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
Importance of a Christian Education
Published: November 8, 2016
Dr. Hank Kelly
OCU Provost
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular” education). Colleges and universities are forming students
into something. The question is: what?
Education is formative in that not only does it impact the mind but also the
heart. All the practices of a college or university form the imagination and
hearts of its students—whether designed or not. If drinking and partying
are accepted and even expected to “fit in,” then many students will
Dr. Hank Kelly
OCU Provost
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular” education). Colleges and universities are forming students
into something. The question is: what?
Education is formative in that not only does it impact the mind but also the
heart. All the practices of
Dr. Hank Kelly
OCU Provost
A college or university education is more than just learning information.
There is no neutral, nonformative education (i.e., there is no such thing as
a “secular”
OCU Student Finds Hope Through Classmates
Published: October 17, 2016
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I see the future. I sit and look at all of the
hardworking students and how each one of them has a divine purpose they are
preparing for. A purpose given specially to them because of their skills and
abilities. A purpose given to them because our King knows what He is doing.
I sit in a class of 20 people and think, "there are 20 world changers right
here." It amazes me to think what we, as
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I see the future. I sit and look at all of the
hardworking students and how each one of them has a divine purpose they are
preparing for. A purpose given specially to them because of their skills and
By Krista Williams
In a time where our country and humanity is living in a great amount of fear,
being at OCU gives me so much hope. I find peace in being here as I look
around the classrooms- I
OCU to Host FAFSA Workshop on Oct. 8th
Published: October 3, 2016
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Day, a financial aid workshop sponsored by Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education
Learning Partners for Students) and Ohio Christian University (OCU).
The workshop is free and will take place on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at
OCU’s Maxwell Center. Professional financial counselors will be available
to give individual help, answer questions, and assist with the online
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Day, a financial aid workshop sponsored by Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education
Learning Partners for Students) and Ohio Christian University (OCU).
The workshop is free and will
By Amanda Plotts, Staff Reporter for the Circleville Herald
Future college students who need help navigating the financial aid system
are encouraged to attend FAFSA (Free Application for
Is college preparation worth it? A teen's perspective.
Published: September 15, 2016
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow longer and our nights shorten as we return home from a seven
hour day of school only to spend additional hours studying and completing
homework for multiple AP and honors classes. We wake up early the next
morning to repeat the cycle. Work-free weekends are infrequent when they have
become filled with youth leadership group gatherings, club meetings,
community service, and SAT/ACT prep. The
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow longer and our nights shorten as we return home from a seven
hour day of school only to spend additional hours studying and completing
homework for multiple AP and honors classes. We wake up early
By Jordyn Williams (pictured)
In the years approaching college, the weight of the world is on us teens. Our
stress is magnified as the expectations for college readiness intensifies.
Our days grow
Record 810 Graduates Celebrate Commencement
Published: May 26, 2016
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates
participated a total of four ceremonies: three in Ohio and one in Georgia
earlier this month.
Kelvin J. Cochran of Atlanta, Georgia, was the 2016 Commencement speaker.
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Cochran followed his childhood dream
and became a firefighter in 1981. Working his way through the ranks, he was
appointed Fire Chief of the Shreveport Fire Department in 1999
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level graduates
participated a total of four ceremonies: three in Ohio and one in Georgia
earlier this month.
Kelvin J. Cochran of Atlanta, Georgia, was the 2016 Commencement speaker.
Originally from
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Ohio Christian University held its 66th
Commencement Ceremonies at the university’s main campus in Circleville,
Ohio. A record 810 associate, bachelor, and master level