School of Religion graduates 11

Allison Bevers will continue working for Project Transformation in the Oklahoma Conference office this summer, then attend Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois. Allison has been involved in a number of campus activities, including Relay for Life. She particularly enjoyed her classes in "Religion and the Arts" and "Women in the Hebrew Bible."

"I am so happy to have been surrounded by such strong, intelligent women like Dr. Lisa Wolfe and Jennifer Long," she said.

Kaleb Oakleaf came to OCU as a Bishop’s Scholar from his home in Pond Creek. His studies have taken him as far as Argentina and Costa Rica, and allowed him to double-major in religion and music. Kaleb will begin preaching in The Well worship service at OKC-Village UMC as he prepares for graduate school. He appreciates his "World Religions" class, with Dr. John Starkey, and the Delta Alpha Chi brotherhood retreat to Chicago.

For Chelsea Riley, an "Introduction to World Religions" class with Starkey gave her new understanding. She will continue her studies at OCU for another semester, to complete a photography degree. She hopes to teach English in Japan after that.

Matt Austin spoke of his classmates. "I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends." Matt will continue working with youth at Connect UMC in Edmond and attend Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU in the fall. He and Kaitlin Philpott, also a Religion graduate, will marry this summer. Certified in child advocacy, Kaitlin hopes to begin work in that field while continuing to volunteer with Connect UMC.

Spencer Moore plans to attend Boston University School of Theology in the fall.

Molly Kate Been wrote, "The most significant experience in my four years of undergraduate work has been the relationships that I have built with my professors and the University-Church Relations staff. I have found a family of supporters who have blessed me with their knowledge and friendship." Molly Kate served two years as Chapel intern. She will pursue a Master of Divinity degree at the Boston seminary, on the track "Religion in the Academy."

A week after they both graduated from OCU, Trey Witzel and Addison Broberg married in the OCU Chapel. Addison completed study in the Meinders School of Business. They begin their life together in Boston, where Trey will seek a Master of Divinity degree at the Boston seminary.

Of his time at OCU, Trey wrote, "All of my classes have been a liberating experience, allowing me to grow closer to God through my faith journey. Classes such as ‘Celtic Christianity’ and ‘Contemporary Theology’ helped me articulate the beliefs that I knew to be true but couldn’t find the words to express them."

Alley Agee will take off a year, then enroll in graduate school for a Ph.D in Rhetoric. 

Jonathan Clour will continue to make his home in the Oklahoma City area.

Ethan Watt completed his degree last December. He welcomed the opportunity to work on the Dead Sea Scrolls project with Dr. Wolfe while at OCU. He is a youth worship leader at Tulsa-Faith UMC.

Interested in an undergraduate degree in religion at OCU? Contact Dr. Sharon Betsworth at sbetsworth@okcu.edu.

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