Oklahoma Wesleyan University 80's Reunion

The Brent Morehouse Family

2008-12-04T10:34:00.001-06:00

Brent & Susan, with Ali & Sam live in Corona Del Mar (Newport Beach), since 2002.

Brent says, "Things are great, Ali & Sam attend Mariners Christian School, 1st & 2nd grades. We've made a lot of great friends out here, mainly through Mariners Church and the school."

OWU HOMECOMING CELEBRATION 2008

2008-09-11T08:18:00.002-06:00

OWU Homecoming Celebration 2008“Together We Celebrate”Final Schedule

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
8:30 am Registration CFAC foyer
10:10 am Homecoming Chapel CFAC
11:00 am President’s Reception CFAC foyer
12:00 noon Soaring Sr. Luncheon (grads of 50+ years) MSC
12:30 noon Golf Scramble (Shot-gun start) Adams Municipal Golf Course
2:00 – 4:00pm Nursing Open House (Fern Boatright Nursing Skills Lab) Carriage House - #102 2:00 – 4:00pm CSBC group gathering Dining Commons
2:30 pm Miltonvale alumni gathering Mansion LR
6:00 pm Doors open for Celebration Dinner MSC
6:00 pm Kids Kare CFAC*
6:30 pm Celebration Dinner MSC
9:30 pm OWU Crew reunion (grads of last 5 yrs.) doc Lacy’s
9:30 pm Gathering place for Reunion Groups (if needed) Dining Commons
9:30 pm 70’s Reunion group Mansion LR & rose garden
10:30 pm Midnight Madness MSC

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
9:00 am 3 – 3 Basketball Tournament MSC
9:00 am Men’s Alumni Baseball Sports Complex
9:00 am Men’s Alumni Soccer
9:30 am CSBC group gathering Dining Commons
11:00 am Reunion Tents Sports Complex
12:00 am Women’s Soccer (Central Christian College)
12:00 noon Picnic lunch
12:00 noon CSBC lunch Dining Commons
1:00 pm Kidz Fest Sports Complex
2:00 pm Men’s Soccer (Central Christian College)
4:15 pm Hall of Fame reception Upper MSC
5:30 pm CSBC Reunion group dinner Dining Commons
6:00 pm Women’s Alumni basketball game MSC
7:30 pm Men’s Alumni basketball game MSC

Key to abbreviationsCFAC – Chapel Fine Arts CenterMSC – Mueller Sports CenterLR – Living Room
* – Kids Kare will be held in the North Lower Level CFAC

Milt Jones' Ministry Adventure

2008-06-19T07:35:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

I wanted to take a few moments of your time to tell you about the ministry my brother Milt Jones, his wife Becky, and children Ian, Rochelle, Amanda, and Isabel are getting ready for. They had planned to go to the mission field, but their youngest child Isabel has some health problems that have made that goal unrealistic.

Instead the Lord has opened the opportunity for them to move to Waxhaw, NC to work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Milt will be doing cultural and linguistic research on the Old Testament to support the translators in the field. This seems to be a great match for his gifts.

He attended BWC and the University of Washington for one year each before going to the University of Arizona where he received a BS in Electrical Engineering. He worked in that field for several years in California, then felt called into missions. He prepared for the mission field by earning a BA in Bible from Moody Bible Institute, then an M. Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He completed the course work for a Th. M., and taught Hebrew courses as a graduate assistant at Trinity as well.

When Isabel arrived in the world with her health problems Milt suspended his educational work. The family moved to the Bay area so he could go back to work for Peterson Tractor Corporation which offers good health care benefits. Isabel is almost 6 now and doing very well. The call to missions has remained and now they have an opportunity to pursue it here in the States through Wycliffe.

Would you consider partnering with them through prayer and/or financial support? Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'll do my best to get the information for you.

Milt is available to speak to groups and churches. He also sends newsletters and emails from time to time for those who are interested. Here's his contact information if you want to get in touch with him:
Milt & Rebecca Jones, 3170 Aylesbury Ct, Castro Valley, CA 94546.
Email: milt_jones@sil.org. Phone: 510-886-8104.

