Oklahoma Christian University

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Hallmarks and Quirks

Things I'm Good At:

100% of my electrical engineering graduates receive employment after leaving my hallowed halls.
I have two world-class musical groups that travel the country: New Reign, a heart-stopping a cappella phenomenon, and Summer Singers, a full-fledged, concert-worthy band.
My campus clubs have a lot of fun, but they also serve the community in countless amazing ways.
I employ 112 full-time faculty members, 70% of whom hold a terminal degree in their respective fields. My professors really know what they're talking about.
My chapter of Phi Alpha Theta—the national history honors society—has been named best chapter in the country for the past twenty consecutive years.
My Study Abroad programs are top-notch. I have my very own facility in Vienna, Austria: Das Millicanhaus. From there, you can travel anywhere your heart (and bank account) desire: Italy, England, Switzerland, Belgium. We also have an Asian Studies program that allows students to experience Tokyo, China's Forbidden City, and turtle jelly. Seriously, that's a delicacy in Hong Kong.

My Top 5 Must-Haves:

Your Student I.D. Card. This piece of plastic gets you into the one-and-only Caf, lets you check out books from the library, and counts you present in chapel. It's your passport across campus.
A Club Membership. We don't have fraternities or sororities here. Instead, we have "clubs," which are basically frats and soro's without the negative connotations they may have at state schools. We currently have nine clubs that run the gamut from preppy, brainy, and nerdy to brawny, silly, and hipster. Take your pick.
Your Smile. Prime your pearly whites, because our campus is a happy place. Even when the Oklahoma weather decides it's the End of Days, our students and staff love to chat, laugh, and talk. Everyone knows everyone, and you'll find that you don't have to force yourself to crack a grin.
Eagle Bucks. These handy-dandy things let you make purchases at participating restaurants without tax. With Eagle Bucks, you can eat at Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, Alfredo's, or even the OnCue gas station without giving a nickel over the listed price.
A Heart For Missions. Yeah, I know, that sounds sappy, but it's true. I offer countless opportunities to serve throughout the year, from medical practice in Honduras to local service in OKC. If you want to serve the Kingdom, we'll help in any way we can.

Why You Might Have Heard of Me:

Important people want to visit OC. I've hosted scores of celebrities on campus: pop culture icons like Nicholas Sparks and Jase Robertson; theologians like N.T. Wright, Donald Miller, Bob Goff, and Ravi Zacharias; and political leaders like George Bush (both Dubya and his daddy) and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks me among the best "Regional Universities" in the sixteen-state Western region, and the Princeton Review called me one of the best Western colleges in the nation. Stop it, I'm blushing.

On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...

I like to spend my Saturday nights wandering through downtown Oklahoma City, taking in the sights and trying all the different restaurants. Sometimes I have to lock myself in the library, studying like a madman for my next exam, though. It happens.

I may opt for some chill local hanging, going out to eat with my friends and then watching a movie. Or maybe I'll spend the evening at the Dub, our on-campus gym. I might even catch a few extra hours of glorious sleep. I don't have a one-size-fits-all weekend, and I like it that way.

Favorite Hangouts:

The Lawson Commons and Pavilion. In the heart of campus, under the shadow of my magnificent clock tower, you can do just about anything: crack open a book, play soccer with your friends, have a study session, or string up a hammock.
Credo House. If you've ever wanted to have a cup of coffee whilst surrounded by portraits of famous theologians, this just might be the place for you. Also, that's a weird aspiration. In any case, Credo is a wonderfully cozy destination if you want to relax with a few good friends, maybe do some homework, sip warm drinks, and unwind after a long day.
The Eagle Trail. Wrapping three miles around campus, the Trail is perfect for getting in shape for a marathon or taking a leisurely stroll on a cool night.

Quirks:

Two words: SPRING SING. This is an event that cannot be described—it must be felt, heard, and experienced. Spring Sing dominates the campus like the Plague sweeping through Europe: no one is immune to its toe-tapping, sing-songing magic. Also there's like infinity times less death involved. It's a night filled with costumes, laughs, and choreography that must be seen to be believed.
I'm one of two sites in the entire world to have survivor trees from the OKC Murrah Building and the World Trade Center growing side by side. It's a beautiful tribute to solidarity and the strength of the human spirit.
Every year, my faculty and staff put on a talent show for the students called "First Week Follies." (Guess when it takes place?) If you want to hear Little Bo Peep told as a Southern Baptist sermon, see Bible professors acting like four year-olds, or witness the amazing musical skills of the Church of Christ, you won't want to miss this.
The night our current president, John deSteiguer, was inaugurated, a campus-wide Ping-Pong tournament was held. Hundreds of students participated, and Johnny D defeated them all.
I operated Cascade College—a branch-campus in Portland, Oregon—from 1994 until it closed in 2009. As such, I have a large population of Oregonians on campus, smack-dab in the middle of Oklahoma. You'd think this would work about as well as roller skates on a mountain climber, but it's actually a lot of fun and beneficial for everyone.

Famous Alumni:

Sherri Coale, head coach of the University of Oklahoma women's basketball team, holder of four Big 12 Championships
Jim Beaver, actor of Supernatural and Deadwood fame, also played "Smiling Peanut Patron #1" in Magnolia
Rhein Gibson, pro golfer who set a Guinness World Record here in Edmond
Greg Lee, voice actor who played the Principal on the animated show Doug (remember Doug?), and also hosted the PBS children's game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Sam Winterbotham, head coach of the University of Tennessee's male tennis team who also has a British accent