OUAZ News

The 2022-23 men’s basketball season showed that this young program could be a force to be dealt with in the future. Though the year ended 25-10 overall and 10-8 in the Golden State Athletic Conference, it’s what came after the regular season end that shook the NAIA and will have OUAZ fans talking about for a long time.

The Spirit started postseason play by capturing its second-straight conference tournament with wins over Westmont (93-73), second-ranked Arizona Christian (76-66) and Hope International (71-69). The title locked the team into the NAIA tournament field of 64 and a trip to Wichita, Kan. for back-to-back games.

The Cinderella title began to stick when the Spirit beat Baker (Kan.) University (80-78) on a last second shot by Josiah De’laCerda and then handled No. 7-ranked (second seed in bracket) Oklahoma Wesleyan (83-72) to advance to the Round of 16 in Kansas City for the first time in school history.

The Spirit win streak improved to seven straight with wins against Southeastern (Fla.) University (79-71) and 10th-ranked Montana Tech (76-58). Not only did the two wins place OUAZ in the NAIA Final Four, but it also made it the youngest program to advance this far in the 85 years the tournament had been played.

The magical run came to an end to the top seed in the tournament (College of Idaho) but not before the Spirit gave fans one more reason to love this team. Down 23 with 12 minutes to play, OUAZ fought its way back and trailed 73-70 with 5.5 seconds left and the ball. Trying to repeat the fantastic finish from the Baker win, De’laCerda had his three attempted blocked and a shot at the championship game too.

De’laCerda, who was named to the all-tournament team, earned third-team NAIA All-American honors (the first NAIA All-American in program history) and was an all-conference pick (first OUAZ player to garner the honor twice).

Senior guard Keshawn Bruner was named all-GSAC, (just the third OUAZ player ever) and senior guard Kolten Hitt earned NAIA all-tournament honors. 

While the Spirit lose six seniors (four of them starters), the foundation of the program is solid after back-to-back 25-win seasons, consecutive postseason championships and a trip to the Final Four. Not bad for a program just growing up. 

Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) won its first national title in women’s wrestling on March 11, paced by individual champions at the first three weight classes.

OUAZ scored 120 points to win the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Championships, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

OUAZ already held a commanding lead heading into the final day of competition, then cemented its win with titles in the first three weight classes. All three matches ended by fall as freshman Jennifer Alcott (101 pounds), junior Hermelinda Mendoza (109) and sophomore LyQualah Kinsey (116) scored quick pins in the first or second periods.

Julia Mata added another title at 155 pounds to cap Ottawa’s scoring. Taliyah Armstrong (130) and Cheyenne Williams (170) placed second.

Head Coach Edward Cruz earned NCWA Coach of the Year honors for the second year in a row. OUAZ placed second a year ago.

Mendoza became OUAZ’s first national champion last year when she won the 101 weight class. Mendoza’s win this year makes her the school’s first two-time national champion and ties her for fifth on the NCWA’s career championship list.

OUAZ’s eight All-Americans give the Spirit 26 in program history and move it into second place in NCWA history and first among teams currently competing.

The NCWA was the first association to recognize women’s collegiate wrestling and now the first to bring it to Puerto Rico. The association created a new Puerto Rico Conference with seven member schools on the island and held its championships this year in San Juan in recognition of multiple efforts by wrestling leaders here to grow the sport locally.

Ottawa University-Arizona is growing its Leadership Development Program, a partnership with the city of Surprise that creates leadership, networking and soft skills opportunities by promoting local businesses.

Doug Doran, coordinator of the OUAZ Leadership Development Program, said he is thrilled to be growing the program, both through recruiting new students and working with Surprise on special projects.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn and practice leadership skills while expanding their network by working with the wonderful people from the city of Surprise and local businesses,” Doran said.

Recently, students in the program worked on a project called “Snacks with Surprise,” which promotes community businesses.

Russell Baker, Surprise economic development analyst, and Mike Hoover, the city’s economic development assistant director, have worked closely with Doran and the OUAZ students in the program.

“We really enjoy leveraging the close partnership that we have with Ottawa University, and helping the students work on these types of skills that will contribute to the student’s success throughout their lives,” Baker said.

The “Snacks with Surprise” project focuses on a student’s ability to script and conduct a 30- to 40-second video showcasing a local business and its owner or manager. Once the students become proficient with this project, they share that learned expertise with other students.

“It’s a very effective networking tool, so much more than a simple business card exchange because the interaction is more memorable and fun,” Hoover said. “Afterword the interaction is promoted on social media, which creates a longer lasting partnership and dynamic between our local businesses, the city of Surprise, OUAZ and the students.”

