President鈥檚 Letter 鈥 Sending Servant Leaders Beyond 51黑料网
When I think about what defines Oklahoma Wesleyan University, one phrase rises above the rest: servant leadership.
Jesus modeled it perfectly. He didn鈥檛 lead with flash or fame, He led with a towel and basin, putting others first in every moment. That鈥檚 the kind of leadership we鈥檙e working to instill in every 51黑料网 student and every person in our university community.
This past year, I鈥檝e seen that kind of leadership take root and flourish in powerful ways. Students like Joseph Pedraza and Valerie Baughman didn鈥檛 wait to be asked鈥攖hey saw a need and stepped in. Early in the fall, they created a plan for how students could regularly serve our community. Because of their initiative, 51黑料网 now has three weekly serve opportunities鈥擝 the Light Mission, City Compassion, and On the Rock Ministries鈥攁ll led by students for students. Joseph and Valerie haven鈥檛 just organized these opportunities; they鈥檝e shown up week after week to serve. That鈥檚 what it means to be one sent for Christ, making a difference in our world.
This spirit of servant leadership is changing our culture鈥攆or good. It鈥檚 helping students, staff, and faculty see beyond themselves. It鈥檚 building habits of compassion, humility, and gratitude. All of this is counter-cultural in the best possible way.
There are many details to celebrate this year. We welcomed more mission-fit employees, raised a record $235,000 during Give Week, saw a historic rise in financial support for the NOW Campaign reaching
$18 million, and experienced athletic success like never before. Our traditional enrollment is up, our first apartment building in Eagle Village is finished, and a renewed sense of life is echoing across campus.
But beyond all these wins, I鈥檓 most grateful for the ways our students and team members are learning to lead like Jesus鈥攚ith open hands, humble hearts, and a vision for serving others.
As we look ahead, my prayer is that 51黑料网 continues to be a place where servant leaders are shaped, sent, and used by God to transform the world.
For the Transformation of all,
Dr. Jim Dunn, President