Thanks for letting me tell you about Milt and his adventure.

Dan Jones

OWU Homecoming October 10-11, 2008

2008-05-21T10:41:00.007-06:00

First - Renee and I are NOT planning any activities for Homecoming this year. But if anyone is interested, below in the information for what OWU has scheduled this fall.

Homecoming Celebration for this year will be October 10-11, 2008. The theme this year is “Together We Celebrate”. There are currently over 200 alums from the Colorado Springs Bible College who are planning a gathering – “A Grand CSBC Reunion-Together Again”. Classes from the years that ended in a 3 or 8 will also celebrate their reunions.

Below are a few of the highlights that you will have an opportunity to participate in during the 2008 Homecoming weekend.

Homecoming Chapel

Soaring Senior Eagles Luncheon & Program at noon on Friday

Colorado Springs Bible College reunion

8th Annual Alumni Golf Scramble

Friday Night Celebration Dinner

5th Annual OWU Crew gathering – for all alumni of the last 5 years

Midnight Madness – OWU Eagles 2008-2009 Men & Women’s Basketball

5th Annual 8k OWU Fun Run at Woolaroc

Kidz Karnival

Alumni Reunion Games – Basketball, Baseball & Soccer

Reunion Tents set up to gather with friends

In Memory of Bonnie Mills

2008-02-15T11:46:00.006-06:00

Bonnie Mills went to be with the Lord on January 30, 2008 after a three year battle with cancer. Bonnie served as First Lady at OWU for 19 years alongside her husband, Paul. She made a big impact in the Alumni relations office where she worked part-time for several years. The picture of Paul and Bonnie at the left was taken at OWU's Homecoming in October 2007.

To read more, go to http://www.okwu.edu/Brix?pageID=22002

I know for me personally, Bonnie Mills was a beautiful example of Christ. Her spirit and grace taught me what a woman of Christ should be like. Her legacy will continue for many years to come.

80's Directory

2007-12-10T10:21:00.000-06:00

I've finally figured out how to make the directory available through the blog (See link below). If anyone has suggestions as to another way to do it, let me know. Also, send updates to me and I'll make the changes for you.

Now we have no excuse not to keep in touch!

Janell

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgrk3w26_2gc2q6pgw

Check This Out!

2007-10-29T14:14:00.000-06:00

Janell has outdone herself this time...you should see the fabulous book she has put together for all of us with the photos collected and taken at our reunion. They have been compiled and put into a beautiful full color album. You can view this 80's Reunion Masterpiece for yourself. One does not have to be a member to view or order an album. The hardcover, full color book is only $30.99 and if you order it before October 31, the shipping is FREE! Take a few minutes to check it out because if you were at the reunion, you're in the book!

An Awesome Weekend...

2007-10-16T22:27:00.000-06:00

Well, we're all home now, basking in the aftermath of a great weekend spent with old friends. It was so much fun catching up with everybody, meeting kids and spouses and checking out photos of family members who were unable to come. There were over ninety 80's alumni including family members, present at the various reunion events this weekend.

We had great representation at the Friday night homecoming banquet where Ron Brown, our alumni president emceed the event. Fran Gonzalez, an alumni executive board member helped present the alumni awards. David Bates ('81) and James Occhipinti ('84) were both presented with Awards.

On Saturday night after a short OWU update by Dr. Piper, we all shared dinner in the La Quinta Mansion's beautifully restored living room. We had a fun evening and we enjoyed an 80's Flashback, put together by Janell, with our old photos set to 80's music.

We really missed those of you who couldn't make it. In the next few weeks, Janell will put together a directory with contact information for those who were at the reunion. If you were not there but would like to be included, please email Janell with your information.

Also, there are still some T-shirts left so if you didn't get a chance to purchase one at the field on Saturday, you can do so by mailing $8 to Melody Hughes, c/o Alumni Office, 2201 Silverlake Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Include your return address and your shirt size.

We'd like to continue the blog for a while longer. It may be a good place for us to stay in touch. The "comment" feature has been activated, so if you're so inclined, feel free to leave comments and hopefully, those who are logging in to check it out can respond.

