OKWU on the Move

2025 Alumni Updates

1. Jim Woodard (DNP, MBA, RN, ‘24) presented at the Colorado Emergency Management Conference, sparking discussions on future nurse training. His poster abstract was also accepted for the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Conference in May. He credits OKWU’s DNP program for enhancing his practice.

2. Sidnie Brown (English ‘20, M. Ed. ‘23) won the 2025 Rising Star Teacher Award for all of Bartlesville Public Schools. Sarah Tuggle (Elem. Ed. ’22) was also honored as a nominee from Wilson Elementary.

3. Krista Grate (Elem. Ed. ‘16, M. Ed. ‘19) was honored as 2025 Teacher of the Year at Richard Kane Elementary School (Bartlesville Public Schools).

4. Dr. Gregory Nichols (DBA ‘25) is the inaugural graduate of the Doctor of Business Administration program, while serving as President of Salina Area Technical College. His online cohort surprised him by attending the May 2025 commencement.

5. Chris Breiland (‘10) was named Head of Asbury Classical School in Tulsa, OK, in March 2024. Prior to this, he spent eight years at OKWU. He aims to lead the school’s expansion to a full K–12 institution.

6. Ben (‘11) and Susan Mueller (‘13) are planting Presence Church in Ankeny, Iowa, set to launch in fall 2025. Their mission is to make disciples, reach those far from God, and be a consistent, Christlike presence in their city. In a full-circle moment, Ben recently served as the camp speaker at the Tri-State District youth camp at OKWU.

Dr. Craig A. Dunn (BWC ‘80 and ‘82) was the May 2025 Commencement speaker and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from OKWU. A lifelong servant leader, Craig’s work through the Wesleyan Investment Foundation has empowered countless organizations and ministries.

7. Daniel (‘19) and Addison Lopez (‘20) welcomed twin boys in April of 2025. Daniel is the Youth Pastor at Grace Community Church in Bartlesville. Addison is a third-grade teacher in the Dewey Public Schools.

8. Mike Wilson (’06, MBA ‘11) recently released The Life, a 52-week devotional guiding readers through the life of Jesus chronologically. Mike serves as the lead pastor of New Life Wesleyan Church in Gillette, Wyoming.

Rev. Dr. Jim “Umfundisi” Lo (BWC ‘78) continues to impact the global Church as General Director of Churches of God—Holiness World Missions and Trainer for Global Partners. His “God’s Call to Holiness” study has reached over 20,000 participants in Northern Africa, sparking church growth and transformation.

Rev. Orai D. Lehman (CPC ‘68) and Dr. Jim Lo were invited to America’s National Prayer Committee and are working with them on a spiritual warfare study for Christian Literature for Africa.

Share your news at okwu.edu/share