Oklahoma Christian University Dedicates Jim Cutbirth Legacy Lab, Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation in Engineering Education

During Oklahoma Christian University’s (OC) Homecoming weekend, the College of Engineering and Computer Science celebrated 40 years of engineering excellence. It honored one of the program’s most influential founders by dedicating the Jim Cutbirth Legacy Lab in the Prince Engineering Center.

Dr. Jim Cutbirth, described by colleagues as the “heart and soul” of OC’s engineering program, was instrumental in transforming the university’s pre-engineering offerings into a fully accredited program — an achievement largely unheard of in the early 1980s. What began as a small department with just a handful of faculty has since grown into one of OC’s most respected academic programs, consistently maintaining ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation and producing graduates who lead in industries and graduate schools across the nation.

“Jim ensured the department’s quality met the highest standards. He personally safeguarded its physical home,” said Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Dr. Byron Newberry during the ceremony. “He also formed a relationship with every student. I consider myself highly blessed to have had Jim as a professor, mentor and friend. In large part, I returned in 2001 to join the OC Engineering Faculty and spend more time learning from Jim. He embodied the spirit of a teacher — both of engineering and, more importantly, the life and ‘way’ of our Lord and Savior Jesus.”

The dedication ceremony was held in the Prince Engineering Center. It was followed by a 40 Years of Engineering Celebration Lunch, bringing together alums, faculty and students to honor the program’s legacy and look ahead to its future.

That future includes continued innovation and expansion. Today, OC’s College of Engineering and Computer Science offers a range of forward-focused degrees designed to meet the needs of an evolving workforce, including a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the university’s commitment to preparing students for emerging technologies shaping industries worldwide.

As OC celebrates four decades of transformative education, the Jim Cutbirth Legacy Lab serves as a bridge between the past and the future.

To learn more about engineering and computer science at OC, visit oc.edu.