Since 2010, Oklahoma Christian University alumnus Kevin Lawrence has used his experience in the business world to provide mentoring to Oklahoma Christian business students.
Lawrence graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2001 and is currently Chief Financial Officer for BancFirst. Lawrence also serves on Oklahoma Christian’s National Alumni Council and College of Business Advisory Board.
“At the time, I was the Oklahoma Christian alumni chapter president and thought it would be a good idea to allow the alumni to get involved with the students on campus,” Lawrence said. “There was a lot of interest but unfortunately once they met they didn’t really know what to talk about and it was hard to get those meetings to continue.”
Lawrence said he thought it would be helpful to develop a program for the mentors and their mentees. He came up with 10 topics to discuss over 10 meetings. Some of the topics include the importance of self-awareness, developing a mission statement and setting goals.
“I thought these were excellent topics for young people to think about,” Lawrence said. “I wish I had thought about as I was in college and graduating — what to expect and what to build upon once I started my professional life.”
Lawrence is currently meeting with 13 students, six of whom are either current Oklahoma Christian students or recent graduates.
Senior Nick Goode, a current mentee of Lawrence, said the mentor program not only helped him professionally but provided guidance in other areas of his life as well.
“Having Kevin as a mentor has been really great to have someone to come to and discuss life from all aspects, from spiritual, to my career, to relationships,” Goode said. “I have learned a lot from him about looking at myself and evaluating my strengths and weaknesses. How it is important to know what you are good at and what you struggle with so you can work on it as you grow, in a career and as a person.”
Another recent Oklahoma Christian graduate, Connor Lankford, said he is thankful for his relationship with Lawrence and how Lawrence is always there to listen. Lankford also said Lawrence taught him how reaching your goals in life requires patience and hard work.
“Anyone who will teach a Sunday school class every Sunday morning to a bunch of college age kids, and also be the CFO of the third largest bank in Oklahoma, is an amazing thing,” Lankford said. “He doesn’t take anything for granted and gives all the glory to God.”
Lawrence said he created this mentor program to express the gratitude he has for Oklahoma Christian and the relationships and career opportunities he has been given.
“I felt it was a good way to give back to the school and to be involved. I have a lot of admiration and respect for Oklahoma Christian,” Lawrence said. “I wanted to be involved and it felt a good way to get involved with the students and hopefully add value to the students there.”
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