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Homecoming 2024 Highlights

A Weekend to Remember

As OU – Kansas alumni returned to their alma mater October 17 - 20, 2024, they were treated to both nostalgic events and new reunion twists for a weekend to remember. Connecting with old friends, new faces, fun activities, and their ever-changing University, attendees from across the years went home with a new kindling of the Ottawa spirit.

Even before alumni arrived, the campus was alive with a variety of activities. Wednesday saw a faculty/staff chili cook-off judged by students, with 1^st place going to Justin Wadkins in campus safety, 2^nd to Head Women’s Basketball Coach Hunter Bondurant, and 3^rd to Student Life Operations/Conduct Coordinator Amy Kessinger. Students also voted for Homecoming royalty on Wednesday for announced winners during Saturday’s football game.

Thursday

As alumni began to arrive on Thursday, they and students alike were invited to utilize the Homecoming photo booth set up to make weekend memories.

At 1 p.m., the Board of Trustees, guests, and OU administrators toured the nearly completed multi-million-dollar renovation of the Mabee Center that boasts new flooring, offices, restrooms, HVAC system, and paint. Chancellor Dr. Bill Tsutsui noted, “With the state-of-the-art Braves Athletic Performance Center, which is used nearly 24/7 during the academic year, we are finally catching up with the needs of our teams and student-athletes, and, I might add, we are doing it with some style.”

Students across campus also participated in the annual OU Shining Star talent show at 7:00 p.m. Put on by student government, this year’s winning act was a magic trick performed by Bernardo Figueiredo. He won two Chiefs tickets.

BAHOF Induction Ceremony

More than 200 alumni and student-athlete scholarship winners attended the annual Braves Athletic Hall of Fame (BAHOF) induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in the Gangwish Library, Schendel Conference Center, where Leadership Gift Officer Derek Chappell ’87 served as master of ceremonies, BAHOF President Tony Porter ’03 welcomed guests and recognized BAHOF officers and members, and University Chaplain the Rev. Dr. John Holzhüter gave the invocation and honored former BAHOF inductees who have passed.

Following dinner, Tsutsui presented a University update and introduced new OUKS Campus President Dr. Bambi Burgard, who greeted attendees.

“It is certainly a privilege to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our illustrious alumni being inducted tonight into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Burgard. “In addition to our new inductees, we also celebrate the athletic accomplishments of our many scholarship winners and the outstanding legacies of several past members of the Hall of Fame.”

New to many in the audience was recently hired Director of Athletics Janet Eaton-Smith, who introduced her staff and specially recognized Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance & Operations Kathy Hinderliter, who was voted 2024 NAIA Female Trailblazer of the Year.

Next, BAHOF member and BAHOF scholarship co-chair Dave Owen ’60 recognized all of the 2024-25 scholarship recipients and the coaches and/or donors for whom the scholarships were created.  For a full description of the scholarships and their recipients, GO HERE.

• Top Student-Athletes:  Riley Smith, women’s soccer; Oscar Giorgio, men’s tennis.
• Coach Bill Boucek Scholarship - Athens Fawkes, men’s track and field
• Coach Dick Peters Scholarship - Kalen Kemp, football
• Coach Frear Scholarship - Sydnee Scott, women’s basketball ; Kobe Johnson, men’s basketball
• Elaine Pyle Scholarship - Kaelynn Duncan, women’s basketball; AJ Hof, men’s basketball
• Dudley Geise NAIA Champions of Character Scholarships - Shane Sexton, football; Erin Skeen, women’s soccer
• Jim Smith Scholarship - Kayla Whiteaker, women’s track; GiGi Jones, women’s wrestling
• Kurt Barbour Memorial Scholarship - Rowdy Keith, football
• Albert “Butch” Lewis Memorial Scholarship - Cody Presley, football
• Bettin Family BAHOF Scholarship - Addison Saporito, women’s wrestling
• Dick Meiers Memorial Athletic Scholarship - Darby Weidl, women’s wrestling
• David C. Owen Leadership Scholarship - Alondra Carbajal-Pettry, women’s soccer
• Justin Wayne Moenkhoff Iron Braves Award - Brenna Diller, women’s volleyball; Kyle Wallenberg, weightlifting

Of course, the highlight of the evening came with the induction of four former OUKS athletes into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame, which was created to honor “those individuals who have gained recognition and fame for themselves and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ resulting from their endeavors and accomplishments as a student-athlete, coach or athletics administrator at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.”

“The sense of community that I see in this room tonight likely began when you were students here at OU,” said Burgard. “You may have come to college not knowing any other student on campus, but that quickly changed as you studied, practiced and played together. For many, OU soon became your second home. College athletics have a way of bringing people together, connecting us with a sense of shared ambition and a competitive spirit. This is your community, and we are so happy to have you back home for a few days.”

Following an introduction by Eaton-Smith, Chappell read a citation of each inductee’s athletic and career accomplishments that accompanied the plaque they received. The inductees were then given the opportunity to respond to the honor. To read the criteria for BAHOF induction and the citations of this year’s recipients in full, GO HERE.

• Justin Garrard ’09/’12
  Education - BA in Business Administration; MBA
  OU Athletic Participation - Cross Country (2005-08) Track and Field (2007-09)
• Kristen Hendrickson ’12
  Education - BA in Elementary Education; MA in School Counseling
  OU Athletic Participation - Women’s Volleyball (2009-12)
• Daniel Jacobs ’18
  Education - BA in Accounting
  OU Athletic Participation - Men’s Volleyball (2016-18)
• Amanda “Bobby” (Just) Rhyne ’12
  Education - BA in Biology; MD
  OU Athletic Participation - Women’s Soccer (2008-11)

Friday

As the official kickoff to Homecoming weekend, Friday saw more alumni arriving on campus, including members of the Class of 1974, this year’s 50-year reunion class. The group enjoyed breakfast in the Gangwish Library where classmates re-connected, leafed through old yearbooks, and reminisced about their OU years. Also in the morning, students grabbed their Homecoming shirts distributed by Student Activities to wear to the Homecoming athletic events.

At 11:30 a.m., OU’s Heritage Roll of Honor and Dome Society donors were celebrated, along with the University’s Trustees, Alumni Golden Club, and 50-year class members.

Friday evening, students enjoyed the Homecoming bonfire hosted by the Black Student Union, Phi Phi Phi, and Phi Delta Theta. This traditional event featured raffles, music, s'mores, and hot chocolate.

Alumni Association Banquet

The main event of the evening was the Alumni Association Banquet at 6:00 p.m. in the Hasty and Goppert Conference Rooms of the Gangwish Library.

Chappell again served as the night’s emcee and guests were greeted by Burgard, while Holzhüter honored those who have passed and prayed over the evening. Following dinner, the Class of 1974 planning committee welcomed the class and Director of Alumni Programs Becky Blaue ’89 recognized other attending classes.

“What a special night for us to come together in celebration of so many individuals who are living the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ mission to live a life of personal significance and vocational fulfillment, while also leading in service to God and others,” shared Burgard. “Thank you for being inspirational forces and role models for our current students. You remind us what we can accomplish when we set our goals and work hard to meet them.”

The pinnacle of the evening was the presentation of awards to the OUAA recipients, made by Blaue and OUAA President Regan (Aeschliman) Jones ’16. The following inductees were honored by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Alumni Association. For a full description of each award and recipient, GO HERE.
 

Distinguished Service Award - Dr. Wendell W. Carpenter ’66
This award recognizes individuals or couples who have demonstrated exceptional service in the church and/or community over a span of time.

Outstanding Achievement Award - Dr. Randall Lake ’74; Linda Burnett Martin ’66
Recognizes individuals who have made an impact in their chosen field of endeavor, whether over a span of many years or in a relatively short timeframe.

Recent Alumni Award - Ryland Miller ’19, MBA ’21
Designed to recognize recent graduates who have attained a significant level of achievement and potential for accomplishment in the early years following graduation.

Honorary Membership in OUAA - Danny Trent
This award is designed to be a prestigious honor granted by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Alumni Association (OUAA). Once recognized, honorary members hold alumni status throughout their lifetimes and are entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits of any member of the OUAA.

The event culminated with a special presentation by Chancellor Tsutsui and Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Janet Peters who touted the bold and exciting successes, growth and investments of the University over recent years. To propel that growth into the future, the pair announced the launch of a $35M comprehensive fundraising campaign, OU Forever More, that will run through 2027. Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Jeanne Krug also shared her love for OU as an alumni and how important it is to be involved in this campaign that will benefit people and programs throughout the University. Contact Janet Peters at janet.peters@ottawa.edu for more information.   

Saturday

Saturday saw more alumni arriving and gathering for a variety of activities. Campus tours were offered in the morning, which also served as a Braves Visit Day for 60 prospective students and their families who got to witness the Homecoming energy on campus.

The annual Homecoming tailgate opened at 11 a.m. on the University Mall for alumni, students, families, and community members to enjoy before the game. Prior to kickoff at 1:00 p.m., the Homecoming royalty were crowned on AdventHealth Field at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. This year the student body selected senior Loren Woita (lacrosse, applied psychology major) as king and senior Darby Weidl (women’s wrestling, exercise science major) as queen for their accomplishments and leadership on campus. Then, between the first and second quarters, the Class of 1974 presented their monetary class gift towards a campus beautification fund tied to the new OU Forever More fundraising campaign.

The football match-up against the University of Saint Mary Spires saw the OU Braves emerge victorious with a score of 33-30.  Later in the day, women’s soccer team suffered a loss against Bethel, 2-1, while the men’s soccer team bested Bethel 4-3.

Homecoming weekend wrapped up in the evening when alumni were treated to a new option for gathering in addition to the traditional class dinners that were held in the Hasty and Goppert Conference Rooms of the Gangwish Library at 6 p.m. Simultaneously, from 6 – 9 p.m., the first-ever Live at Legacy Square event was hosted at the Legacy Square pavilion in downtown Ottawa. Approximately 75 alumni from numerous classes enjoyed hanging out with music, food trucks, and a beer garden.

“This was our first attempt at Live at Legacy Square, and it was really successful,” said Blaue. “Those who attended loved that it was open to all ages, and they enjoyed the more relaxed feel. Derek (Chappell) had a mix of music from different decades playing and some of our guests even got up and danced. We’d like to make this a yearly event and, judging from our alumni, they would like that as well.”

Tsutsui summarized the weekend by saying, “It was a great Homecoming in Ottawa, with lovely fall weather, an exciting win for Braves football, the opening of the renovated Mabee Center, and lots of alumni back on campus to see old friends, share warm memories, and learn about all the great things happening at the University.”  

Parade of Champions

OUKS, City of Ottawa Showcase Athletic Achievements

On August 27, 2024, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and the City of Ottawa, KS, joined forces to put on a parade through downtown Ottawa to highlight and celebrate the 2023-24 athletic successes of both local and University students.

Long desirous of strengthening ties between the community and the University, City leaders and OU administrators rallied behind the brainchild of OU’s new Athletic Director, Janet Eaton-Smith, when she proposed the idea of a parade, which was soon dubbed the Parade of Champions. 

“I'm excited to be at the helm of a new era and to bring new energy to the year,” said Eaton-Smith. “I'm committed to developing a strong partnership/relationship with our community and others connected to the City of Ottawa. This is the right time to be part of Braves Nation!”

The parade was held in conjunction with OU’s annual Fusion Business Expo, a downtown event for new University students that allows local businesses to exhibit their retail, service, employment, and leisure opportunities. This year Fusion was held at Ottawa’s Legacy Square and included food, music, activities, drawings, and giveaways for the incoming students.

Prior to Fusion, the Parade of Champions made its way down Main Street from City Park, concluding at Legacy Square, where the Braves cheer and dance teams performed and OU teams that won a KCAC championship (women's bowling, men's lacrosse, esports, football, and flag football) or national titles (flag football and powerlifting) were recognized. Unfortunately, due to excessive heat, the Ottawa High School teams, band, and other participants were unable to join the celebration.