When you think about ringing in the new year, your mind likely goes to celebrations surrounding January 1. This year proved that is not always the case.

Six years ago, on February 17, 2017, the City of Surprise and Ottawa University entered into an agreement to maintain and grow a partnership that is distinctive, enduring and impactful which will develop persons who are life-long learners and engaged community members.

Last year, the partners commemorated this unique partnership with a ceremony and proclamation marking the third Thursday of February the “City of Surprise and Ottawa University Partnership Day.” As a token of their commitment, the two partners exchanged large crystals which embedded their logos at the site of the ceremony. Smaller crystals that mirrored the image were available to attendees.

As planning began for the 2023 celebration, the Surprise Center Development Company and the OUAZ Student Government collaborated on identifying a special gift that would remain on the joint campus for years to come. The OUAZ Student Government spent numerous hours searching for something that would embody the richness of this partnership, while also being something that would continually honor the sound partnership that exists.

On Thursday, February 16, the annual event was opened by OUAZ Campus President Dennis Tyner, who shared the value of the partnership and the impact it has had on both entities. Mayor Skip Hall and Chancellor Bill Tsutsui then took the podiums to read the proclamation.

As the event continued, Rick West, managing member of the Surprise Center Development Company, joined OUAZ Student Government President Jordyn Van Metre to dedicate the gift—a 15,000 pound bronze bell erected as a visible symbol of the resounding commitment to education excellence and community engagement by both parties.

In celebration — on this Thursday morning that proved to be even colder than New Year’s Day in Surprise — Mayor Hall and Chancellor Tsutsui “rang in the New Year” at the center of the Civic Center Plaza.

This momentous event was just one of the many special events that alumni participated in during Alumni Week in Arizona, including a luncheon, an afternoon gathering, and a variety of athletic events—baseball, men’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Russell Baker MBA ’20 AZ was the lucky winner of the Alumni Week raffle, Apple AirPod Pros. 

The OU Board of Trustees also held their winter meeting during the week and hosted a special luncheon honoring the dedication and impact of alumni Dr. E. Earl “Sonny” MA ’93 AZ, DHL 0’03 and Betty A. Hays and Patricia B. Wolf BA ’85 MA,’89 AZ. Hays and Wolf both served on the Ottawa University Board of Trustees and were instrumental in the growth of the University's adult education offerings and its programs in Arizona.

Ottawa, Kan. (Oct. 11, 2022) – Ottawa University is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Joann Bangs as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Bangs brings more than 20 years of higher education experience to OU, most recently as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Cottey College, an independent women’s liberal arts institution located in Nevada, MO.

“I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to join Ottawa University,” said Dr. Bangs. “I'm inspired by the mission to prepare 'graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity' and impressed by the breadth of what OU has achieved. With its strong commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of all students, OU has been able to build a thriving new residential campus in Surprise, Ariz., launch a new Doctor of Business Administration degree program, and support a wide variety of online and adult programs. I look forward to being part OU's future successes.”

Prior to Cottey, Bangs was the Associate Provost of the College for Women, Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies, and Professor of Economics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, one of the largest private women’s universities in the nation.  She has also taught at DeVry University Online and at Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota and holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  Dr. Bangs co-authored an annual research report on women in corporate leadership in Minnesota from 2008 to 2018 and has published numerous journal articles and textbook chapters on pedagogy in economics. In 2021, she participated in Bravely Confronting Racism in Higher Education, a workshop offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

At Cottey College, Dr. Bangs led the self-study process for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, collaborated with faculty on a complete revision of the Faculty Handbook, and oversaw the creation of new academic programs in psychology, secondary education, and elementary education.  At St. Catherine University, she developed strategic initiatives for the School of Business and Professional Studies and the College for Women, implemented an academic program prioritization process, and launched a new MBA program.

“In an extremely talented pool of candidates, Joann Bangs quickly emerged as the very best choice for Ottawa University’s next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,” shared Dr. Bill Tsutsui, Chancellor of Ottawa University. “Dr. Bangs impressed me and the community as an accomplished educator, a productive scholar, and a seasoned academic leader who will be able to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, and the Board of Trustees to advance Ottawa University’s academic mission.”

Dr. Bangs will begin her duties on January 1, 2023. She will transition to succeed outgoing University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Terry Haines who announced he will be stepping into a part-time role with the University in anticipation of retirement after more than 17 years with OU.

