OCU celebrates successful year

An OCU alum, actress Kristin Chenoweth receives an honorary doctorate.

University officials dedicate the newest addition to the Kramer School of Nursing East building: a completed third floor.

Oklahoma City University celebrated the Class of 2013 and the close of a very successful academic year during commencement exercises May 11. More than 850 students graduated.

"It is a privilege for the OCU community to see our students rise toward their dreams," said OCU President Robert Henry.

Highlights from the past year include:

• The university acquired the historic Central High School in downtown Oklahoma City as a new home for the prestigious OCU School of Law.

• The iconic Gold Star Building has undergone transformational renovations as part of the university’s Capital Renewal plan.

• OCU unveiled an energy management plan aimed at making the university one of the most energy-efficient schools in the nation.

• The university awarded its first Doctor of Philosophy degree to Cheryl Frutchey, who completed the Kramer School of Nursing’s Ph.D. program.

• Honorary doctorates were awarded to Jonathan Tunick, one of only 11 people in the world to have won all four major American show business awards; Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth; Chesapeake Energy Senior Vice President for Human and Corporate Resources Martha Burger; Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis; award-winning journalist Ed Kelley; and Farglory Chairman Chao Teng-Hsiung.

• University officials dedicated the newest addition to the Kramer School of Nursing East building. The program celebrated the completion of the building’s third floor.

• The Petree College of Arts and Sciences’ "OCU Creates" event, celebrating published, performed and commissioned works by faculty, was a tremendous success.

• Nationally renowned minister Adam Hamilton presented OCU’s 2013 Martha Jean Lemon Lectures on "Living as a Christian Today." An estimated 1,000 persons attended at least one of the three presentations.

• The American Spirit Dance Company, directed by Jo Rowan, thrilled audiences with the 2013 spring show. The company also recently held a performance in Ardmore with favorite numbers from the show including the "Irish Bitter Suite" and "Ellison Loves Ellington."

• OCU Athletics had an outstanding year, with the women’s basketball team going undefeated in SAC play and the men’s team capturing the SAC basketball tournament title. Baseball Coach Denney Crabaugh surpassed his 1,200th victory, the men’s golf team snagged its fourth SAC title in a row, the women’s team repeated as SAC golf champions, and Rowing Coach Mike Knopp won US Rowing’s Jack Kelly Award.

See more on OCU news and events at www.okcu.edu.  We always appreciate United Methodists recommending OCU to students as they consider their college plans. Contact the Office of Admission at (800) 633-7242 to schedule a campus visit or for more information.