Oklahoma Christian's 18
March 6, 1969, 18 students courageously stood up to administration to seek equal rights. The group staged a sit-in in the President's office.
As a result they were arrested and expelled. Fifty years later, Oklahoma Christian University honored those who had been punished.
On March 6, 2019, seven of the 18 students returned to campus and were received with a standing ovation and an apology from President John deSteiguer.
“And to you, as president of Oklahoma Christian University, I apologize for the way that you all were treated 50 years ago this morning.”
OC’s 18 Relive March 6, 1969
The lives of 18 students dramatically changed when they took a bold risk to defy policy prohibiting any type of demonstration in an effort for their voices to be heard.
In the News
Robert Edison
Distinguished Visiting Professor
A member of OC's 18, Robert Edison now teaches in OC's College of Liberal Arts . Students have the opportunity to take his African American History course.
“That he was a member of the OC 18 and wants to come back and teach and be involved and engage with our campus community. I think that’s such a beautiful story of healing and redemption. He has a connection with us in a potentially negative way and turned it into a positive. He is such a humble person.” - Dean of COLA Tina Winn
March 6, 2019: Remembering OC’s 18