

By Steven CollinsStaff Reporter for the Circleville HeraldOriginally published on 2/7/15It is shaping up to be a year of progress and growth for Ohio Christian University (OCU).Hank Kelly, provost at OCU, said two of the bigger projects coming up at the university include construction of the Southern Gateway Economic Innovation Development Center and the Ministry/Performing Arts Center.“They will change the face of the campus, definitely,” he said. “By building out that way, it will make the whole campus look bigger. New buildings always bring new people and new attention.”Mike Fracassa, vice president of operations and operational efficiency at OCU, said the expansion will benefit the community.“They’re both not only going to look great, but they’re going to be great for the community,” he said. “Obviously, the innovation center is going to be an economic development hub for small businesses. The performing arts center is going to be used for community events and that is something we don’t really have much of in the county.”Both projects are scheduled to begin in the fall of this year. The Southern Gateway Economic Innovation Development Center is expected to be completed in early 2017 and the Performing Arts Center in early 2018.Kelly said the university also has some new programming and promotions that are shaping the future and growth of the university.Dr. Bradford Sample was promoted to assistant provost and vice president for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies on Feb. 1, after being hired in September 2014. Silvia Lucaschi-Decker was promoted to vice president for Adult and Graduate Studies enrollment and marketing on Feb. 1.“We have broken Tim Eades’ role into two different ones,” he said. “We lost one vice president and we gained two. When you promote people, it shows that you value people and that they have grown. It’s a good thing for people to get promoted and to show that there is internal movement. It’s also good to have new ideas brought in, and with their promotions, we have both.”OCU has also added new concentrations to the Leadership and Ministry, Business and Business Administration programs. They have also created an Associate of Arts degree in Religious Studies and changed a previous offering to Emergency and Disaster Management.“All of those concentrations are to meet the broader needs of the students,” Kelly said. “That’s why we do that — to meet the needs of the students. That’s why we’re trying to offer all those different concentrations.”Kelly said OCU is also looking to grow its reach in Columbus and in Georgia with two recently created campus sites. OCU has the Malon Mimms Education Center in Morrow, Georgia. It has 14 cohorts and 116 students meeting at the site. Kelly said they hope to have the first graduation ceremony in April 2016.“We’re looking at having more programs and expanding our locations wherever we can hire quality teachers and staff,” he said. “I think we should make education much more affordable and easier to get.”One of the things Kelly said university officials are working on is raising the prestige of the school as they extend their reach.“I used to think that prestige was self-serving and it seems that’s what all higher education wanted to do,” he said. “But then I looked at it from the graduate’s viewpoint. It raises the value of their degree, and there’s something to be said for that. If they feel better about it, they will graduate and get a job right away. There are a lot of positives to it.”Kelly said all of these changes will help OCU achieve the strategic plan that was updated and changed in 2014.“Our thinking was that all our graduates should meet these core values and so to do that, we’ve set up three-year and six-year goals,” Kelly said. “We always pick too many and I always say we have too many, but we’re going to try to achieve them all.”
Articles of Interest
Dr. Melvin Maxwell Graduates to Glory
Published: July 4, 2020
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with his Savior whom he loved. He was born
in Georgetown, Ohio, on November 15, 1921, and grew up during the Great
Depression. Though his mother died at an early age, his father was a godly
man and raised him and his brother Millard to follow Christ no matter how
hard the situation.
On August 25, 1942, Maxwell married his wife, Laura. They had three children
together: Lawrence (Larry), John, and
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with his Savior whom he loved. He was born
in Georgetown, Ohio, on November 15, 1921, and grew up during the Great
Depression. Though his mother died at an early age, his father was a godly
man and
Melvin Maxwell was known as a powerful man of God and prayer warrior by those
who knew him. On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Dr. Maxwell graduated from this life
to his eternal home and was united with
Ohio Christian Prepares for Potential Coronavirus Outbreak
Published: March 13, 2020
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) international outbreak, Ohio
Christian University (OCU) has taken strides to ensure the safety of our
students, staff, and faculty through a variety of measures, including moving
classes online and canceling events on campus. The health and safety of our
OCU family is our utmost concern and we’re committed to doing all that we
can to ensure that we follow the guidelines set out by our state and national
leaders in response to this developing situation.
Our athletics programs are part of the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) international outbreak, Ohio
Christian University (OCU) has taken strides to ensure the safety of our
students, staff, and faculty through a variety of measures, including moving
classes online and canceling events on campus. The health and safety of our
OCU family is our utmost concern and we’re committed to doing all that we
can to ensure that we
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) international outbreak, Ohio
Christian University (OCU) has taken strides to ensure the safety of our
students, staff, and faculty through a variety of
Education Summit Draws Local and State Representatives
Published: November 30, 2019
On Friday Nov. 15, teacher education students and professionals gathered on
the campus of Ohio Christian University where they discussed Ohio’s new
“Each Child Our Future” education plan. The event featured government and
education professionals with insight on the new plan and how it will affect
education now and in the future.
