Ream Named To Head OBU Student Development

Todd C. Ream, a student life administrator at Messiah College, has been named dean of students at Oklahoma Baptist University, announced OBU President Mark Brister.

Ream, who is director of the Witmer Residence Center at Messiah College in Grantham, Penn., will direct OBU's student development programs, including residential life, campus activities, career planning, counseling, university testing and campus health services. He will begin work at OBU on June 26, 2000.

Along with OBU, Messiah is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, an international organization which focuses on helping Christian colleges and universities advance the cause of Christ-centered education and effectively integrate biblical faith, scholarship and service.

Ream has served on the student life staff at Messiah since 1996. In addition to his work with the residence center, he has been student life coordinator for professional development and institutional research at the college. He also has taught as a lecturer in historical theology through Messiah's department of biblical and religious studies.

"Todd has a proven record of successful leadership in student life programs," said Dr. Brister. "We are pleased to have him join our administrative team in this crucial area."

Ream will complete coursework toward a Ph.D. degree in higher education at The Pennsylvania State University this May. A native of Fullerton, Calif., he holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a masters degree from Duke University. He and his wife, Sara, have been married for six years.

Ream said a key factor in his accepting the OBU position was "the sense of pride in the university that I perceived from the faculty, administration and students.

"There is something positive about the mission and tradition of the school ... and its Baptist heritage, that I want to be a part of," he said.

A 91-year-old institution, Messiah College is affiliated with the Brethren in Christ. The college has an enrollment of approximately 2,400, with more than 90 percent of the student body living on campus.

John W. Parrish, OBU executive vice president and chairman of the search committee which recommended Ream for the dean's position, said the candidate demonstrated a strong vision for student development programs.

"Our committee was impressed with Todd's ability to convey a vision for our campus community," said Parrish. "We are committed to a residential community that promotes a sense of family. Todd shares that vision and we believe he can offer positive leadership in our campus life programs and services."

Ream will fill the post vacated by Dr. Douglas O. Melton, who resigned in December 1999 to become pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Melton has served as dean of students since May 1993.

In the fall of 1999, OBU had a total enrollment of 2,123, with just over 1,100 students living on the campus.