OC splits into new colleges

Separating from three colleges into five, Oklahoma Christian University shuffles its departments in order to better serve the campus.

“We used to have three colleges, now we have five: College of Liberal Arts, Business, Engineering, Science and Bible,” David Lowry, dean of the college of liberal arts, said. “We decided that all the sciences would be their own college.”

According to Lowry, the university has been looking forward to making this change for a long time.

“Oklahoma Christian has been thinking about adding several more colleges for several years,” Lowry said. “It became more desirable to do it in the last year or so. Along with deSteiguer’s presidency, and as one of his goals, came the idea to make some changes.”

What exactly is a college?

“A college is a collection of departments that could actually give you a degree,” Lowry said.

At Oklahoma Christian, students may not be aware of what college the degree they are pursuing falls under.

“I think most students have no earthly idea what college they are in,” Lowry said. “We as a faculty are very aware of the colleges we are in, but when I tell students that they are in the College of Arts and Sciences they give me a blank look.”

Lowry further explained the split of the College of Liberal Arts and Science into distinct Liberal Arts, Engineering and Natural and Health Sciences colleges.

“Natural and Health Sciences College, which includes: Nursing, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are their own college,” Lowry said. “They also have a new dean, Jeff McCormack.”

In the Natural and Health Sciences College, Oklahoma Christian is offering classes completely online for its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The RN to BSN program at Oklahoma Christian has changed the lives of some its students.

Kathy Brown and her husband moved to Sierra Leone over 20 years ago. When Oklahoma Christian decided to create RN to BSN classes online, Brown jumped at the opportunity to continue her education.

“My husband works overseas – I really needed a class that was 100 percent online,” Brown said. “I was really thrilled because it was 100 percent online, it was a Christian college – I loved that and the fact that it is a college in my own city.”

For William Jordan, another student in the RN to BSN program at Oklahoma Christian, going back to school was a dream come true.

“I decided to retire, but then I got bored and I wanted to get my [Licensed Practical Nurse degree] for a long time, but could not because I had to work full time,” Jordan said. “But now I can and I am going back to school even though I am 62 years old.”

The RN to BSN program online courses offered at Oklahoma Christian have benefited both Brown and Jordan.

“The program is great,” Brown said. “Even though it is online, the teachers are available to the students. Several times I have had to contact one of the instructors and she was really quick to get back to me. I have been really pleased with the program.”

The College of Arts and Sciences now called the College of Liberal Arts encompasses History, Political Science, Psychology, Communication, Music, Education and Health and Wellness.

Oklahoma Christian commissioned a consultant to tell the school about any new degrees that it needs to be considering. First the university does research to find out what areas it should study and then it does a marketing analysis of that degree.

“I am very excited,” Lowry said. “I think OC is heading in the right direction with its five colleges. I think it shows that we are looking to the future. If God gives us the increase of support I am sure the school will add more colleges in the future.”

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