CIRCLEVILLE, OH – A familiar face is once again killing it for Ohio Christian University, only this time her impact is being seen off the court. Lauren Ray, a 2018 Emergency and Disaster Management graduate of OCU, currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Life – Housing and Discipline, a role she took over earlier this year.
Lady Trailblazer Volleyball fans will remember Lauren as a key member of the program, playing for the team for three seasons (2015-17). Originally from Canal Winchester, OH, Lauren transferred into OCU following her freshman year at Ohio University, helping her team to the squad's first postseason appearance in 2017.
"The close nit family atmosphere is what made me fall in love with OCU. The professors knew me by name and always went out of their way to make sure I was set up for success. My teammates and all other Student-Athletes displayed healthy and rewarding aspects of competition that helped shape strong Christ-centered character within me."
While a member of the volleyball program, Lauren accumulated 327 kills, 113 blocks, and 160 digs. She was also named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete award winner multiple seasons.
"Playing intercollegiate volleyball taught me transferable traits that prepared me for my role in Student Development," said Ray. "One of those traits is decision making. I learned that the key to having confidence when making decisions is to be prepared; prepare for the 5 set games, prepare your studies once you receive a travel schedule. Within my Student Development role, I prepare strategies to move students off campus during a pandemic and eagerly plan for freshman housing placement!
Now that she has finished her time as a student, Ray has turned her attention to impacting the next generation of Trailblazers, a mission she feels personally convicted to carry on.
"Ohio Christian University has invested so much into me and has helped shape me into the young professional I am today. The faculty, staff, and students have made a significant impact on my life and I hope to do the same for current and future Trailblazers."
While she works in Student Life, Lauren is also working towards the completion of her MBA within OCU's graduate program. She is currently set to graduate at the end of this semester.
For more on Ohio Christian University Athletics, follow us on Twitter (@OCUTrailblazers), Facebook (Ohio Christian University Trailblazers), and Youtube (Ohio Christian University Trailblazers)
Events of Interest
Events of Interest
Articles of Interest
Tickets on Sale Now for Spring Musical Production
Published: February 23, 2023
Ohio Christian University presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida as their
spring musical production on March 31st at 7:00 PM and April 1st at 2:00 PM.
After the overwhelming support for OCU’s first musical production last
spring with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the performing arts committee is
excited to showcase both students and alumni in this vibrant and timeless
production.
Come out and enjoy a fantastic show full of powerful vocals, fun dance
numbers and a love story that never dies. You’ll experience the world of
ancient Egypt through the eyes of an enslaved Nubian princess,
Ohio Christian University presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida as their
spring musical production on March 31st at 7:00 PM and April 1st at 2:00 PM.
After the overwhelming support for OCU’s first musical production last
spring with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the performing arts committee is
excited to showcase both students and alumni in this vibrant and timeless
production.
Come out
Ohio Christian University presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida as their
spring musical production on March 31st at 7:00 PM and April 1st at 2:00 PM.
After the overwhelming support for OCU’s
OCU School of Education Earns 7 Year CAEP Accreditation
Published: January 18, 2023
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization allows. The current
Accreditation has been granted at the initial-licensure level for all major
concentrations OCU offers at the undergraduate level for Teacher Education
Preparation.
CAEP Accreditation is granted when the Accreditation Council determines that
an Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) meets all CAEP Standards, even if
areas for improvement (AFIs) are identified in the final
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization allows. The current
Accreditation has been granted at the initial-licensure level for all major
concentrations OCU offers at the undergraduate level for Teacher Education
Preparation.
CAEP
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has granted 7 years
of accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Ohio Christian
University, the highest award the organization
Peter Pan Record-Breaking Production
Published: November 14, 2022
Ohio Christian University closed on their production, Peter Pan, Saturday,
November 5th, and it was a record-breaking fall show for the OCU performing
arts team. With 585 tickets sold, this magical show brought in lots of
families and audience members of all ages. Needless to say, it was a big hit
with the youngest members in the audience as they were transported to
Neverland. Some even came to the show in their own costumes!
Ohio Christian’s very own Brandon Benner took on the role of Peter Pan as a
freshman and a first-time performer. Hallie Graf (Little Women, Dark Road)
played
Ohio Christian University closed on their production, Peter Pan, Saturday,
November 5th, and it was a record-breaking fall show for the OCU performing
arts team. With 585 tickets sold, this magical show brought in lots of
families and audience members of all ages. Needless to say, it was a big hit
with the youngest members in the audience as they were transported to
Neverland. Some even came
Ohio Christian University closed on their production, Peter Pan, Saturday,
November 5th, and it was a record-breaking fall show for the OCU performing
arts team. With 585 tickets sold, this magical
Reunion 2022 to Culminate with OCU Night at Mount of Praise
Published: May 24, 2022
Ohio Christian University alumni, their family and friends are invited to
Reunion2022: an all-day event on Saturday, June 25. Through alumni athletic
games, class reunions, our Trailblazer Celebration and dinner, our goal is to
build and cultivate stronger alumni engagement and relationships throughout
the OCU community. The evening will culminate with OCU Night at Mount of
Praise followed by our annual Ice Cream Social.
