Retired military officer serves to teach at OC

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After retiring from his position as a colonel in the United States Air Force, Brad Buxton made a leap to start a new career as an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University.

Due to his military career, Brad and his family have lived in a variety of places including Germany, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, New Mexico and most recently California.

“I was ready for a career change and my family was tired of moving,” Brad said. “We wanted some place where I could be close to my daughters while they grew up into young ladies and got their educations.”

Brad began looking into teaching when his son, junior Bryan Buxton, visited Oklahoma Christian for the first time.

“I had met some of the faculty when my son came to interview for school here and I was impressed with how the professors treated their students,” Brad said. “They were not completely focused on their personal work but more on how to teach their students better.”

Pat Smith, professor of computer engineering, works with Brad and said he is a great addition to the department.

“I am really happy he is here,” Smith said. “He is going to be a great instructor. I really believe that he cares about his students and wants to affect their lives. He seems to like the Christian mission here at Oklahoma Christian. Those are usually really good combinations for instructors here.”

Brad’s daughter, Brenna Buxton, began her first year this semester along with her father.

“I think he is going to do great, but it looks like it is a lot of work because this is his first year and he has never taught before,” Brenna said. “His other job was stressful, but I think he enjoys this more.”

Brenna said Brad is enjoying his first year of teaching at Oklahoma Christian.

“… This year is all about learning what to do and teach.” Brenna said. “He says that he is enjoying his choice of coming here almost every day and is excited to work with young people and help them to become what they aspire to be in life.”

Jordan Van Buskirk, sophomore mechanical engineering student, said he enjoys learning from someone with experience in the mechanical field.

“It’s interesting to listen to someone with a background in the field we are learning about,” Buskirk said. “He is learning how to teach and be a great professor which is really great to witness.”

For more information about Buxton is viewable here.

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