When senior Franklin Reed stepped on the Oklahoma Christian campus in 2014, he was not sure exactly how he was going to fit in; having transferred from Southwestern Christian College, the New York native feared the transition from his urban upbringing in Queens to the more rural lifestyle of the south.
As the senior interdisciplinary studies major plans to graduate later this month, he said he is thankful for his four years at Oklahoma Christian and the lasting memories his time here brought.
“When I got here, I was finally considered part of the majority, in terms of finally being surrounded by other Christian people,” Reed said. “Just being out here with people who have similar mindsets and being able to find my inner circle was really important for me here at OC. In the Bible, Jesus had his 12 disciples and within that, his inner-circle, so I am glad I was able to find my group of people—that good group of friends I can go to in difficult times.”
Reed spent his first two years of college at Southwestern Christian College after getting a church scholarship. After completing his time there, he came to Oklahoma Christian through what he called a “sister-school, scholarship-type fund.”
“Not many people from my area get the chance to get out for school, and there are actually people I know who have never even stepped out of my neighborhood back in Queens,” Reed said. “So, I think if you have the chance to get out and go somewhere different like OC, you should take that risk. Me, I am halfway across the country in Oklahoma and I think that is pretty big to experience different things.”
During his time at Oklahoma Christian, Reed has been active with the basketball team and the men’s social service club, Chi Lambda Phi. He also helped with the transfer group during Earn Your Wings and participated in both the Black Student Union chapel and organization on campus.
“People can tell when you go out and see the world because you change—some of the things you do, the way you act and even down to the way you talk,” Reed said. “It is just good to be exposed to all of that.”
While he first only pursued his passion of preaching when he arrived at Oklahoma Christian, once he got down to the “nitty gritty,” Reed decided to expand his range of study to also include sports wellness.
“I am pretty good at sports, but with preaching, I can probably do a lot more with that—maybe help out the youth minister back home or stay out here and maybe preach a few places,” Reed said. “But, I also want to find a way to stay active with sports.”
According to Reed, the most interesting experience moving from New York City to Edmond was seeing how many people own cars in Oklahoma.
“Especially in my situation, everyone down here has a car and you kind of have to have one to go places,” Reed said. “That is the reason I have a bike now, because it reminds me of being back home, hopping on my bike and just going somewhere.”
As Reed prepares for graduation and begins thinking of the future, he said he is grateful to Oklahoma Christian for fully preparing him for life after college.
“It was a really great experience and I am glad that I chose to spend my time here,” Reed said. “I could go home after this, but deep down inside, I really want to stay down here. If I have to the chance to open up with someone back home about coming to OC though, I am going to tell them to just go for it. Just go out there and experience new things. It is your time to jump.”
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