OC Communication professor took students to the Oklahoma State Capitol for a special Honors Summer Academy debate experience

Oklahoma Christian University strives to offer an expansive and challenging Honors program for both college and high school students. In July, OC hosted its annual Honors Summer Academy for high school students, with some receiving the opportunity to travel to the Oklahoma State Capitol with OC’s Program Chair for Communication Brian Simmons. 

Simmons organized a public discussion with OC Political Science alumnus Mike Osburn, a state representative, and Joel Harder, the chaplain for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, to demonstrate respectful debate techniques. Last spring, Simmons hosted Harder for a special Taking Sides debate chapel at OC. 

Simmons’ Honors summer course, titled “How to Argue Issues Without Being a Jerk,” requires students to participate in a field experience. Using his connection to Harder to schedule the event, the discussion varied from topics such as the role of the legislature, Covid-19 mask mandates, as well as discussing the current political climate.

Originally, the event was scheduled to include State Rep. Jose Cruz, an OC Communication alumnus, but he was called away at the last minute. In lieu of Cruz’s unavailability, Simmons and Harder participated in the discussion with Osburn.

Overall, Simmons noted the trip was a success.

“I was very pleased with the event,” he said. “It accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish for the students, and I think it built good bridges between the university and those representatives.”

While there, the students also received a tour of the capitol and even met Miss Oklahoma, who was at the capitol for a social function.