OC welcomes Skyler Thomas as assistant professor of gaming and animation

OC alumnus brings years of teaching experience to OC

September 18, 2019 - Oklahoma Christian University welcomes alumnus Skyler Thomas as a new assistant professor of gaming and animation. Skyler graduated from OC in 2012 as one of the first graduates in the Gaming and Animation program. 

“My passion for gaming and animation began during a family vacation to my grandmother's house in Memphis, Tennessee, during the Christmas holidays,” said Thomas. “We were stuck inside, so I spent hours upon hours playing video games my cousins introduced me to, “Final Fantasy IX” and “Metal Gear Solid.” After that, I have been hooked ever since.”

After graduating, Skyler worked at Oklahoma Baptist University as the instructor of video/motion graphics and animation in 2015. From 2016-2018, he taught at the University of Central Oklahoma as a teacher assistant in their Computer Graphics III (Motion Graphics) class. In the summer of 2018, he taught game design for the Summer Academy at Moore-Norman Technology Center for students 9 to 12 years old. Skyler has been an adjunct professor in OC’s Gaming and Animation program since 2013 and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at UCO in 2019. While continuing to work, Thomas has freelanced for various companies like Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance, Smartsigns OKC, Covenant Grove Community Church and W.T. Waggoner Estate.

“I enjoy gaming and animation because it is an industry that is ever-evolving, versatile and always pushing the limits of technology,” Thomas said. “I enjoy teaching because students are always bringing a new perspective to subjects that I may have overlooked or didn't know about.”

Thomas, a native of Vernon, Texas, has been married to his wife, Summer, for seven years; he met her at OC. They have three children, Lily (6), Wyatt (4) and Wade (1). Outside of teaching, Thomas enjoys spending time at the lake with his family, woodworking, movies, DIY projects with his wife and playing video games with his children.