In 1979, Oklahoma City University was in crisis, facing extinction as an institution. As a United Methodist University, the church conference decided to name a young and upcoming minister to lead OCU back, and Dr. Jerald Walker became OCU’s fourteenth President, presiding over an unpredictable an d improbable comeback that occurred during a difficult economic era for Oklahoma. The Miracle on 23rd Street became the reference of choice and was highlighted by an article in this publication some 35 years ago, as a tribute to Walker’s leadership and OCU’s success. Founded in 1904 as Epworth University, OCU has many prolific alumni, including Mayors David Holt and Ron Norick, Broadway stars Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth, The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison and numerous Miss America winners. Adding to that are numerous local business leaders and a strong presence among prominent Methodists in the state. Today is a much different story, as OCU struggles in a period where Oklahoma City and our state’s economy are thriving and experiencing record growth. Dr. Walker’s leadership was filled with memorable quotes and homage to OCU’s history, but most notable was his conviction that “every great city needs a great university.” OCU is Oklahoma City’s University, but the school has not kept pace with our city and seems to be in a leadership void both at the executive and board levels. This lack of leadership has created a ripple effect that has caused a clear case of mission creep toward numerous online and certificate type programs to generate revenue, out of state graduate programs and a clear lack of vision for the undergraduate college at OCU. The university status in OKC is slowly dying, along with the school’s long-time benefactors, most of whom were cultivated during Dr. Walker’s tenure. The United Methodist Conference seems to exist in name only, providing a fraction of the support OCU once received from the church while still holding numerous board seats with people that are inactive, neither giving support nor helping to generate it. On Nov. 20, OCU announced they were dissolving the men’s and women’s golf programs, who have collectively won 19 national titles in the last 30 years, most likely being the most successful program in OCU’s vaunted athletic department, known to be among the NAIA’s best for many years. This made national news, highlighted in Golf Digest and numerous other publications. The decision appeared to be made in a small vacuum, as no alumni were consulted in the decision-making process, but were instead simply informed after the announcement. Considering the wealth that exists in the alumni base that played on both men’s and women’s golf teams at OCU, one has to wonder what’s really going on. While other small universities are leaning into athletics during a challenging period for academic institutions, OCU seems determined to defund sports versus defending an important part of OCU’s history and culture. What is the difference between thriving during the 1980s oil bust vs barely surviving during Oklahoma City and our state’s economic resurgence today? It’s simply leadership, and OCU needs a vision for a future that looks brighter, and one OKC deserves.  Drew Williamson is managing partner of Red Center Media, LLC, publisher of the Oklahoma Gazette. The post Debacle on 23rd Street? appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less