Two marshals were at the helm of the parade: Geoff Poston, OU head women's bowling coach and Coach of the Year, and from Ottawa High School, Parker Guge, who is a multi-year state champion in wrestling and recent grad. Due to ongoing international competition, Katie Sowers, who was also slated to be a parade marshal, was unable to attend. Sowers is head coach for the Italian national flag football team and assistant flag football coach at OU.

OU’s mascot, Gibby the otter, walked alongside the marshals as they rode in a Corvette provided by Steve Hasty, owner of Hasty Awards of Ottawa. Both the Ottawa police and fire departments joined the line-up, as did multiple floats and a procession of show horses and buggies.

The parade committee was comprised of personnel from the City, University and USD290, including Eaton-Smith, Interim OU Campus President Bambi Burgard, Ottawa Main Street Association Director Sara Stauffer, City Commissioner Zach Clayton '16, High School Principal Kelly Whittaker, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce President Ryland Miller '19/MBA '21, OU Dean of Student Life and Services Donald Anderson '13, and Director of Marketing and Board Operations Lara Boyd '01/MBA '11.

“Involving students from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in the community is not just an opportunity for growth but a necessity for fostering a vibrant, dynamic environment,” said Stauffer. “Their energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives can drive innovation and social change, enriching both the campus and the broader community. Conversely, when the community actively engages with the University, it creates a symbiotic relationship that benefits everyone—enhancing educational experiences, promoting civic responsibility, and building a stronger, more interconnected society.”

The parade committee hopes to make the Parade of Champions an annual event, broadening participation in coming years to include other school districts within the county, such as Wellsville, Central Heights and West Franklin.

“I am excited to see so many proximate organizations within the community coming together to lift up these students and their successes,” commented Clayton. “For far too long the siloing of our community has been detrimental, and we hope this is the first step forward in working hand in hand to continue to improve the dynamic community atmosphere of Ottawa, the University, and Franklin County for all of its residents. Together is the only way forward, and I am excited to see this vision come to life with the Parade of Champions and hope this event serves as the unofficial kick-off of this community-wide mission.”

OUAZ Adds Dedicated Wrestling Room

New Practice Space Draws Recruits

The OUAZ wrestling program for men and women has lacked a dedicated practice space since it began in 2019. The start of the fall 2024 semester will see a change to that.

Recognized as essential for recruiting and the successful operation of the program, Director of Admissions Kevin Andres has overseen the transformation of one of the classrooms in Veritas Hall, which serves the campus with offices, student housing and classrooms, into a new wrestling practice space. The conversion was initiated at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year and is nearly complete, with the dedicated area expected to be ready for the start of the season in September 2024.

The new wrestling room is a 1,200 square-foot space with wall-to-wall mats. “The new space is a tremendous opportunity for our teams and individual wrestlers to become even better,” said Women’s Head Coach Ed Cruz, who is a 2X NCWA National Women’s Coach of the Year. “It also helps with recruiting. Every recruit who visits wants to see where we train. There’s no doubt that they will be impressed.”

While the new practice area is a welcome addition and will be a draw for new wrestlers, it’s clear that the previous lack of a dedicated space hasn’t hindered the program’s performance.

Despite the first two seasons being incomplete due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OUAZ women’s team has won two National Dual Team Championships and one National Tournament Championship. The season they didn’t win, they were National Runners-up. This season, there are 26 women on the team, including two returning National Champions, five All-Americans, and a strong incoming recruiting class.

The men’s team is led by Head Coach Hermelinda Gonzalez ’23. She is a former wrestler for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Arizona women’s team and became the first woman from the University to win two national championships. “Last year, the men’s team fought hard but fell short of placing,” said Gonzalez, who took the helm of the team midway through 2023.  “Drawing from the discipline I maintained during my wrestling career, I intend to instill into the men’s team the same work ethic that led me to become a national champion.” The team currently has 16 athletes, up from just eight last year, with six competing at Nationals.

“As an alumnus of the University and wrestling team, I've witnessed the evolution of both the men's and women's programs,” said Gonzalez. “The new facility provides a dedicated space where coaches and athletes can focus fully, offering the right environment for both life challenges and wrestling competitions with complete confidence and motivation.”

Andres concurred. “After launching these programs in 2019, it’s exciting to see the growth and the University’s commitment to expanding them,” he said. “The coaching staff has tirelessly worked for these students, and this new facility is a testament to their success both on and off the mat. I look forward to seeing the new wrestling room help recruit new students and continue to support the success of those already here.”

Flag It! Going for Gold in 2028

Sowers to Lead Italian Olympic Flag Football Team

On October 16, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the addition of men’s and women’s flag football to the Olympic program for the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles, CA, along with three other sports. Of the decision, CEO of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck said, “Today is a momentous day for American football. The decision to add flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympic program in Los Angeles is an acknowledgment of the sport's tremendous international growth and appeal as a fast, exciting and competitive sport.” 

That international growth has been bolstered significantly by the exposure ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has given the sport by taking all four NAIA championships since its introduction into the division. In fact, international teams are taking notice of OU’s leadership, and one – the Italian National Team – has tapped Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assistant Flag Football Coach/Defensive Coordinator Katie Sowers to lead its women’s flag football team to the 2028 Olympic games.

“I had been thinking about the possibility of growing the game outside of the USA for some time,” shared Sowers. “I just didn't know which country it might be. Ironically, a member of the Italian National Team reached out to me during this time, asking if this would be something that I would consider. I took a look at the film of who these players are, and I had no doubt that this would be my team. I could see the love of the game with every snap, and it really felt meant to be. This is something that is a dream come true for so many people, including myself. I have no doubt that this will be one of the most popular sports in the 2028 Olympics.” 

The Italian Women’s National Team has two eighth-place finishes at the World Championships (2014, 2021), a fifth and two sixth-place finishes at the European Championships (2017, 2019, and 2023), and a sixth place at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama (2022). Italy is currently ranked 12^th in the world.

Sowers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new team. She played professional football as a quarterback and defensive back for both the West Michigan Mayhem and the Kansas City Titans as part of the Women’s Football Alliance. While with the Titans, Sowers was also a member of the U.S. women's national American football team that won the 2013 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championship. She continued to play in the WFA until a hip injury led to her retirement in 2016.

But Sowers wasn’t done with football – not by a long shot. Sowers transitioned almost immediately to the coaching side of the game, first as a National Football League (NFL) wide receiver coaching intern with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. Sowers then moved to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 as part of Bill Walsh’s Diversity Coaching Fellowship, which was named in honor of the late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach. Her performance landed her a full-time position as offensive assistant with the team in 2019. That was the same season the 49ers took the NFC Championship that sent them to Super Bowl LIV and earned Sowers the distinction of being the first female coach in Super Bowl history.

After her contract with the 49ers expired in 2020, she took a coaching internship with the Kansas City Chiefs during the off-season and pre-season of 2021. Then, in October of that year, Sowers was appointed as the director of athletic strategic initiatives at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, where she coaches the women's flag football team with her sister Liz.

“Katie is a rockstar when it comes to flag football!” said OU Director of Athletics Janet Eaton-Smith. “Her knowledge of the game is among the elites. What she will bring to the Italian team is grit - she works hard studying film and making sure she has the team prepared to compete. She brings knowledge - she understands the game and can make adjustments on the fly. Lastly, she will bring her love and compassion for people; she will help elevate anyone that's associated with her through personal connections or just offering a kind word.” 

Sowers acknowledges the challenges that coaching a national team involves, but she comes at them with both passion and a plan.

“Practicing is extremely hard when it comes to a national team,” she said. “You have players from all over the country that have fulltime jobs and families. Right now, we are preparing for a camp at the end of July with optional weekly practices for those who can make it. We will also hold a week-long camp prior to leaving for Finland that will serve as a training camp to prepare for that tournament.”

Sowers sees the top priority right now as getting the players to fully achieve the level of play they are capable of. “Unlike the USA, players in Italy don't have sports in schools,” she explained. “So little things like having access to film review for every practice or coaching the details of how to attack leverage as a wide receiver will help these players grow in ways they never thought possible.  The exciting thing about that for a coach is that with every practice, you can see so much improvement. A lot of what holds these players back is lack of opportunity. Give them a great opportunity and you will see great results. Plus, there is something special about being an underdog. There is a different passion, there is a different level of gratitude and love for the game. Imagining what we could be is what excites me the most.”

  As the 2028 Olympics approaches, flag football will undoubtedly continue to grow in popularity and talent around the world, but Sowers’ approach to team development will remain steadfast. “Nothing about what I do as a coach will change,” she stressed. “The question I ask myself with every team I coach is, ‘How can I get this team to be the best that it can be?’ Each player and each team will require something different. The worst thing a head coach can do is come into a new situation and fail to evaluate the needs of the team. It is my understanding that only 10 teams will qualify for the Olympics. So, my first goal is to continue to move us up in the world ranking. Then after that, we are mission gold!”

She also hopes to use the incredible coaching opportunity to grow women in flag football both internationally and at OU, which is already represented on the U.S. national team by Addie Orsborn, and in Canada, Spain and Panama with former and current players. 

 “I am working on bringing up good young female coaches from here in Italy to show women that coaching is not just a position reserved for men,” she said. “There is also a chance that we might see some Italians representing Ottawa later this next school year.”

Eaton-Smith is thrilled, but not surprised, at the attention Sowers is bringing to the international flag football movement, as well as to OU’s own program and Sowers’ personal career. “This opportunity for Katie is monumental for the program, the institution, and for women's sports,” she shared. “Having Katie represent OUKS at the Olympics can bring the University and community a wealth of benefits, including enhanced credibility, the ability to recruit top-tier student-athletes, increased visibility, professional development opportunities, and heightened alumni and donor engagement. Not only can it help elevate the program to new heights, but it can help establish a reputation for excellence in collegiate athletics. I am so excited for Katie. This is such an honor for her and her brand!” 

Sowers is currently living in Italy during these early stages of leading the women’s national team and will juggle her OU responsibilities with the University’s full backing. “Ottawa has been very supportive, and this really goes hand in hand with everything else that I do to grow the game,” she said. “I am not sure what it will look like in the years to come, but I will say that Italy is not a bad place to be. It already feels like a part of me.”

Upon her return to OUKS for the fall semester, Sowers is in for a bit of a surprise. “We are extremely proud of Katie,” said Eaton-Smith. “On August 27, 2024, we are having a Parade of Champions to highlight and celebrate the successes in athletics from the 2023–2024 year; Coach Katie will be one of the parade marshals on that night. But shhh – she doesn’t know about that yet!”

Jazz Program Rocks Spring Semester

New Orleans, Jazz Fest, Performances, and More!

For a small, tight-knit group of jazz musicians, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ - Kansas provided opportunities during the spring semester that significantly shaped their artistry and created memories they will carry with them for a lifetime.

Most notably, students in the OUKS Jazz Studies program had the opportunity to visit New Orleans, the birthplace of the genre, for the annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in January 2024. They attended masterclasses led by world-class musicians and pedagogues, performed alongside peers from across the globe, and shook hands with personal heroes who have helped shape their musical journeys. Hands down, it was the highlight of their year.

“Not only were we in the birthplace and culture of the beginning of jazz, but we were also experiencing the modern-day jazz scene at its heart,” said alto saxophonist Isaiah Epp, who will be a senior in the program this fall. “Our eyes were opened to what was possible now, not just what was possible in jazz's past.”

Pianist and vocalist Jacob Fry ‘24/OUKS agreed. “The ability to go and see jazz musicians performing at the highest level was incredible,” he said. “The opportunity to not only bond with my band and faculty but also experience jazz in its birthplace was incredibly significant.”

For recent graduate and trumpeter Logan Smoot ‘24/OUKS, the experience went even further. “Getting to see all of my heroes playing music in one place and meeting an exponential amount of people connected to the music was the ultimate event I was ever a part of while attending Ottawa University,” he shared.

And that was just the first month of the semester. In February, the Jazz Studies students helped host nearly 300 high school jazz students at the OUKS campus for the OU Jazz Fest. Legendary drummer Dave Weckl was the guest artist for the festival, which allowed OU music students to work with the iconic drummer and enjoy a concert featuring Weckl, Professor and Director of Jazz Studies Dan Thomas, and other esteemed faculty.

