Hugh's News & Commentary

On January 4, 2010, Dr. Ed Huckeby became the eleventh President of Southwestern Christian University. The Board of Regents of Southwestern Christian University invite the university alumni, friends, community and guests to participate in several unique events to mark this special occasion, including a formal inauguration ceremony to be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2010. It is our hope that you plan to attend this important event in our university's history.

Prior to coming to Southwestern Christian University Dr. Huckeby was the Chief Academic and Operating Officer at Northeastern State University's Broken Arrow campus. He is an Oklahoma native with degrees from East Central University and The University of Oklahoma. He received his Doctor of Education Degree in Administration from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Dan Beller, chair of the Southwestern Christian University Board of Regents, said that the Presidential Search Committee had worked diligently over 8 months to find a visionary leader best suited for SCU's historic faith tradition and its quest for academic excellence and expansion. They concluded that Dr. Huckeby was the right man to lead the university to the next highest level.

"Huckeby was elected from a pool of highly qualified applicants because of his stellar academic credentials, history of proven academic community leadership, and Christian standards compatible with those of our founding denomination", said Beller. "We are excited to have a person of his caliber and experience to lead SCU into the next decade."

Accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southwestern Christian University continues its transition from its historical role as a Bible college to that of a Christian liberal arts university. Although a primary mission of the institution continues to be that of educating students in a Christian environment, its curriculum is being expanded to include an array of business, education, social sciences and arts offerings.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Southwestern Christian University and be involved in the exciting future which lies ahead for the institution", said Huckeby. "It is indeed an honor to have been chosen as Southwestern's visionary leader, and I look forward to the next decade as the capstone experience of my career."

Dr. Huckeby has held several significant state higher education positions including serving as the first director of the Enid Higher Education Program, Dean of the Graduate School at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and, for the past decade, as the chief academic and operations administrator of the NSU-Broken Arrow campus. Dr. Huckeby was the first employee hired at NSU Broken Arrow campus and has lead the campus from a population of 1,057 in 1999 to a current Fall 2009 enrollment of over 3,200. He is the current president-elect of the National Association of Branch Campus Administrators and serves as president of the Broken Arrow Arts and Humanities Council and vice-chairman of the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation. Often recognized as a "renaissance man," Huckeby is a member of the DiVinci Institute Board of Directors, has served as the Executive Director of Tulsa Ballet and is recognized internationally as a conductor and composer of over 170 published and recorded works of symphonic band and wind ensemble music.