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!
Education seniors move online, receive pass on field work
Education seniors will still receive teaching certification, despite not being able to continue in-person student teaching because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Student educator organization to partner with music educators
The Student Oklahoma Education Association provides opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.