As I reflect on my first seven months serving as the University’s vice president for advancement, I feel blessed. Blessed to serve at such a special place as OBU, where faith and learning are integrated every day to educate the next generation of Future Shapers. Blessed to have met so many of our wonderful alumni, hearing story after story of how their time on Bison Hill shaped them into the people they are today. Blessed by the countless stories from friends of the University about the ways in which OBU has touched their lives. Blessed to witness how the generosity of OBU supporters impacts our students every day, making a difference in their lives now and in the future.
OBU is truly a remarkable place. It’s a place where our faculty members are leading experts in their fields, whether in science, education, theology, music or various other disciplines. It’s a place where our staff members use their skills and experience to serve our students, alumni, community and each other. It’s a place where some of the most amazing students in the world learn, grow, worship and develop into the next generation of leaders. It’s also a place where generous donors and supporters give to ensure that the world-class, distinctively Christian liberal arts education on Bison Hill will endure for generations to come.
Since beginning my role in December 2020, I have personally connected with many of these generous donors. I have heard countless stories about how this special place has touched their lives in powerful and amazing ways, and how they, in turn, desire to touch the lives of current and future students. It is a beautiful thing to witness when God uses a generous heart to do His work through providing resource and opportunity to others, using those gifts to fulfill his plan while helping OBU fulfill our mission of transforming lives through academic excellence, integration of faith and knowledge, engaging a diverse world, and living out the calling of God in Christ.
I pray that as you read this edition of OBU Magazine, you will see the power of an OBU education come to life. You will see how OBU’s challenging, rigorous liberal arts curriculum continues to develop mature, critical thinkers who are impacting their world now and into the future. And you will see how alumni, donors and University supporters are critical to making all of this happen.
Over the coming weeks and months, we have many exciting opportunities to once again gather as alumni, friends and supporters of OBU. We hope you will all make plans to join us on campus Oct. 21-23 for our Homecoming celebration, themed, “The Weekend.” While we are keeping many of the most popular traditional homecoming events, we are also adding in some new activities with more opportunities for alumni of all ages and their families to connect with each other while enjoying a weekend on Bison Hill. You’ll find more information about this here in the magazine. We invite you also to join us on campus for events throughout the year, including theatre performances, concerts and sporting events, or at one of our Bison Connections networking events. We are also planning activities at various locations around Oklahoma and Texas over the coming year. Stay tuned for more exciting details.
It is truly a joy and privilege to be a member of the OBU family and to lead our advancement and alumni team. The warmth and kindness extended to me thus far has been humbling and gratifying. The OBU family is a treasure, a special, amazing group of people who love this University and love each other in the process. If we have met already, I am blessed to know you. If we have not, I look forward to the day where we might meet and where you can share your story of how OBU has impacted your life.