Overcoming Obstacles
How OKWU’s Fastest-Growing Degree is Building Servant Leaders
Imagine standing at the base of a towering climbing wall, mud clinging to your shoes, the cheers of teammates urging you onward. You’re in one of the favorite classrooms of Professor Danny Shedd, Director of Exercise Science. Shedd’s passion for Obstacle Course Racing, and CrossFit competitions isn’t merely a personal pursuit; it’s a living metaphor for the challenges and triumphs he prepares his students to face.
A Path Forged Through Service and Discipline
Before joining OKWU, Danny gained valuable experience as an Army Ranger instructor and platoon sergeant, responsible for the training and welfare of over 1,100 Ranger students annually. Now, he aims to develop the next generation of servant leaders in exercise science—equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and Christ-centered mindset necessary for health, wellness, and fitness professions.
Shedd’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s in Exercise Science and Wellness. Extensive real-world experience sets him apart. As Special Operations Forces instructor and an officer in the Owasso (OK) Police Department, he designed strength and conditioning programs for high-stakes environments.
Building Servant Leaders Through Exercise Science
Shedd utilizes his diverse experiences into the Exercise Science program, emphasizing the link between physical well-being and spiritual leadership. Students are encouraged to pursue their love of sports and fitness in an environment centered around biblical truths and impacting our world for Christ. He often shares 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 with students, reminding them that caring for one’s body is a form of worship and stewardship. This holistic approach prepares students not just for careers in health and fitness but for lives of meaningful service.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
–1 Cor. 6:19-20 NLT
Mentorship in Action
Shedd’s commitment to experiential learning is evident in his mentorship of students like Kylie White, a senior specializing in strength and conditioning. Under his guidance, Kylie’s efforts have not only enhanced her practical skills but also embedded the servant leadership principles that OKWU strives to instill.
Reflecting on her experience, Kylie shares, “I am thankful for this University and the mentorship of Professor Shedd. He provided ways to set me, as well as other students, up for success. Thanks to the connection he made, I landed a job at EXOS, a coaching and performance training company. I learned a lot from the kindness of the professors and their desire for students to succeed. Because of their example I was able to learn the importance of serving others and what makes a strong leader. I realize now the importance of someone believing in me, and I hope to make the same impact on someone else.”
How you approach obstacles determines your path forward.
Overcoming Life’s Obstacles
Shedd frequently incorporates practical elements into his curriculum, believing that the challenges faced in the field mirror those in life. He often tells his students, “Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow stronger. How you approach it determines your path forward. Be selfless with your training, always give those around you 100% of your effort, and remember, you are one sent.” This philosophy resonates deeply with students, encouraging them to confront both physical and personal challenges with courage and perseverance.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Professor Shedd’s mission is clear: to mold individuals who are as spiritually grounded as they are physically capable, ready to serve and lead in a world that needs both. Under his leadership, OKWU’s Exercise Science program has become a beacon for students seeking to integrate faith with a commitment to health and service. Graduates leave not only with a robust education but also with a profound understanding of how physical well-being intersects with spiritual and communal responsibilities.
As the sun sets on another day of training, Shedd cheers on his students as they conquer new challenges and prepare to overcome life’s obstacles with new resilience that will serve them in every endeavor.