“Due to the overwhelming success and positive feedback from participants at the OU Jazz Festival, we will operate two sites over two days next year,” said Thomas. “The festival is a wonderful way to celebrate America's Indigenous Artform and bring potential students to experience the OU campus and the high-level teaching of OU music faculty. It is also a testament to our faculty that they are able to share the stage with iconic musicians at the festival. They are top-tier!”

The very next week, the Jazz Studies students attended the annual Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) conference in Wichita, where they assisted with the OU music department booth. Two music students, Colin Oberg (trumpet) and Isaac Pieters (tuba), were selected to perform in the Kansas Bandmasters Association Intercollegiate Band during the conference. The band was comprised of the best collegiate musicians from the state of Kansas. 

The students' semester was also highlighted with on-campus concerts featuring their own original compositions and arrangements, as well as student recitals and countless professional performances (both individual and as an OU ensemble) in venues throughout Kansas City. “I was most proud of our of my senior recital and Isaiah Epp's junior recital,” relayed Smoot. “We had been planning every exact detail for months on end and it came together really nice in the end.”

Another highly memorable performance took place in the previous semester when the group performed at the Uptown Lounge in midtown KC, featuring two hours of their original music and arrangements.

Finally, the students showcased their skill and hard work when they helped coordinate and performed in the well-attended annual Spring concert for the DeFries Society for the Performing Arts held on April 26.

So, what are jazz studies students taking away from their OU educational experience? More than a degree – that’s for sure.

Fry, who graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (with concentrations in Vocal Music Education and Jazz Studies), was particularly proud of the recordings the musicians did. “Getting to spend time making music with everyone in such a collaborative environment was a lot of fun, and it’s great to have recordings to look back on and see how far we've come.”

He also loved the unique chemistry that the jazz band had. “Many larger schools rotate musicians through bands and don't give them the ability to really get to know each other on the level that we were able to at OU,” he said. “We weren't just a band who met three times a week and then went our separate ways. We would drive to school together, eat together, go to classes together and then hang out together. That chemistry allowed us to really have fun with the music and bounce ideas off of each other without fear of judgment.”

Epp, on the other hand, appreciated the tremendous growth he experienced in his skills. “I grew a tremendous amount last year,” he shared. “My tone, improvisation and composition were all enhanced by my experience at Ottawa University.”

Beyond his own hard work, the Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies major attributes his growth to two things in particular. “The personal attention [the program] gives its students is phenomenal,” he said. “It also hosts an all-star cast of professors that have the authority and ability to teach the finer points of jazz.”

Smoot, who graduated in May with his Bachelor in Music (BM) in Music Performance (with a concentration in Jazz Trumpet), agreed wholeheartedly. “I appreciate that the class size at Ottawa is small enough that it is impossible to spend a semester in a class and not understand every single minute detail of the course material,” he explained. “And the faculty at Ottawa University are top shelf - they don't only teach jazz at an extremely high level, but they play it at an extremely high level, as well. A multitude of them have decades of experience traveling the world playing music, so they bring not only the pedagogical expertise of jazz, but also the music business side of making jazz a lifelong career.” Smoot is headed to the University of Memphis in the fall for graduate school.

Thomas beams with pride over the accomplishments of his students, with good reason. “To say they represent OU proudly is an understatement!” he exclaimed. “Each performance, conference, festival, and recording is a great learning experience for them and a testament to their passion and dedication. Our students' hard work has them rising in performance, pedagogy, composition and arranging. And we are proud that this year's graduating students have secured employment (teaching and performing), as well as offers from top-tier institutions as graduate assistants.”

Learn more about the OUKS Jazz Studies program here.

Trip Explores Student Teaching Opportunities Abroad

Students, Johnson Visit Honduran School

Dr. Kasey Johnson is the Department Chair for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s School of Education. In that capacity, she is charged with creating meaningful student teaching and practicum opportunities for students in order to fulfill their graduation and certification requirements. One way she is seeking to do that is through international placements.

For six days, March 7-13, Johnson conducted a pilot scouting trip to Pineras Academy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to explore the school and determine if its location, curriculum, and infrastructure met OU’s standards so a partnership could be formed and opportunities created for future education candidates. It did, in every way.

Established in 1964, Pineras Academy is a PK-12 Christian non-profit school with 583 students located in the mountains of Tegucigalpa. It has a student/teacher ratio of 25:1, with students often being the children of leaders in politics, commerce, finance, and medicine. Because it is an English-immersion school, enrollment is coveted, with many students riding two hours to and from school each day. Teaching those 583 students are 24 foreign and 49 Honduran teachers, along with 64 administrative and support staff.

So how was this school selected for the pilot trip? “The principal from the school was in the States on a goodwill tour to connect with universities,” disclosed Johnson. “He emailed me asking if he could tell me about the school and opportunities there. We met, and that prompted me to apply for a faculty grant. With the funds I was awarded, we were able to cover most of the cost for travel. Pineras Academy covered our transportation, housing and food while we were there.”

Accompanying Johnson to Honduras were two senior education students – Katla Gardarsdottir and Xavier Gaines. Both are student teaching candidates who applied for the trip and were selected through a School of Education vote. While in Tegucigalpa, Gardarsdottir and Gaines fully embraced the Honduran culture and engaged with the Academy’s students and staff at every level, getting a taste of what it would be like to student teach at the school. They shared the highlights and outcomes of the trip in a presentation titled Educators Exploring Honduras during Discovery Day on the OUKS campus on Wednesday, April 10 (see ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ article).

During their stay, the trio lodged on the premises in staff housing. While Johnson encouraged the faculty by providing an in-service training workshop, Gardarsdottir and Gaines taught individual classes across many of the elementary and secondary grades, presented a chapel lesson, attended school sporting events, observed the students’ junior/senior banquet, experienced an open house for prospective preschool students, and regularly connected with students during their down time. Gaines even assisted with a soccer camp and held a mini basketball clinic for students during open gym night, which fed the rumor that he is an NBA star! In reality, he will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and attending Florida State University to earn a master’s degree in sports management within the school of business.

When not interacting with students, the trio had opportunity to sample the local cuisine, attend a church service, hike in the Parque el Picacho national park, climb a replica of a Myan ruin, eat with faculty and staff, relax by the pool, and shop in the local mall and village market.

Gardarsdottir, who is an OUKS senior from Iceland, was enthralled with everything she encountered, but one thing made the biggest impression. “For me what stuck out was the people there,” she shared. “I got endless hugs from the students, the teachers were so willing to help and answer every question I had, and the people on campus were so nice and welcomed us to their homes and made dinner for us or drove us to places we needed to be. Also, the campus and the country were so beautiful; I could not get tired of the view.” Gardarsdottir is a double major in Elementary Education and Applied Psychology who also graduates in May. She plans to continue her education at OUKS in the fall to earn a Master of Science in Applied Psychology.

All three of the travelers were excited at the prospect of future OU students completing their education requirements in an international setting at Pineras Academy in Honduras and other schools around the world. Johnson, in particular, was thankful to the faculty grant committee and Chancellor Dr. William Tsutsui for making the trip to Honduras possible, and she is hopeful that the funds for future student teaching and practicum opportunities at schools abroad can be made available through the University’s dedicated alumni and donors.

“Ottawa's commitment to prepare graduates for a lifetime of ‘personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity’ can be realized on a global level when we remove financial barriers and elevate candidates' preparation for the field,” she said. “Ottawa's impact on society is developed in our students and applied as they enter the workforce. I believe Ottawa has an opportunity to be innovative and lead the way in offering international experiences to our students. Through these opportunities, our graduates gain a more complete world view and develop leadership skills they will use throughout their life.”

Anyone interested in assisting with this international vision for OU’s education students through scholarships or grants, or through contacts with international schools, please reach out to Dr. Kasey Johnson at kasey.johnson@ottawa.edu.

Prospective Students Stampede OUAZ Campus

Visit Day a Record-Breaking Success

On February 28, 2024, more than 100 prospective students, along with parents and school counselors, converged on the OUAZ campus for Spirit Stampede Visit Day, a day filled with rodeo-themed fun, food, activities, and information. Joining them were 300 current OUAZ students, who not only enjoyed the activities along with the visitors but showcased the Ottawa Spirit to their guests.

The Arizona Mobile Petting Zoo was on campus for the event, with students having the opportunity to pet and hang out with 15 different animals, such as bunnies, goats, chickens, baby cows, and llamas. A mechanical bull was also a major hit, with participants riding to country tunes played by KMLE radio, which set up shop at OUAZ for the visit day. To continue the rodeo theme, visitors and students enjoyed barbeque provided by the OUAZ dining services, decorated cowboy hats on the patio of Scholar’s Lawn, and played a variety of lawn games.

As a visit day for prospective students, the Admissions department had t-shirts to give away to current students and visiting high school students, with visitors also receiving swag bags and personal campus tours.

“It was amazing to see students involved in the planning process of this event with our Student Activities Board (OUAB),” said Director of Student Life Sarah Barker. “We got so much positive feedback! Many said it was their favorite event of the year, and they hope to see more of these types of events on campus, which provide an incredible opportunity to see our students outside of academics and athletics and see how much they are growing through their experiences here at OUAZ.”

For visitors desiring more in-depth information about the OUAZ experience, Admissions provided a Q&A session in the City Chambers with student ambassadors and Adawe and Financial Aid experts at the end of the day.

“This was a record-breaking event for OUAZ,” said OUAZ Director of Enrollment Michelle Sandoval. “Integrating our current students and our prospective students in one event has proven to be so much more productive and memorable for everyone involved. Our guests were able to chat with current students and feel comfortable enough to ask those tough questions. [Many] said this was the best college tour they’ve experienced. And utilizing the City Chambers was an impressive session to end the day. Students and parents were able to dive deeper into the admissions process and understand the next steps for financial aid, enrollment and housing. The best part was having Russel Baker, from the City of Surprise, explain our unique partnership with OUAZ and the city.”

Three students were impressed enough to give a cowboy-nod (make deposits) for attending OUAZ in the fall, with many others expressing interest.

OUAZ Hosts Action-Packed Partnership Week

Events Celebrate Faith, Community, and Campus Life

During the week of February 12-16, OUAZ hosted a number of activities as part of Partnership Week and in conjunction with Board meetings being held on campus. The annual Norwood Jones Convocation Series event took place on Wednesday, February 14, followed by Partnership Day on Thursday, with special ceremonies to commemorate OUAZ’s relationship with the City of Surprise and dedicate the newest campus building, Veritas Hall.

Norwood Jones Convocation

In 1973, the Norwood L. Jones Convocation Fund was established on the OUKS campus by Mr. and Mrs. Norwood L. Jones, Carolyn Jones Fletcher, and Anne J. Mills for the purpose of hosting distinguished individuals that stimulate and inspire students in their religious life and involvements.

This year’s OUAZ speaker matched that purpose perfectly, with a message titled, “The Intersection of Sports and Faith.” “Lorenzo Alexander's commitment to personal excellence and service to others is demonstrated by his five Walter Payton awards during his 15 years as an NFL football player,” said OU Life Trustee Mills, who was recognized for her 50 years of service during a Thursday evening Board dinner. “This is what my parents wanted to encourage Ottawa students to understand and consider for their lives.”

Alexander spoke in the O’Dell Center Faith Arena on Wednesday morning to a packed crowd. Sometimes described as a “one-man gang,” he played offensive guard, tight end, fullback, defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, and special teams in high school and college before being positioned as linebacker during his 15-year NFL career. Known for his determination, perseverance, adaptability, and “team-first” attitude, Alexander earned Pro Bowl Honors twice, was an All Pro selection, and was chosen as the Walter Payton Man of the Year five times. After starting all four years at the University of California, he was signed as an  by the  in 2005, later playing for the , , , , and the . He received the Athletes in Action Call to Courage Award in 2017.

Alexander is now the founder and president of the ACES Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to support youth through emphasizing Accountability, taking pride in their Community, and striving for Educational excellence while promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit through Sports (ACES).

