The new archives reading room in Southern Nazarene University's Fred Floyd Archives was dedicated during the university's 100th homecoming on November 7 and named in honor of C. Paul Gray, long-time historian and archivist. He and Fred Floyd collected materials for the archives for decades and, in 1986, the Fred Floyd Archives was chartered.

During the summer of 2009, the Fred Floyd Archives was moved from a small third floor space to a much larger and more accessible location on the first floor of the SNU Library. A grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries provided funds for archival storage supplies, and the former bound periodicals rooms were converted into archival storage, workrooms, an office, and the new C. Paul Gray Reading Room. With the addition of the City of Bethany's archives to the collection, it now contains more than 7,000 items preserving the history of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University, and the South Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene.

After a welcome by Southern Nazarene University Library Director Arlita Harris and brief history by current SNU archivist Marion Snowbarger, dedication messages were brought by Brad Moore and Loren Gresham, board president and president of Southern Nazarene University, respectively. Approximately 100 people, including Gray and his family and the children of Fred Floyd, attended the ceremony.

For more information contact Mr. Marion Snowbarger, A.B., SNU Class of 1955 at 405-789-6400, ext. 6465 or 405-787-3444.  You may also email Mr. Snowbarger at msnowbar@snu.edu.

     Southern Nazarene University is launching a new online MBA in Health Care (MBA – HC) program, designed to reach professionals who desire to pursue a career in management in a health care organization or are currently working for health care organizations and desire to increase their effectiveness as managers and/or professionals.

The MBA – HC curriculum is uniquely designed to provide skills needed to be successful managers in the health care industry. The program is based on the proven one-night-a-week program currently offered on the main campus in Bethany, and in Del City and Tulsa. 

The online MBA – HC offers a combination of the best in general business theory and practice with specific knowledge and skills health care professionals need to lead their organizations effectively. The accelerated online program is a 40-credit hour program that can be completed in 19 months; the programs consists of nine traditional MBA courses (27 credit hours), four MBA – HC courses (12 credit  hours) designed specifically to address health care issues and problems, and a seminar, Current Issues in Health Care (1 credit hour).  Students will enter and progress through the program with a cohort, taking courses in sequential order and completing the program with the same group within 19 months.

“With online education growing in popularity and the health care industry expanding, Southern Nazarene University is able to connect with people from various health care related professions across Oklahoma and in other states,” said Jeff Seyfert, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies in Management. “As with most Health Care professionals, they work long hours and sometimes on the weekends, which makes it difficult to attend a traditional onsite class. Now with an online MBA – Health Care program, students can work from their personal computers anywhere and at any time of the day.”

Start date for the online MBA – Health Care is February 20, 2010.  To learn more about this program or RSVP to attend an upcoming information seminar, visit http://www.snu.edu/mba-health-care.

About Southern Nazarene University

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university.  SNU is a faith-based community, educating students for responsible Christian living through its motto – building CHARACTER, shaping CULTURE, and serving CHRIST. SNU is committed to training people for service to God and humankind.  Excellence in academics, a spirit of community and service are encouraged by faculty committed to helping students make a difference in the world.   

     Fifteen Southern Nazarene University graduating seniors have been selected to be included as representatives of SNU in the 2010 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges®. These students join an elite group of students nominated from more than 2,300 institutions of higher learning across the country who nominate each year. Outstanding students have been honored in this organization since its inception in 1934.

The SNU Who's Who Selection Committee, composed of students from the sophomore and junior classes along with faculty and staff representatives, met on November 9, 2009. From a list of approximately 130 eligible names, using the results from faculty and senior class preference votes as a guide, the committee sought to select students who are recognized campus wide for achievement in areas of scholarship, leadership and service. The following criterion was used by the SNU Who's Who Selection Committee as a basis for selection.

The ideal SNU Who's Who student:
*Has a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA

*Is currently enrolled as a traditional student and in good standing with SNU Offices of Academic Affairs and Student Development

*Has completed at least 90 hours or intends to graduate by August 2010 (verified by degree summary check on file with the Office of the Registrar)

*Exemplifies SNU's motto "Character / Culture / Christ" and the SNU mission "to transform lives through higher education in Christ-centered community."

The students selected to represent SNU in Who's Who 2010 are (alphabetically):

Blaire Bridges
Devon Brown
Erica M. Brown
Aaron Buchanan
Megan Cole
Philip Cox
Rachel (Regouby) Ekdahl
Micha Finkbeiner
Erin Fitzgerald
Sutton Kelley
Daniel Linville
Melinda Meisner
Clinton P. Ingersol
Michael Scott Green
Charity Williams

For more information on the Who’s Who Students for 2009-2010, contact the Academic Affairs Office at Southern Nazarene University at 405.491.6304.

