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 pulls together three core principles, four learning domains, and ten priority strategies to support the whole child and help Ohio achieve its goal to help students succeed following graduation.
The speakers represented a broad range of knowledge and insight about youth and education. These speakers included Paulo DeMaria, state superintendent; Gary Sherer, state representative; Melanie Swisher, associate director of the Paint Valley ADAMH Board; among several others.
Some of the topics covered during the day included “Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom Today,” “Funding Education,” and “Christians on Campus – The New Radical.”
One session titled “The Future of Education – Where Do We Go from Here?” featured speakers DeMaria; Jonathan Davis, superintendent of Circleville City Schools; and Meg Kilgannon from the Family Research Council. One of the key points of this session was that education should be moving toward greater flexibility for those who do not wish to pursue a traditional four-year degree upon receiving their diploma. “Be open to all of the options,” Davis said.
Teacher education students Kerri Adkins (’20), Baylee DePugh (’19), Makayla Harr (‘20), and Jordan Wilson (’20) also spoke. The group had the opportunity to travel to Sweden over the summer with the education department, led by Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department Chair and Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, Ed.D. At the Summit, they shared about their experience and what they learned about the Swedish educational system.
The Swedish educational system is one of the top-ranked in the world, and they have similarities to the “Each Child Our Future” plan. In Sweden, they focus on educating the whole child and letting the student choose a career path that interests them.
A core mission of Ohio Christian University is to prepare students to be a light in their chosen fields. With professional development opportunities such as the Education Summit, students are equipped to serve with greater efficiency in the church and society as they enter an educational system that utilizes this plan.
Articles of Interest
2021 Refer-A-Friend Program Announced
Published: February 2, 2021
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a scholarship for prospective
students make this an excellent opportunity to refer a friend.
The referrer should enter his or her friend’s information at
ohiochristian.edu/referafriend. This will automatically qualify the referrer
to enter that month’s drawing for a $50 e-gift card of the winner’s
choice and qualify the referred student for a Refer-A-Friend Scholarship.
Refer A Friend
Program
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a scholarship for prospective
students make this an excellent opportunity to refer a friend.
The referrer should enter his or her friend’s information at
ohiochristian.edu/referafriend. This will
Ohio Christian University (OCU) is pleased to announce an ongoing
Refer-A-Friend Program where individuals can invite a friend to learn more
about OCU. A monthly drawing for referrers and a
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
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
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:
Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Ray
Published: April 26, 2020
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,
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
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
Archived Articles of Interest
Community Action Day - It was a GREAT Day!
Published: April 18, 2019
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service attitude taught at OCU.
With help from Volunteer Economy and RPHF Solid Waste District, students were
equipped to effectively serve and feel prepared to do so. Students served in
various capacities
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400
OCU Scholars Day 2019 Has Big Winners!
Published: March 22, 2019
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative Communities
Scholarship, the Ohio's Future Scholarship and the Homeschool Excellence
Scholarship, which are each worth $50,000 and guarantee a coveted internship
position. Also awarded is OCU’s highest scholarship, the Distinguished
Trailblazer Scholarship, which covers all tuition costs for a four year
degree.
During Scholars Day, students compete for the full-ride tuition scholarship
to OCU
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative Communities
Scholarship, the Ohio's Future Scholarship and the Homeschool Excellence
Scholarship, which are each worth $50,000 and guarantee a coveted internship
position. Also awarded is OCU’s highest
Each year Ohio Christian University conducts a Scholars Day where applicants
compete for over $300,000 worth of scholarships.
Scholars Day provides an opportunity to compete for the Creative
State Representative Rick Carfagna Visits Campus
Published: March 11, 2019
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr. Jon Kulaga (President), Ted
Perry (Chief Financial Officer) and Craig Brown (Chief Relationship
Officer) where the group discussed multiple partnerships related to
micro-credentialing, entrepreneurship and workforce development for regional
incumbent industry.
Rep. Carfagna received a campus tour from OCU students, then ended his time
on campus with a meeting in the Robert W. Plaster Free
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr. Jon Kulaga (President), Ted
Perry (Chief Financial Officer) and Craig Brown (Chief Relationship
Officer) where the group discussed multiple partnerships related to
micro-credentialing,
On Friday, March 8th, State Representative Rick Carfagna (Chair, Finance
Subcommittee on Higher Education) visited Ohio Christian University (OCU). He
was welcomed to the president’s office by Dr.
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