Reared by his mother and influenced greatly by his Uncle Steve, who was also his high school football coach, Alexander learned to respect others, work hard and always believe in himself. As a man of passion for his family, friends, and the community, as well as a man of character on and off the field, Alexander teaches those same traits to youth through his ACES Foundation. By utilizing relationships with community members, organizations and businesses, the Foundation positively impacts the lives of young people by helping them mature mentally and spiritually, develop leadership skills and live healthy lifestyles. ACES operates primarily in the cities/states where Alexander lived during his NFL career - Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; and Buffalo, New York. He resides in Arizona with his wife, Manjanique, and their four children.

Partnership Day

On Thursday, February 15, Campus President Dr. Dennis Tyner presided over a multi-part ceremony that celebrated Partnership Day and the dedication of OUAZ’s newest residence and multi-purpose facility, Veritas Hall. The ceremony commenced at 1:00 p.m. with the ringing of the bell that was presented in 2023 as a joint gift from the City of Surprise and OUAZ to symbolize the ongoing partnership between the two.

To highlight the relationship, the event began with Surprise Mayor Skip Hall and OU Chancellor Dr. Bill Tsutsui reading the Joint Proclamation that was first issued on February 17, 2022, to designate the third Thursday of February as the City of Surprise and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Partnership Day. To be read during the week of the OU Board of Trustees meetings in Surprise, the Proclamation serves as the annual renewal of the cherished friendship and collaboration between the two entities. It reads, in part:

WHEREAS, the City of Surprise and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ strive to maintain and grow a partnership that is distinctive, enduring, and impactful; and

WHEREAS, the fruit of the partnership will develop persons who are life-long learners and engaged community members; and

SO, THEREFORE, let it be resolved that We, Skip Hall, Mayor of the City of Surprise, and Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ do hereby proclaim the 3rd Thursday of February as City of Surprise & ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Partnership Day

Following the reading, Mr. Rick West, managing partner with the Surprise Center Development Company (SCDC), and OUAZ Student Government President Kenzie Kuxhaus presented this year’s joint gift – a mace to be used at special ceremonial gatherings. The pair explained the mace’s significance in a joint statement: “University graduation ceremonies and convocations are steeped in traditions and protocols. One of these traditions is the carrying of the mace. Creating the ‘Surprise Mace’ not only honors the history and heritage of a University that has prepared graduates for lives of significance for nearly 160 years, but it also recognizes the strong partnership with the City of Surprise that generously shares this amazing campus and facilities with us.”

Mayor Hall and Chancellor Tsutsui had the honor of unveiling the Surprise Mace, which is engraved with the logos of both the University and the City of Surprise, as well as their founding and established/incorporated dates. Beginning with this year’s 159^th Anniversary Commencement Ceremony on May 11, 2024, the Mayor of the City of Surprise (or his/her designee) will annually serve as OUAZ’s Commencement Marshal, carrying the Surprise Mace and leading the processional and recessional at the Spring Commencement in Faith Arena. Mayor Skip Hall acknowledged his intent and desire to serve as the inaugural Commencement Marshal.

“In my 38 years of employment in higher education, I’m not familiar with a City and a University sharing such a unified vision,” expressed Tyner of the two partners. “This shared vision has been the bedrock of our collective successes, and we could not have accomplished a single one of our lofty goals without the hard work and determination of a number of key players from both of our organizations. Today’s celebration is truly an acknowledgement of the tremendous contributions of our combined campus community.”

Veritas Hall Dedication

The next portion of the ceremony was the dedication of Veritas Hall. As described by Tyner, it is the “beautiful, magnificent, versatile, greatly needed, and coincidentally, the tallest building in the City of Surprise – Veritas Hall.”

To begin the dedication, Tyner recognized a number of people instrumental in the realization of the OUAZ campus overall, and of Veritas Hall as part of its continued growth.

Tyner first asked the OU Board of Trustees to stand. “Without your belief in our ability to carry out [former OU Chancellor Dr. Kevin] Eichner’s ‘moonshot’ vision of an Arizona campus, we wouldn’t be standing here today. Thank you for all you do for this great institution.” 

He next recognized the newest Chief of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, Kalisha Dixon Pheasant, to highlight the partnership that the University shares with the Ottawa Tribe that has been in place since OU was founded in 1865. It was Dixon Pheasant’s first visit to the OUAZ campus since replacing Chief Ethel Cook, who passed away in September 2023. She is an ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ alumnus who graduated in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Education. Following the ceremony, Dixon Pheasant held a meet-and-greet with more than 30 faculty, staff and students who were eager to learn more about OU’s relationship with the Tribe.

Finally, the Veritas Hall design and build team was applauded for its above-and-beyond efforts in completing construction of the facility in one short year. “Cawley Architects and CHASSE Construction need to be commended for making the seemingly impossible happen, to complete the construction of Veritas Hall by the Fall of 2023,” said Tyner, who specifically recognized architects Justen Cassidy and Kevin Fawsett, builders Tracy Schmuker, Dan Mangini, and Driskell Johnson, as well as University liaison Keith Johnson.

The ceremony’s focus then shifted to the building itself, highlighting the many unique and versatile features of Veritas Hall. Tyner described some of its most striking characteristics: the architectural design and color scheme; the cross that symbolizes OU’s Christian heritage; the podium style with much-needed office spaces and classrooms; the three styles of residential suites; laundry on each floor; quiet study spaces on each floor; entertainment spaces; a kitchen area; and two “hotel” rooms for guests, such as those visiting from other campuses.

Kuxhaus shared her experience as a resident of the Hall. “As the only member of the OUAZ Student Government leadership team that lives in Veritas Hall, I wanted to share how meaningful the hall is to the OUAZ student body. It is a connection between the two residence halls and establishes more of a community. The design is unique and caters to each individual based on their needs. The six-person suites have especially been a huge hit for the student body. Something unique that I personally love is that we have classrooms in the Hall, allowing us to quickly walk straight to class. On behalf of the OUAZ student body, we are thankful for this addition to campus. Not only is our University family able to connect with each other more, but we can also connect with the local community with hosted events.”

Following Kuxhaus’s remarks, officers of OU’s Board of Trustees – Danny Trent, Janet Kincaid, Mike Ruchensky, and Zach Peek – unveiled a dedication plaque that will be hung just inside the doors in the administration lobby to commemorate the dedication of the building.

As a token of appreciation for attending the ceremony, guests received a commemorative ceramic coaster with a sketch of Veritas Hall on one side and the dedication details on the other.

This Little Light of Mine

OUKS Students Shine Their Lights in Africa Over Holiday Break

Thirty-nine OUKS students gave a whole new meaning to “Christmas lights” over the holiday break when they spent eight days spreading light and joy on the African continent. But they will be quick to tell you that the light was reflected right back to them from the wonderful people they encountered.

Leaving November 27 and returning December 8, 20 women from the Tri Phi sorority and 19 men from the Phi Delta Theta fraternity served in a variety of ways in Malawi and Zimbabwe respectively.

Malawi

The Malawi trip was hosted by Agape Life Church and Priscilla Mgala, a family friend of Campus President Dr. Reggies (Doc Regg) Wenyika. Mgala’s late husband coordinated an OU trip to the country in 2019 which allowed students to serve in an orphanage. Following that trip, OU’s Student Senate voted to fund projects that provided clean water and electricity to the orphanage. 

Interestingly, Mgala’s daughter, Manangwa, came to OU as a student following that trip, as well. She completed her master’s degree just prior to this year’s excursion and made her return to Malawi with the sorority. This team served the same orphanage, which is located in a village about 45 minutes from the city of Blantyre where the women stayed. They painted a small schoolhouse, made minor repairs, and played with the children, who were giddy at their presence. 

"Malawi is constantly referred to as ‘the warm heart of Africa’,” said senior Juliet Lane, “and we were able to experience and understand why firsthand. Every person we came in contact with treated us with the most kindness and respect. The children at the orphanage were so ecstatic that we were there with them for three days. They would chase after our bus every day when we would leave. We played with them while we were painting, and they absolutely loved it!”

In addition to their service projects and firsthand experience of African culture, the sorority women were treated to an authentic African safari, spent a day shopping at local shops and markets, and spent two days at Lake Malawi. Throughout the trip, recent graduate Jessamine Greuter served as the group’s chaplain, providing devotionals and encouraging the women to keep a journal. She and two other students, Manangwa Mgala and freshman Alexis Schultze, also had the opportunity to give a message at churches the sorority women visited in teams. 

Sophomore Riley Smith shared her take-away from the experience: “This trip is a perfect example of some of the opportunities that our school offers that differentiates it from other institutions. The greatest joy of the trip was having the chance to do something good for the world outside of our ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ bubble and seeing people that I know and love from school absolutely thrive in that environment. This just reminded us how truly wide the world is and how we can impact it in such special ways.”

Accompanying the women as chaperones were Head Track and Field Coach Jim Whittaker and Sarah Brown, whose husband works in the OU maintenance department. Whittaker was struck by the impact the trip had on the sorority members. “The girls came away understanding the vast difference in the lifestyles they lead vs the people they encountered,” he shared. “They realized how easy their lives are and the simple things that can bring joy to a child in Malawi. Even though they worked hard at the orphanage, they all came away wishing they could have done more. It was a life-changing experience that I believe impacted them probably more than the kids they went to help.”

Zimbabwe

Because he was in his home country, Doc Regg was able to secure a number of service opportunities for the 19 OU men who took the trip. The first project involved renovating a computer lab at a girls’ school by taking out all of the old equipment, painting and refurbishing the walls, providing a new desk and chair for the teacher, installing handcrafted chairs for the students, and installing 30-40 new computers which OU provided. A variety of sports equipment was also donated to the school. The second project likewise provided computers and sports equipment to a boys’ school.

Like their Malawi counterparts, the fraternity men visited an orphanage, but rather than doing repairs, they provided the roughly 50 children with bags full of school supplies, such as pens/pencils, sharpeners, writing paper, and reading, math, and composition books.

Next, the group was taken to a camping sight called Victory Life Camp where they were tasked with feeding themselves and a group of village children and farm staff the “African way.” In other words, they had to catch, kill, dress, and cook the chickens they ate, as well as catch, kill, skin, and cook a goat. This was a first for most of the young men, but none shied away from the tasks, which they were taught how to do by both Doc Regg and the farm staff. The meal also included some local exotic food, such as caterpillars, flying ants, stink bugs, crickets, and worms, which they all sampled.

With the energy they gained from their authentic African meal, the group planted nearly 100 trees at a research institute in rural Zimbabwe the next day, December 3, which is the country’s National Tree Planting Day.

Finally, the fraternity went to Chinhoyi University of Technology where they met with students and administrators and received a tour of the institution. The visit was designed to establish a friendship between the two schools and allow OU students to see the level of technology being used at the University. “Honestly, they have technology in their universities that I haven’t even heard of in America,” said senior Braydon Francis. “They are more advanced and developed than typical American views and media like to give them credit for.”

Also like the sorority, the team’s chaplain, junior Tillman Hartner, and senior James Gladden were given the opportunity to preach in a couple of rural churches on one of the Sundays they were there.

On the fun side, the men had the opportunity to visit some area caves that are half a mile deep and thousands of years old that are considered sacred by the local people. They also did some shopping and site seeing in the city of Harare and played pick-up soccer games with the children and locals wherever they went.

Francis was transformed by the opportunity. “I think the greatest joy I experienced was the immersion in the culture, learning how the people of Zimbabwe live and experiencing their hospitality and way of life,” he shared. “They are the nicest people I have ever met in my life. If I could pack up and go out and live there for a while, I would do it in a heartbeat. The entire trip changed my life. I used to want to live in the city, but now I want to live on land and have my own animals.”

Clarence Anderson, offensive coordinator for the OUKS football team, and IT grad assistant Stan Chitauro, also from Zimbabwe, served as the chaperones for the fraternity trip. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I am thankful to the University for the opportunity,” said Anderson. “It was an eye-opening experience, that even on my bad days I have it so much better than many here and around the world. This trip got us out of our comfort zone. It forced us to put down our phones and truly experience the culture and have conversations with people. It also motivated me, regardless of my situation, to keep working and have hope, and things will get better.”

Getting There

Doc Regg served as the catalyst for the trip and coordinated the majority of the logistics, while student body president Zeke Reazin helped with planning for specific projects.

