Ohio Christian University celebrated the investiture of Dr. Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D., as its eleventh president on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
Five hundred dignitaries, faculty, staff, and students attended the ceremony in the new Ministry and Performing Arts Center on the University’s Circleville campus.
President Kulaga’s address focused on how the University provides a Christ-centered higher education, producing graduates who have learned to think with the mind of Christ, love with the heart of Christ, and act as the hands of Christ. With a mind renewed, emotions purified, a conscience cleared, and a will surrendered, graduates are prepared to enter the world as critical participants, applying the Great Commandment to every facet of their lives.
President Kulaga built a distinguished career in higher education at Asbury University where he was chief operating officer and chief academic officer, as well as in academics, advancement, and student life/development at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, Kansas State University, and Central Christian College of Kansas. The boards of directors of Ohio Christian University and Churches of Christ in Christian Union unanimously approved Dr. Kulaga’s appointment.
Guest speaker Eric Metaxas spoke on "A Christian Education – If You Can Keep It." Metaxas is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Bonhoeffer has sold over 700,000 copies in 17 languages. His Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery was the "official companion book" to the film Amazing Grace. He is also author of over 20 children's videos and books. His It's Time to Sleep, My Love, sold over 800,000 copies. He has written and been commentator for Chuck Colson's Breakpoint, broadcast through 1,200 radio outlets to eight million listeners.
Ohio Christian University’s Chamber Orchestra and Chorale brilliantly performed Gustav Holst’s St. Paul's Suite, Martin Luther’s A Mighty Fortress is Our God, and Charles Wesley’s And Can It Be? Student musical worship group, ABLAZE sang the national anthem, and the entire congregation sang Wesley’s O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing. The Chamber Orchestra performed the Brandenberg Concerto for the ceremony's recessional and postlude.
Delegates from the State of Ohio, City of Circleville, Churches of Christ in Christian Union, and Council of Christian Colleges and Universities presented formal greetings and congratulations. After faculty, staff, administration, and students gave affirmations, Dr. Tom Hermiz, Chairman of the Board, Ohio Christian University, invested President Kulaga. Reverend Mark Van Valin, Senior Pastor, Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, provided the closing benediction.
For media highlights of the inauguration, please visit the Chillicothe Gazette and Circleville Herald.
