Read about supporters committed to refining character, creating culture, and serving Christ.
Carl ’77 and Anna ’77 Hamilton
Southern Nazarene University was just the starting point for Carl ’77 and Anna ’77 Hamilton. What started as a friendship their first week on campus grew into marriage, a shared accounting career, and a life devoted to Christ.
Their journey of faith, family, and service exemplifies SNU’s abiding commitment to Character, Culture, and Christ. Today, the Hamiltons give back to SNU because they believe in the mission of forming Christlike disciples through higher education
“We believe in the principles and Christian beliefs that are taught at the University and want it to remain a source for quality education and spiritual development,” Carl said.
“My prayer is that truth will be spoken to students through SNU,” Anna added, “and that a continual light will be placed on how God directs each little turn in their lives.”
J.R. and Susan Emrich
J.R. Emrich knew that if he wanted to go to Bethany Nazarene College, now SNU, he’d have to work for it. “My sophomore year, I started a roofing business: I’d go to classes in the morning, then leave and work in the afternoons. That’s how I paid for school. I had planned that I would go into some kind of business after college, never knowing that I would stay in the roofing business for 44 years.”
J.R. practically grew up on campus. His father, Bob Emrich, was a Nazarene pastor whose day job was as a janitor in Bresee, while his mother, June, served students as the financial aid director. “The college campus was my playground. I learned to swim in the Broadhurst Gym when I was six years old. I rode my bicycle down every sidewalk on campus. I explored every building.”
From the time he was a child, J.R. was a hard worker. He got his first job at age 10, had a paper route at 12, and took on a regular job at EMCO Building Supply at just 15.
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“By 1970, I was hanging around Bresee Hall so much that Harper Cole offered me my first job, to go around the campus and pick up trash. He paid me 25 cents an hour, and I was limited to 10 hours a week. On Fridays, I would go to his office and he would pay me $2.50 out of his pocket.”
When J.R. and Susan, also the child of a minister, met in his junior year of college, they knew exactly the kind of person they wanted for a spouse. As she put it, “when we met, we had both already been through so much life.” They were introduced in the fall, J.R. proposed via a Valentine’s Day newspaper ad, and they married the next May! With a bustling business to run and a family to support, the couple stayed close to the Bethany area, diligently building their life together.
Now, after more than four decades of marriage, all the hard work has paid off. J.R.’s company, Reroof America Contractors, is thriving, and Susan found her creative outlet over the years through several small businesses and projects. Both volunteer their time, from SNU’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board to their local church and the Salvation Army. J.R. also serves as the chair of a committee that oversees licensing for roofing companies throughout Oklahoma.
After forty-plus years in business, they have a straight-forward message for SNU students: “Don’t give up,” says Susan.
“Do not fear failure. Failure is not final,” agrees J.R. “Failure helps you become stronger, helps you become smarter, and helps you become better prepared for the next go-round. I learned a long time ago: good times don’t always last forever, but neither do the bad times.”
When asked “what does Character – Culture – Christ mean to you,” J.R. had a quick answer. “The phrases refining Character, creating Culture, serving Christ – those are instilled in you while you are attending SNU. Those values stick with you as you go through life. It’s a foundation that students can build on.” Susan confirms: “Character, Culture, Christ is what life is all about.”
As faithful donors to SNU for over two decades, it’s not surprising that the Emrichs’ natural perseverance carries through to how they invest in SNU students. “I’m all for it. I’ve always been about giving,” Susan says. “Once we get involved, we stay involved,” says J.R.
But what really compels them to give? The students.
J.R. shares plainly: “The main thing, what I love the most, is hearing the stories and testimonies of the students of how SNU has impacted their life, how their life has changed since they’ve been here, and how they’re looking forward to the future.
“That’s what motivates me to continue to give year after year. My giving is just small investments in the lives of people who are telling those stories and giving those testimonies.”
Doug Eaton ’69 and Margaret (Wallace) Eaton ’68
Doug and Margaret Eaton, proud alumni of Southern Nazarene University, credit SNU for shaping their faith, friendships, and lifelong commitment to serving others. Inspired by the generosity of their parents, Doug and Margaret continue to give, ensuring students receive the same Christ-centered education that transformed their lives. For the Eatons, supporting SNU isn’t just about loyalty—it’s about investing in future leaders who will impact the world through their faith and character.
Jim Thornton ’91 and Christy Hendrix-Thornton ’91
For the Thornton family, Southern Nazarene University is more than a school—it’s a legacy. Jim and Christy met at SNU, and now their sons, including Jacob, who is a current SNU student, have followed in their footsteps, experiencing the same Christ-centered education and close-knit community. From late-night dorm conversations to professors who genuinely invest in students’ success, SNU has shaped their faith, thinking, and future.
Heidi Babin ’99
For Heidi Babin, SNU is a significant part of her family’s legacy. With deep roots in the campus community, she embraced every opportunity as a student, immersing herself in activities, leadership, and spiritual growth. Her time at SNU strengthened her faith, gave her confidence to follow God’s calling, and instilled in her the importance of giving back. Despite financial challenges, her first gift to SNU was a meaningful sacrifice, a reflection of her gratitude and commitment to helping future students experience the same life-changing opportunities. Today, giving to SNU is a priority for Heidi.
Cheryl Chamberlain Crouch ’91
Cheryl Chamberlain Crouch, class of 1991, always knew SNU was her university. As a Nazarene pastor’s kid, she was drawn to the way faith was woven into every part of campus life. Her time at SNU shaped her faith, her calling, and her desire to give back. Now, as a donor, she recognizes that the scholarships she once received weren’t from a distant source, but from generous individuals who believed in investing in students. Cheryl now embraces that same opportunity—to give so future students can experience the life-changing community of SNU.
Deann Hamiter Lee ’89
Deann Hamiter Lee, class of 1989, gives to SNU because she believes in the lasting impact of its Christ-centered culture. Through her own experiences and service on the alumni board, she has witnessed how SNU transforms students’ lives across generations. For Deann, giving is about continuing the university’s legacy of faith and service, ensuring that future students have the same opportunities to grow and make a difference in the world.
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