Students were able to take the trip because of money in the budget that is allocated for student travel, often from donors. Doc Regg hopes to make this and other travel abroad experiences an annual opportunity for OU students. Those who participated in international travel experiences rose from 5% of the student body in 2022 to 10% in 2023, and he would like to see that number go even higher.

Each student on the Africa trip received a $1,000 scholarship to assist with their costs, with the fraternity and sorority holding fundraisers to assist with the remaining expenses.

“I want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Reggie for his tireless efforts in organizing and coordinating this remarkable trip …,” shared Signs in a thank-you letter to the University. “Additionally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to any generous donors who made this adventure possible. Your selflessness and commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of others have made a significant difference in my life along with others.”

 

OUAZ Students Develop Leadership at Phoenix Raceway

Students from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ-Arizona’s Leadership Development Program recently had the exclusive opportunity to volunteer at Phoenix Raceway for NASCAR Weekend. The students were able to work alongside personnel from the Raceway offices in departments such as marketing, sales, and event-day activities. During the weekend, they had access to all the different parts at the Raceway, including the suites, Victory Lane, and in-field areas. For some, it was their first time to the Raceway, and it was quite an experience for them to see the races and operations first-hand.

Freshman George Lopez, a Leadership Development student who hails from Phoenix, is currently pursuing both his BA and MA in Business Administration. The close proximity to where he graduated high school, as well as the specialized Pathway Program and learning environment, are what really drew him to OUAZ.

Lopez elaborated: “The Leadership program has really helped me take on opportunities and events that I didn't know would be so easily accessible to me. At NASCAR, I got to help at the suite level with organization and guiding people where they needed to be. Also, we got to be at the center of the track, where we continued those same tasks. That weekend really educated me on what being connected with people and what constant pursuit of opportunities can really do for you.”

Doug Doran, coordinator of the OUAZ Leadership Development Program, sends a special thank you to Jonathan Stone and Dr. Brian Sandusky for the introductions and networking opportunities made available to the leadership students.

The Leadership Development Program is a partnership with the city of Surprise that creates leadership, networking and soft skills opportunities by promoting local businesses. Russell Baker, Surprise economic development analyst, and Mike Hoover, the city’s economic development assistant director, have worked closely with Doran and the OUAZ students in the program.

In this select program, students gain the knowledge and skills to confidently lead in college and in their career. They learn about leadership styles through unprecedented opportunities to network with local, campus and community business leaders, including those responsible for operations at the city of Surprise. Through it all, students are able to build an impressive portfolio that showcases their leadership abilities.

Students also recently helped to lead Career Day on campus, assisting students and close to 40 local employers in conducting a very successful event. Another project called “Snacks with Surprise” was aimed at promoting community businesses. This project focused on a student’s ability to script and conduct a 30 to 40 second video showcasing a local business and its owner or manager. There have also been other one-of-a-kind projects, such as working with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers training camp crews.

“The program is about giving students opportunities for gainful leadership experiences, in addition to providing development about leadership,” said Doran. “We have several other projects in the works for spring, including working more with multiple offices at the city of Surprise.”

OUAZ Fest Visit Day A Big Success

This October, OUAZ Student Affairs and OUAZ Admissions worked together for the first time for a campus celebration to help draw new students to attend ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Arizona. Flyers were sent to local schools, and radio commercials were aired via local radio station Power 98.3. Power 98.3 was also onsite to live DJ the music during the OUAZ Fest. It became the most successful Visit Day ever. In fact, the campus was still buzzing the day after about how much fun they had.

This was the first time a Visit Day was held during the week in conjunction with another campus event. The idea sprang from the success of last year’s Packpalooza when OUAZ’s soccer coach brought in some potential students for a visit and found they were ready to apply that day after witnessing the fun and excitement of the event.

The October 25 OUAZ Fest Visit Day began at 10:00 a.m. with 80 prospective students joining Spirit Life worship time, which featured Dom Vitalli as the guest speaker. Vitalli is a professional wrestler with Phoenix Championship Wrestling and owner of TrainInAZ/Arizona Pro Wrestling Training Center. Vitalli spoke for the majority of Spirit Life but was “interrupted” towards the end when Kevin Koa of Phoenix Championship Wrestling joined him on stage. Vitalli called for a referee to come to the ring and an exhibition match ensued. Vitalli won after dropping an elbow from the top rope, which brought the OUAZ student body to their feet!

Following Spirit Life, visiting students lunched with OUAZ students in the Hetrick Spirit Canteen before they attended informational meetings and did campus tours.

Four bus tours - theatrr, leadership and two for Esports - brought students to campus from 25 local schools and even one from Utah. Several students also signed up for a personalized tour with their parents.

The day concluded with the grand finale, OUAZ Fest. This carnival celebration for the OUAZ students featured games, prizes, food and entertainment. Activities ranged from inflatables, jousting, skee ball, and basketball to classic carnival games such as balloon darts and duck fishing. In keeping with the fall theme, there was a pumpkin patch photo booth and pumpkins available for painting. Admissions also held a raffle for a $100 fan shop gift card for any current student who brought a friend interested in enrolling.

Attendees enjoyed two food trucks - Fantasy Funnel Cake and Goth Girl Coffee - as well as concession-stand style food provided by American Dining Services, such as caramel apples, turkey legs, nachos, and corn dogs. The students had a blast, with many saying this was the most memorable college campus tour they’ve ever attended.

OUAZ Fest is the first of three combined events planned between Student Affairs and Admissions throughout the school year, with two more scheduled for spring 2024. The event in February will have a country theme - Stampede into Spring – and will feature mechanical bull ride competitions.

OUKS Athletes Compete at World University Games

The Summer and Winter World University Games are the globe’s largest sporting events for student-athletes. Held every two years in different cities around the world, they bring together thousands of athletes from as many as 150 countries and have a program that includes more than 25 sports.

For 16 days in July, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ was privileged to have three OUKS track and field student-athletes represent OU, the NAIA and the USA at the World University Games in China. Two OU coaches were also tapped to assist Team USA at the event, which featured 5,059 athletes from 116 countries. 

Psychology major Hadyn Bieling competed in the decathlon, finishing 12th overall in the world. Engineering student Jaylan Washington competed in the 100 meter, as well as the 4 x 100 meter relay, which advanced to the world final with a 6th place finish. Business student Kayron Johnson competed in the first round of the triple jump and in the 4 x 400 meter relay, which took third in its heat but was later disqualified for a lane violation. 

"Jaylan, Hadyn, and Kayron didn't just race and jump on the World University Games track, they soared, carving history for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ," said Steve Paternostro, director of recruiting for OU’s track and cross country programs. "For a small school like ours to have three athletes and two dedicated coaches wear the USA colors is nothing short of phenomenal. Standing toe-to-toe with Continental champions, Olympians, and the fiercest competitors from around the globe, our athletes showcased heart, grit, and unyielding dedication.”  

Also a seasoned track and field coach, Pasternostro was invited to be the assistant coach for Team USA at the World University Games by the team’s head coach, Nick Dodson. Dodson serves as the track and field head coach at Southeastern University and was previously slated to coach the United States representatives at the FISU America Games in Merida, Mexico, in October of 2022. It’s there that Dodson and Paternostro met. Dodson was impressed with OU’s results and Paternostro’s leadership at the national level, which led to the invitation to assist at the international games in China. 

Paternostro then chose the three OU student-athletes to compete based on the Games’ strict qualifying criteria and their outstanding records. He also tapped OU’s head indoor and outdoor track and field coach Jim Whittaker to support the team. 

Prior to the event, Paternostro’s primary role was to recruit for the Games, as well as assist the athletes with their travel documents. Once in China, he coached the multi-events athletes, race walk, and horizontal jumps, while also working with the technical information center to handle credentials and uniforms and assist with logistics and team organization. “The experience was eye opening,” said Paternostro. “It was a dream come true to work at that level and see how everything works behind the scenes. Having the opportunity to train such a talented group of athletes and work alongside the best coaches in the world was the best experience of my life." 

“We were able to showcase the high level of athleticism and professionalism Ottawa has, as well as the NAIA on the world stage,” he continued. “We were able to give a once in a lifetime experience to Ottawa athletes that they, along with myself, will remember decades from now.

The student-athletes echoed Paternostro’s sentiments. “When I learned that I qualified for the games, I was in shock,” said Bieling, who had never been on a plane or traveled outside the U.S. before the Games. “I honestly thought I’d never see the day where I compete on a stage bigger than nationals. It was an honor and a blessing to represent my two favorite places – OU and the USA. It was also very humbling to compete with other athletes from around the world. I came away from the experience understanding that if you put in the work and dedicate your life to what you truly want, doors will open for you.” 

“These athletes have cemented their legacy,” relayed Paternostro. “The sheer joy, pride, and passion in their eyes as they paraded under the USA banner is an image etched in my heart forever. Their performances gave me chills, reminding me of the boundless potential when talent meets dedication. To Jaylan, Hadyn, and Kayron: You've made Ottawa and the USA incredibly proud, holding your own on the world stage, and illuminating the spirit of sportsmanship and perseverance. GO BRAVES!"

OU Launches U-Wide Career Development Website

This past May, a cross-campus committee worked together to build and launch the first OU-wide career services website. The Career Development Center at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has resources available for all students and alumni. Using a purpose-driven career development approach, there are numerous services online, as well as in person, to assist students in connecting their majors to careers suited just for them.

The career development website provides various resources online, such as “What Can I Do with This Major?”; Handshake®, which promotes internship and job opportunities; numerous free personality/career assessments; graduate assistant (GA) job postings; interview skill helps; career event calendars; and contact information for career development team members. The site even offers the use of ChatGPT to ask questions about your resume, cover letters, interview preparation, career interests, hard and soft skills, and more.

In addition to the website, each OU campus offers its own hands-on career development resources and opportunities. For example, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Arizona (OUAZ) runs two career fairs annually. The next Fall Career Fair will be held on November 3rd in Surprise. The week before the event, a Career Fair Preparation workshop will be offered as part of the Personal Growth Days (PGD) Workshop series. The sessions cover topics such as strategies for approaching employers, career fair etiquette, elevator pitches, interview skills, and resume review. Employers in attendance at past fairs were very pleased with the experience. “Every student I had the opportunity to speak with was very engaging and unique,” related one employer.

The PGD Workshop program is focused on creating additional opportunities for connecting students and employers. OUAZ is so committed to helping its students develop work-ready and practical life skills that it has eliminated most standard classes on six Wednesdays each 8-week term in order for students to attend the PGD activities. These Wednesdays are set aside for advising, tutoring, professional workshops, and private study in the morning. The remainder of the day includes Spirit Life, The Gathering, and Skill Development Workshops. Spirit Life is a speaker series that also includes a time of fellowship and praise music. The Gathering luncheon is open to students, faculty, staff and guests. It provides a great opportunity to network as well as fellowship. 

In addition to Career Fair Prep, other sessions in the PGD series offer real-world career advice from actual employers from a variety of industries who share their expertise, stories, hiring expectations, and career opportunities, as well as life-skill topics range from Selling and Buying a Home to How to Change a Tire. You can find more information about the PGD series here.   

Ottawa’s purpose-driven career development approach goes hand-in-hand with its mission statement to help students pursue a “lifetime of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity.”

Visit the career development website to learn more about the unique career development resources that each OU campus offers. You can also find a personal career development advisor to help navigate your individual career search needs.

OUKS Holds Braves Golf Classic

Getting together with your buddies to play golf is always a good time. Doing it for a good cause? Even better. That’s what 116 alumni, coaches and friends of OU did on June 23, 2023, when they participated in the Braves Classic golf tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas. The 29 teams came from as far away as Arizona, New Hampshire and Tennessee and represented alumni from every decade since the 1960s. To show their support across the University, OUAZ Campus President Dennis Tyner and Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Surprise (AZ) Mike Hoover put together a team for the Classic. The 4-person scramble raised just over $20,000 for athletic capital projects on the OUKS campus.

Put on jointly by the University Advancement and Braves Athletics departments, the event served as the perfect venue for Director of Athletics Arabie Conner to announce that one of the Classic’s participants, alumnus Phil Pearson ’03, has been named as the new head men’s and women’s golf coach in Ottawa.

