On March 20, students in the psychology department presented their research findings on religious conformity, behavioral modification, and obesity in the evangelical community.Sarah Rykwalder, a psychology junior, along with three other students conducted an observational study during Midwestern university church services to track the factors associated with conformity. The raising of hands in a service is one example of behaviors they tracked. They witnessed individuals conformed when they received reinforcements.“The students were reinforced to conform by receiving something desired: a sense of affiliation, social approval, and feeling closer to God. The students wanted to avoid certain aversive stimuli,” Rykwalder said.They also found an association with the number of hands raised and the music crescendos. Rykwalder plans further research regarding the implications of conformity in musical worship by testing different decibels to find out if certain volumes are related to behavioral responses.Lennon Mueller, a psychology senior, discussed the results of his six week study on articulation disorder and overcorrection procedures. He worked with two elementary aged students: a boy that struggled with initial L sound words and a girl with overall slurred speech. Mueller used overcorrection and positive reinforcement to change their speech patterns. At the end of the study, the boy’s L sounds improved by 50 percent and the girl’s slurred speech decreased from 100 percent to 50 percent. He found the biggest impact in their therapy was through overcorrection: when he would stop them upon error and make them repeat the appropriate sound five times.“Before going into this work, I would not have considered myself a behaviorist. After this project, I’m not only sold as a behaviorist, but I have also decided to pursue applied behavior analysis as a career, “Mueller said.Under the advisement of Professor Decker, Assistant Professor of Psychology, both Rykwalder and Mueller will be presenting at the Butler Undergraduate Research Conference next month.Matthew Merringer, a Christian ministries sophomore, is developing an obesity treatment process tailored for an evangelical faith community. After doing research, he felt obesity was an issue the church could not continue to ignore.“Church people are the most overweight group of people in the States and being overweight has spiritual implications whether it is in self-discipline or the sin of gluttony,” Merringer said.He has created a 16 week plan that incorporates Biblical values into the fitness and diet regime. Merringer is arranging to train research assistants in the fall 2013 and begin pilot studies in the spring 2014, with full training for local churches on the method in fall 2014.“The church has separated itself from science because it does not understand how to balance science with theology. I want to change this,” Merringer said. “Psychology and religion can combine and work hand in hand for the glory of God.”
Articles of Interest
2019 Georgia Commencement
Published: April 11, 2019
On Saturday, April 6th, Ohio Christian University held its fourth
commencement ceremony in Jonesboro, Georgia at the Clayton County Performing
Arts Center. This is the first year at this location.
OCU President, Dr. Jon Kulaga welcomed the record crowd of nearly 1,300
students, family and honored guests declaring, “We are living in a time
where Christians have never been more needed-to be out there in society being
salt and light.” He further challenged them stating that “your community
needs you, your city needs you and your country needs you”.
Terence Chatmon was the commencement
On Saturday, April 6th, Ohio Christian University held its fourth
commencement ceremony in Jonesboro, Georgia at the Clayton County Performing
Arts Center. This is the first year at this location.
OCU President, Dr. Jon Kulaga welcomed the record crowd of nearly 1,300
students, family and honored guests declaring, “We are living in a time
where Christians have never been more needed-to be
On Saturday, April 6th, Ohio Christian University held its fourth
commencement ceremony in Jonesboro, Georgia at the Clayton County Performing
Arts Center. This is the first year at this location
Faith and Work Seminar a First on Campus
Published: April 10, 2019
On Saturday March 23rd, Ohio Christian University hosted the Faith
On Saturday March 23rd, Ohio Christian University hosted the Faith
On Saturday March 23rd, Ohio Christian University hosted the Faith
Archived Articles of Interest
OCU Develops Future Teacher's Skills in Educating 'Whole Child'
Published: November 16, 2018
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma-informed educating, a way to teach
students who have been affected by trauma to their maximum potential.
“Everything we do has the idea to love the kids first and then everything
else comes after
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher
Faculty Profile: Dr. Caleb Friedeman
Published: November 1, 2018
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical Literature from Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical
Theology (New Testament) from Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation
focused on the Christology of Luke chapters 1 and 2 and its
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a
Writing Center Success Highlighted at Conference for Writing Program Administrators
Published: October 8, 2018
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the Conference for Writing Program
Administrators in Sacramento, California.
Dr. Stonerock described how the OCU Writing Center serves as a critical
resource for at-risk students during their first year at the
university. Citing reflective logs of peer tutors and surveys of first-year
students that illuminate the concerns and successes of the Writing Center,
she described how the center is poised
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the Conference for Writing Program
Administrators in Sacramento, California.
Dr. Stonerock described how the OCU Writing Center serves as a critical
resource for at-risk students during their first year
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the
Summer Adventures into Central Ohio History
Published: September 14, 2018
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses carry college credit and exciting field adventures.
In teaching central Ohio history, Professor Michael Burchett provides
hands-on activities. Most students are teacher education majors, interested
in local history for creating more effective and interactive lessons.
Trips to Logan's Elm, Adena Mansion and Gardens, The Ohio History Connection,
and Tecumseh bring the subject to life, and the
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses carry college credit and exciting field adventures.
In teaching central Ohio history, Professor Michael Burchett provides
hands-on activities. Most students are teacher education majors, interested
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses
Professor Scott Barr: Fruits of Summer Labor
Published: September 14, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this year, Barr found his activities refreshing
and fruitful.
In May, Barr became lead writer for Ohio Christian University’s (OCU)
accreditation report for the Higher Learning Commission. In preparing for the
Commission’s 2019 visit, he is examining all aspects of OCU’s
effectiveness. Barr met with the audit preparation team to discuss five main
areas within 21 sub-components. These included
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this year, Barr found his activities refreshing
and fruitful.
In May, Barr became lead writer for Ohio Christian University’s (OCU)
accreditation report for the Higher Learning Commission. In preparing
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this