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…
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…
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,…
Campus Student Body Prepares for Student Government Association Elections
Anticipation is building for students at Oklahoma City University as the Student Government Association’s elections loom nearer. Several positions are up for grabs for student leaders, but many have their eyes set on the Presidential & Vice-Presidential joint ticket. The filing period for prospective candidates was open until Friday, March 15 to run for any…
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…
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…
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,…
Under Construction … and Water: Methodist Hall Update
For the bulk of the past two weeks, the residency building known as Methodist Hall has been undergoing two maintenance updates and has been housing more than just students. Tools, machinery, equipment and a porta-potty have taken residence outside the student housing. What exactly are these construction jobs, and where are they taking place? A…
Be Aggressive: A Hilarious Journey of Healing and Resilience
The story of a high school cheerleader dealing with grief and healing in Be Aggressive offers an insightful look at family dynamics, resilience and the need for escape. This dramatic comedy, written by Annie Weisman, takes place in the sunny community of Vista Del Sol in southern California. The story focuses on Laura, a…
Dusty and the Big Bad World: Exploring Real Life
Dusty and the Big Bad World will be presented in the Black Box Theater from March 7-10 for an exciting and challenging evening. This show gives an informed and humorous look at current issues. It is based on true events revolving the television show, “Postcards from Buster” produced by the Public Broadcasting Service. The play looks at…
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…
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…
New Scholarship Opportunity for First-Generation Students Announced
A new scholarship is emerging at Oklahoma City University, and one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the U.S. is sponsoring it. A $75,000 donation was made by Coca-Cola Southwest and it will provide many opportunities for first-generation students to pursue a higher education. The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverage First-Gen Scholarship will provide scholarships and book…
OCU Welcomes Clara Luper Legacy Committee for Panel Discussion
A ‘Lessons in Leadership’ panel discussion will be held in the Great Hall on Feb 20 from 1-2 p.m. to celebrate Black History and Heritage Month. ‘Lessons in Leadership’ will feature the Clara Luper Legacy Committee, a group whose mission is to educate on the civil rights movement and keep the story and legacy of…
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…
Editorial: OCU is defined by its close community
The campus community that Oklahoma City University has is unique and is spurred on by two main factors: the small size of the school and students supporting students. Between performance majors that allow students to showcase their talents through productions, the twenty-two different sports the university offers, the countless clubs and student organizations that allow…
SGA Leaders Working to close out the Academic Year
Leaders at Oklahoma City University’s Student Government Association (SGA) are working hard to close out the academic year strong. With elected terms ending relatively soon, student leaders are looking to keep busy, rolling out new initiatives and legislation. Amongst their recent undertakings, the SGA’s Student Court, in partnership with the Campus Police Department, has officially…
New Residence Life Coordinator: Darius Morris
Oklahoma City University’s Housing and Residence Life have welcomed a new individual to the team, Darius Morris, who has stepped into the position of Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) for Methodist Hall. It is a pivotal moment for the university and the residential community, and Darius will be contributing his substantial background and knowledge to the…
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…
Merry Wives of Windsor kicks the first opera of the spring semester
The first show to take on the Kirkpatrick stage this semester is the Bass School of Music mainstage opera, The Merry Wives of Windsor. The Merry Wives of Windsor is a Shakespearean comedy that follows the character Sir John Falstaff as he tries to seduce two married women in order to gain access to their…
OCU Announced in BroadwayWorld 2023 Winners
Hey Stars! The 2023 BroadwayWorld Oklahoma Awards Winners were announced in January! Oklahoma City University was awarded eight of these prestigious awards, which were voted upon at the end of 2023. Four of these awards were related to the standout 2023 fall mainstage musical Sweeney Todd. Here is a complete list of shows, students, faculty…
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…