"Coach Pearson has deep ties to OU and the Ottawa community, making this a natural fit and seamless transition," Conner said. “He brings projected leadership stability for the program, excellent interpersonal skills, relatability, and a high level of commitment to the student experience. Phil is an avid and talented golfer himself, but coaching and teaching are also natural strengths.” Pearson brings a diverse athletic and business background to his new role, including serving as an assistant men’s basketball coach at OU from 2015-18. Most recently, Pearson was an educator and head golf/cross country coach at Central Heights High School (KS).

As if to put an exclamation point on his selection for the role, Pearson made his first ever hole in one at the Classic. Unfortunately, he was hired just a bit too soon to win the hole-in-one prize money (OU employees are ineligible), but that didn’t stop him from winning bragging rights!

Contests, prizes and good food added to the fun of the day for the other participants, as well, thanks in large part to community sponsors like Gold Sponsor Loyd Builders (see a full list of sponsors below). A 50/50 raffle funneled more than $350 to one lucky winner (who donated it back), while other prizes included an RTIC cooler and jug, a Bushnell Wingman speaker, a Taylor Made OU golf bag, a Garmin watch, and an OU padded chair from Wilson Field House, along with a $200 gift card to the Braves Fan Shop. Players and teams also vied for prizes for longest putt, longest drive, Happy Gilmore drive, shots closest to the pin, lucky draw, and, of course, the hole in one.

Garrett Brown from the Advancement Office and Bruce Tate from Athletics worked together to make the event a success, selling out teams for the second year in a row. While ensuring that all the details are taken care of and that everything runs smoothly can be a bit harrowing, Brown said it was all worth it to “see the oldest alum that played (’60) take a picture with the youngest alum (’21).” He also praised the many community partners who stepped up to be involved. “Eagle Bend in Lawrence was great,” he said. “They made it very easy to have a tournament there. We also had incredible support from local business and organizations, and we already have more wanting to be a part of it next year.” 

One of the sold-out foursomes was a team from the class of 1970 that hasn’t missed a Braves Classic since 2007. Rich Harlan, Jim Markos, Geoff Souther, and Stan Wiegert met in 1966 through the OU football program under the direction of Braves Hall of Fame coach Dick Peters. They began playing in the Braves Classic as a way to stay connected across the miles – and to make some fun memories in the process. 

One of their favorites was coming in second in 2022. Another was when Joe Rei, who was a stand-in for Wiegert in 2018, got a hole in one on the first shot of the first hole of the day. Quite a feat, Souther recounted, as “he hadn't played in years and had borrowed clubs, borrowed shoes, and newly purchased golf balls and glove!” Markos, on the other hand, plays only once a year - in the Braves Classic - and is reminded annually of the time his “wicked slice hit into E. Logan St. on the par three and just missed a van coming from the east.” 

The group’s bond is strong. “We all look forward to the Classic,” said Markos. “Not just to play golf but to get together with friends that we have had for over 50 years.”  Markos and Souther have remained especially close after first meeting on the airplane from Massachusetts when traveling to OU to play football in 1966. They went on to be in each other’s weddings and see their families become close friends, as well.

“While supporting the Braves Athletic Department is important, the real reason we continue to play is to get our group together at least once a year,” said Souther. “Our intent is to play until ‘the last man's standing.’ One never knows when the good Lord will call us home, so we will continue the tradition as long as we are able to.”

Braves Classic Sponsors

Levels: Gold - $5,000, Silver - $2,500, Hole in One - $1,500, Hole Sponsor - $1,000

Gold Sponsor

• Loyd Builders

Hole in One Sponsor

• IMA

Hole Sponsors

• AdventHealth Ottawa
• Hasty Awards
• Holiday Inn Express Ottawa
• Fashion Inc.
• Walmart Supply Chain

Cart Sponsors

• Gibson Electric
• Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial
• Munchers Bakery
• Royal Crest Lanes
• Wayne & Larry’s Sports Bar and Grill

Closest to the Pin Sponsors

• Fusion Alley
• Primetime Grill

Longest Drive Sponsor

• Trendel Lumber Company

Putting Contest Sponsor

• Dr. Stanley Bettin, DDS, Class of ’61

Apparel Sponsors

• Design 4 Sports D4S – apparel
• Game One – bucket hats

Food Sponsors

• Steve Argubright, Class of ’64
• Corner Market
• Mariner Wealth Advisors
• Ottawa Family Physicians
• Pepsi
• SFS Architecture (beverage cart)
• T-Mobile

New Athletic Management Program to Provide Student Experience

Transitioning from college to professional life after university can be difficult. Students are faced with many questions about their future career, including the age-old, “How can I get experience when no one will give me a job without experience?” Especially if they have spent the past four years solely going to class to earn their degree.

That’s why OUAZ has come up with a program to change that. Starting this fall semester, students are invited to check out the Athletic Management Scholarship Program. 

“I started my career going through a program like this,” said Mike Prusinski, assistant athletic director at OUAZ. “I was a business administration major that loved sports. I started working as a student and moved through the ranks to present.”

Throughout the new program, students will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with athletic staff in marketing, promotion, and operations. They will also have the opportunity to broadcast events and assist with general athletic department operations.

“The kind of work depends upon where the students fit, related to their interest and skill level,” explained Prusinski. “We understand that there’s a learning curve, so it’s important to know that desire and availability will mean more at the start. We will teach everything that needs to be known.”

Students can expect their time commitment to be based on their class schedule and the roles they decide to fill, as some roles will require more time than others. However, there will be no limit to the number of students the program will take on, as there are many opportunities available. The primary criteria are that students be responsible and self-motivated, and while majoring in business, marketing, communications, or sports studies might be a plus, any applicant that has a desire to work in athletics will be considered.

This program will be different than any the OUAZ athletic department has tried before, in the hopes that students will gain the experience necessary to transition into a professional role following graduation.

“Until now, we have only used students for event roles,” said Prusinski, “[Positions like] ticket takers, stat crew, scoreboard operations. Now they will have the chance to work side-by-side with staff on nearly every aspect of athletic department marketing and operations.”

Interested students should contact ouazadmiss@ottawa.edu as soon as possible to be considered for a fall position, as the deadline for consideration is prior to the start of each semester, with some flexibility. A short interview will be conducted before any role is offered.

“I’ve had many, many students working under me … who have gone on to positions at conference offices, other schools, and professional sports,” shared Prusinski. “If you want to be in sports but can’t play them, this is the next best thing.”

2022-23 Athletics & Activities Overview

The 2022-23 academic year logged some impressive student accomplishments on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s residential campuses in both activities and athletics. While not every achievement could be included, we want everyone to know how hard our students are working beyond the classroom, both individually and collectively, and recognize their endeavors.

ATHLETICS OVERVIEW

OUKS

Conference Results

Regular Season

• 4 – Regular Season Conference Champions (flag football, men’s lacrosse, softball, and women’s volleyball)
• 2 – Conference Regular Season 2^nd Place Finish (women’s lacrosse, women’s tennis)
• 2 – Conference Regular Season 3^rd Place Finish (baseball, men’s tennis)

Post-Season Tournament

• 5 – Conference Tournament Champions (esports—Overwatch team, flag football, softball, women’s tennis [1^st in program history], women’s volleyball)
• 9 – Conference Individual Meet Champions (track and field)
• 3 – Conference Tournament 2^nd Place Finish (women’s track, men’s and women’s lacrosse)
• 1 – Conference Tournament 3^rd Place Finish (men’s track and field)

Coach of the Year

• 6 – Head Coach of the Year (flag football, men’s lacrosse, softball, women’s track and field, men’s wrestling, women’s wrestling)
• 1 – Assistant Coach of the Year (women’s volleyball)

National Results

Season Rankings

• #6 – Men’s Wrestling
• #10 – Men’s Lacrosse
• #14 – Softball
• #16 – E-Sports - Valorant team
• #22 – Women’s Volleyball
• RV – women’s wrestling, men’s soccer [1^st time since 1971], women’s lacrosse

National Championships

• 1 – Champion (flag football)
• 1 – Championship Game MVP (flag football)
• 7 – National Tournament / Competition Team Qualifiers (women’s volleyball’ women’s tennis - 1^st in program history; esports - Valorant, Rocket League and Overwatch; cheer - 3^rd place; dance - 8^th place, men’s wrestling – 13^th)
• 32 – National Tournament / Meet Individual Qualifiers (men’s and women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s track and field, powerlifting)
• Tied for 39^th & 42^nd Place respectively – women’s track & field; men’s track & field

Coach of the Year

• 1 – NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year (women’s volleyball)

Individual and Team Honors

• 32 – Daktronic Scholar Athletes
• 46 – Conference Scholar Athletes
• 132 – All-Conference Selections
• 4 – College Sports Communications (CSC) Academic All-District Selections
• 3 – CSC Second Team Academic All-American
• 3 – CSC NAIA Academic All-District
• 3 – Conference Teams of Character (football, men’s soccer, men's basketball)
• 46 – Conference Players of the Week
• 7 – Conference Players of the Year (women’s volleyball, men’s wrestling, men’s and women’s lacrosse, baseball, flag football x2)
• 1 – Conference Freshman of the Year (men’s soccer)
• 2 – Conference Newcomer of the Year (softball, men’s tennis)
• 10 – Individuals Named to All-Conference Teams (softball)
• 1 – Second Team All-Conference Honors
• 2 – AVCA NAIA West Central Region Selections
• 10 – NAIA All-American (men’s soccer, women’s volleyball x2, men’s wrestling x2, track & field x5)
• 3 – NAIA All-Tournament Team (flag football)
• 3 – NAIA Player of the Week (men’s and women’s lacrosse; men’s tennis - 1^st in program history)
• 3 – NAIA Outdoor Track & Field South Central Region Athlete (women’s field; women’s track; men’s track – first selections in OU history)
• 2 – NAIA ITA Central Region Ranked Players (#8, #19)
• 1 – Leading NAIA in ERA (baseball—Tyler Bryant, pitcher [1.6])
• 8 – School Records Broken (women’s basketball)
• 2 – Players reached 100 goal mark (women’s lacrosse)
• 4 – Players / Coach named to 2023 US Women’s Flag Football Team (Alyssa Linkous, Addison Orsborn, Jazlyn Camacho, and Liz Sowers - assistant coach)

OUAZ

Conference Results

Regular Season

• 2 – Regular Season Conference Champions (football, men’s basketball)

Post-Season Tournament

• 1 – Champion (women’s golf)
• 3 – Finalist (women’s beach volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer)
• 1 – Runner Up (men’s golf)

Coach of the Year

• 2 – Coach of the Year (women’s beach volleyball, women’s golf)
• 1 – Assistant Coach of the Year (women’s volleyball)

National Results

Season Rankings

• #2 – Men’s Volleyball
• #4 – Women’s Beach Volleyball
• #7 – Football

National Championships

• 2 – Champion (women’s water polo & Women's Wrestling)
• 2 – Tournament MVP (women’s water polo)
• 7 – National Tournament / Competition Team Qualifiers (men’s basketball – Fab Four finish, dance – runner-up, cheer – runner-up, women’s golf – championship round, pom – 4^th, men’s golf – 9^th, men’s swimming and diving)

Coach of the Year

• 2 – Coach of the Year (Men’s Basketball & Women's Wrestling)

World Championships

• 1 – U.S. National Para Team Gold Medal

Individual and Team Honors

• 14 – Daktronic Scholar Athletes
• 45 – Conference Scholar Athletes
• 40 – All-Conference Selections
• 11 – Honorable Mention All-Conference Selections 
• 1 – Conference Special Teams Player of the Year (football)
• 1 – Conference Freshman of the Year (women’s golf)
• 1 – Conference Libero of the Year (women’s volleyball)
• 1 – Conference Pair of the Month (women’s beach volleyball)
• 2 – Coaches Association NAIA Team All-American (football, women’s volleyball)
• 16 – Conference All Americans
• 69 –  Conference Scholar Athletes
• 1 – Conference Student-Athlete of the Week (men’s volleyball)
• 8 – All-NCCAA Team Selections (football)
• 5 – Coaches Association All-American Selections (men’s volleyball x2, women’s soccer x3)
• 1 – NCCAA Hank Burbridge Award (baseball)
• 4 – Conference All Region Selections (baseball)
• 2 – U.S. National Para Team Selections (cheer/STUNT/dance)
• 1 – No-hitter (softball - 2^nd winningest season in program history)

 

ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

OUKS

• 11 student leaders attended the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Conference hosted in Louisville, TN in February for training, networking, and idea gathering.
• Phi Delta Theta fraternity conducted a philanthropy project in the spring that raised $7,000 to provide clean water for a primary school in Zimbabwe, Africa. The goal is for Phi Delta Theta to visit this school in the future to check on the project and see what additional aid is needed.
• The Office of Student Life continues working with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Pathways of Kansas to reduce any barriers to success for OU students. One spring initiative secured a new Bike Share partnership with Kancycle to provide more bikes on campus to provide free student transportation. Additionally, a $20,000 grant was secured to hire a part-time nutritionist, provide supplies for the on-campus Food Pantry, and assist with equipment renovations for the Hull Center weight room.
• The Norwood L. Jones event was held on March 29 with guest speaker Kevin Honeycutt ’91.
• The Inaugural Brave Discovery Day, a day of undergraduate research and creative works, where 26 students made presentations and 9 students displayed their projects for review by jurors, faculty, staff and their peers. The event took place on April 13, 2023.
• OU Jazz Studies students performed a concert at Johnnie’s Tavern in Kansas City Power and Light District. In addition the ensemble also performed a joint concert with the Free State Brass Band featuring OU’s Director of Music Outreach and Athletic Bands Eric Bradshaw.