Photos from the weekend have been posted in a new album. If you took any pictures, please forward them to Janell or I and we'll add them.

We both had so much fun planning this reunion. Thanks to all of you who made the effort to be there. Some of you traveled from far away and it was so good to see you. Please stay in touch with us.

Don't Forget the Shades...

2007-10-07T23:30:00.000-06:00

The weather in Bartlesville is going to be fabulous this weekend...great weather for soccer and alumni games. If you have a few minutes before you leave home, grab some pictures of your families so you can share your lives with one another this weekend. We have lots of opportunities to catch up! The 80's Flashback that Janell has put together is awesome! If you weren't able to get your old college photos to us, bring them with you. We'll have fun looking back.

We're excited about getting together this weekend. Travel safely and don't forget to throw in your sunglasses...there's going to be lots of sunshine!

Something to Take Home...

2007-10-07T21:03:00.000-06:00

We've designed a cool T-shirt for our Reunion. We will have them available for $5 each. We have adult sizes S/M/L/XL. Quantities are limited so if you're interested, make sure you get yours on Friday evening at the OWU spiritwear table.

A Little Housekeeping...

2007-10-03T16:06:00.001-06:00

In just a little more than a week we'll all be sitting down together to do some serious catching up! We are so excited about the interest in this reunion and the response from all of you. As we get closer to our reunion weekend, we need to do a little housekeeping. We need to firm up some numbers for a couple of the events we have planned...

If you get the chance, please drop either Janell or I a quick email with the following information:

Let us know whether or not you plan to come bowling on Friday night after the dinner. Kids are welcome and you can pay for this event at the bowling alley. It's $10/pp for shoes and as many games as you want to play. If you don't want to play but plan on coming to just hang out, let us know that too.

We also need to know if you're attending the dinner we have planned for our group in the Rose Garden on Saturday night. It's $10/pp and that can be paid on Friday at registration when you pick up your reunion/registration packets. We need to know how many in your family plan on eating with us. Also, if you need childcare that evening, we need to know that too so we can have enough students lined up to help out.

Please send us this information as soon as possible so we can turn in our final numbers and make sure we have everything covered. We want the reunion to go as smoothly as possible so this information from you will be really helpful!

We are so excited about next weekend and can't wait to see all of you.

Old Friends...

2007-09-12T23:00:00.000-06:00

It's been so much fun hearing back from old friends. Some are not able to make our Reunion so they've sent updates informing us of what's been going on in their lives. It makes for great reading. If you're checking back at our blog from time to time, consider sending a note and a photo to Janell or I and tell us what's going on in your lives. We'll post your message so everyone can get caught up.

If you scroll down a little ways, you'll see that we've started posting some alumni updates to the right, just below the lists of those who can and cannot attend the Reunion. Also, if you'd like to get in touch with an old college friend, let us know. We may have their contact info.

Keep checking in and if you haven't already decided to make the trip to Bartlesville in October, start making plans now to do so. If you're coming, let us know so we can add you to our list. We can't wait to see you!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

2007-09-03T20:16:00.000-06:00

Our reunion weekend is going to be filled with lots to do and with many opportunities to catch up with friends. Besides the various Homecoming events which were posted last week, we've planned several events for our group. There are lots to choose from...

FRIDAY:
Registration
8:30am – 3:30pm Chapel/Fine Arts Center
4:30pm – 6:30pm Mueller Sports Center

Homecoming Chapel
10:10am Chapel/Fine Arts Center
Guest Speaker: James Occhipinti

Lunch
11:30am - 1:30pm Dinning Commons
There will be tables reserved for our group if you want to have lunch at the college. Cost for lunch is $5/pp.

Golf Scramble
12:00 noon Hillcrest Golf Course
Get a foursome together and enjoy a round of golf with some old friends.

Celebration Dinner
6:30pm-9:30pm Mueller Sports Center
Tables will be specifically reserved for our group.

Glow Bowling
10:00pm-Midnight Red Apple Bowling Center
Bring your kids. They can bowl while we visit, or we can throw a few adult teams together and join them. Cost: $10/pp for shoes + 2 hours of unlimited games.