“For almost two decades, Terry has served the University in a wide range of roles, leading many critically important projects and contributing to virtually every major initiative undertaken by OU,” said Chancellor Tsutsui. “Although I have only worked with Terry a short time, I have come to appreciate and respect his deep commitment to this University and its mission, his broad knowledge and experience of higher education, his good heart, his profound faith, and his wise counsel.  Although Terry will be leaving behind all the responsibilities of the provost, he will continue to serve OU and I am thankful the OU community will continue working with him on an ongoing basis on issues of significance to the institution.”

Ottawa, Kan. (Sep. 2, 2022) – Ottawa University is proud to announce that they are the recipient of one of the American Eagle Outfitter Future Together Grants. This grant will provide $10,000 to Ottawa University to aid in the Technology Club’s goals for equipment, and encouraging other young people to get involved in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs. This grant is one of 20 Future Together grants awarded this fall.

Isidora Hrnjak, the Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., Tech Club President was responsible for the initial application and was also selected to be an AE Ambassador. Dayana Raygoza was added as an Ambassador to represent the Tech Club partnership with the Ottawa University, Surprise, Ariz., community.

Hrnjak, a senior from Serbia who is on the Braves tennis team, was thrilled to get involved and ecstatic to be selected. “This is such a great opportunity for our Club and University to not only get additional equipment, but to travel to OU’s residential campus in Surprise and show off our skills to engage younger students,” she said.

The science and technology equipment will be displayed at the City of Surprise SciTech Festival in December of 2022. The grant also provides the travel funds for the more established club in Ottawa to send members to help the developing club in Surprise. Both clubs hope to encourage more young people to seek STEAM programs for their ultimate education and career choice.

Raygoza, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev., and a beach and indoor Spirit volleyball player, is also excited to be selected as an Ambassador to highlight the STEAM field both in Arizona and online through the promotional opportunities. “I am glad to represent Ottawa University while highlighting STEAM fields at the SciTech event.” She also looks forward to helping her Tech Club grow and evolve, building on the knowledge the Kansas club already has. Sharing these resources is an ideal opportunity for all the students at OU and builds on the creativity they are known for as Tech Clubs. The SciTech event was already in planning, so the clubs felt it would be a great place to showcase club efforts and engage many area high school students.

Since its inception in 1865, Ottawa University has sought to live out its mission in direct ways. It began with the collaboration between two American Baptist missionaries, Jotham and Eleanor Meeker, and the Ottawa Indians of Kansas to promote education and peace in a changing world. Out of this relationship, Ottawa University was born. Ever mindful of its original commitments, Ottawa University is now a comprehensive, not-for-profit, educational institution, which serves students of traditional age and adult learners worldwide. Grounded by its mission, Ottawa University carries out its educational purposes through its liberal arts and professional studies programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ottawa University guides learners to integrate faith, learning, and life, to gain the abilities they need to succeed and prosper, and to do so with an increased sense of the knowledge, compassion, respect, and service our world requires.

American Eagle Outfitters® (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. We are an inclusive, optimistic and empowering company that celebrates the individuality of our customers and associates. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The Future Together campaign hopes to create positive change in the community and Ottawa University know it will be successful in that endeavor as it relates to Ottawa Kansas and Surprise Arizona.

OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University announced on Thursday, June 30, the establishment of the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship, in honor of the transformative impact the Eichner's have had on the University. The scholarship, a $3 million endowed fund, will support undergraduates at both the Ottawa, Kan., and the Surprise, Ariz., residential campuses.

“Kevin and Marylin have been the face of Ottawa University for many years,” said Dr. Bill Tsutsui, OU President and CEO. “Kevin’s leadership and vision as President and Chancellor from 2008 to 2021 and Marylin’s warmth and commitment to the OU community as First Lady laid the groundwork for the University’s ongoing growth and dynamism.”

The Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship will support students of promise with demonstrated financial need. In addition to the newly endowed scholarship, the original building at Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ), Founders Hall, will be renamed the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Hall. The OUAZ campus was a vision of Eichner’s early in his tenure at OU and through his leadership and persistence, the highly successful second residential campus opened in 2017. A ceremonial rededication of the building will take place in early October.

Leadership gifts to the Eichner Scholarship were made by Jim ’57 and Jeanne ’56 O’Dell, Jeff Hull ’88, Hank Scherich ’60, and John ’79 and Marny Sherman. Other major gifts were provided by Tim ’80 and Karla ’79 Dye, Kevin ’73 and Marylin ’00 Eichner, Ron and Peggy Guziak, Michael ’68 and Martha ’68 Hetrick, and Anne Mills.  Dozens of additional donors – alumni, current and former Board of Trustees and Chancellor’s Advisory Council members, faculty and staff – have also made meaningful contributions towards the endowment.

