2023 McBride & OG&E Scholars Announced
Eleven outstanding students from across the U.S. have been named 2023 McBride Scholars or OG&E Scholars. These awards provide additional funds, activities, mentorship, and opportunities connected with the University Fellows cohort of the Honors program. Selected McBride Scholars this year are:
- Rian Shannon, Sherwood, OR
- Zander Wilson, Bella Vista, AR
- Riley Caperton, Fort Worth, TX
- Evangeline Golden, Edmond, OK, and
- Claire Carlile, Valley Center, KS.
Selected for OG&E Scholars are the following graduates of high schools in the OG&E service areas:
- Brooklyn Cole, Norman, OK
- Arin Lews, Wichita Falls, TX
- Carter Johnson, Lawton, OK
- Justin Walraven, Oklahoma City
- Ty Foster, Edmond, OK, and
- Alexander Stockton, Moore, OK.
“Both these prestigious awards are funded by endowments named for important figures in OC’s community — in one case, the OC legend, longtime Chief Academic Officer and his wife, Dr. Bailey B. and the late Joyce (Warren) McBride. The McBrides championed the humanities as a key area for learning by all undergraduates, regardless of major,” said Dr. Scott LaMascus, Honors director and McBride Center director.
The OG&E Scholars program is named by an endowment gift to the Honors program by Oklahoma Gas and Electric, an electric utility company serving more than 800,000 customers in Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as 1.5 million residents in the Oklahoma City area. OG&E’s gift is intended to help Oklahoma and service area graduates be recruited and retained in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics programs at Oklahoma’s universities, including OC.
“Chosen for their applications for each award, these Scholars embody strength of academic focus, leadership potential and qualifications for each award, including consideration of financial need. We are thrilled to honor these exceptional undergraduate scholars,” said LaMascus.
Student awards this year range between $5,000 and $1,000, and amount each year to more than $40,000 in total scholarships awarded, which is added to the university’s other financial awards to each student.
McBride Scholars funds have been awarded since 2020 and OG&E Scholars awards were named in 2012. Details and questions about these programs are at www.oc.edu/honors.
OG&E Scholars
The OG&E Scholars fund for OC+Honors was established by a gift from the OG&E foundation. Information about additional donations to the fun can be directed to Christine Merideth, Chief Advancement Officer, (405) 425-5094 or by emailing christine.merideth@oc.edu.
Bailey and Joyce McBride Center for Public Humanities
Oklahoma Christian University established an endowment for the Bailey B. and Joyce McBride Center for Public Humanities in 2004.
Family, friends and admirers of the McBrides funded the endowment in their honor.
"This is a wonderful compliment, but it is also a challenge. I have been personally rewarded by my role as teacher and mentor to two generations of OC students, and this center offers the opportunity to extend my work into the future," Bailey McBride said.
Bailey McBride was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2004. He held many key roles at Oklahoma Christian before retiring in 2014, including Professor of English, initial chair of the Department of Language and Literature and chief academic officer from 1975 through 1996.
He served as director of OC's Honors Program and as editor of The Christian Chronicle, the only international newspaper serving the Churches of Christ. The university honored him as a distinguished alumnus during its annual Homecoming festivities in 2004. McBride's late, first wife, Joyce, partnered with him in touching lives and displaying the love of Christ throughout the years.
The McBride Scholars Program provides annual scholarships to outstanding OC students who embody the spirit of Christian university life at its best. The chair of the Department of Language and Literature, in cooperation with OC's Office of Financial Services, selects recipients based on their academic success, their financial need and their leadership skills. Scholarship amounts may vary from year to year.
The McBride Lecture for Faith and Literature brings nationally-recognized humanities scholars to campus to provide public dialogue and student interaction. The intent of the lecture activities is to provide valuable, out-of-the-ordinary educational experiences for students, faculty, and the community.
The McBrides
In 1956, a very young alumnus of Central Christian College arrived back on campus as an English teacher. Since that time, no single person has been more loved and revered by alumni than Bailey McBride. As a friend and mentor, he is legendary. He remembers alumni by name and knows their children, careers and concerns.
Returning to campus after doctoral studies, Bailey and his bride, Joyce Warren, settled down to raise a family, model Christian living and teach students. Joyce’s authentic Southern charms comforted many a homesick student, guided newlyweds and encouraged young parents. Many OC alumni have first learned the 23rd Psalm as a child because she was a tireless kindergarten Bible class teacher.
Bailey’s career included nearly every role available to faculty at Oklahoma Christian, including Professor of English, department chair, chief academic officer and provost. He also led OC’s Honors Program and The Christian Chronicle.
Bailey’s mantra to faculty members has been to read new books in the subject matter, regardless how many times they have taught the course. His love of important books and ideas has influenced generations of Oklahoma Christian students.
The McBride Center for Public Humanities celebrates their legacy by championing what they loved and by nurturing Christian young people for generations. MCPH is made possible by the generosity of many alumni, friends and family who loved these two special Christian teachers.