SATURDAY:
Breakfast
6:30am - 10:30am Hotel Phillips
A full, hot breakfast buffet is provided with your room rate in the Breakfast Room.

3v3 Basketball
9:00am Mueller Sports Center

Alumni Soccer Game
9:00am - OWU Sports Fields

OWU Celebration
11:00am-4:00pm OWU Sports Fields
A reunion tent will be set up for us for the afternoon. Lunch will be available for purchase for $7.50/pp.

OWU Soccer Matches
12:00pm & 2:00pm
The OWU women's and men's teams will take on Central Christian University.

Kids Karnival
1:00-3:00pm OWU Sports Field
Lots to do for younger kids including face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy and Jupiter Jumps.

GoKart Racing
This is an option for anybody who wants to consider it any time during the afternoon. The track is close to the soccer fields and cost is $x/pp (soon to be posted)

Alumni Baseball Game
4:00pm Mueller Sports Center

Reunion Dinner
6:00pm OWU Rose Garden
We'll have a casual, catered meal set up for us in the Rose Garden behind the La Quinta Mansion. We'll have activities like bocce ball, croquet and volley ball set up on the lawn for the kids (and adults). Cost: $10/pp.

Women's Alumni Basketball Game
6:00pm Mueller Sports Center

Men's Alumni Basketball Game
7:30pm Mueller Sports Center

Chorale Performance
7:30pm Chapel/Fine Arts Center

80's Flashback
9:00pm OWU Rose Garden
Hot drinks and dessert will be available and we'll have time to visit and enjoy an 80's Flashback, put together by Janell Westveer. Kids are welcome, or we have OWU students available to entertain them with a movie and snacks.

SUNDAY:
Breakfast
6:30-10:30am Hotel Phillips

A schedule of services for First Wesleyan and Sooner Park Wesleyan will be included in your registration packet.

Here's Looking at You!

2007-09-03T18:28:00.000-06:00

Tracking down the photographic archives of Bob Hubbard, our Incredibly Talented 80's Photographer, have proved a fruitless endeavor. So we're resorting to Plan B...Begging you for your grainy, underexposed 3x5's. If you look long and hard enough, you'll find them in your old and yellowed college albums that are stashed away in those boxes filled with nostalgic memorabilia that you haven't opened for the past 15 years.

WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS!

Janell is putting together an 80's Flashback set to the 80's music we all love so much. We want to include photos of YOU and your college cohorts! Please send us your pictures so we can include them in the presentation, which will be shown at the Reunion. We'll take them any way we can get them...

Upload them to your favorite photo-share website and send Janell the link
Scan them and send them directly to Janell
Put them in the mail and we promise to return them within 3 weeks. Mail them to Janell Westveer at: 4105 Park Valley Lane, White Bear lake, MN 55110

Even if you can't make the reunion, and many of you have indicated that you can't, consider sending us your photos. We'll make extra copies of the presentation and send a copy to you.

So before you forget, get up and dig out your old photos because we're running out of time with just 38 more days to go!

Time Is Running Out...

2007-08-28T18:48:00.000-06:00

We know a lot of you have been checking out our blog because we've had over 1000 hits...but, time is running out! Our 80's Reunion is coming up fast...just 43 days away, so pick up your phone and call Hotel Phillips at 1-800-331-0706 to make your room reservation. Be sure to tell them that you're with the OWU Homecoming group. Also, by now you should have received the Homecoming brochure so send it in. Indicate what events you're going to participate in and if you're a golfer, get a foursome together for the Friday afternoon golf scramble. If you're planning on coming, let Janell or I know so we can update our current list.

Chapel on Friday morning has a special speaker ~ our very own James Occhipinti (1984), who has been nominated the Alumnus of the Year! So, if you're getting in early on Friday, stop by the Chapel/Fine Arts Center around 10am to hear what I'm sure will be a motivating and challenging message.

Janell and I are planning some events that will be fun for us and for our kids...so, check back. More information will soon be posted.