Southern Nazarene University is a faith-filled community, educating students for responsible Christian living through its motto; building CHARACTER, shaping CULTURE, and serving CHRIST. Excellence in academics, athletics, a spirit of community and service are encouraged by faculty committed to helping students make a difference in the world.

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university-a service of the Church of the Nazarene. Located on a 40-acre campus just west of Oklahoma City, SNU grew out of several small colleges committed to training people for service to God and their fellow man.

     The Southern Nazarene University (SNU) Jazz Band will be in concert on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Cantrell Music Hall on the campus of SNU located at 6729 N.W. 39^th in Bethany, OK.

The concert will feature nationally renowned trombonist, Dr. Sim Flora.  Dr. Flora has appeared throughout the US as a soloist and clinician, and has served on the faculty of Clark Terry's All-American Jazz Camps. 

Dr. Flora is currently on the music faculty of Ouachita Baptist University, and has served on the faculties of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Baptist University.  Flora is active as a composer, and has recorded several albums. 

Admission to the concert is $5.00. 

For tickets and/or further information, contact rspear@snu.edu or call Southern Nazarene University School of Music at 405-491-6345. 

     Peer Learning Network (PLN) will feature renowned polling expert Mr. John Zogby, president and CEO of polling and public research company, Zogby International. In his presentation entitled, “The Way We Will Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream," Zogby will offer a thought-provoking, interactive session regarding the future of culture, politics, and economics on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 8:00 - 11:00 am at Southern Nazarene University in the Royce Brown, Lecture Hall located at 6729 NW 39^th Expressway in Bethany, OK 73008. Campus Map.

President and CEO of Zogby International, John Zogby remains by all accounts the hottest pollster in the United States today.  "All hail Zogby, the maverick predictor who beat us all," proclaimed The Washington Post in November 1996 after Zogby alone called that presidential election with pinpoint accuracy. In the recent razor-thin 2000 elections, daily national tracking polls conducted by Zogby International in the last few weeks foretold a tightening of the race for president while nearly all other polling firms projected an easy victory for Gov. George W. Bush.  In his post election 2000 review, the acclaimed Godfrey Sperling, columnist for the Christian Science Monitor called John Zogby "champion pollster."  

In 1996, Zogby came within one-tenth of 1 percent of the presidential result  - the best performance turned in by any of the pollsters.  Since then, he has polled for Reuters News Agency and NBC News. His clients include MSNBC, CNBC, The New York Post, Fox News, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, Gannett News Service, Houston Chronicle, Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Albany Times Union, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cincinnati Post, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Rochester Democrat, the Syracuse Herald, and nearly every daily newspaper in New York, as well as television stations throughout the U.S.

He has been praised as "the most accurate pollster" (Seattle Post Intelligencer, Cleveland Plain Dealer, USA Today), "respected" and "pioneering" (Albany Times Union), "the pace setter in the polling business" (New York Post), and "the big winner in 1996" (Campaigns and Elections and the O'Leary/Kamber Report).  

Zogby regularly appears on all three nightly network news programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America and is a frequent guest for Fox News and MSNBC specials, along with Hardball with Chris Matthews. He also is a regular political commentator or Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the British Broadcasting Corporation. 

He has been spoofed on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Show with David Letterman. The highpoint of his life was 2004 appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has been profiled in the New Yorker, Fortune Magazine, Inc., and Investors' Business Daily.

His analytical expertise has been published on the opinion pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Christian Science Monitor, Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsday and Boston Globe. He is also a founding contributor to the prestigious website, The Huffington Post.

Following his correct call in the 1997 New Jersey gubernatorial election, The Houston Chronicle exclaimed, "and the winner again is John Zogby." Mary Matalin, host of her own national radio show, calls Zogby the "prince of pollsters," and Barry Farber has declared him "America's Pollmaster General." 

He has also distinguished himself in Canada where he alone called the popular vote victory of the Liberals over the Parti Quebecois in the Quebec election of 1998. He was the first pollster to see a victory for Vicente Fox in the 2000 Mexican election, and triumphed in the 2001 Israeli election being the only pollster to call the 26-point margin victory of defense minister, Ariel Sharon. Zogby further distinguished himself by polling the Iran Presidential election closer than even the Iran News Agency. 

He is the author of a forthcoming portrait of the new American consumer, which will be published by Random House in October of 2007. 

Zogby holds degrees in history from Le Moyne College and Syracuse University and has taught history for 25 years. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of Le Moyne College and received the distinguished Alumni Award in 2000. In 2005, he was awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees from State University of New York and the Graduate School of Union University. He is also a Senior Advisor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and serves as the first-ever Senior Fellow of the Catholic University Life Cycle Institute in Washington, DC.

Zogby is a much-sought-after lecturer and panelist.  A combination of dynamic intellect and engaging style has made him the speaker of choice for universities, organizations and corporations throughout the world.    