OUAZ

• Mind, Body, and Spirit Week was held from October 3-7 to help students learn about staying healthy. The event featured smoothies, crafts, music, games, a plant giveaway with pot decorating, care packages, journaling, and massage chairs.

• On October 8, Veritas Hall had its named revealed during a non-traditional groundbreaking ceremony. The campus’s original Founders Hall was also renamed Eichner Hall during a second ceremony. The events were followed by a variety of celebratory activities. 
• OUAZ held its first career fair in the fall of 2022. It was so successful that another career fair was held in the spring of 2023.
• Spirit Life on the OUAZ campus is designed to create community and foster faith formation. In November, Spirit Life hosted speaker Tom Lewis, CEO of TW Lewis Real Estate Company and author of “Solid Ground: A Foundation for Winning in Work and in Life.” Lewis was also the first non-OUAZ commencement speaker in May 2023.
• The Norwood Jones Convocation Series was held on February 15, 2023, with guest speaker Riccardo Stewart.
• Partnership Day with the City of Surprise was held on February 16 and featured the joint unveiling - by student government and the City - of a 15,000 pound bronze bell as a “symbol of the resounding commitment to education excellence and community engagement by both parties.”
• Pack Palooza was a big end-of-year event held on April 20 that was put on by Marketing, Residential Life, Dining Services, Student Government, and Student Activities. Nearly 300 students enjoyed the on-site radio station, dunk tank, water slide, t-shirts, food, and more.
• Student government hosted a laundry event for residents of Scholars Hall on April 26, with 98 students taking advantage of a free load of laundry.

Making Golf a Sustainable Sport

OUAZ Students Introduce Golf to Youth at Dream Day Clinic

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is rated the PGA Tour’s most exciting golf tournament. Known for its sustainability efforts, this tournament brings golf’s biggest names in golf to play in this unique event. The 2023 event took place February 9-12.

One of the events included in this tournament is Dream Day. It exists to introduce local youth to the game of golf, many who have never been on a golf course before. This year, more than 500 elementary kids participated in the Dream Day golf clinic, hopefully sparking enough interest in the game to pick up the sport for a lifetime of enjoyment.

“Because it is so fun, I want my players to attend and experience it,” said Tina Barrett, head coach for men and women’s golf at OUAZ. Though Barrett could get tournament tickets for free for her players, she believes that the best way for them to experience it is to volunteer for the clinic. “This is a win-win as it is teaching my players the value of giving back and they get to attend the tournament,” she said. This year, 17 OUAZ golf members volunteered, along with two coaches.

Dream Day changes lives, and not only the lives of youth. OUAZ students who participate are also impacted. “From my experiences participating in the clinics run by First Tee, I have yet to leave [without being] energized by the kids’ enthusiasm and joy,” said Kaiden Nicholson, senior at OUAZ and men’s golf member. Nicholson has enjoyed the clinics, as they have given him a chance to become a leader and make him an inspiration for future golfers. “I would unquestionably recommend others to volunteer if they have the opportunity to,” he said.

Mollie Owen, another OUAZ student and member of the women’s golf team, had a similar experience. She appreciates the opportunity to give back to her community and likes thinking about how she may make a positive impression in the kids’ lives. “It’s enjoyable being able to work with kids who may not know much about golf because you can teach them exciting new things that could make them find a love for the sport,” shared Owen.

She also appreciates the experience because it helps her remember why she began playing golf in the first place. “These events also help me as a golfer to remember my first time out on the course just trying to have fun and enjoying the time out there,” she said.

Nicholson, Owen and the other volunteers were delighted to be able to watch the Waste Management Phoenix Open after helping with the Dream Day golf clinic. According to Owen, the WM Phoenix Open has a slightly different vibe compared to other tournaments. “Many people are loud at this event, and the fun, entertaining atmosphere is exciting to be around,” she said. She also enjoyed seeing the choices the pros made for different shots, along with their techniques throughout the round. Nicholson likewise enjoyed the Open and appreciated the memories he was able to make with his friends and teammates.

To learn more about this event, or to find out how to get involved, check out the website at .

 

Ringing in the New Year

When you think about ringing in the new year, your mind likely goes to celebrations surrounding January 1. This year proved that is not always the case.

Six years ago, on February 17, 2017, the City of Surprise and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ entered into an agreement to maintain and grow a partnership that is distinctive, enduring and impactful which will develop persons who are life-long learners and engaged community members.

Last year, the partners commemorated this unique partnership with a ceremony and proclamation marking the third Thursday of February the “City of Surprise and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Partnership Day.” As a token of their commitment, the two partners exchanged large crystals which embedded their logos at the site of the ceremony. Smaller crystals that mirrored the image were available to attendees.

As planning began for the 2023 celebration, the Surprise Center Development Company and the OUAZ Student Government collaborated on identifying a special gift that would remain on the joint campus for years to come. The OUAZ Student Government spent numerous hours searching for something that would embody the richness of this partnership, while also being something that would continually honor the sound partnership that exists.

On Thursday, February 16, the annual event was opened by OUAZ Campus President Dennis Tyner, who shared the value of the partnership and the impact it has had on both entities. Mayor Skip Hall and Chancellor Bill Tsutsui then took the podiums to read the proclamation.

As the event continued, Rick West, managing member of the Surprise Center Development Company, joined OUAZ Student Government President Jordyn Van Metre to dedicate the gift—a 15,000 pound bronze bell erected as a visible symbol of the resounding commitment to education excellence and community engagement by both parties.

In celebration — on this Thursday morning that proved to be even colder than New Year’s Day in Surprise — Mayor Hall and Chancellor Tsutsui “rang in the New Year” at the center of the Civic Center Plaza.

This momentous event was just one of the many special events that alumni participated in during Alumni Week in Arizona, including a luncheon, an afternoon gathering, and a variety of athletic events—baseball, men’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Russell Baker MBA ’20 AZ was the lucky winner of the Alumni Week raffle, Apple AirPod Pros. 

The OU Board of Trustees also held their winter meeting during the week and hosted a special luncheon honoring the dedication and impact of alumni Dr. E. Earl “Sonny” MA ’93 AZ, DHL 0’03 and Betty A. Hays and Patricia B. Wolf BA ’85 MA,’89 AZ. Hays and Wolf both served on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Board of Trustees and were instrumental in the growth of the University's adult education offerings and its programs in Arizona.

Flagged for Recognition

Flag Football Team Puts Spotlight on Women in Sports

When football comes up as a topic of conversation, women don’t usually come to mind, unless it’s in regards to a team’s cheerleaders. Of course, men have already broken into that once-stereotyped sphere, and women are now breaking the ceiling on the male-dominated sport of collegiate football.

As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, flag football has been a favorite of youth, especially boys, for decades. Some states, like Florida, have also had girls’ teams at the high school level for a number of years. However, the sport is now spreading across the nation and seeing rapid growth with adults, particularly at the college level among women. Responding to that growth, OUKS added women’s flag football in 2019, giving women from across the country the opportunity to attend college on an athletic scholarship and promote the rising sport – which they’ve done with bells on. 

Nothing says “take us seriously” quite like winning the first two NAIA National Championships back-to-back. Head Coach Liz Sowers was tasked with recruiting girls nationwide in just two months prior to fall 2019. Getting them to take a chance on the new sport, she filled a team with the goal of building the women, not just the athletes; treating the ladies as people, not simply as players – and then letting the wins and losses take care of themselves.

That strategy has clearly played off. “Winning the only two national championships has been a huge success for not only our program, but our school,” says Assistant Flag Football Coach Katie Sowers, who joined the team’s staff shortly after her sister took the helm. “We are blessed with an amazing and diverse team that sells the program for us. Once you meet these girls, it is hard to not want to be their teammates. We have continued to only get better talent wise, and it will be an extremely fun team to watch.”

The team has created many opportunities beyond winning on the field to promote the sport among girls and women. For example, Katie and Liz have formed connections among many NFL teams, including the Chiefs. The past two seasons, the Braves were invited to play in Arrowhead Stadium during halftime of a home game to showcase the sport to fans. While not in OU uniform, the goals of bringing flag football and women in sports into the spotlight were definitely achieved.

The two coaches have also held flag football camps within our state borders and beyond in Missouri, Texas, Nevada, California, and Florida. These camps demonstrate how fun the sport is while also serving as a recruiting tool. Kansas, which is new to the sport, has recently started a pilot flag football league for high schools, which has the sport experiencing even greater growth.

Within the team, the two coaches make a big deal of their women players by making player cards for each team member. “I loved sport player cards when I was young,” says Katie, “but I never remember seeing a girl on a card. This has been a great addition to promoting our athletes and making sure that young girls get to see representation that looks like them.”

Beyond their coaching duties, both Liz and Katie are gaining exposure for the sport as Global Flag Football Ambassadors for the USA, alongside a list of big names in the NFL, to assist in the push to have flag football added as a sport in the 2028 Olympics.

“As we celebrate 50 years of title IX, I think it is important to reflect on the lack of opportunities that still exist for women and the opportunity to play football,” notes Katie. “Even though Title IX mentions that equality does not need to come in the form of the same sport, it is centered around the idea that, regardless of gender, if there is interest and ability, women should have the same opportunity to go to college on a scholarship and play at the highest level. The investment that OU has put into this team means so much to us and allows our team to use our platform to remind the world that women really can do anything.”

Katie set an example for the women she coaches by making history as the first female assistant to be part of the NFL coaching staff during a Super Bowl. Katie served as a full-time offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan from 2017-2019. “Many people don’t know that I actually set out to coach in the NFL because I did not see an opportunity to coach women in this game and make a living off of it,” she reminisces. “Little did I know that there would one day come a day when I could coach a team of women playing this same game.”

12 Days of Christmas Giving

Fredrikson Center Serves Others Over Holidays

Christmas is tradition, one dressed in gleaming lights and ribbons and bows. And while the weather outside may be cold, the Christmas spirit fills us with warmth. The OUKS campus is spreading this warmth with its 12 Days of Christmas program, sponsored by the Fredrikson Center for Faith and Church Vitality.

“The nightly projects of 12 Days are simple crafts that create gifts to be given at the holidays to local agencies and community members,” says Trish Dowd-Kelne, executive director of the Winter Center. The Winter Center is a local nonprofit that partners with the Fredrikson Center for 12 Days of Christmas each year.

“Angel Tree gifts are given through ECKAN's holiday giving program; the other gifts are tailored for seniors, caregivers, abuse survivors, and foster children,” says Dowd-Kelne. “Winter Center supports these events with event coordination, delivery, and distribution coordination.”