Homecoming Schedule

2007-08-25T09:54:00.001-06:00

If you’re planning on coming to our 80’s Reunion, here is a schedule of homecoming events for the weekend. There will be additional events planned just for our reunion group. Check back for details!

FRIDAY:

Registration
8:30am – 3:30pm Chapel/Fine Arts Center

4:30pm – 6:30pm Mueller Sports Center

Homecoming Chapel
10:10am Chapel/Fine Arts Center

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Library
11:00 am Site Location

Golf Scramble
12:00 noon Hillcrest Golf Course

Celebration Dinner
6:30pm-9:30pm Mueller Sports Center

SATURDAY:

8k Run/Walk
8:00am Woolaroc

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
9:00am Mueller Sports Center

Saturday Celebration
11:00am OWU Sports Fields

A picnic lunch will be available for purchase. Alumni games are being organized for baseball, basketball and soccer. Women and Men’s soccer matches will take place at 12:00 and 2:00pm

Kid’s Karnival
1:00pm – 3:00pm OWU Sports Fields

Chorale Performance
7:30pm Chapel/Fine Arts Center

"Proud Past, Bright Future..."

2007-08-24T22:44:00.000-06:00

The theme for this year’s Homecoming will reflect on our past and highlight the hopes for the future of OWU. As BWC alums, we are all a part of the past and listed below are just a few of the exciting things in store for our university in 2008…

Groundbreaking for the new 20,000 sq. ft. library (Artist rendering, above)**
OWU Online – Degrees offered nationally and internationally
The exciting $1M restoration of La Quinta, with funds already secured

If you come to our reunion, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what you see on campus, both physically and in the pulse of the students and faculty. OWU now has over 1100 undergraduate students. If you have kids in high school, consider bringing them with you so they can check it out. In the latest issue (August 2007) of U.S. News & World Report, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is ranked seventh in Top Baccalaureate Colleges in the Western Region.

**The library will also include the offices for the School of Education and two corresponding classrooms. There is a carillon tower on the east side that you can see in this elevation drawing. This tower will include four pillars that will represent the “Four Ps” (Primacy of Christ, Priority of Scripture, Pursuit of Truth and Practice of Wisdom) of the OWU mission statement. There will be a complete reconfiguration of campus parking and the green “mall” running from the chapel down to the new building and the pond will likewise be redone. All the patio work in between the library and the Campus Center will be part of the project.

There was a great article written about OWU in the Bartlesville Examiner a couple weeks ago. Check it out!

Where are we now...

2007-08-21T13:33:00.000-06:00

We thought it might be interesting to see where our fellow classmates have settled down. If you know of someone, or you are in a state/country not listed, let us know! It's good to see how BWC/OWU alumni have gone forth to make an impact on the world.

Antigua, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas
California, Colorado, Connecticut
Florida, Georgia, Germany, Hawaii,
Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa
Kansas, Kentucky
Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana
Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York
North Carolina, North Dakota
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania
Russia, South Carolina, South Dakota
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Bart & Claudia...

2007-08-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

I opened my inbox the other day and to my surprise, had an email from an old friend I hadn't seen or talked to in twenty years!

Claudia (Flye) Fletcher had written me a note to let me know that while they wished they could make it to our homecoming reunion this year, they would be unable to do so because they were adopting two more children and the kids would be moving in over homecoming weekend. Come to find out, the amazing Claudia and her fearless husband Bart, have already adopted 10 kids over the past 11 years. Since they can't be at our reunion, I thought I'd share with you, their story...

After graduating from BWC, Bart returned to Minnesota and was ordained an elder in the Wesleyan Church. After serving in the Iowa Minnesota District for 5 years, Bart went to seminary to complete his M.Div. and transferred his credentials to the United Methodist Church. In '96, he married Claudia. Bart is currently pursuing a doctorate at Drew Universty. He is also serving a medium-sized congregation in a college town of 55,000.

Following graduation in 1985, Claudia, who has her master's in Counseling, worked student development for 9 years at South Dakota State University, at BWC (as Dean of Student Deveopment) and at Insituto Biblico Peregrino, the Wesleyan Bible School in Mexico. She is currently employed in two different adoption-related positions helping families adopt children out of foster care.

