Unprecedented Generosity: Oklahoma City University Offers Free Tuition to Any Student Affected by Hu

For Immediate Release

SEPTEMBER 1, 2005

Contact: Sarah Molina
Communications and Marketing Writer
for Editorial Services
(405) 208-5348 or [email protected]

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University President Tom McDaniel announced Thursday the university will offer free tuition to any student enrolled at a college or university affected by Hurricane Katrina.

This includes but is not limited to students at the following New Orleans schools: Dillard University, Loyola University, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Southern University at New Orleans, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University.  Students enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., also are being offered free tuition.

“We are opening our hearts and our university to these students,” McDaniel said.  “Although we can not replace lost lives or undo damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the OCU community is eager to help.  In fact, it is part of the mission of our university. We don’t want this natural disaster to be a road block in these students’ educational path.”

The one semester of free tuition applies to undergraduate, graduate and law programs.

The university has extended its enrollment period by one week.  Students may enroll through Sept. 9.

As a further gesture of generosity, university alumni and trustee members are being asked to open their homes to these needy students.

About 3,700 students attend OCU, which offers programs in dance, nursing, music, business, religion and arts and science. One semester of undergraduate tuition is valued at about $8,500.

For more information on enrollment, call Ryan McLaughlin at (405) 208-5051 during business hours.  After hours, call Rick Hall at (405) 306-3931 or Bernie Patterson at (405) 255-3474.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
General Church
The Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth. Photo by Krystal Baker.

Getting beyond the traditionalism of liberalism

Pastor urges United Methodist leaders to take tradition seriously when they meet for the Leadership Gathering in October.
Disaster Relief
A disaster site hit by a massive debris flow along a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River is seen in Bidur, Nepal, on Aug. 28. Nepalese police said the death toll had reached 469 as of the morning of Aug. 28 after catastrophic flooding and debris flows struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. Photo by Yomiuri Shimbun, via AP.

Churches mobilize after deadly Nepal-Tibet floods

Churches and mission partners are responding after catastrophic floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, as Asian Christian leaders call for prayer, humanitarian support and sustained solidarity with affected communities.
Social Concerns
Tammy Evans. Photo courtesy of the author.

An upswell of joy

Decades after enduring painful events as a closeted teen, writer Tammy Evans recounts feeling buoyed by her United Methodist pastor celebrating Pride.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved