At the age of 91, an Oklahoma rancher was finally recognized as a college alumnus—, an honorary alumnus that is. Oklahoma Christian University recently recognized Ralph Chain and his wife Darla as Honorary Alumni at the annual Homecoming Alumni Banquet for their contributions to the university.
According to Chain, he has received lots of recognition for his success in ranching over the years, including nominations as an outstanding rancher in the Cowboy Hall of Fame and as an outstanding rancher in Oklahoma multiple times, as well as being honored in the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame.
“I was really honored the other day at the alumni banquet,” Chain said. “I have a bunch of trophies but that is one of the best honors that I can receive. It’s great to be honored like that.”
Chain’s relationship with Oklahoma Christian began with the Board of Trustees. According to Oklahoma Christian’s Office of Alumni Relations, the Chain family has served Oklahoma Christian for five generations.
“My dad was on the board and then they put me on the board,” Chain said. “My dad and I were the only two that were ever father and son on the board together. [Now], my wife and I have grandkids going to Oklahoma Christian, and it means a lot.”
Chain said Oklahoma Christian is one of his favorite places to support, and he has been doing so for years.
“I’ve been on the board for over 40 years as one of the trustees,” Chain said. “Several years back, Oklahoma Christian was having a bit of trouble, and I was president of the board then, which was a nightmare because I can run ranches, but I’m not used to running colleges.”
Chain said he was able to help the school through its hard time and is proud to dedicate his time to a place of higher learning.
“I don’t know of any better place, as you go down through life, than a [place of] Christian education,” Chain said. “We need it. We need more of that.”
Chain was chairman from 1997 to 2002, according to Oklahoma Christian’s website, and he currently serves on the advancement and student affairs committees.
The Chains own Chain Ranch, headquartered in Canton, OK, along with six other ranches in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. According to Chain, the family ranch started in 1893 when Chain’s grandfather traded $50 and a shotgun for 160 acres. Six generations and 127 years later, the ranch is still family owned and operated.
“I cannot believe how time has changed,” Chain said. “We sell wind. We sell sand. We’ve got oil income. My granddad had never dreamed about selling wind. It’s amazing how things have changed in the last 10 years. Where are we headed? I don’t know.”
Chain said he does not use money from the ranch but instead gets by through other means of income sources, such as his oil royalties.
“The best thing I can do before I leave here is to hopefully help some younger people at Oklahoma Christian,” Chain said. “Is there any place else that you would put your money in? I don’t even draw a salary, never have.”
Chain and his wife attribute their success and possessions to God.
“I give all the credit to the Lord,” Chain said. “Every day the Lord blesses us if we get out of bed. Compared to eternity, you aren’t here very long, and I hope to leave something for others to look at as they go [through life]. The Lord has really blessed us and our family.”
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