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Award-winning bestselling author and sought-after motivational speaker, Mary Hunt, is coming to Oklahoma Christian University to attempt to make a difference in how students view personal finances.
Hunt, founder of “Debt-Proof Living,” is dedicated to providing hope, help and realistic solutions for individuals struggling with the impact of consumer debt. She will be giving an hour-long seminar followed by a question and answer session at Oklahoma Christian on the evening of Oct. 2.
“Stories are powerful and I think once students hear her story it will speak to everyone and probably a lot of people in different ways,” Clint LaRue, director of Student Financial Services, said. “Her message is really understanding money’s role and limitation. I think her message is so powerful because it really helps you start thinking about the future.”
As someone who has battled with debt first-hand, Hunt provides knowledgeable and relatable methods to limit the affects of spending and avoidance of debt, according to LaRue.
“From my own experience, education changed my behavior towards money,” LaRue said. “Once you start understanding and someone helps you along the range of thinking long-term… it’s eye opening and that, many times, will start changing a student or person’s behavior.”
At Oklahoma Christian, students have the ability to take an elective Bible course in Personal and Family Finance to educate them on this topic of financial responsibility.
“It seems to me we should prepare our students for marriage, and for life if they are not married,” Kent Hartman, professor of Personal and Family Finance, said. “Money is a big area that will either help people accomplish good in their lives or cause them great stress. All of us use money everyday and it seems a Christian university should help students see how God wants them to use their money.”
Learning about finances before entering a relationship with another person is important for being prepared for the future, according to sophomore Casey Maynard.
“Most divorces these days are over money and so it’s a problem that obviously, over and over again, has caused tearing people apart,” Maynard said. “So, I think it’s really important that we learn how to handle it before we’re even thinking about relationships or anything in that aspect. I definitely think it’s important to have our own finances in line before we try to merge with someone else.”
Hartman uses scripture about money as foundational material for his course on finances, giving students a different aspect to think about in relation to their money, according to junior Mitchell Barron.
“The money doesn’t actually belong to you; it belongs to God, He’s just letting you hold on to it,” Barron said. “It put it into perspective for me where everything I have – clothes, car, schooling – doesn’t really belong to me.”
Even students who have dedicated their studies to finances, like junior April Wall, consider the topic of personal finances important to discover on your own.
“In the accounting major, you learn how to take care of corporate finances and I wanted to learn how to personally take care of myself,” Wall said. “If you learn now, I think you’re a lot less likely to mess up in the future and [will] set yourself up for success.
Hartman urges students in and out of his class to attend Hunt’s seminar.
“Some students may not be able to take the Personal and Family Finance class I teach on Sunday nights and this might provide them some good basics to get started improving their money skills,” Hartman said. “I do not know everything about money, which is why I use several guest lecturers, and Mary will bring some information to my students in a way that is fresh that will surely help them.”
According to LaRue, Hunt has a captivating presence and unique perspective that makes her a great resource for students.
“You’ll be the same person ten years from now except the people you meet and the books you read,” LaRue said. “So, being attentive about paying attention to what you’re hearing and listening to and putting into your mind is what that’s all about. Being around people like Mary Hunt shapes who you are.”
Hunt will speak in chapel on Oct. 3, the day after her seminar.
“I hope we can have a huge turnout to hear Mary,” Hartman said. “I think our campus will be blessed by hearing her. Anytime we can help our students learn skills they will need for live I think is time well spent.”
The seminar is free and will be held in Adam’s Recital Hall. For more information, contact clint.larue@oc.edu.
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