OC Presidents

In the past six decades, Oklahoma Christian has transformed from a two-year college with 207 students in Bartlesville, Okla., to a comprehensive, four-year, accredited university with more than 2,000 students and four graduate programs in Oklahoma City.

Overall, Oklahoma Christian is now home to three colleges (Arts and Sciences, Biblical Studies, and Professional Studies), 14 academic departments, 60 majors plus 30 additional study areas, four graduate programs (Ministry, Divinity, Business Administration, and Engineering), and 20 study-abroad and off-campus learning options.

While the name, location and curriculum have changed significantly in a half-century, the motivation and ideals have remained intact.

Great leadership is another aspect that remains the same. James O. Baird was president of the university during the move from Bartlesville, and was instrumental in the university’s success in Oklahoma City.

As OC’s longest tenured president, J. Terry Johnson helped spearhead comprehensive growth that established the university as a major institution with far-reaching impact in the Oklahoma City community and beyond.

Current president Mike O’Neal has continued that legacy over the past decade as Oklahoma Christian transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service.

To see the progress OC has made under the leadership of its first five presidents is amazing. One can only imagine the great strides the university will continue to make in the future.

L.R. WILSON (1950-1954)

L.R. Wilson was president of Central Christian College from 1950 to 1954. Dr. Wilson led in the effort that brought the college into being and continued to serve as its chief administrator through its first four years of operation. No doubt, his determination and hard work were a major force in getting Central Christian College off the drawing board and into full operation.

JAMES O. BAIRD (1954-1974)

James O. Baird began his 20-year tenure as president of Central Christian College in 1954. Among his many accomplishments as president, Dr. Baird led the effort to move the institution from junior to senior college status and to secure accreditation from the North Central Association in Chicago. Dr. Baird also raised millions of dollars to build the new campus in Oklahoma City.

J. TERRY JOHNSON (1974-1996)

J. Terry Johnson began his 21-year tenure as president of Oklahoma Christian in 1974. Dr. Johnson guided the institution through its advancement to university status and led it to unprecedented growth in the areas of campus development, student enrollment and institutional endowment. In January 1996, Dr. Johnson handed over the presidential gavel to Dr. Kevin E. Jacobs and became the university’s fourth chancellor.

KEVIN JACOBS (1996-2001)

Kevin Jacobs was president of Oklahoma Christian University from 1996 to 2001. He was one of the youngest university presidents in the United States. During his tenure, the university enjoyed tremendous growth in enrollment and academic programs. When Dr. Jacobs left the presidency in May 2001, he left the university in excellent shape spiritually and academically.

MIKE O’NEAL (2002-2012)

Mike O’Neal began his tenure as the fifth president of Oklahoma Christian University on June 17, 2002. Among his priorities as president was establishing new relationships with the university’s constituencies, including alumni, churches, students and parents, and longtime friends of Oklahoma Christian in the local business community. Dr. O’Neal will step down as president in 2012.