Homeward Campaign Success! One of the recently-set goals of Oklahoma Christian University and the Alumni Office has been to raise the percentage of general alumni giving. With the national average of alumni giving among all colleges and universities hovering around an amazingly-low 8-11% (and declining), our OC National Alumni Council was presented with our challenge of attempting to lead the nation in this category within five years. The Homeward campaign, launched last August on President deSteiguer’s inauguration day, was designed by Will Blanchard, Director of Advancement Operations, and our OC marketing team for just that purpose – to increase the number of OC graduates giving at ANY level. From $1 to thousands of dollars, our alumni rose to the occasion by surpassing our 1,300 goal by a substantial number (continuing throughout May). Consequently, our percentage rose from about 8% to about 13% in just one year. OUTSTANDING! Thank you to all who have participated thus far.

More Accolades for Gaming & Animation – Associate Professor Jeff Price’s Gaming & Animation program has again been named in The Princeton Review as one of the top game design programs in the country. The program, begun in fall 2009, was honored in The Princeton Review in just its first year of existence. Congratulations to Jeff for keeping OC on the national stage!

‘AMAZING’ Homecoming 2013 – Nov. 8-9. Start making plans now to attend what promises to be another ‘AMAZING’ Homecoming on our NEW DATES, Nov. 8-9. This year’s activities will include:

- Friday’s Alumni Banquet (Honorees to be announced in the September issue of Vision magazine)
- Musical – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Homecoming Chapel/assembly

• Worship
• 50-year class
• President
• Eagle Landing update
• Chorale

- Parade
- Lunch on the grounds
- Basketball
- 80s Decade ‘Barn Bash’ (be watching for information throughout the summer)

Mark your calendars now and don’t miss it!

Campus Remembers April 19, 1995 – For the second year, 168 U.S. and 168 Oklahoma flags flew on the front lawn of the OC campus in remembrance of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Murrah Building in downtown OKC. The ‘field of flags’ also attracts community visitors as they come and walk through the field, take pictures, and remember.

OC Baseball! Through the efforts of former coach Chuck White and current OC baseball coach Lonny Cobble, OC baseball is indeed back in contention! As OC continues its transition to NCAA Division II status, our baseball team won its region in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Central Region. For the full story, click here.

Team OC/Team McDonald – The tragic occurrence at the Boston Marathon did not deter the efforts of thousands of participants in the OKC Memorial Marathon on the last Sunday in April. The overall turnout was possibly the largest ever. Team OC once again fielded more than 500 runners and walkers to again make them the largest single ‘team’ in the event. Our thanks to the sponsors for Team OC!

Along with Team OC, Team McDonald again took part to raise funds for the Mike McDonald Scholarship at OC. In addition to several sponsorships for this ‘sub-team,’ the Gamma Rho women’s social service club at OC called their alumni for donations to the fund. With all gifts/pledges not yet in, it is projected that approximately $8,000 will be added to the scholarship fund this year. Note: Mike McDonald (’71) served as OC’s Vice President for Alumni Relations from 2000 to 2003.)

Good News Newsletter – The May issue of Good News is global in scope as it brings stories from five different nations spread over three continents. Thailand reports a very successful family camp, Russia has a great conference, Canada has an outstanding Christian high school, and Brazil had great outreach programs. AND a small congregation has become a center for relief in New Jersey. To see this issue, go to www.oc.edu/goodnews. Send story ideas for Good News to stafford.north@oc.edu. And, to see the most recent issue of Man of God, a newsletter for young men considering pulpit ministry, go to www.oc.edu/manofgod.