Facilitators & Board

Steve Berkwitz has been involved with ODC for many years. Born and raised in Minneapolis, he moved to Springfield in 1999. He teaches courses on Buddhism and Asian religions in the Department of Religious Studies at MSU. His research has led him to make many visits to Sri Lanka, where he takes a keen interest in the cultural practices of Buddhism. He's written several books and articles on Theravāda Buddhism. His practice incorporates Buddhist mindfulness meditation and Chinese breathing practices (qigong). 

Christie Cathey is a social psychologist who has long been interested in the study of the self, particularly in understanding the effects of culturally influenced self-construals on motivation, emotion, and cognition. She sees her attraction to Buddhism as a natural extension of her early academic pursuits. That is, what most draws her to the Buddhist path is its systematic methods of loosening one's self boundaries in ways that lead to greater peace, freedom, connection, and psychological well-being. She is currently a student of Emily Horn and finds great comfort and inspiration in teachings from the Insight Meditation Movement, especially those of Tara Brach and Sharon Salzberg. She feels enormous gratitude for the community and support she has found at ODC.

Rowena Raborar has been interested in neuroscience and training the mind since 1999 while completing a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy. After surviving her first silent retreat at Spirit Rock in 2007 she has wholeheartedly practiced Insight Meditation ever since.

Rhett Roberson has been meditating since 2014. Meditation was initially a mental exercise to combat the everyday challenge and struggle of being human. After a few years it became a passion that led to completing a multi-month teacher training with Lodro Rinzler. Rhett took his refuge vows with Lodro and Susan Piver, and in 2019 had the incredible opportunity to take the Bodhisattva Vow with the Dalai Lama at his home temple in India. With a masters degree in Organizational Psychology, he founded Paramita Consulting, where he combines his studies in academia and Buddhism to make the workplace, and subsequently life, a better experience. 

John Ruff joined ODC in 2007. He attended his first week-long group meditation retreat in 2008, and has since attended numerous retreats led by Vince and Emily Horn, Shinzen Young, Kenneth Folk and others, as well as several week-long solitary retreats. In 2012 he began studying under Vince and Emily Horn, completed their two-year teacher training course in 2020 and received authorization as a dharma and meditation teacher in their traditions, passed down from Jack Kornfield, Trudy Goodman, Kenneth Folk and Daniel Ingram.

Justin Russell  I was riding a borrowed bicycle the first time I visited ODC, in flip flops. Showed up sweaty and late... a common theme in my life. I was accepted with open arms, and have found more than support and encouragement-- I found a home. Very excited about how this community has grown since I stumbled in, and very grateful for the opportunity to help it keep growing.

Kent Brown (President)  was born in St. Joseph in 1950, and has lived most of his life in Missouri. He moved to Springfield to attend Drury University and has lived here since. He's a retired furniture maker.

He believes that the true nature of reality cannot be put into words but only comprehended through intuitive understanding arising from within ourselves, and meditation may be the best way of facilitating this direct experience. 

He feels fortunate to have found ODC. The encouragement and support has been indispensable in helping him develop a regular meditation practice.

Christie Cathey  (Secretary)  is a social psychologist who has long been interested in the study of the self, particularly in understanding the effects of culturally influenced self-construals on motivation, emotion, and cognition. She sees her attraction to Buddhism as a natural extension of her early academic pursuits. That is, what most draws her to the Buddhist path is its systematic methods of loosening one's self boundaries in ways that lead to greater peace, freedom, connection, and psychological well-being. She is currently a student of Emily Horn and finds great comfort and inspiration in teachings from the Insight Meditation Movement, especially those of Tara Brach and Sharon Salzberg. She feels enormous gratitude for the community and support she has found at ODC.

Jason Knight   (Treasurer)   After attending an ODC beginner’s meditation course, I discovered the connection and community in the sangha. A recreation practitioner by trade, I have now discovered the re-creation that inward contemplation provides. What keeps me coming back to meditation is the idea that nothing is permanent, and that the next sit may bring me a new insight that can help change my life or the life of the people around me. I have never felt more a part of such a diverse group of people, and the connection of a group meditation has had such an impact on my life.  I have found my people, and they meditate.

Raymond Husk works as a Special Education Teacher for Springfield Public Schools. He teaches students who have behavioral concerns, have been through severe trauma and are now in a residential facility. It was while helping a student with their World History studies that he came across Buddhism, which quickly appealed to him. With the encouragement of his wife he started attending ODC meetings in 2018. He enjoys meditating with the group and listening to what is shared.

Justin Russell  I was riding a borrowed bicycle the first time I visited ODC, in flip flops. Showed up sweaty and late... a common theme in my life. I was accepted with open arms, and have found more than support and encouragement-- I found a home. Very excited about how this community has grown since I stumbled in, and very grateful for the opportunity to help it keep growing.

Linden Tucker has long been interested in the nature of the mind, and found meditation and Buddhism in 2015. She meditated on her own and went on several silent solo retreats before being introduced to ODC in 2017. Linden currently works with a national education and networking organization as an executive director, but in the past, has taught freshman composition at Missouri State and OTC, ESL at Missouri State, and EFL at Justus Liebig University in Germany.