He has polled, researched and consulted for a wide spectrum of business media, government, and political groups including Coca Cola, Microsoft, CISCO Systems, Philip Morris, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, MCI, Reuters America, and the United States Census Bureau since 1984. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Biotechnology for the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Smart Power.

About The Peer Learning Network Established by Southern Nazarene University in 1995, The Peer Learning Network brings together the CEOs and leadership teams of Oklahoma-based organizations who have committed to be Major Partners in The Peer Learning Network. Partners utilize PLN for the purpose of professional development. Members pool resources and thereby hear world-class presenters, share management, leadership and planning ideas, and network with a wide array of successful Oklahoma organization representatives.

For more information, contact the Peer Learning Network Office at the Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership at Southern Nazarene University Zig Ziglar Center for Ethical Leadership at Southern Nazarene University 6729 NW 39^th Expressway in Bethany, OK 73008.  Phone: 405-717-6220 or Email: ziglarcenter@snu.edu or pln@snu.edu.  Campus Map.  Visit www.ziglarcenter.com/pln-presents. 

     SNU instructor, Bethany Handley, is busy by day, teaching English as a second language to international students in the SNU Center for Applied Studies in English.  While teaching international students at SNU makes life interesting for her, the challenge of Bethany’s life extends far beyond the classroom.

Bethany represented Oklahoma recently at the Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Championship in California, where she won the competition.  In besting the field — by almost two full minutes — that included one elite qualifier from each of the 50 states, Handley further established herself as one of the top amateur triathlete in the country. She was already the defending national champion in the 25-29 age group for the Olympic Distance Triathlon.

“This event is as good as it gets — representing the best of the best in amateur triathlete,” said Jerry MacNeil, co-founder of the Best of the U.S. “For Bethany to perform the way she did, I believe proves she is ready to move on to the next level.”

A few days after capturing her latest and most distinguished title on Sept. 27, Handley officially turned pro and launched the next phase of her competitive career at the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon. And while it did not turn out to be a memorable debut in terms of success, the 28-year-old Tennessee native is excited about what the future holds.

“This was my goal from the beginning: to eventually turn pro and compete at the highest level,” said Handley. “I wasn’t sure how long the process would take, but I knew I eventually wanted to do (International Triathlon Union) races.”

After spending much of her life competing in cross country, track and swimming — including a four-year stint on the University of Tennessee swim team — Handley took a teaching job in China that put her athletic career on indefinite hold.

“I never really thought I’d be competing again after college, especially after I moved to China. I just kind of figured that was a closed chapter in my life,” she said.

But once she returned to the United States, Handley found the competitive fire still burned after her brother talked her into running a Thanksgiving Day marathon in 2006. She won the race that day and soon after, decided to start training again.  In October 2007, Handley began her “comeback” and has spent the last year-and-a-half working to become an elite triathlete.

Bethany and her husband, Stephen, have lived in Oklahoma City for just 11 months.  He is studying to be a Medical Physicist at the University of Oklahoma, and she began her ESL teaching responsibility at SNU shortly afterward. 

“Bethany’s experience in China has definitely helped to prepare her for teaching international students at SNU,” said Dayna Ford, SNU Center for Applied Studies in English director.

“Training in all three events — swimming, biking and running — complement each other and has made me a better overall athlete,” said Handley, who squeezes in as much training time as she can after school and on weekends.  However, now that she has opted to take her game to the next level and compete on the pro circuit, she will probably have to be even more resourceful in how she trains and prepares for future events.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge finding ways to train more effectively in order to successfully compete as a pro,” she said. “I got a taste of what the competition is going to be like in my first pro race. Even though I did not do very well, it was a great experience. I am definitely looking forward to what the future holds.”

For more information on the Center for Applied Studies in English and the opportunity it affords international students at SNU, visit http://www.snu.edu/international.

--OK Gazette, Jay C. Upchurch.

     It's the 100th anniversary of SNU establishing its presence in Oklahoma. Come back to Bethany and celebrate our great heritage in Oklahoma. Pay honor to our professors, past and present, who have invested their very best in the lives of Southern Nazarene University and her students. Join the celebration of Dr. Gresham's first 20 years of presidency at SNU.  

Click Here to Register Online 

Join Alumni and Friends on Saturday evening for “Dinner & a Musical.” Dinner in the Sawyer Center will include special recognition of this year’s alumni award winners, professors (past and present) and a celebration with Dr. Gresham for his 20 years as president.

For combined dinner/musical tickets, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 405.491.6312.

     Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is pleased to announce the selection of 11 students chosen for selective study for Spring, 2010, through the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ BESTSEMESTER.com program (http://www.bestsemester.com/).  Eight of the students will study abroad in one of the following programs:  Russian Studies Program, Latin American Studies Program, Uganda Studies Program, Australia Studies Centre or the China Studies Program. Three students will study in the Washington-based American Studies Program.

