Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster management and recovery, including providing immediate relief and rebuilding and redeveloping communities.
Student Lesli Holt, Operations Manager for Warren County Ohio's Office of Emergency Management, comments that “OCU’s Emergency Management program is helping me enhance my skills and ability to better prepare my county in emergencies and disasters. As an EM practitioner in the field, I have already used knowledge gained from OCU to improve our plans and processes and have applied perspectives from the Christian worldview learned in each course toward my everyday interactions.”
Dr. Thad Hicks, Director of OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management Program, explains, “As the field of Emergency Management grows, our program is responding to identified needs and focusing our courses on them. An OCU degree in Emergency and Disaster Management readies students for an established and exciting profession, and prepares them for one of the emerging “new missions” techniques taking place around the world."
Articles of Interest
OCU Welcomes Students at Orientation Day 2019
Published: June 14, 2019
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to meet their fellow classmates.
After the students settled down, OCU Provost, Dr. Bradford Sample and Dr.
Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department Chair, encouraged the new
students to pursue academic excellence and to, above all, grow in Christ.
Jones also gave a warm welcome to the students saying, “We here are family,
and your faculty members here truly care about you the student and
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to meet their fellow classmates.
After the students settled down, OCU Provost, Dr. Bradford Sample and Dr.
Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department Chair, encouraged the new
students to pursue
Ohio Christian University was pleased to welcome 69 students to Orientation
Day 2019 on June 14. Incoming students started the morning doing activities
together where they had the opportunity to
OCU Joins Disaster Relief Efforts in Dayton
Published: June 12, 2019
On Memorial Day evening an EF4 tornado tore through the Dayton, Ohio region,
leaving a path of destruction and debris behind. In the days following the
disaster, many agencies rushed in to provide relief. The Salvation Army is
one such group providing relief.
Dr. Thad Hicks, Director of Emergency and Disaster Management at Ohio
Christian University (OCU), and Divisional Emergency Disaster Services
Director for the Salvation Army in SW Ohio and NE Kentucky, has led
volunteers consisting of student, faculty, and administration members,
serving those in need as they continue helping
On Memorial Day evening an EF4 tornado tore through the Dayton, Ohio region,
leaving a path of destruction and debris behind. In the days following the
disaster, many agencies rushed in to provide relief. The Salvation Army is
one such group providing relief.
Dr. Thad Hicks, Director of Emergency and Disaster Management at Ohio
Christian University (OCU), and Divisional Emergency Disaster
On Memorial Day evening an EF4 tornado tore through the Dayton, Ohio region,
leaving a path of destruction and debris behind. In the days following the
disaster, many agencies rushed in to provide
Remembering D-Day 75 Years Later
Published: June 6, 2019
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full
victory.” The bravery and strength shown on this day allowed soldiers to
infiltrate Europe and work to combat Adolf Hitler. D-Day commemorates the
first day of the Normandy landings and is still honored and remembered 75
years later.
Still the largest seaborne invasion in history, D-Day serves as a solemn
reminder of the sacrifices of soldiers and the international
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full
victory.” The bravery and strength shown on this day allowed soldiers to
infiltrate Europe and work to combat Adolf Hitler. D-Day commemorates the
first day of the Normandy
On June 6th 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the shores of
Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the
operation as a crusade in which “we will accept
Memorial Day
Published: May 22, 2019
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Americans in observing Memorial Day. Previously known as Decoration Day,
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering and honoring persons who
have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
On a personal level, I love history and all things patriotic, as does my
wife. As such, our family has developed a tradition of attending a Memorial
Day service each year. We generally
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Americans in observing Memorial Day. Previously known as Decoration Day,
Memorial Day is a federal holiday for remembering and honoring persons who
have died while serving in the United States
By Dave Hirschler, Director of Brand Identity
Ohio Christian University is grateful for those who paid the ultimate price
for our freedom. It is with appreciation that we celebrate with our fellow
Remembering Sarah Dorsey
Published: May 10, 2019
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president from 1959-1964. During
Dorsey's years at Ohio Christian University, the Ohio Board of Education
awarded the University its first State Charter.
Sarah became very involved with the University while her husband was
president. She taught music and was the choir director during their time
here. We are grateful for everything Sarah and Rev. Morton Dorsey did for
Ohio Christian University. Our
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president from 1959-1964. During
Dorsey's years at Ohio Christian University, the Ohio Board of Education
awarded the University its first State Charter.
Sarah became very involved with the University while
The wife of Rev. Morton Dorsey, Ohio Christian University’s 5th president,
Sarah Dorsey, passed away at Fox Run Manor in Findlay, Ohio on Monday, May
6th, 2019. Rev. Dorsey served as the president
Archived Articles of Interest
Dean Joe Wuest Recognized with 2018 Ruth Bamford Award
Published: July 30, 2018
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award. Dr. Edee Schulze, ACSD’s
president, explains the award’s significance:
“The Ruth Bamford award is presented annually to individuals who have
served in the field of student development less than 15 years, who have
provided outstanding leadership and service to ACSD and their home
institution, as well as contributed significantly to the field of student
affairs. Especially important is
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award. Dr. Edee Schulze, ACSD’s
president, explains the award’s significance:
“The Ruth Bamford award is presented annually to individuals who have
served in the field of student development less than 15
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award.
#14 Best Organizational Leadership Program Nationwide
Published: July 30, 2018
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
university rankings and resources, puts Ohio Christian University in 14th
place for Best Organizational Leadership Degrees. The complete ranking list
is available here.
According to College Choice, the rankings are based on institutional
reputation, graduation rates, selectivity, and faculty resources. Data for
ranking comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS
database, U.S.
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
university rankings and resources, puts Ohio Christian University in 14th
place for Best Organizational Leadership Degrees. The complete ranking list
is available here.
According to College Choice, the
Ohio Christian University has been ranked as offering among the best
Organizational Leadership programs in the country.
This ranking from College Choice, a leading authority in college and
EM Exercise Design Program Gives Students Hands-on Experience
Published: July 30, 2018
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency management exercises are required at the
county level. The practices vary from table-top and office-based to
full-field deployments.
Scenarios cover every possible disaster from highway and railroad spills of
hazardous materials, to tornadoes and hurricanes, blizzards and earthquakes,
forest fires and flooding, to rioting or other possible emergencies.
OCU’s program is one of a few that
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency management exercises are required at the
county level. The practices vary from table-top and office-based to
full-field deployments.
Scenarios cover every possible disaster from highway and railroad
One of the biggest pieces of emergency management is designing preparedness
and readiness exercises for various disasters that can befall communities and
regions. In Ohio, annual emergency
New K-12 Needs Intervention Specialist Degree Program Open for Enrollment
Published: July 17, 2018
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department chair explains, “We train
teachers who have a Christ-like calling to educate all children, including
those with special needs. With the opioid and poverty crises
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of
Orientation Day Added Anticipating Enrollment Growth
Published: July 6, 2018
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education, and activities offered
at the university.
Fully prepared to ensure incoming students succeed, faculty and staff showed
their exceptional level of care and servant leadership in preparing them for
the upcoming school year. Joe Wuest, Assistant Vice President of Student
Development, explained that “God created our uniqueness and individuality
to impact the world for His Kingdom.” He shared
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education, and activities offered
at the university.
Fully prepared to ensure incoming students succeed, faculty and staff showed
their exceptional level of care and servant leadership in preparing them
On Friday, June 29th, 2018 Ohio Christian University held its third
Orientation Day for students enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year. Fifty
new students learned about the fellowship, education
