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. In 2008 he was appointed Fire Chief for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department under Mayor Shirley Franklin. In August 2009 he was appointed by President Barack Obama to head the United States Fire Administration in the Department of Homeland Security. In June 2010 he was recruited back to serve as Fire Chief under Mayor Kasim Reed and served until January 2015.
Kelvin is a member of the Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia where he serves as a deacon and teacher/facilitator. He has been married to Carolyn Marshall for thirty-two years. They have three adult children and one granddaughter.
Mr. Cochran’s speech to the graduates addressed the importance of dreams in reaching one’s full potential, saying, “Dreams provide the schematic – the road map – for our future.” Cochran also emphasized that hard work and dedication are crucial components for achieving those dreams.
“Dream big dreams and rehearse those dreams throughout your life. God is not afraid of big dreams. After all, he’s the one who places them in our hearts,” he said.
The crowd came to its feet to honor the life and legacy of Josias Rodriguez, whose parents were awarded an honorary degree in his name. Josias was a ministry student at OCU in 2013, when he was tragically killed in a hiking accident. Each year the community comes together for a 5k run in his memory. All proceeds from the annual event towards the Josias Rodriguez scholarship fund.
Each year, OCU Honor Graduates are selected by the faculty. These graduates represent all the ideals of Ohio Christian University and must have distinguished themselves in academic achievement, Christian service, and leadership potential. Six 2016 Honor Graduates for the traditional program were selected, representing each academic discipline: Nancy Ann Wilcox, Religion; Whitney Condit, Psychology; Alyse Copeland, Music; Jacob Gideon, Business and Government; Joshua Harshbarger, General Studies; and Allyson Jones, Teacher Education. Kay Ringhiser was chosen as the Honor Graduated representing the AGS program.
View photos from the 2016 Commencement Ceremonies on Facebook or join the OCU Alumni Network on LinkedIn.
Articles of Interest
Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted Speaks on Campus
Published: November 8, 2019
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group LLC and the keynote address was
made by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.
The morning consisted of a number of panel discussions addressing economic
development and challenges facing rural communities. The panels were chaired
by local business leaders, academic professionals, and state and local
representatives. Ohio Christian University’s Chief Relationship Officer,
Craig Brown, also
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group LLC and the keynote address was
made by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.
The morning consisted of a number of panel discussions addressing economic
development and challenges facing rural
Almost 100 people gathered in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at
Ohio Christian University to attend a Rural Development Forum on Oct. 31. The
event was organized by The Montrose Group
Ohio Christian Extends Support to Cincinnati Christian University Students
Published: November 8, 2019
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must be an incredible burden.
Ohio Christian is prepared to welcome CCU students into our family and has
made a transfer agreement with CCU to help current students complete their
education as easily as possible. Additionally, we have created a special
scholarship for CCU students who transfer full time to Ohio Christian
University to ease the financial burden of transferring.
The administration
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must be an incredible burden.
Ohio Christian is prepared to welcome CCU students into our family and has
made a transfer agreement with CCU to help current students complete their
education as easily as
Ohio Christian University was saddened to learn that Cincinnati Christian
University would close at the end of the semester. The loss of campus
community and the uncertainty this news brings must
Students Serve Community in 21st Annual Ralph C. Starkey Community Action Day
Published: October 16, 2019
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day, students engaged in clean up and restoration projects
at 44 sites throughout Circleville and the surrounding county.
Before starting, the students were addressed by event organizers, Ralph C.
Starkey’s daughter Beth Starkey Hill, Circleville Mayor Don McIlroy, and
Pickaway County Commissioner Brian Stewart. Executive Director of United Way
Jama
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day, students engaged in clean up and restoration projects
at 44 sites throughout Circleville and the surrounding county.
Before starting, the students were
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st
Ohio Christian Ranked Among Best Online Logistics Management Programs
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide, OSR uses student
satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers
online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from
that program, how many
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report
Ohio Christian Partners to Serve Community
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing together the organizations individual efforts to
serve the community.
Ohio Christian has traditionally held Community Action Day in the spring but
switched to fall this year so the day would coincide with
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of
Archived Articles of Interest
Chapel Speaker Touts Value of Liberal Arts Education
Published: November 19, 2018
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Wednesday, October 31. He
encouraged students to value their liberal arts education as the best way to
prepare for the future.
Dr. Bartlett reminded students of the speed with which technology has changed
in their lifetimes. They can recall YouTube videos that were so influential a
few years ago but have run their course. Likewise, many jobs like
telemarketer, paralegal, and
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Wednesday, October 31. He
encouraged students to value their liberal arts education as the best way to
prepare for the future.
Dr. Bartlett reminded students of the speed with which
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s
Partnership Provides Online Higher Education for Missionaries
Published: November 16, 2018
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers, staff members, retirees, and
their children. The partnership provides a tuition discount for OCU’s
online programs: Adult and Graduate Studies Program (AGS) for adults and
OCUOnline Plus for 18-24 year-olds.
"The AGS program is perfect for missionaries in their second career who want
another degree to help them in their field and for missionaries who followed
God’s call before completing
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers, staff members, retirees, and
their children. The partnership provides a tuition discount for OCU’s
online programs: Adult and Graduate Studies Program (AGS) for adults and
OCUOnline Plus for 18-24
Ohio Christian University (OCU) and World Gospel Mission (WGM) are pleased to
announce a new partnership that provides education opportunities for WGM
full-time missionaries, missionary volunteers
Faculty Profile: Dr. Darren M. Johnson
Published: November 16, 2018
Dr. Darren M. Johnson joined Ohio Christian University’s Psychology
Department as an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chemical Dependency
Counseling. He is currently teaching Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to
Substance Abuse Counseling, Diversity Issues in Counseling, Principles of
Counseling, and Physiological Psychology.
In 2017, ProQuest published Johnson’s “The Experience of Being an Atheist
in the United States,” a report on his study of interviews with twelve
atheists. He has presented on Coping with Stress in the Workplace, Good
Grief: How Grieving Properly Can Be
Dr. Darren M. Johnson joined Ohio Christian University’s Psychology
Department as an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chemical Dependency
Counseling. He is currently teaching Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to
Substance Abuse Counseling, Diversity Issues in Counseling, Principles of
Counseling, and Physiological Psychology.
In 2017, ProQuest published Johnson’s “The Experience of
Dr. Darren M. Johnson joined Ohio Christian University’s Psychology
Department as an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chemical Dependency
Counseling. He is currently teaching Abnormal
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
A Proclamation and Prayer of Thanksgiving
Published: November 14, 2018
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor and--whereas both Houses of Congress
have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty
God, especially by affording them an opportunity peacefully to establish a
form of government for their safety and
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection and favor and--whereas both Houses of Congress
have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of
the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by
By George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly
to implore His protection
