Ahhh…another cool fall night in Southern Indiana.  I love this weather – and this scene.  It’s dark now, but all the night lights are on, illuminating the beauty of the campus.  The flags, representing the students from all the different countries, are blowing in the gentle evening breeze.  I pull my sweater a little closer, and look up and smile at the sky.  The tree branches sway with the rhythm of the wind.  Most of the leaves have fallen to the ground or sidewalk, and now lie waiting for someone to crunch them as they walk along.  A few cars casually pass by, and students' voices with various accents echo in the distance.  I love this campus at night, with the buildings all lit up, looming in the shadows.  But it’s not just the buildings that make this campus what it is.  It’s the people and the stories they write with their lives.  It’s the lives that are impacted here, which then impact other people.  We have all come from different parts of the world to share life and a vision of equipping ourselves to go forth to serve now and in the future. 

Walking along the sidewalk, I see The Cross inside the brightly-lit Murray Center.  It serves as a reminder to me everyday of why I am here: to be a servant.  It’s a peaceful feeling to know you’re surrounded by friends and teachers who care about you.  And it’s an even greater feeling to know that you are making a difference right where you are, with the people you come in contact with every day.  I know that God has me here right now for a reason.  This is home, and by His grace I’m where I belong.

Mallory Pleiss

Well, I guess we're over half-way through the semester...already!  I can't believe how fast it has gone by!  Student Ambassadors is going great!  Earlier this month, we were able to see Bebo Norman, Natalie Grant, and Jeremy Camp in concert at The Center in Evansville.  It was a very inspirational and encouraging night!  I just love singing along to Jeremy Camp's music.   

Last Saturday, we hosted our first Open House for this school year.  The students and their families were able to learn about financial aid opportunities, as well as the different academic programs offered at OCU.  They ate lunch with us and also went on a tour around the campus.  It was a gorgeous day, and the golden leaves only added to the nice sunshine we had. 

OCU is so beautiful in the fall.  I love just walking around campus, noticing all the different colored leaves, and breathing in that fresh autumn air.  It's a content feeling.  I'm so glad to be here. 

Can't wait for our next Open House!  December 5, 2009.  Hope to see you there!  Maybe we'll get some snow! 

Mallory Pleiss           

Hello, my name is Mallory, and I am a junior and one of the Student Ambassadors at Oakland City University!  I absolutely love OCU!  Our small class sizes and friendly students, teachers, and staff make this school a very enjoyable place to be.  We have just finished our third week of being back in school after a nice Christmas break!  I hope everyone had a great season celebrating the birth of our Savior!  So we finally got a few inches of snow last week, which was exciting, but unfortunately it has all melted away.  I love seeing the snowflakes coming down to transform the campus into a world of white!  I heard we’re supposed to get more snow next week - yay!

Next Monday starts Homecoming Week, which will bring various activities including The Price is Right, Free Movie Night, Free Bowling, Free Food, and finally…the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen!                                      

Our next Open House is on Saturday, February 7, 2009.  This will be a great chance to come out and see the school, meet with the Admissions Office and Student Ambassadors, and ask the questions that you have about OCU.  You’ll get to go on a campus tour with a small group of other prospective students lead by the Ambassadors and see first hand what OCU has to offer!  We hope to see you there!  We also hope you’re enjoying the winter weather!

~ Mallory Pleiss

Oakland City University has a SPECIAL PLACE in my heart.  I came to OCU in the fall of 1997 as a transfer student.  Little did I know that I would meet my wife, Jamie Bybee (OCU Class of 2000).  I remember attending Summer Spree in the July of 1997.  OCU was exactly what I was looking for: a Christian college, small student body size and strong academically in the area of business.  However, one of the most important decisions in my life came down to the people.  Everyone at Oakland City University was friendly and helpful.  I felt that Oakland City could be a home away from home.

Fast forward, twelve years later, I am responsible for the enrollment management of our students.  Working in the Admissions office is not just another job for me, but rather a calling on my life.  I believe God has a VISION for Oakland City University and it is our job to fulfill His promises (Joshua 23:14).

The Office of Admissions wants to invite you to see “A VISION TO YOUR FUTURE” at Oakland City University.  Open Houses are scheduled throughout the year and conveniently on Saturdays to tour the campus.  You are always welcome to visit the campus at your convenience by simply calling 1-800-737-5125 or log on to our website at www.oak.edu.

I would like to leave you with this phrase borrowed from Dr. Mike Sandifar (OCU Athletic Director).  The three most important decisions in your life:

1.       Are you going to be a Christian?

2.      Who you are going to marry?

3.      Where you go to college?

Often times, number three will determine number two…

I love Christmas time!  The songs, the weather, the cheesy Christmas movies on ABC Family, spending time with my family, and yes, I even enjoy the hustle and bustle of stores and resteraunts that come with this time of year!  But more than any other thing I LOVE taking the time to remember the true reason we celebrate this season, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  I am so undeserving of having God's Son come into this world to die for me, but boy am I thankful beyond measure!  God is good! 

My challenge to all of you this Christmas season is to take a few moments, or more, to truly reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  And just because Thanksgiving has already passed doesn't mean you should stop giving thanks for all of the many wonderful blessings in your life!  If you are one of those people who don't think your life is full of blessings, keep looking, they're there! 

-Heather Hose

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Hello readers of the OCU blog world!

My name is Heather Hose, and I am one of the 15 student Ambassadors at OCU, so I am one of the people you will see when you come to our campus for an Open House!  My husband and I are the Resident Directors of the freshmen girls’ dorm, Brokaw Hall, and I wanted to take a few minutes to inform you of some of the fun things going on at OCU this year, these are all things you can be a part of when you come here!

  There are many awesome things going on at the OCU campus this semester. 

Coming up next week (October 20^th through October 24^th) is the campus wide Fall Festival week.  During that week we will be having an event every day…OCU Idol, Miss OCU/Bachelor of the Year, Bingo night, OCU cookout/movie night at the “grassy knoll” (which is just the open grassy area in the middle of campus), and free Grandy’s for lunch one day. 

Also coming up on October 30^th is “Trick the Halls” which is an event where all four dorms will be opening our doors for the children of the community to trick-or-treat in the dorms and view the decorations on the dorm doors and hallways.   It should be a fun way to get the students of OCU to show the community a little bit of what we are about, which above all else is spreading the love of Jesus Christ to everyone that comes around! 

The Student Christian Association also has some events coming up…Night of Worship, last week we had a Movie night in the recital hall, recreation nights, and Spiritual Renewal Week (which is a week of nightly worship services)

I hope that gives you all a little idea of the OCU campus events! 

-Heather Hose

This is just a quick update for those students who could not attend the Summer Spree registration. 

Sunday, August 17th - Move in day for new students

Monday, August 18th - Testing

Tuesday, August 19th - Registration

Wednesday, August 20th - First day of classes

We are currently in the process of sending out the letters explaing the above mentioned days.  If have questions then please feel free to drop us an email or call.

Brian

Summer Spree 2008 is in the books!  Thanks to everyone for making it a great success.  It was good to see everyone on campus.  I hope it was a good experience and we will see you in August!

God Bless - Brian Baker