the 4th annual cabare which serves as a fundraiser for the organization. The night was…
Lemon Lecture Speaker Hosts Student Session
On September 12, Oklahoma City University hosted author, sociologist, and professor Matthew Desmond as their distinguished speaker in accordance with the Martha Jean Lemon Speaker Series. The Speaker Series features annual events to provide academic enrichment to the OCU community and beyond. Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize winner for Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American…
Greek Life Welcomes Home New Stars
Oklahoma City University proudly sponsors 6 Greek Organizations – 4 sororities and 2 fraternities. During the week preceding each school year, these organizations hold formal recruitment to find new members. OCU’s recruitment process is risk-free and cost-free until you accept a bid to officially join a group. Because of these low stakes, many students take…
Stars Week Orientation Introduces New Students to Campus
At the start of every school year, Oklahoma City University hosts a weeklong new student orientation titled “Stars Week.” Stars Week brings together the entire incoming class for a week of information, tradition, and community building that is essential to OCU’s mission, and this year was no different. Stars Week spanned Monday through Saturday with…
