Name: Mrs. Michelle L. Stephens - Oklahoma Christian University

ALUMNI newsMito (Japan)Oklahoma Christian’s alumni chaptershave gone global with the inclusion of theMito (Japan) Alumni Chapter. Alumni inJapan launched the chapter with an eventlast October.Amy Thrailkill, an assistant Englishteacher at an elementary school in Mito,said the chapter exists for both alumni andfuture OC students.“The Mito OC Alumni Chapter wouldlike to strive to strengthen the awarenessof Oklahoma Christian in the hearts andminds of those here in Japan, both alumniand possible future students.”Thrailkill, who graduated fromOklahoma Christian in 2000 and thenearned an MBA from OC in 2002, saidthe chapter wants to build a strong, lastingrelationship between the university andthose in Japan.“So many people who live and work herein Japan have benefited from the educationthat we received at OC and want to makethat available to anyone else who might beinterested.”Oklahoma Christian has a long-standingconnection with Japan. The university hasmaintained an association with IbarakiChristian University for more than 30years. This association has benefited bothuniversities with student exchanges andalso proved to be a connection for alumniwanting to teach English in Japan.Joe McCormack, retired associateprofessor of English, worked diligentlyto create and maintain a bond betweenthe university and the Mito, Ibaraki,public schools that has lasted more thana decade. The Mito group, along withothers, contributed $100,000 towardthe Joe McCormack scholarship forinternational studies that was announced athomecoming.TulsaTulsa-area alumni gathered at Park PlazaChurch of Christ on February 25 to launchOC’s newest regional alumni chapter: theOklahoma Green Country Alumni Chapter.“This chapter has been a dream forseveral years. Our purpose is to assistOklahoma Christian in living out hermission in the greater Tulsa area,” chapterpresident Bob Petre said.Petre, along with his wife DeWayna, arealso members of OC’s National AlumniCouncil. Green Country vice president,and president elect, Eric Begin, said thatthe chapter’s next event will be a golftournament on June 3.The chapter will host the tournament inconjunction with the Tulsa chapter of theOklahoma Christian Women’s Association,a women’s auxiliary group focused onfellowship and raising funds for OklahomaChristian.For more information on the GreenCountry Chapter, contact Michael Mitchellat (405) 425-5120 or via email at michael.mitchell@oc.edu. You also can check outthe chapter’s webpage at www.oc.edu/tulsachapter.by Allison Day (’92)Alumni Gather Deep In The Heart ofThe stars at night were indeed bigand bright as OC’s South Texas alumnigathered at the sky-high Petroleum Club indowntown Houston on Jan. 28.Almost 70 OC alumni and friendsenjoyed dinner and fellowship; alumnispanning 36 years – from the class of 1967to the class of 2003 – participated in theevent.The event was hosted by alumni Mike(78) and Donna Sue (McBroom 77) Arnoldand Mark (78) and Susie (Patterson 79)Jackson, the newest member of OC’sBoard of Trustees.Several members of OC’s administrationalso attended, including President MikeO’Neal, Vice President for AdvancementJohn deSteiguer and Director of AlumniRelations Stephen Eck. National AlumniCouncil member Joyce (Smith 73) Swansonwas also present at the event, which wascompletely funded by local alumni.An address by Texas state representativeDan Branch (80) highlighted the evening.A longtime civic and community leader,Branch representsDistrict 108 in theDallas area. He serveson the Appropriationsand Public EducationCommittees and is adynamic House leader.Issues Branch has tackled in his twotermservice to the state of Texas includeschool finance reform. In 2003, Branchsponsored Senate Bill 83 that ultimatelydirected school districts to have studentsrecite pledges of allegiance to the UnitedStates and Texas flags and observe oneminute of silence each day in Texasschools. He announced in December thathe will seek reelection for a third term.Branch fondly remembered his own daysat Oklahoma Christian and urged alumni tosupport the institution.Alan Wright (96), a financial planner withthe Sellers Group, said, “It’s always nice torenew college friendships and meet newpeople at events like this one. It provides agreat opportunity to network, share collegeDan Branch, Susie Jackson and Mark and Jackson Mark Jacksonstories and hear information about thegreat things happening at my alma mater.”Alumni in Houston, including many whoattended the Petroleum Club event, havemet to discuss the foundation of a Houston-areaalumni chapter.“Houston alumni are an example of tremendoussupport for Oklahoma ChristianUniversity,” Eck said. “As the new HoustonChapter continues in its formation, I knowthis heritage of sending quality students toOC, supporting them through the scholarshipfund, and encouraging fellow alumnito strengthen their connection with eachother and their alma mater will continue.Our Houston alumni energize OklahomaChristian.”by Risa Forrester (96) VISION SPRING 2006 Transforming lives for Christian faith, leadership, and service.