Our Students & Alumni: World Changers

It is not uncommon to find a lawyer, a teacher, a physician and a clergyperson in the same classroom. 

Students bring a wide variety of backgrounds to the table, including but not limited to:

  • Ministry
  • Education
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Medicine
  • Media

Changing the world starts with changing yourself.  By working together, comparing ideas and goals, diverse students find solutions they could not have found on their own.

World Changing Stories

Carol Carson PatrickCarole Carson Patrick, D.Phil.

  • Location: Des Moines, Iowa
  • Changed the world through: teaching

Carole’s Story:  Arriving at Oxford Graduate School in the mid -1990s, Carole had no higher education work experience. One class requirement was developing a teaching syllabus and unit then actually teach it.  Carole approached the Academic Dean at a college in Des Moines. After reading her syllabus, he felt it was superior to those from his faculty. Carole got the opportunity to teach and was subsequently employed at that college. Carole continues to teach and was president of her school’s faculty. 

Changed by Oxford Graduate School:  Carole feels her career in higher education is a direct result of graduate studies.

Brent BrantleyBrent Brantley, D.Phil.

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • Changed the world through: Bible translation

Brent’s story: As a young Chicago policeman, Brent was shot in the head in the line of duty. Expected to be brain dead, Brent improved enough to read the Bible. In time, he recovered fully and joined Wycliff Bible Translators. Assigned to Indonesia, Brent supervised the translators among people who had no written language. Developing a written form of their language and translating part of the Bible took twelve years. Three years was dedicated to finding the right tribesman to help.
Dissertation: Brent developed a non-literate test to identify the right translator. This shortened the selection time from three years to three months. revolutionizing Brent’s ministry and other Bible translators.

Changed by Oxford Graduate School:  Brent developed research skills to test and certify a new approach to identifying native translator associates.

Bob Page, D.Phil. and Herman DeBoard, D.Phil.

  • Location: Atlanta, GA
  • Changed the world through: counseling

Their Story: Though Bob had a master’s degree, his career as a postal worker could be classified as a blue collar position. Herman spent 34 years making tires for Goodyear Tire Company as a blue collar worker.  Today, both are counselors for Baptist Associations. As counselors, Bob and Herman help couples with marital problems and lift a burden from pastors in their respective areas.

Changed by Oxford Graduate School:  Bob and Herman answer a higher calling as trained counselors with a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

G.B. HowellG.B. Howell, D.Phil.

  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Changed the world through: publications

G.B.’s Story: While a pastor of a Baptist church in the Atlanta area, G.B. worked on his dissertation, comparing  traditional and contemporary worship. His research included a trip to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to access documents from the second generation of writers in the first century. He submitted a portion of his dissertation to Lifeway for publication. In a conversation with an editor, he was informed of a position at Lifeway. G.B. was appointed editor of two publications, one for pastors and one for worship leaders. Since then, G.B. has been appointed editor-in-chief of Biblical Illustrator at Lifeway. As editor-in-chief, G.B. is responsible for employing college and seminary professors as writers.

Changed by Oxford Graduate School:  G.B.’s dissertation launched an unexpected new career.

David Ferguson, D.Phil.

  • Location: Austin, TX
  • Changed the world through: training, mentoring, writing

David is the developer of the Intimacy Therapy model. The concept of intimacy originated in a class session. Now this concept is a ministry that reaches out to churches around the world. As Executive Director of Intimate Life Ministries, David develops resources and training for the church. David’s books include The Pursuit of Intimacy, Intimate Encounters, Parenting with Intimacy, The Great Commandment Principle, Relational Leadership and Kingdom Calling, and Never Alone. The following website gives information about Relational Discipleship a recent book about his and his wife’s ministry. http://www.tyndale.com/authors/bio.asp?code=208

Changed by Oxford Graduate School:  David’s intimacy concept originated in a class session and expanded to reach millions.

 

Glen WagnerGlenn Wagner, D.Phil., D.Min., D.Litt.

  • Location: Charlotte, NC
  • Changed the world through:  Co-founding Promise Keepers

Glenn was in the first graduating class and one of the youngest persons to graduate. He was a member of the founding board of Promise Keepers. Dr. Wagner served as a pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte and is currently president of Future Lead, a faith based leadership training program. .http://www.futurelead.org/.

Changed by Oxford Graduate School: Glenn was inspired to think outside of the box in leadership at church and in business

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