Michelle McGinty
Special to Independent Newsmedia

Ottawa University, a private, non-profit Christian university, is now enrolling students for the Fall 2017 semester at Ottawa University Arizona’s new residential campus in Surprise, and has unveiled the OUAZ Competitive Scholarship Awards contest.



The awards contest, for graduating high school seniors, includes the following five scholarships:

• Presidential Scholarship


• Surprise High Achiever Scholarship


• Provost Scholarship


• Founders Scholarship


• Pioneer Scholarship

The awards may cover from 40 to 100 percent of a student’s tuition. Each one is renewable for up to a total of four consecutive years, as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA and remains in good standing with the university. Some scholarship recipients will be invited to become OUAZ Ambassadors.

For priority consideration for these scholarships, students are encouraged to apply by March 31.

The Surprise High Achiever Scholarship is tailored exclusively for a student who is either the child of a City of Surprise employee, a graduate from a Surprise public high school or a resident of Surprise for at least one year. Additional scholarship information can be found at http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/elite-scholars.

An open house at 10:30 a.m.Saturday, March 25  will provide an opportunity for prospective students to tour the campus, meet with OUAZ team members and learn more about the scholarship awards contest. Those participating in the open house who complete an application for admission to the university will have their application fee waived and will receive an additional $500 scholarship.

The first 50 students and their families to RSVP and attend the open house will receive tickets to that day’s Kansas City Royals vs. Milwaukee Brewers spring training game. The open house is on campus at 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise.

OUAZ is offering  a variety of academic programs and more than 30 student activities and associations at the Surprise campus. Ottawa’s academic programs are housed within four Schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, the Angell-Snyder School of Business, the School of Education and the School of Health & Applied Sciences.

The university will be home to 19 varsity men’s and women’s sports teams, and has plans to receive a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) designation.

At OUAZ, students will work with University employees to focus on all aspects of their development in preparation for life after college: intellectual, spiritual, physical, artistic, financial, familial and vocational. OUAZ’s Adawe Center pairs a “life mentor” with each student  who will remain with the student throughout their enrollment at the university,  preparing them to pursue their desired vocations upon graduation.

OUAZ students will participate in “personal growth days” each Wednesday, where they will attend chapel, select from numerous personal and professional skills development conferences and workshops offered throughout the year, take part in volunteer or service activities, and share a meal together with faculty, staff, and community members.

Through OUAZ’s FlexTerm academic calendar, students may choose class formats that run for four weeks, eight weeks, or the more traditional 16-week time frames. The FlexTerm calendar encourages students to tailor their educational experience and investment while also interspersing their classroom learning with internships, service learning, international experiences and cross-cultural study programs. It also allows students to accelerate toward graduation in less than four years or to combine master’s degree studies within their educational plan.

The Ottawa Alliance for Quality Christian Education will be launched at the Surprise campus. The alliance is a network of not-for-profit mission-based organizations that are interested in supporting a Christ-inspired community of grace throughout their educational institutions and the world. Scholarships for students; faculty, staff and board members; and, faculty spouses and student parents will be available through participation in the alliance.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming the inaugural class of students to our new residential campus in Surprise this fall. These students will help shape the culture and traditions that will serve as the foundation for this new university community,” said OUAZ Provost Dr. Dennis J. Tyner. “At OUAZ, we take an innovative ‘whole person’ approach, ensuring we are developing work-ready graduates. We can’t wait to start shaping the lives of the students from our inaugural class.”

Ottawa University is steadfastly Christian, proudly American Baptist, and an institution that is open and inclusive, welcoming all qualified students. The 152-year-old university was founded in Ottawa, Kan., and opened its first campus in Arizona in 1977. OUAZ has offered classes in Surprise at the former Communiversity for the past eight years.

To RSVP for the open house or to schedule a campus visit, call 1-855-546-1342 or email admiss@ottawa.edu.

OUAZ is committed to making education affordable and additional scholarships are available.  The university offers a variety of financing options, including participation with loan, grant and work study programs. Students and their families can discuss OUAZ’s financial aid opportunities with a Family Financial Planner at 623-546-4959.

Students can begin fall classes on Aug. 21 or earlier on July 31.

To learn more about OUAZ Surprise, visit www.ottawa.edu/Surprise.

Michelle McGinty is the president of DRA Collective