Retired American Baptist ministers came together last semester for this annual luncheon in the Mowbray Student Union. The luncheon included entertainment by the University Jazz Singers, a Universitywide update and a benediction led by Dr. Rich Menninger, Andrew B. Martin professor of religion. In addition, Senior Tyler Hazen spoke about OU’s campus ministries, and Dr. John Holzhüter, managing director of the Fredrikson Center for Faith and Church Vitality, gave an update on Fredrikson Cen

Music was at the center of Joyce Stuermer’s life. Her ability to bring the heart out of a music piece, as well as her students was what endeared her to so many during her two-time tenure as assistant professor of music and choir director at Ottawa University (1970-76 and 1989-96). Joyce returned in 2010 as guest director of the alumni choir during OU’s Reunion Celebration. Joyce was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and attended schools in the Stony Point and Muncie areas, graduating from Turner

A longtime friend of Ottawa University passed away November 4, 2012. The Reverend Dr. Fred Asher Ansell, 67, of Topeka, was on the Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2007. He served on a number of committees, including the Executive Committee, Mission and Identity Task Force, Committee on Academics, Committee on Trusteeship, and the 2005 Presidential Selection Committee. Ansell spent more than 34 years in ministry, including ten years as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the

Ottawa University’s roots and traditions can be traced back to the work of Baptist missionaries Jotham and Eleanor Meeker, who labored ceaselessly to improve the lives of the Ottawa Indian Tribe in Kansas. They served as ministers, nurse and doctor, business agents, marriage counselors, teachers, and of course, spiritual counselors. Their seminal work, the prophetic vision of tribal leaders, and the engagement of others, such as John Tecumseh (Tauy) Jones, led to an eventual agreement between