The Ohio Department of Education’s vision for the plan is for each child to
be challenged to discover and learn, prepared to pursue a fulfilling
post-high school path, and empowered to become a resilient, lifelong learner
who contributes to society. The plan
On Friday Nov. 15, teacher education students and professionals gathered on
the campus of Ohio Christian University where they discussed Ohio’s new
“Each Child Our Future” education plan. The event featured government and
education professionals with insight on the new plan and how it will affect
education now and in the future.
The Ohio Department of Education’s vision for the plan is for
On Friday Nov. 15, teacher education students and professionals gathered on
the campus of Ohio Christian University where they discussed Ohio’s new
“Each Child Our Future” education plan. The event
Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted Speaks on Campus
Published: November 8, 2019
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group LLC and the keynote address was
made by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.
The morning consisted of a number of panel discussions addressing economic
development and challenges facing rural communities. The panels were chaired
by local business leaders, academic professionals, and state and local
representatives. Ohio Christian University’s Chief Relationship Officer,
Craig Brown, also
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group LLC and the keynote address was
made by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.
The morning consisted of a number of panel discussions addressing economic
development and challenges facing rural
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group
Ohio Christian Extends Support to Cincinnati Christian University Students
Published: November 8, 2019
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must be an incredible burden.
Ohio Christian is prepared to welcome CCU students into our family and has
made a transfer agreement with CCU to help current students complete their
education as easily as possible. Additionally, we have created a special
scholarship for CCU students who transfer full time to Ohio Christian
University to ease the financial burden of transferring.
The administration
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must be an incredible burden.
Ohio Christian is prepared to welcome CCU students into our family and has
made a transfer agreement with CCU to help current students complete their
education as easily as
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must
Archived Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian University Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Published: January 18, 2019
On January 21, Ohio Christian University will close to honor the memory of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his essential leadership in achieving victory
in the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for which he ultimately sacrificed
his life.
This day offers an opportunity to consider the wisdom and enduring importance
of Dr. King’s contributions to establishing and maintaining liberty,
freedom, and equality for all -- regardless of race, religion, or gender, not
only in the United States but everywhere worldwide.
Some of King’s insightful and profound observations to recall on his
On January 21, Ohio Christian University will close to honor the memory of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his essential leadership in achieving victory
in the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for which he ultimately sacrificed
his life.
This day offers an opportunity to consider the wisdom and enduring importance
of Dr. King’s contributions to establishing and maintaining liberty,
On January 21, Ohio Christian University will close to honor the memory of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his essential leadership in achieving victory
in the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle
Behind the Scenes: Inside Festival of Carols
Published: December 3, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative moment team. The choirs warm their vocal cords until
their voices float in glorious harmonies across the auditorium. The actors
labor in hectic preparation to perform with excellence and seeming
effortlessness.
Learning choreography with live choirs singing was a challenge that Movements
from the Heart (MFTH), the creative movement team, met in the practice time
afforded before the first
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative moment team. The choirs warm their vocal cords until
their voices float in glorious harmonies across the auditorium. The actors
labor in hectic preparation to perform with excellence and seeming
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Behind the scenes, behind the curtains of this year’s Festival of Carols,
the perspective is different for the eyes of this observer, who happens to be
part of the creative
Partnership Provides Online Higher Education for Missionaries
Published: November 16, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers, staff members, retirees, and
their children. The partnership provides a tuition discount for OCU’s
online programs: Adult and Graduate Studies Program (AGS) for adults and
OCUOnline Plus for 18-24 year-olds.
"The AGS program is perfect for missionaries in their second career who want
another degree to help them in their field and for missionaries who followed
God’s call before completing
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers, staff members, retirees, and
their children. The partnership provides a tuition discount for OCU’s
online programs: Adult and Graduate Studies Program (AGS) for adults and
OCUOnline Plus for 18-24
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers
A Proclamation and Prayer of Thanksgiving
Published: November 14, 2018
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor and--whereas both Houses of Congress
have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty
God, especially by affording them an opportunity peacefully to establish a
form of government for their safety and
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor and--whereas both Houses of Congress
have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection
Thank You Veterans
Published: November 6, 2018
Each Veterans Day, Ohio Christian University remembers the sacrifice of our
patriots who serve in the United States Armed Forces to protect and secure
our nation's freedom and safety.
The Gospel of John reminds us particularly of those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice: John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this that he
lay down his life for his friends."
President Donald Trump proclaimed November to be National Veterans and
Military Families Month, saying “I encourage . . . all Americans to
acknowledge and honor the service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans
and
Each Veterans Day, Ohio Christian University remembers the sacrifice of our
patriots who serve in the United States Armed Forces to protect and secure
our nation's freedom and safety.
The Gospel of John reminds us particularly of those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice: John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this that he
lay down his life for his friends."
President Donald Trump
Each Veterans Day, Ohio Christian University remembers the sacrifice of our
patriots who serve in the United States Armed Forces to protect and secure
our nation's freedom and safety.
The Gospel