JOHN deSTEIGUER
John deSteiguer became the seventh president of Oklahoma Christian University on May 1, 2012. A native of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, deSteiguer has spent almost two decades in higher education. He's called OC home for 10 years.
During deSteiguer's nine years as OC's chief advancement officer, most recently as senior vice president for advancement, a record $110 million was given to the university. That campaign led to significant improvements for Oklahoma Christian, including the new Lawson Commons, featuring the Freede Centennial Tower and McGraw Pavilion, and the $7.5 million initiative to build the Noble Science Wing and upgrade the Mabee Laboratories at Vose Hall. The campaign also produced four new endowed chairs and more than 60 new or enhanced maintenance, operating and scholarship endowments.
After graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1980, he went to Northeastern State as a political science major. He was active in the Model United Nations program, became NSU's first Truman Scholar, and served as president of NSU's student government and the President's Leadership Class before his graduation in 1984. A Rotary International Scholarship recipient, deSteiguer attended the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1984-85.
He married Darla, his college sweetheart, in June 1986. They both earned juris doctorate degrees, magna cum laude, from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1989. John and Darla have two teenage children, Joe and Abby.
John is a member of several civic organizations, including the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Oklahoma Planned Giving Council, the Edmond Rotary Club and the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, where he serves as vice-chair for governmental relations.
During deSteiguer's nine years as OC's chief advancement officer, most recently as senior vice president for advancement, a record $110 million was given to the university. That campaign led to significant improvements for Oklahoma Christian, including the new Lawson Commons, featuring the Freede Centennial Tower and McGraw Pavilion, and the $7.5 million initiative to build the Noble Science Wing and upgrade the Mabee Laboratories at Vose Hall. The campaign also produced four new endowed chairs and more than 60 new or enhanced maintenance, operating and scholarship endowments.
After graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1980, he went to Northeastern State as a political science major. He was active in the Model United Nations program, became NSU's first Truman Scholar, and served as president of NSU's student government and the President's Leadership Class before his graduation in 1984. A Rotary International Scholarship recipient, deSteiguer attended the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1984-85.
He married Darla, his college sweetheart, in June 1986. They both earned juris doctorate degrees, magna cum laude, from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1989. John and Darla have two teenage children, Joe and Abby.
John is a member of several civic organizations, including the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Oklahoma Planned Giving Council, the Edmond Rotary Club and the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, where he serves as vice-chair for governmental relations.
