Oakland City University

Not to be confused with Oakland University.

Oakland City University (OCU) is a private university affiliated with the General Baptist Church and located in Oakland City, Indiana. It is the only General Baptist Church-affiliated college or university in the United States. Founded in 1885, it has slowly grown to a total enrollment of about 655.^[2]

Oakland City University

Former names	Oakland City College (1885–1995)
Motto	Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve
Type	Private university
Established	1885
Religious affiliation	General Association of General Baptists
Endowment	Unreported
President	Ron D. Dempsey
Academic staff	200
Students	655
Undergraduates	522
Postgraduates	143
Location	Oakland City , Indiana , U.S. 38.3399°N 87.3518°W / 38.3399; -87.3518
Campus	Small town
Colors	Columbia Blue, Navy Blue & White
Nickname	Mighty Oaks
Sporting affiliations	NAIA – River States[1] ECAC – eSports
Mascot	Oakie
Website	www.oak.edu

In addition to the institution's Oakland City main campus, the university operated satellite campuses in Evansville, Indianapolis, Rockport and Bedford. These sites offered courses at an accelerated pace and condensed format. The Bedford campus was housed in the former headquarters of the Indiana Limestone Company until it was moved to the StoneGate Arts & Education Center in 2018 and later closed.^[3][4] The Evansville site closed in 2025.

History

In June 1885, the Educational Board of General Baptists organized and then gained a charter from the state of Indiana to operate a college at Oakland City. However, because of a lack of funds, the first building, a two-story brick structure housing the administration and classrooms, was not complete until 1891—the same year Oakland City College opened its doors for classes. In those early days, the school was called "the college on the hill."

By the mid-1920s, the school had reached a zenith for the first half of the century. There were several college buildings gracing the grounds, including an expanded administration building, Wheatley Hall, a women's dorm, a field house, Memorial Gym (which housed a library in the basement), Cronbach Hall, a building used for agricultural and industrial arts classes, and a two-story brick building called the president's house. Beside the normal, liberal arts and theological school, the college had added a large industrial and agricultural department to respond to the vocational needs of the rural area it served. The college offered several sports and clubs, and enrollment during this period often exceeded 1,000 students a semester.

The Great Depression hit the school hard, and faculty and staff often forwent paychecks to keep the school running. The end of World War II and the GI Bill saw a resurgence in enrollment and, by the mid-1960s, the "college on the hill" experienced an upswing comparable to the 1920s. Several new buildings were constructed on the campus including four dormitories, a new library, Brengle Hall, a science building, and Stinson Hall.

By the fall term of 1973, enrollment had dropped considerably. The sponsoring denomination, the General Baptists, made a successful effort to raise funds to keep the school open and hired James Murray as the college president. In the 1990s, the college moved to university status under Murray's leadership. Currently the school has an enrollment of 655 and has seen the construction of two new buildings within the last five years. The university stands fully accredited and offers five graduate degrees and over 40 undergraduate programs.

Presidents of Oakland City University (1885-Present)

• A.D. Williams, 1889–1894
• Joseph B. Cox, (Acting) 1895–1903
• William P. Dearing, 1903–1945
• James E. Cox, 1945–1955
• Onis G. Chapman, 1955–1965
• Carl E. Shepard, 1965–1968
• Ben M. Elrod, 1968–1970
• Laurence N. Barrett, (Acting) 1970–1971
• Bernard A. Loposer, 1971–1973
• James W. Murray, 1974–2007
• Alton D. Davis, (Acting) 2007–2008
• Ray G. Barber, 2008–2019
• Ron D. Dempsey, 2019–Present

Academics

Oakland City University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Association of Theological Schools. The business programs on the main campus are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Schools and departments

• School of Arts and Sciences
• School of Education
• Chapman Seminary
• School of Business
• School of Adult and Extended Learning
• Chapman School of Religious Study

Honors Program

Oakland City's honors program focuses on leadership, internships, and public service.^[5]

Campus

OCU's campus is located in the northwest area of Oakland City. Historically, the campus was centered around the present day Bower-Suhrheinrich Library, Bell Tower, Dearing Hall, Provance Memorial Chapel. Until the late 2000s, the majority of OCU's buildings were located along the present greenspace. Former buildings on this greenspace were Wheatley Hall, Memorial Gym, Brengle Hall, and Stinson Hall.

Student life

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the presiding student government body.

Clubs & Organizations

Oakland City University features over 30 clubs that enhances university experience outside of the classroom.^[6] These clubs include the Black Student Union, International Club, Intervarsity, and The Well.^[6]

Rankings

In 2025 the U.S. News & World Report ranked Oakland City fifth in the nation for social mobility^[7]

Recent construction

Oakland City completed a new upperclassman residence hall in the summer of 2019. This hall is known as Williams Hall in namesake for the adjacent street.^[8] In 2023, the university constructed a new residence hall for lowerclassmen.^[9]

Athletics

The Oakland City (OCU) athletic teams are called the Mighty Oaks. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2020–21 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1968–69 to 1974–75.^[1] They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Mid-East Region of the Division I level. The Mighty Oaks were previously an Independent within the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from about 2006–07 until 2019–20.

Oakland City competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports. Sprint football, a variant of American football that restricts player weights to 178 pounds (81 kg) and is governed outside of any national all-sports governing body, was added in 2023, competing in the Midwest Sprint Football League.^[10]

Facilities

Men's and women's basketball, along with men's & women's volleyball play in the 1,000 seat Johnson Center.

The baseball team plays at Konkler Field, which began renovations in 2023.^[11] The softball team plays at the off campus East Gibson Girl's Softball League Field (EGGSL Field).

List of teams

Men's sports	Women's sports
Baseball	Band
Band	Basketball
Basketball	Cheerleading
Cheerleading	Cross Country
Cross Country	eSports
eSports	Golf
Golf	Soccer
Soccer	Softball
Sprint Football	Tennis
Tennis	Track & Field
Track & Field	Volleyball
Volleyball

National championships

• NLCAA Men's Basketball – 1981
• NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball – 1999^[12]

Notable Alumni

• Melba Phillips, physicist and early contributor to nuclear science. A dedicated historical marker is located on the college's campus.^[13]
• Jerry Reynolds, former head coach of the Sacramento Kings. NBA executive.
• Lindel Hume, former Indiana senator.
• Wilbur Kitchener Jordan, president of Radcliffe College (1943-1960).