Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University
[[File: Ocu seal-500x501 pms293 |frameless|alt=]]
Established	1948
Type	Private
Religious affiliation	Churches of Christ in Christian Union
President	Mark A. Smith
Location	Circleville, Ohio, United States
Campus	Rural
Former names	Mount of Praise Bible College, Circleville Bible College
Athletics	NCCAA (D-II Mid-East)
Nickname	Trailblazers
Website	www.ohiochristian.edu

Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a private professions-based baccalaureate college in Circleville, Ohio. The school is denominationally affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union.

History

The school was founded in 1948 as Mount of Praise Bible College, which met at the Mount of Praise Campground, where the Churches of Christ in Christian Union held annual revivalist camp meetings. The primary objective of the bible college was to train ministers for the Churches of Christ in Christian Union denomination. It later became Circleville Bible College. In 2006, the college changed its name to Ohio Christian University, and received regional accreditation.

Campus

The school sits on a rural campus near Circleville, Ohio. Classrooms are situated in the Maxwell Library (named for Melvin and Laura Maxwell), and Johnson Hall. In the center of campus sits the Case Clock Tower, named for David A. Case, head of the bible and theology department. Residence halls include York Hall, named after Alvin York, and Moore Hall, as well as two additional new residence halls.

Academics

The school offers the bachelor of arts, associate of arts and Masters of arts in professional fields of study. It also offers an adult degree completion program and an online degree program. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Student life

The Student Involvement (S.I.) Center and S.H.I.N.E. (Serving Him In Nations Everywhere) are student organizations with a focus on Christian mission. The Ministerial Association is a student-led organization for students aspiring to a career as clergy.

The Trailblazers, as the school's athletic teams are called, compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in the Mid-East Region. Men's sports include baseball, soccer, basketball, and golf. Women's sports include volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Athletics

Men's Soccer

The men's soccer program was started in 1980 and was coached by Mike Walters. The first 30 years of the program saw very little success on the field where the best record was posted in 1983 (7-7-0). In 1999, the program cease to exist and didn't start back up until 2004 by a handful of students. In 2008, OCU was under the helm of Josh Murton who led the team to its best record in school history (10-5-1). In 2009 more success came as OCU went 17-6-1 and finished 3rd in the NCCAA Division 2. Then in 2010 OCU again out did itself as they lost in the National Championship to Clearwater Christian College, 0-2. They finished the season 14-9-0 playing their toughest schedule in school history, yet they finish #2 in the Nation. Now, a national powerhouse, OCU continues to grow on the field and is considered to be one of the best teams in the nation.

YEAR BY YEAR RECORDS

YEAR W-L-T Pts GF GA +/- Head Coach Assistant Coach(s)

2010 14-9-0 42 48 36 +12 Josh Murton James McIlhargey, Alex Murton

2009 17-6-1 52 79 34 +45 Josh Murton James McIlhargey, JJ Bradley, Tim Jones

2008 10-5-1 31 45 36 +9 Josh Murton James McIlhargey, Mark Casperson

Notable alumni

John C. Maxwell, author and leadership coach

Rod Parsley, pastor and founder of World Harvest Church

External links

• Official website