First Women To Serve on Board of Regents for Southwestern Christian University

The student and alumni newsletter of what was then Southwestern College of Christian Ministries, The Insight, announced new board members in 1983.  The Rev. C.E. Means, Board Chair, noted, "In expanding its Board of Education to bring the board back up to its full strength, the Southwestern Board of Education is gearing up for growth."  By bringing the board up to strength he was referring to the restructuring that had moved the institution from a large junior college with a four year religion degree to a much smaller Bible college profile with a new name.   "We believe,  the college will see good progress in the next few years, and a strong Board of Education is essential to that progress."

Among the new faces being welcomed were two who were making history for the school.  Two women, Lynn Pate, and Alfreda Flowers, were for the first time part of this decision making body.  Although Means claimed they were the first such women to old office on any IPHC boards of education, further research will have to verify that statement.

Others added to the Board of Education in 1983 included: Leon Crosswhite (alumnus of clas of '46 and a local businessman); Pete Thompson (a businessman in oil production from Ardmore,OK); David Oxley (alumnus and insurance executive); David Roberts (Business manager, Norman Vo-Tech Schools); SamVaughn (insurance executive); Jim Eby (Alumnus and pastor); Dennis Cox (pastor); James Zenger (pastor); Kenneth Cain (alumnus and pastor).