President

Letter From the President

Welcome to Oklahoma Wesleyan University!

We are a university that believes in and practices the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, all things are possible!

The transformations of lives is core to all that Oklahoma Wesleyan University is and does. Being an orthodox Christian, liberal arts university, we believe God wants to change the whole person by His grace and truth in order for His disciples to change the whole world for the good of His Kingdom. This is a place that prioritizes the whole development of the whole person spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically including the worldview a person looks upon others and the culture God has called us to witness to through and with His love. We honor the Primacy of Jesus Christ, the Priority of Scripture, the Pursuit of Truth, and the Practice of Wisdom for the whole person so the Kingdom of Jesus Christ can impact the whole world.

As you consider Oklahoma Wesleyan University as your choice to develop who it is that God has called you to be and what He has wired you to do in life, I am confident in our mission, our people, our grace-giving, our truth-telling, and our Christian worldview culture. We desire to be so full of Jesus Christ that the grace and truth of Jesus Christ oozes out of all we are and do through Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

As one who graduated from this outstanding university, I wholeheartedly recommend this place and these people to you looking forward to the impact the ministry of the Gospel continues to have on all of us in every area of our lives. I look forward to interacting with you in order to learn how God is at work in your story. Join the OKWU family as we seek to honor Jesus Christ in all we are and do.

In Christ,
President Jim Dunn

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Transformed by Grace & Truth

President Dunn’s Inaugural Vision shares how the Oklahoma Wesleyan University mission, vision, and values are embodied in the present and future life of the institution.

Presidential Inauguration

About Dr. James A. Dunn

President Dunn and First lady Wendy look forward to greeting you on your next visit to Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

When James “Jim” Dunn came to Bartlesville Wesleyan College as a freshman in 1984, he had no notion of how far the university’s scope would eventually reach.

“I love the Lord,” Dunn said. “I gave my life to Him at the age of seven at the altar of the church my father pastored in Tucson, Arizona.”

Dunn dedicated his life to the Lord’s service at the age of twelve and hasn’t looked back. Committed to The Wesleyan Church, he was ordained and has been a minister in the denomination since 1991.

“My connections run deep throughout the Wesleyan family. Five of my six siblings are OKWU alumni. Since 1965, someone from my family has either been a student of the school, a board member, or a faculty member — and now President.”

Dunn earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bartlesville Wesleyan College (OKWU) in 1988, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1991, and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity International University in 1998. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership on numerous boards and taught for Wesley Seminary and Indiana Wesleyan University.

“Lead as unto Jesus Christ, believing in others to reach their full potential for the Kingdom of Jesus.” – President Dunn

First serving as a local church pastor for 15 years, Dunn continued his ministry with The Wesleyan Church, leading as General Director of Spiritual Formation and Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship. From 2016-2019, he served as Vice President of Church Relations for the Wesleyan Investment Foundation, a ministry focused on encouraging and helping local churches reach their next level of ministry effectiveness. Throughout this vast experience, Dunn was prepared to lead OKWU into the future.