News

August 2021
Traditional Campus Enrollment is 2nd Highest in History
OKWU experienced an 8.4% enrollment growth for Fall 2021 semester on our traditional campus. Watch the ’21-22 Year in Review video at www.okwu.edu/year-in-review.

January 2022
OKWU Announces DBA Program, First of Its Kind in the State
The university’s second doctorate program was approved. The Doctor of Business Administration degree is designed to prepare experienced professionals and academics to become senior executives, educators, and consultants. Congratulations to our dedicated GPS team on this achievement.

March 2022
Davis Leads Dunn Institute
The Dunn Institute continued on OKWU’s campus this year, providing pastors and church leaders practical business instruction. Norwood Davis of 12Stone Church served as keynote speaker. Davis will become the successor of Craig Dunn (’82), CEO of
the Wesleyan Investment Foundation, in 2026.

Lo’s Loft Named for OKWU Alum
Dr. Jim Lo (’78) was honored by Indiana Wesleyan University for 25 years of service. The prayer loft in the IWU chapel-auditorium was officially named the Lo Loft, and he received Professor the Year for the 5th time.

May 2022
OKWU Presents Mueller an Honorary Doctorate
During May’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, Naomi Mueller (’58) was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters for her decades of strong service to the university.

May 2022
Cherished Professors Mark Retirement from Full-Time Teaching
Three of OKWU’s longest-tenured professors – Dr. Mike Fullingham, Dr. Beverly Hartter, and Dr. Bill Vieux – were honored during May’s commencement ceremony. All three professors served OKWU for decades, impacting thousands of students and leaving a legacy not soon forgotten.

May 2022
Faculty Earns Yearly Honors
During May’s Honors Chapel, faculty were recognized by both student-focused awards and
honors from their peers. Dr. Jon Ensor (’05) received the Student Government Faculty of the Year Award. OKWU’s faculty voted to present Professor Anna Mangimela (’08) received the Promising Teacher Award, while Dr. Josh McNall (’04) with the Excellence in Teaching Award.

July 2022
OKWU PRO
OKWU’s School of Graduate & Professional Studies announced a partnership with MindEdge to provide affordable industry certifications, badges, and training courses. OKWU is now equipped to offer over 350 such courses as part of their online offerings, including Agile Management, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and more. To learn more, visit okwu.edu/gps.

July 2022
University Pastor Role Filled by Martin
Rev. Torrey Martin was appointed the first full-time University Pastor in OKWU’s history. She’ll bring her wealth of experience, passion for students, and pastoral-heart as she advances OKWU’s spiritual life experience.

2022
Faculty Achieve Degrees
Professor Eric Peterson (’07) completed a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Walden University and was accepted into the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Professor Stacy Pierce completed a Master of Science in Mathematics from Emporia State University in August of 2021.

2021-2022
Professors Publish New Works
Three professors from the School of Ministry and Christian Thought have published new works over the past year. Dr. Jerome Van Kuiken contributed a chapter to Theology and Spider-Man (Lexington Books/Fortress Academic); Dr. Josh McNall published Perhaps: Reclaiming the Space Between Doubt and Dogmatism (IVP Academic); and Dr. Jon Ensor released Paul and Corinthians: Leadership, Ordeals, and the Politics of Displacement (Bloomsbury Publishing). Additionally, mathematics Professor Jana Russell published From Stumbling to Soaring: Lose your Job, Find Your Future, Grow Your Faith (Christian Faith Publishing).

Academics

July 2022
Faculty Roles Shifted to Move into Future
Dr. Jessica Johnson serves as the Dean of Nursing. Prof. Jason Flick (’98) was named the Dean of the School of Education and Exercise Science. Dr. Keri Bostwick (’98) was named the University Provost this summer. Dr. Wendel Weaver continues to serve as Dean of Business, while Dr. Mark Weeter assumed the position of Dean of School of Ministry and Christian Thought.