“This is always an exciting event, where alumni and their friends get to
celebrate the accomplishments and valuable contributions of Ohio
Christian’s own. We’ve
Ohio Christian University alumni, their family and friends are invited to
Reunion2022: an all-day event on Saturday, June 25. Through alumni athletic
games, class reunions, our Trailblazer Celebration and dinner, our goal is to
build and cultivate stronger alumni engagement and relationships throughout
the OCU community. The evening will culminate with OCU Night at Mount of
Praise followed
Ohio Christian University alumni, their family and friends are invited to
Reunion2022: an all-day event on Saturday, June 25. Through alumni athletic
games, class reunions, our Trailblazer
C.S. Lewis is Coming to Ohio Christian University
Published: December 22, 2021
Ohio Christian University is excited to bring “The Most Reluctant
Convert” to its Circleville Campus. There will be one show only, on
January 15, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Ministry and Performing Arts Center
(MPAC). This Fellowship for Performing Arts production has toured the United
States from New York to California and played on campuses such as Princeton,
Vanderbilt, Wheaton, UNC-Chapel Hill, and many other esteemed institutions of
higher learning. Using C.S. Lewis’ own words, award-winning actor Max
McLean brings the brilliant Oxford fellow to life, taking us on his
extraordinary
Ohio Christian University is excited to bring “The Most Reluctant
Convert” to its Circleville Campus. There will be one show only, on
January 15, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Ministry and Performing Arts Center
(MPAC). This Fellowship for Performing Arts production has toured the United
States from New York to California and played on campuses such as Princeton,
Vanderbilt, Wheaton, UNC-Chapel
Ohio Christian University is excited to bring “The Most Reluctant
Convert” to its Circleville Campus. There will be one show only, on
January 15, 2022, at 1:00 PM in the Ministry and Performing
Archived Articles of Interest
Incoming Campus Students Attend Summer Orientation
Published: July 13, 2020
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus Program to register for
classes and prepare for their first semester on campus.
OCU had several COVID-19 procedures in place including taking temperatures,
requiring masks, social distancing guidelines, and hand sanitizing stations
to help ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
OCU President Dr. Jon S. Kulaga welcomed the students and encouraged them to
be part of God’s story. Students and
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus Program to register for
classes and prepare for their first semester on campus.
OCU had several COVID-19 procedures in place including taking temperatures,
requiring masks, social distancing
On July 10th, Ohio Christian University welcomed 62 incoming students to
campus for the first Orientation Day of the summer. Orientation Days are
for incoming students to the Undergraduate Campus
Prospective Students Have Many Options to Experience Campus this Summer
Published: June 4, 2020
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1: Individual Campus Visits
Ohio Christian University is now open for prospective students to visit
campus. The university has social distancing procedures in place to help
everyone on campus stay safe. Learn more.
Option 2: Virtual Preview Day
Join us for a Virtual Preview Day on Friday, June 26th! Learn why students
choose OCU, ask our panelists questions, virtually tour campus, win prizes,
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1: Individual Campus Visits
Ohio Christian University is now open for prospective students to visit
campus. The university has social distancing procedures in place to help
everyone on campus stay safe.
Ohio Christian University is excited to offer several options to connect with
prospective students of our Undergraduate Campus Program over the summer
and help them experience OCU:
Option 1:
Emergency Management Graduates and Students Fight COVID-19
Published: March 25, 2020
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to bring relative calm and
order to the chaos,” explains Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program at Ohio Christian University and Certified Emergency
Manager.
Ohio Christian University has offered programs in Emergency
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to bring relative calm and
order to the chaos,” explains Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program at Ohio Christian University and Certified Emergency
Manager.
Ohio Christian
With the pandemic situation facing our state, county and the world, emergency
managers play an important role in working to stabilize the situation and
save lives. “An emergency manager’s job is to
Online Emergency & Disaster Management Program Ranked #2 in the Country
Published: March 18, 2020
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Ohio Christian University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Emergency
Research supports Ohio Christian’s Emergency Management Programs
Published: February 28, 2020
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the need of students
to understand the concept of emergency exercises and the average emergency
manager needing more experience with emergency exercises.
This is an area where the program at Ohio Christian University shines. “The
requirement for emergency exercises is a part of our core course load for
emergency management students,” said Dr. Thad Hicks, Head of the Emergency
Management Program
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the need of students
to understand the concept of emergency exercises and the average emergency
manager needing more experience with emergency exercises.
This is an area where the program at Ohio
A recent research project published in The Journal of Emergency
Management[1] supports Ohio Christian University’s approach to educating
tomorrows emergency managers. The research highlighted the