Students selected include:

Stephanie DiPego                 Russia (RSP)

Robert James                        Costa Rica (LASP)

Kristin Lege                           Costa Rica (LASP)

Christopher Espinosa           Washington, DC (ASP)

Stuart Campbell                     Washington, DC (ASP)

Lindi Lebsock                         Washington, DC (ASP)

Josiah Daniels                         Uganda   (USP)        

Hannah Marchant                  Australia  (ASC)        

Katie Funk                               Australia   (ASC)

Kristen Hopkins                      Australia   (ASC)        

Ben Busic                                 China       (CSP)

Now is the time to begin the application process for any student thinking of studying abroad in the Fall of 2010. 

BestSemester.com is the portal for the off-campus study programs offered by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). There are a total of eleven semester programs and one summer program designed to serve the academic interests of CCCU member institutions.

For more information, contact Dr. Don Dunnington, D.Min., Professor of Theology and Ministry at 405.491.6603 or email ddunning@snu.edu or stop by the Center for Global Engagement. 

     The Library at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) announces the new installation of a new online catalog and discovery searching system, the Millennium Integrated Library system.  This innovative interface permits “Google-type” searching of the library’s new online catalog as well as library databases, online periodicals, government documents, and other available materials from one search box. 

“You may browse for books, DVDs, periodical articles, databases, and eBooks through the same search term and find its location within seconds.  You may also check your account to see what is checked out and renew items, and can pay your fines online with a credit card.  Suggest a purchase, make comments, ask a librarian, read summaries, rate your favorite titles, and access other library web resources or purchase the item you want from Amazon, all through federated searching” said Dr. Arlita Harris, Director of Library @ R. T. Williams LRC at Southern Nazarene University. 

“I want to send a special thanks to Don Dunnington and Jan Reinbold for having the foresight to start saving money for a new system, Gwen Hackler and Mary Jones for continuing their charge, Joy Pauley for working through all of the kinks and problems, Katie Hankins for setting up the loan rules and tables, training student workers, and testing, testing, testing, Patrick Marston for setting up the library web pages to accommodate the Encore search box, and a very big, very special thanks to Geoffrey Freelander, who made the migration work from our end,” said Dr. Harris.

For demonstration purposes, some of the SNU student employees made a video of instructions on how to use the new SNU Library Encore Millennium integrated library system.  Take a minute to enjoy!  http://www.snu.edu/encore-video. 

In addition, the SNU Library now participates in My Info Quest. You may text a question to 309-222-7740 and enter the library's code SNU.  You may also visit www.myinfoquest.info/index.cfm.  A librarian will text your answer within 10 minutes between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

For more information on the Library at Southern Nazarene University, visit http://www.snu.edu/library or contact Dr. Arlita Harris, SNU Library Director at aharris@snu.edu.

     Southern Nazarene University (SNU) announces that the demolition of Garey Hall, the long-time women’s dormitory residence at NW 39^th Expressway and Peniel Street, is set to begin Thursday, October 15, 2009. 

“The interior of the building is being recycled now.  The exterior demolition will begin on Thursday and will take several days,” said Donna Nance, CPA, Vice President for Financial Affairs. 

A commitment to recycling is an important part of the demolition.  "In line with SNU's strong commitment to both creation care and the sustainable design and construction of the new residence hall, between 85-95% of all material(s) from the existing Garey Hall will be re-utilized and recycled,” reported Dr. Scott Strawn, Vice President for Student Development.  The general contractor has confirmed this expectation for recycling. 

Garey Hall served the SNU campus well for many years since the time of it’s opening in the early 1960’s.  Across the years, it became a center of warm college memories to many female alumni.  

Recognizing that many alumni and friends will want the opportunity to celebrate the building, The Office of Student Development is planning a "Garey Hall Going Away Party".  The public is invited to the party on Monday October 19 at 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot between Garey and Hatley Halls.  It will be a time of reminiscing and celebration. 

Garey Hall demolition became necessary to make room for a new living-learning dorm facility announced earlier.  Groundbreaking for the new facility will occur as part of the Fall Board of Trustees and Homecoming schedule at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009.  The new student housing facility should be ready for occupancy in early 2011. 

“Making room for the wonderful new living facility for SNU students is a small price to pay for big progress” said Dr. Terry N. Toler, Vice President for University Advancement & Church Relations. 

For more information about the demolition of Garey Hall, contact John F. Martin, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Associate Vice President for University Advancement Southern Nazarene University Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 or call 405-491-6617.

For information on Homecoming 2009 at Southern Nazarene University, visit http://www.snu.edu/homecoming. 

Founded in 1899, Southern Nazarene University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university-a service of the Church of the Nazarene.  Southern Nazarene University is a faith-filled community, educating students for responsible Christian living through its motto; building CHARACTER, shaping CULTURE, and serving CHRIST.