Three months after their wedding, Bart and Claudia began doing foster care and have adopted 10 children and expect to add two more children to their lives this fall. Their children range in age from 11 to 20, are of various races, and have a variety of special needs. For a wonderful family picture, check out our blog album. If you are interested in reading about their adoption journey, they each have a personal blog. Bart's can be found at http://www.bartswholenewworld.blogspot.com/ and Claudia's is http://www.fletcherclan.blogspot.com/.

They're Waiting...

2007-07-19T03:21:00.000-06:00

Hey! Folks are waiting for you to check your October calendar. They need you to pencil in the 80's Reunion at OWU. (October 12-13) It's going to be a fun-filled weekend. You should have recently received your 2007 Homecoming invitation from OWU in the mail. We're hoping to get as many of you as we can to attend our big party!

If you have any questions or if you'd like to get in touch with somebody you went to school with, let us know because we may have their contact information. Email Janell or I ~ we'd love to hear from you and also, send us your pictures. We're looking for photos taken at BWC during the 80's and we're also collecting family photos. Check out our albums. (You'll find them under LINKS) Let us know if you're planning on coming and we'll add you to the growing list of those planning to attend our 80's weekend.

Top Notch Reunion Accommodations...

2007-06-28T21:36:00.000-06:00

Make Your Reservations Now!

Since staying in Dorm '74 doesn't appear to be an option, we've booked a block of rooms for our group at the historical and recently renovated Hotel Phillips in downtown Bartlesville. We think you'll find the accommodations to be both comfortable and affordable.

We've been quoted a great rate which includes breakfast. There are standard king, queen and double rooms for $79 per night and king and queen suites for $88. We recommend that you make your reservations as soon as you know your travel plans. You can call the hotel at 1-800-331-0706 to make your reservations. When you call, tell them you're with the "OWU Homecoming Reunion Group".

If you prefer not to stay at Hotel Phillips, there are several other options available:

Hampton Inn ~ 918-333-4051
Best Western ~ 918-335-7755
La Quinta Inn ~ 918-766-0900
Econo Lodge ~ 918-333-0710

This was a great day!

2007-06-20T08:56:00.000-06:00

Here's a great picture of some of the graduating class of 1987 and friends. Do you have pictures you want to share? E-mail them to Renee or me and we will either post them or use them for the reunion.

Looking forward to October!

It's Time For A Reunion!

2007-06-16T12:46:00.000-06:00

Can you believe that it's been at least 20 years since we were all classmates at Bartlesville Wesleyan College? (Now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) A lot has changed in the past two decades...we've all traveled the journey that God has put before us. We hope that through all the changes you've experienced, your lives have been enriched and blessed. We are very excited about homecoming this year and would like all of you attend this event. Please plan to join us on the OWU campus on October 12-13, 2007. Visit the OWU Alumni homepage for more information about the events taking place that weekend. We are also interested in finding as many of our former classmates as possible. We want to invite everyone who attended BWC during the 80's. If you have contact information for anyone, and you think they would like to be a part of our reunion, please send their address to Janell or I at tjwestveer@hotmail.com or reneeterrill@everestkc.net. We will send them a letter inviting them to the festivities. This blog has been created so we can connect with each other before the Reunion. Please feel free to post comments. Again, we hope that you will all be able to join us in October.

Physical Changes at OWU (BWC)

2007-06-03T20:22:00.000-06:00

For those of you who have not visited campus in a while, there have been many changes here since you left...

Our new name... Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Two new dorms built in 1997

The old Music Hall has been torn down

The new and spectacular Chapel Fine Arts Center

Doc Lacy's Coffee Shop ~ Formerly the President's Conference Room

The La Quinta Mansion has undergone many major renovations. Grant money was given to refurbish the lobby as well as the old living room and study.

A lot has changed at our alma mater over the past twenty years. Going to school at OWU is a little different to what it was when we went to BWC. Check out the short OWU VIDEO, it's awesome!