Gifts and pledges toward the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship are still being gratefully accepted and may be made online at http://Support.ottawa.edu/Eichner.

“The creation of this scholarship not only celebrates the legacy of the Eichner's, but also represents a historic investment in the long-term future of the University,” said Dr. Tsutsui. “The Eichner Scholarship, along with the many other sources of financial support available to our students, underlines Ottawa University’s commitment to keeping our life-changing education affordable and accessible to all. Generations of Ottawa students will benefit from the generosity of the donors to this scholarship.”

The scholarship is the largest endowed fund in the University’s history and will increase the University’s endowment by more than 15 percent. While June 30 marks Kevin’s last day as Chancellor Emeritus, his involvement in the OU community will continue for years to come as he was voted a Life Trustee during the University’s June Board of Trustees meeting.

OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University President and CEO Dr. Bill Tsutsui is proud to announce that Geoff Poston has been named as the University Director of Bowling Operations. In this newly created, unique role, Poston will assist both the campus in Ottawa, Kan., as well as the residential campus in Surprise, Ariz. (OUAZ) to grow not just the individual teams but the sport as a whole.

“This position will leverage Geoff Poston’s proven talents as a coach, recruiter, and program-builder,” Tsutsui said.  “Geoff will bring the skills he has honed with the outstanding Braves varsity bowling team to the growing club team at OUAZ.  As we seek innovative ways to build collaborations and better serve students across our campuses and programs, the creation of the University Director of Bowling Operations is an important step forward for the entire institution.”

Poston is entering his sixth year as the head coach for men’s and women’s bowling at Ottawa University. Both teams are nationally ranked and have qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament each of the last two seasons.

Focused on the student-athlete, the Braves teams’ graduation and retention rates are high, with many student-athletes entering a graduate program after completion of their undergraduate degree. Since the bowling program began in 2017, no student-athletes have transferred to bowl for another school.

"I am excited for this opportunity as the University Director of Bowling Operations over both residential campuses, said Poston. “I remain committed to growing our nationally ranked men’s and women’s programs as the Head Coach here in Kansas, while assisting OUAZ Head Coach Jen Bullard with recruiting, fundraising and mentoring the OUAZ student-athletes down in Arizona. In addition, I have worked with our colleagues at MOTIV and secured a bowling ball contract for the OUAZ team. I look forward to having an impact in the growth of the sport and providing more opportunities for students to bowl at the collegiate level."

With Poston at the helm, the Braves bowling team qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 2020, upsetting the no. 1 seed Midland University to earn the trip. The 2017-18 team won its first tournament championship and had eight top 15 finishing, including a 14^th place finish at the Intercollegiate Team Sectional Championship.

Poston has been involved in bowling for more than 35 years and coaching for more than 20 years. He has also spent time on the PBA Regional Tour, winning the Gardner Master’s Floor Covering Championship in 1999. From 2011 to 2015, he was President of the Kansas Bowling Coaches Association. Poston was named to the 2019 Kansas State USBC Hall of Fame and the 2018 USBC Kaw Valley Topeka Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

Ottawa, Kan. (Dec. 8, 2021) – Ottawa University is pleased to announce the hiring of Wynndee Lee ’89 as the Director of Major Gifts for the Office of University Advancement. Lee will begin her duties on January 3, 2022.

“I have loved working for the city and community, but the opportunity to work for another love of mine, Ottawa University, could not be any more perfect for my post public service life,” said Lee.

In her new role, Lee will develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit new major gifts prospects for the University. In addition, she will manage the existing portfolio of nearly 100 major gift prospects. Lee will be taking a leave of absence from her position as Life Trustee on the OU Board of Trustees while employed by the University.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Wynndee to the Ottawa University Advancement team,” said Janet Peters, Vice President for Advancement. “She has so many OU connections and relationships, a strong work ethic and an amazing positive attitude. She will be able to hit the ground running to help Ottawa University raise funds for several important projects and to build relationships with even more alumni.”

Lee has spent the past 19 years with the City of Ottawa, most recently as the Director of Community Development where she oversaw planning, zoning, subdivision codes and economic development negotiations for the city. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from OU in 1989 and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1997.

“The City is appreciative of Wynndee’s many of years of service to our community,” said Richard Nienstedt, City Manager of the City of Ottawa. “We are a better community because of Wynndee’s leadership and passion for especially quality of life improvement. Not only is Wynndee a friend but she is also a consummate public professional, and I will miss the day-to-day interaction of working with her. I am pleased that she is excited with taking the next step in her life at Ottawa University. OU will be served very well and I look forward to working with Wynndee in her new capacity.”

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