Maxwell inspires more than 700 at OBU Green and Gold Gala on Bison Hill

April 2, 2025

More than 700 alumni, friends and supporters of OBU gathered Tuesday night, April 1, on Bison Hill for the 10th Green and Gold Gala, an event marked by celebration, vision and transformation.

Held on OBU’s campus, the gala showcased the university’s recovery from the tornado on April 19, 2023, that damaged every building. Attendees toured historic Shawnee Hall and Raley Chapel, both undergoing modernization as part of the university’s ambitious Shape the Future campaign. Guests also explored the emerging STEM corridor in Thurmond Hall and the remodeled Wood Science building, witnessing firsthand the impact of recent investments.

Kirk Humphreys, former mayor of Oklahoma City and chairman emeritus and founder of Humphreys Capital, served as the gala’s emcee.

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas welcomed guests to the Recreation and Wellness Center, noting that the campus itself symbolized resilience and renewal.

Afterward, he reflected of the significance of the event’s location.

“Tonight was a defining moment for OBU in our history,” Thomas said. “Having the gala on Bison Hill made all the difference. I’ve had so many alums and so many friends say, ’It’s one thing to hear the stories about Bison Hill, but it’s another thing to be on campus, going through the tours and connecting with old friends. It makes all the difference in the world.’”

The Shape the Future campaign, central to the event, aims to strengthen academic programs, enhance student experiences and modernize campus facilities, positioning OBU for long-term success.

“We are going to take the strength of today and build on it so that we can have all the momentum that we need to move forward and remain in the Shape the Future vision,” he said. “This is going to build momentum to carry us forward.”

It was Thomas who introduced world-renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell, the gala’s keynote speaker. Maxwell, whose global influence has shaped leaders through his Maxwell Leadership organization and more than 34 million books sold in over 50 languages, spoke to the crowd about the power of vision and perseverance.

Maxwell delivered an inspiring keynote address at OBU, challenging attendees to embrace leadership, faith and personal growth.

“Get out of the people pile,” he said, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, reflection and action.

Maxwell described OBU as a university where students come and are taught “how to get out of the people pile. How to go beyond and excel and change lives.”

He spoke about how great leaders can “see more” and “see before” others.

A central theme of his message was expanding one’s God room, “the space between what individuals can accomplish on their own and what God can do through them.”

Maxwell referenced Ephesians 3:20, saying God tells us He “can do anything, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.”

He emphasized that God works not by force but by transforming hearts.

“His Spirit is gently working within us,” Maxwell said.

He urged the audience to embody the teachings of Jesus by being “salt and light” in the world.

“Salt makes things better and light makes things brighter,” he said. “As Christ followers, we ought to live this incredibly beautiful, fruit-of-the-Spirit life that leaves people hungry to know God.”

Speaking about OBU’s leadership, Maxwell praised Thomas.

He said that in preparing for the event, he wanted to do his best to honor the school “and obviously come alongside President Thomas and help him.”

“Because he’s just a beautiful leader and an incredible young man who has unlimited potential,” Maxwell said. “He’s already showing the fruit of it here; you can sense it and you can see it and you can feel it. You’re looking at him and you’re just saying, ‘For OBU it looks bright, it looks bright in our future.’”

Reflecting on his own mentoring experience, Maxwell shared advice an individual gave him when he was in his 20s.

“John, I want you to attempt something so big for God that if it happens, people who know you will look at you and they’ll shake their heads and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I know you, John, you’re not that good.’ And then they will give God all the credit,” he said.

Maxwell encouraged the audience to live in their God room so that their impact would be unmistakably God-driven.

“Wouldn’t it be incredible if you not only taught the students to get out of the people pile, but they learned here in this culture, in this atmosphere, in this environment to have God room in their life?” he said.

Maxwell closed by urging everyone to embrace growth.

“I don’t want to go to my next level, I want to grow to my next level,” he said. “I wish for every one of you this evening, that you would ‘see more, more’ and ‘see before.’ I wish for God room for you that He will take you to a level that you know for certain you would never be there except for the fact of the goodness and the grace and the favor of God.”

The Green and Gold Gala continues to serve as a touchstone for the OBU community, fostering connection, philanthropy and a shared commitment to the university’s mission.

To be a part of the Shape the Future campaign, visit the Shape the Future campaign website.