Clarissa Crowley, one of the first Adolescence to Young Adult Education (AYA) Mathematics majors at Ohio Christian University, set her sights high when she decided to major in STEM education to transform young lives.
Serving as a ‘guinea pig’ for the new AYA curriculum with its advanced, yet enticing, and rigorous materials, Crowley’s goal for herself is not only propelling her into the future, but also enabling her to demonstrate faith-based leadership to her peers.
Becoming a servant leader wasn’t always in the cards for Crowley. Higher education seemed unobtainable to her until a former OCU president arrived to vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN, Crowley’s hometown.
“Until I encountered OCU’s former president who shared about the university, I never imagined attending college was within my reach. I felt driven to succeed, but I wasn’t sure what steps to take. With a scholarship obtained through guidance of OCU’s Financial Aid Office, I am acquiring a quality higher education. It was God’s will that I discovered here is where to earn my teaching degree.”
Many students like Crowley struggle with unknowns in finding their way to and through college. However, as her story demonstrates, God enables us to succeed, especially when we align with His will and calling for us. “After OCU’s president heard my testimony at our church, he introduced himself and told me about OCU, and, through prayer and trusting God, I decided to come.”
In her junior year now, Crowley feels OCU’s AYA Teacher Education program is phenomenal: “It is preparing me to be highly equipped in the classroom. I have no doubt I will continue and become an inspiration to others. OCU has taught me to take chances. Through Christ, we can do anything.”
Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian to Host Education Summit in November
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders
Trailblazers in Reading
Published: August 12, 2019
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
by the English Department and hosted by the Maxwell Library staff.
“The Great American Read” is a nationwide event started by the Public
Broadcast System (PBS) in 2018. One hundred influential and
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men
OCU Assisted with Summer Institute for Teachers
Published: June 14, 2019
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and Google Classroom Training.
The Ohio Christian University Teacher Education Department believes in
providing excellent and effective professional development for the teachers
and the school
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental
OCU T.E. Group Observes Educators in Finland and Sweden
Published: June 6, 2019
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the group visited a university and were able to learn
about Swedish high schools and the transition to higher education. In
addition to the focus on education, the group did some sightseeing and
learned
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to
Summer Institute Courses
Published: May 10, 2019
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity to earn degrees and gain
knowledge in a shorter period of time.
Each course lasts for six weeks and counts as three credit hours. There will
be two separate six-week terms throughout the summer. The cost of these
graduate level classes is $990 per course. There is a simple application and
approval process for the program.
The University will also be offering special topic classes that count
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity to earn degrees and gain
knowledge in a shorter period of time.
Each course lasts for six weeks and counts as three credit hours. There will
be two separate six-week terms throughout the summer. The
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity
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
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
Business Grad Finds Calling: Believer in Hands-on Learning
Published: November 2, 2018
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on business, and I graduated in business management. I
went home and began working for my father’s landscape design and
installation business that he’s had for forty years. While in school during
summers, I worked for him doing hardscaping projects. I enjoyed building
patios, pergolas, walls, and walkways. I did that for four years after
graduation. My dad taught me the ropes, and people asked if
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on business, and I graduated in business management. I
went home and began working for my father’s landscape design and
installation business that he’s had for forty years. While in school during
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on
Faculty Profile: Dr. Caleb Friedeman
Published: November 1, 2018
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical Literature from Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical
Theology (New Testament) from Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation
focused on the Christology of Luke chapters 1 and 2 and its
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a
