05/27/2026
Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is a private Christian liberal arts university in Bethany, Oklahoma, just west of Oklahoma City. Founded in 1899 with the mission embodied in its motto “Character, Culture, Christ,” the school emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual development, and community engagement. The suburban campus spans about 200 acres and supports an enrollment of roughly 2,110 students across undergraduate and graduate programs, offering more than 40 majors in areas such as business, education, theology, sciences, and the liberal arts, along with internships and study abroad opportunities that enrich the student experience.
Campus culture at SNU is strongly rooted in its Nazarene heritage, with regular chapel services, small group ministries, and community service integrated into student life to foster both spiritual growth and close-knit relationships.
In recent years, SNU has also established men’s and women’s rugby teams as varsity sports. Introduced in 2021 with support from the athletics department, both teams compete in National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Division 1 and have quickly developed strong programs that emphasize athletic development, teamwork, and community both on and off the field. Leading both the men’s and women’s rugby teams is Aric Gilliland, a 2002 SNU alumnus who has served as head coach since the program’s inception and has guided the teams to notable achievements, including multiple conference successes and national-level competition appearances and national championships for the women...including being the NCR D1 Champs in 2025!