Making gifts for others is a cornerstone of the Christmas spirit. While Christmas carols play in the background, students and community volunteers put together care packages to give out to members of the community. “12 Days offers the chance to create together, to serve together, to think of the community and act,” says Dowd-Kelne. “The process of coming together to intentionally make something for another is a beautiful thing.”

“The projects we are doing for 12 days of Christmas include wreaths, Christmas balls, hot cocoa & cookies, light jars, snow globes, penguin cards, decorated stockings, and towels,” says Ashan Jordan, a graduate assistant for the Fredrikson Center.

Jordan and many other volunteers have been working hard to make the holiday bright. The projects they complete each night are put together into a care package and given to various nursing homes and community members. Oftentimes, student-led clubs and athletic teams also sponsor a night of gift-making, fostering a deeper connection as they come together to make gifts for people who will enjoy them most.

“It gives many students a chance to remember the joy and feelings that some have with the holiday,” says Jordan. “The events we coordinate assist in spreading Christmas joy to the volunteers and the families that these projects are for.”

The Fredrikson Center was created to provide spiritual programming for students and community members. It provides plenty of opportunities to give back to the community throughout the year, and its staff is always looking for volunteers. Upcoming projects include cleaning out the food pantry and clothing bank, along with Valentine’s Day projects and the annual Easter egg hunt.

If you’re interested in getting involved, email Ashan Jordan at ashan.jordan@ottawa.edu or visit the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ campus in Kansas in Atkinson Hall to fill out a volunteer application.

Once a Brave—Always a Brave

Once a Brave, Always a Brave – that saying is one that you hear and read often around the Ottawa, Kansas campus. Nothing says that more than seeing the campus alive with alumni and friends from around the world as they return to campus for the annual Homecoming activities.

A variety of events were scheduled for the celebration this year that were attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Alumni events were hosted by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Alumni Association (OUAA), while student activities were coordinated through the Office of Student Life. Showing their pride for the University, attendees in the festivities were able to see and get involved in life on campus, reconnect with former classmates, faculty and administrators, as well as share the fun with their family and friends. In all, more than 300 alumni were back on campus!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Celebrating their 50^th reunion was the Class of 1972. During the celebration, the Class announced an endowed scholarship in honor of their classmate and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Soccer player, Dr. Frank Lemp. He helped lead the Braves to four-year record of 50-14-3, three conference championships, and three NAIA National Tournament appearances. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Lemp made an impact on many lives on campus as he was the lead faculty for the art major, as well as managed the Mammel Art Gallery for many years. The total class gift exceeded $30,000.

THE FESTIVITIES

The celebration kicked off on Wednesday, October 26 with the annual Homecoming Pep Rally hosted on AdventHealth Field at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ within the Hull Family Athletic Complex.

The 2^nd Annual Staff Chili Cook-off was hosted on Thursday with Bruce Tate winning this year’s award for the best chili by popular vote! The Braves Athletic Hall of Fame hosted their annual induction banquet that evening, adding four new members to the roster: Myah Sprew ’12 (dual-sport athlete in softball and women’s basketball), David Birch ’09 (men’s basketball), Phil McClintock ’09 (men’s basketball), and Coach Jay Kahnt ’00 (softball coach). During the banquet, 16 student-athletes were awarded scholarships and the induction class of 2023 was announced: Clarence Anderson ’16, Donald Anderson ’13, Matt Cline ’95, and Molli (Morgan) Pierce ’17.

 

On Friday, the honoring of alumni continued at the annual Alumni Banquet. Kevin Honeycutt ’91 was honored with the Outstanding Achievement Award. He conceived and developed multiple research-based programs in the areas of project-based learning, trauma/poverty informed instruction, SEL, STEM/STEAM education and Digital Legacy. Geoff Southern ’70 received the Distinguished Service Award. During his extensive career as practitioner, educator and administrator in human services, Southern has had a positive impact on people with mental illness in their families. Chanel Watkins ’12 was awarded the Recent Alumni Award. She is actively involved in the community with work as a board member for Queen of Resilience Non-Profit, Urban League of St. Louis, Habitat for Humanity, Near Southside Coalition, Ronald McDonald House, Crisis Nursery, St. Louis Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and as an education program volunteer for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

Dr. Mercile Lee was posthumously honored with the creation of a faculty award in memory. Mercile had a meaningful career as an academician and higher education administrator for more than 50 years. From 1970-75, she served as a professor of psychology and of counseling, as well as chairperson of the education and psychology departments at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ with further lasting impact made as a member of the OU Board of Trustees in the beginning of 1990. Upon retirement, Lee was honored by the Board of Trustees by being selected to serve as a Life Trustee.

On Saturday, the Office of Admissions hosted their fall visit day on campus, where they hosted more than 60 students and their families to discover all that OU has to offer. Three food trucks were on campus to offer a tailgate lunch for attendees that offered a variety of food options.

Just prior to the Braves football game, the 2022 Homecoming coronation

took place where Parker White was crowned King and Corrine Robertson was crowned Queen. During the actual homecoming football game, members of the 50^th anniversary Mineral Water Bowl Championship team gathered in the Braves Arrowhead Suite and were recognized during halftime of the game. In 1972, the Ottawa Braves defeated the Friends University Falcons in the Mineral Water Bowl by a score of 27 to 20.

Later that evening, a number of class dinners were hosted on campus and around town.

The week was filled with celebration—honoring the past, celebrating the present and looking forward to all that remains ahead for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ as it prepares graduates for lives of significance.

OUAZ Hosts First Career Fair

On October 7, 2022, the Adawe LifePlan Center hosted its first-ever career fair as part of the newly launched Career Services department on the OUAZ campus. Manager of Career Services Alicia Engel coordinated the event.

The career fair was held on the second floor of the Union, with a goal of 50 student attendees. At the end of the day, 103 undergraduates showed up. Engel also hoped for 20 employers to participate. Instead, 34 companies hosted booths. With consistent student traffic between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Engel was extremely pleased with the turnout and the success of the fair.

“A lot of students come from backgrounds that don’t allow them to envision what a job search looks like, or to visualize a different kind of future,” said Engel. “That’s why we want to create as many opportunities as we can for students to gain concrete, professional experience that helps them find meaningful work after graduation. Career fairs play a critical role in that mission.”

Comprised primarily of employers from Surprise and the West Valley, the career fair hosted both local and national businesses that were seeking to fill part-time positions and internships with underclassmen and fill full-time job openings with upcoming graduates. These employers are part of a budding consortium of businesses that are forming ties with OUAZ as the University’s reputation grows in the community.

During the fair, students were provided with maps of employer booth locations so they could align their routes and conversations with their career goals. Both employers and students came away with glowing reviews of the event. Typical exhibitor feedback included comments like, “I have a great list of potential hires;” “Make sure to let me know about the next event. I want to come back;” and “I’ve never seen so much faculty engagement at one of these before.” Students were equally impressed. “I came for the extra credit, but this was GREAT!” said one student. Others shared, “I have an interview next week!” and “I made so many new contacts for part-time jobs and internships today.”

When putting the event together, Engel spoke at faculty meetings, distributed fliers across campus, and canvassed athletics, administration, student affairs, the Fan Shop, and every other possible student touch point. Her efforts paid off, as evidenced by the turnout and the fact that all full-time faculty attended the fair. “It takes a community,” said Engel. “This would not have been possible without everyone’s support.”

As she reflected on the impact of the event on OUAZ students, Engel pointed to what she discerned during their post-event interviews: “Most of these students walked into the career fair nervous, but they walked out elated. They gained confidence by attending this event, and we believe for many of them, their futures became tangible for the first time.”

A second career fair is already in the works for the spring semester. However, career services will not be dormant until then. In an ongoing effort to fulfill its career services mission, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ recently subscribed to Handshake®, a website and app used by colleges/universities nationwide to connect employers with prospective student employees through recruitment efforts at schools like OUAZ. Handshake was debuted at the Oct. 7 career fair and will be available to students going forward. 

If you or another employer would like to participate in future career fairs at OUAZ, please contact Alicia Engel at alicia.engel@ottawa.edu or 623-246-3548

Coach Blessington Reaches Milestone

300 wins and counting . . . the Braves Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Melissa Blessington achieved this career milestone on September 27, 2022. The Braves defeated University of Saint Mary 3 to 0 that evening.

“Coach Blessington has built a powerhouse program in the KCAC and region with consistent national-level presence,” remarked ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, Kansas Athletic Director Arabie Conner. “300 wins have been accomplished with a lot of dedication and hard work and the development of a fantastic coaching staff around her. Securing her 300th career win mark at this point in her career is even more impressive as you consider how she consistently loads up her schedule playing the best of the best and never backing down from high-level competition.”

Coach Blessington is in her ninth season as the head coach of the women’s volleyball program and has led the Braves to five KCAC Regular Season Championships, six KCAC Tournament Championships, seven NAIA National Tournament appearances, and five NAIA Final Site Appearances. Blessington has also been named KCAC Coach of the Year five times.

Over the last nine seasons with the Braves, Blessington has coached 10 NAIA All-Americans, 14 AVCA All-Region selections, 48 All-KCAC performers, three KCAC Player of the Year, five KCAC Setters of the Year, one KCAC Libero of the Year, and one KCAC Freshman of the Year. 

In addition to leading the women’s indoor team, Blessington serves as head coach of beach volleyball,  is the Director of Volleyball for both the men’s and women’s teams, and most recently was named as the Senior Women Leader. 

Blessington came to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ from Southwestern Community College, where she spent three seasons at the helm.  She previously was a graduate assistant coach at Durham University in England, where she coached players from South America, Europe and Asia.  At the same time, she played for the Northumbria Club Volleyball team.  She was a middle hitter, helping her team to the Super 8 Division of play.

As a undergraduate, Blessington was a First Team All-Conference performer on the volleyball court for Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.  She was also a member of the Viking track and field team and was a conference champion in shot put.

Theatre Club Debuts in OUAZ

The stage is set for a new semester on the OUAZ campus. Accompanying the students on campus is a new opportunity for extracurricular involvement. Enter: Theatre Club.

“It’s an opportunity for us to grow our activities on the campus for the students who really have an interest and want to be involved in it,” says Dennis Tyner, who is OUAZ’s campus president and an avid theater participant. “At the same time, it will hopefully improve our retention of students who come to school.”

Community engagement is also an important part of this new offering. “The idea when we started this club is that it would be more of a community-based organization,” says Tyner. “There’s nothing better for students who are interested in improving their craft than to be involved with some amateurs who are in the local community performing as well.”

The theatre organization will run multiple productions throughout the year, including musicals like Godspell, as well as smaller productions like The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged. These productions will take place under the guidance of OU alumna and Musical Theatre Program Manager Lauren Frazier '11. Students who are interested in becoming involved with Theatre Club will be able to fill a variety of different roles, from onstage performers to behind-the-scenes workers.

“There is a space for everyone’s talent, and a safe place for people to explore areas in which they have an interest but may not have experience,” says Frazier.

It’s never too late to join Theatre club, and interested students are encouraged to reach out to Frazier to learn about how they can get involved.

“I want to build a space where students can explore and master their talents,” says Frazier. “I hope that then they will go out into the world and continue being the storytellers of the culture and shape the future with the education and passion they learned at OUAZ.”    

Involving the community has been a priority for the OUAZ Theatre Club, whether that was through community members having roles in the production or taking the productions to the community. The City of Surprise recognizes the value the OUAZ Theatre brings to the community and awarded them a total of $15,000 in grants. The Surprise Arts and Culture Grant provided $10,000 in funding for the opening fall production to provide free admission to all residents of the City of Surprise. The Surprise Community Outreach Program Grant provided an additional $5,000 to allow residents of Surprise who are 62 years of age and older to receive free admission to all shows in the 2022-23 OUAZ theatrical season. 

"It was truly a team effort to apply for this grant. I am very thankful for the people that I work with that believe and actively support the vision for this club,” said Frazier. “I am also extremely thankful for a city that sees potential and promise in OUAZ and its ability to add something beautiful to the City of Surprise through the performing arts.”

The theatre club’s first performance of 2022-23 will be You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, taking place in later this fall at The Vista located at 15660 North Parkview Place in Surprise, Arizona.