The Oklahoma Christian University Board of Trustees announced an early contract renewal to President John deSteiguer last week, with a five-year extension through May 2026.
While deSteiguer still had 16 months left in his previous employment contract, the Board decided to anticipate his renewal demonstrating support to Oklahoma Christian’s president.
“The Board restated our support and commitment for our president and trust the future is bright for OC,” Board of Trustees Chairman, Mark Brewer, said at the university’s press release.
Leading Oklahoma Christian since 2012, deSteiguer said it was an honor the Board renewed his contract.
“We got a great board of trustees,” deSteiguer said. “The message they are sending is that things that have been important here on campus for the last several years are important to them as well. It was a really encouraging thing that they did.”
According to the Oklahoma Christian press release, some of deSteiguer’s biggest achievements since the beginning of his term include the award-winning dining facility, The Branch, new softball and soccer complexes and The Brew coffee shop. Considering the pandemic, deSteiguer also announced student tuition would remain the same for the 2021-2022 school year.
For the years to come, deSteiguer said his attention is on the three stories Jesus told in Mathew chapter 25. DeSteiguer said the main concepts of the stories are being prepared, using people’s talents, and taking care of others.
“The idea of being prepared, using our talents and really making a difference in our world for others, those things have really resigned with me,” deSteiguer said. “I think that is the story of Oklahoma Christian going forward.”
Mallori Mueller, senior student at Oklahoma Christian, takes deSteiguer’s leadership class. Mueller said deSteiguer is very personable in the classroom just as he is around campus.
“He has a strength of connecting to everyone in a personal level,” Mueller said. “He makes sure he knows who you are … I think he is a great addition to OC, and we are very lucky to have him.”
Senior Audrey Redfearn, member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) task force, meets with President deSteiguer once a month to discuss issues on campus. Redfearn said deSteiguer does a great job serving the campus and the community.
“I’m pumped to have him on campus for another five years,” Redfearn said. “He is an awesome president to have… He is probably one of the most genuine and real people on campus.”
Redfearn said deSteiguer’s main strength is his willingness to talk and listen to people.
“Even forming the diversity task force speaks volumes to what he is trying to do,” Redfearn said. “He’s making strides in the right direction to change some of the cultural [issues] on campus to make it more inclusive. He is not too big with the title of president to listen to what we have to say as students.”
Jacob Knox, senior student at Oklahoma Christian, said deSteiguer contributes to the Oklahoma Christian community and helps him feel at home.
“I truly think John deSteiguer is the exact same role model, man of God, and friend in every situation he is in,” said Knox. “From the classroom, to walking on campus, to seeing him at church, to watching him at the OC sport games, he maintains the same character in all that he does.”
DeSteiguer said he never imagined he would be a college president, but never took for granted he was going to be a leader.
“I did see things unfold over time that made me think that I was comfortable in certain settings,” deSteiguer said. “I was always encouraged to make things better, not just for [me] John but make things better for other people and with other people.”
DeSteiguer said students looking for leadership roles should take advantage of opportunities which push them out of their comfort zone.
“The goal of life is not to remain comfortable all the time,” deSteiguer said. “Always take advantage of those opportunities to extend yourself and your abilities … it will extend your reach; you will realize that you can do a lot more than you ever thought that you could.”
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