Oklahoma City University has appointed Blythe Benson as the university’s new Chief Human Resources Officer. Benson had served as the interim head of the OCU Human Resources office since December. Benson, a familiar face at OCU since 2007, has been vital to the university’s Human Resources department. Initially, she served as a compensation and benefits…
Students spark a historical moment in university finals week procedures
In recent months, student government leaders at Oklahoma City University have reached a remarkable milestone for the student body. Following a nearly two-year commitment spanning over two administrations, the OCU Student Government Association has partnered with several faculty to deliver students a much-needed break before Finals Week. The newly established Inquiry Day will take effect…
Anna Davis named the new CFO and Vice-President for Finance and Business Operations.
Last semester, former Chief Financial Officer Kevan Buck left his position at Oklahoma City University to pursue a new employment opportunity. Anna Davis was named the interim chief financial officer in December. After a nationwide search, Davis has been named the new Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President for Finance and Business Operations. Davis was hired…
Campus community gathers for celebration honoring the student body
Recently, Oklahoma City University hosted its annual Campus Leadership Awards, honoring students, student organizations and organization advisors. Several new awards were introduced this year, including New Organization of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, and Student Government Association Leader of the Year. This remarkable moment for students also marked a pivotal moment for members…
OCU announces updates on FAFSA process
Following the delayed roll out of student information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, educational institutions nationwide have received an influx of applications. The Oklahoma City University Financial Aid Office reports that it has received many completed FAFSA applications from The U.S. Department of Education. OCU Financial Aid Office has started integrating the…
Audiences travel back in time with “She Stoops to Conquer”
This past weekend, audiences got to enjoy a delightful world of wit, charm, and hilarity in the production of She Stoops to Conquer presented by the OCU School of Theatre. Under the direction of D. Lance Marsh, the show featured OCU’s incredibly talented theatre students in this rendition of Oliver Smith’s classic comedy. The play…
OCU Encouraging Interfaith in Class and Beyond
Throughout Oklahoma City University, there is a multitude of religious study tracks including majors and minors, active religious organizations spanning a plethora of denominations and cultures and an overall inclusive environment appreciating and respecting varied ways of thinking. While OCU is Methodist-affiliated, many of the classes available are about religious pluralism and being able to…
Oklahoma City University Highlights Rare Spring Enrollment Numbers
Oklahoma City University’s Office of Enrollment Management reports noteworthy increases in university enrollment numbers during the Spring 2024 term. This comes after the office announced earlier this year that the university matriculated its largest class of first-year students in over a decade. According to University Vice President of Enrollment Management and Communications, Kevin Windholz, the…
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Honoring Resilience and Progress
Women’s History Month has roots in America’s Women’s Suffrage Movement and serves as a time to honor women’s accomplishments and consider the history of women’s rights. The 19th century saw a rise in the movement, defined by powerful support for the right to vote. On March 8, 1857, a group of women from textile factories…
OCU Launches New Website
Oklahoma City University recently announced and published a new website design intended to provide an enriched online experience for users. The changes incorporate several visual elements, showcasing OCU’s values and vision. University officials worked on the new website for months, partnering with MRW to develop its design and development. The website’s home page has numerous…
FAFSA adjustments aim to make process simpler
In recent months, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website has undergone significant modifications, aiming to enhance accessibility and make the application process run smoothly for students. These changes on the website came after “The FAFSA Simplification Act” was passed by Congress in 2022, introducing changes to the application process to simplify and…
The Archives: An Under Appreciated Treasure Trove
OCU hosts an impressive archives collection that expands every year, holding relics of not only the school’s past, but even some historical pieces. Of the many collections the archives office holds, a few stand out. The Hamilton watch collection is one of these. This boasting collection also consists of Shakespearean literature including the 1770 Oxford…
Exploring Resources in our Backyard: The Resource Pantry of Hope
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…
Meaningless: Newest Neustadt Lecture Performance
For the 2024 Oklahoma City University Wimberly School of Religion’s Neustadt Lecture, OCU has partnered with the Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma to present “Meaningless,” an interpretation of Ecclesiastes. “Meaningless” is a one-man show performed by Rodney Brazil, an OKC-based actor, director and writer, who helped adapt the book of Ecclesiastes into play format, along with…
ODEI launches new incentives for student excellence
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recently announced the launch of a DEI Graduation Cord and Email Signature Badge! ODEI invites participants to attend ODEI programs, training and events and any DEI-related campus or community events to learn and implement belonging, access and awareness throughout their time here at OCU. Attendance grants participants engagement…
Reflections on Local Attacks on Diversity Equity and Inclusion
In recent years, Oklahoma, like many other states, has seen unprecedented incursions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by government leaders. This comes after several opponents of DEI sparked claims that public school curricula are divisive and discriminatory. On Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order banning public funds from…
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…
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…
Three vice presidents depart in time for new year
Significant changes occurred to Oklahoma City University’s administration during the fall semester, following the departure of three key officials. Vice President of University Advancement Lynann Sterk-Brooks, Chief Financial Officer Kevan Buck and Vice President of Human Resources Joey Croslin each decided to pursue new employment opportunities before the new year. The abrupt departure of these…
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…
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…
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…
Fasting for Spiritual Growth; Ramadan Begins
Considered one of the holiest months of the year for the Muslim community, March 23 marks the ninth month of the lunar calendar and the beginning of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from food and drink, including water during the sunlit hours of the day. This means they only eat or drink prior to dawn…
University suspends Elementary Education Programs
The Elementary Education programs were suspended due to a lack of enrollment.
Gallery: Stressed Spelled Backwards is Desserts
On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Student Activities Committee hosted an event outside the Caf in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center to promote university counseling, tips for reducing stress, and living a healthy lifestyle. They also handed out free pie!
