Tyler Parette, Oklahoma Christian University

Tyler Parette’s commitment to making our world a better place is evident in all he does. He is brilliant, articulate, thoughtful, a strong leader, and lives a life of character. Through his highly coveted internship at the Oklahoma Public Policy Institute, Tyler is serving on the front lines of addressing the most important social issues of our time. In addition, Tyler has made sure throughout his college career that he is equipped and ready to tackle these issues by proactively seeking countless internships, study-abroad opportunities, prestigious scholarships, and organizational leadership positions. He has armed himself with the skills necessary to be a powerful force for good in our society, and we have no doubt that he will be tremendously successful in this aspiration. 
-John deSteiguer, President

It is hard to put into words how much I have grown in the past four years. My college career has shaped me in ways I could never imagine. I have been afforded opportunities to travel the world, to experience other cultures, to study at leading institutions, and to learn from distinguished educators. These opportunities have encouraged me to think critically and take an active role in my education. I have made it a personal goal to make the most out of my education by supplementing classroom time with experiences that have helped me directly apply my studies. I have an internship with a leading political think tank and currently spend half of each week at the State Capitol engaged in the political process. This experience has served to strengthen my understanding of how the political process works and continues to provide connections and opportunities for my pursuits after graduation. I have learned to search for ways to engage and interact with as many people as possible, and in turn as many ideas and worldviews as possible. This intentionality has certainly provided a platform from which I can carry a lifestyle of learning into my future.
-Tyler Parette