Victor Haley, '73
I graduated with a BA in Business Administration. I have worked in oil and gas for my whole career.

My memories of Dr. Hurley center around a "mini-semester" course I took in January, 1973 in which we studied world events in the context of where we are and where we are going. Dr. Hurley's insights and his strong Christian beliefs made an indelible mark on my life. This course was taught by several faculty members and I was fortunate to be in Dr Hurley's group when we broke at times into smaller study groups. One fringe benefit to be in his group was that he treated us to some of his gourmet cooking one day at lunch in his apartment.

My first memory of D. Hurley was during freshman orientation when he spoke on "how to study". He said he felt foolish trying to answer a question that no one was asking! His answer to this question was to always ask questions. This solution has been in my mind ever since, and has only grown in importance as the years have passed.

Dr. Hurley is truly an inspiration to all of us who have been blessed to know him.

Brad Jett, Ph.D., '88
James E. Hurley Associate Professor of Biology

I am indeed a "product" of Jim Hurley's leadership and it was he who influenced me to choose academics as a career. I once heard Jim ask the question, "What is an educated person?" As a result of much contemplation and the influence of Arthur Holmes' book "The Idea of a Christian College", I think I have an answer to that question: "One whose mind has been sharpened, imagination heightened, understanding deepened, sympathies broadened, and new interests kindled; one with a broad range of aesthetic, intellectual, spiritual, and social capacities; a thoroughly responsible agent, reflective and moral in everything he does." When I reflect on this definition, I realize that it is describing Jim Hurley. He has been for many years, and continues to be, the embodiment of scholarship. I have thought about my years as an OBU undergraduate and have wondered if Jim knew then that he was preparing me to be his future replacement. Recently in class, I told my students that "I judge their intelligence by the quality of the questions they ask". Then I realized...Jim said that.

Mark Wood, M.D.
Mark works as an Otologist in Oklahoma City. He specializes in ear disease and surgery at the Otologic Medical Clinic, Inc.

I remember the first year I had at OBU and the fear that Jim struck in my heart. It was a great stimulus to achieve. Since that time I have come to see him as a great encourager and leader in teaching the disciplines of learning. During the time I spent with Jim, I came to understand that the object was not necessarily to get the answer right but to develop the process of thinking and using my mind to learn. Jim is one of many individuals who have inspired me to keep on reading and learning.

Michael Fadeyi, MS Pharmacy, PharmD
I was blessed to have the priviledge of being one of the students of Dr Hurley as a pre-pharmacy student between 1977 and 1978. I have always respected Jim as educationist and philosopher. He was very tough on us. We thought he had to be one of the toughest educators in the world. I tell you what, it was a blessing because when I entered pharmacy school, the curriculum was easy because Jim had prepared us all for the professional schools. I finished a semester earlier in pharmacy school. I can only continue to pray for Dr Hurley for his tremendous contributions in the field of biology.