Winter Commencement Caps Undergraduate Experience For 75

December 15, 2000

Charged by OBU President Mark Brister to continue to seek wisdom, 75 Oklahoma Baptist University student received their degrees at the University's Winter Commencement Friday in Raley Chapel.

More than 800 people attended the mid-year graduation ceremonies, as OBU concluded is fall semester with the University's first-ever Commencement conducted while snow and ice covered most of the campus.

Using the second chapter of Proverbs as his text, Dr. Brister told the students there were three promises from God to those who seek wisdom: an affinity for spirituality, an opportunity for vitality, and the ability for integrity. He urged the student to continue "on the path of a life-long learner."

"You have made many good decisions that have led you here today," said Brister. "I urge you to take into your heart, soul and mind, from this great Christian faculty and university that loves you deeply, the commitment that you not only believe, but that you live your life by the things you have learned here. Live your life to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ."

Three students maintained at least a 3.95 grade point average on all work offered in their bachelor's degree program. They graduated with the predicate summa cum laude. They are Jala Diane Chesser, Allen, Texas, majoring in Spanish; Brendon Scott Hollingsworth, Oklahoma City, international business; and Kerri Kathleen White, Ponca City, mathematics education.

Eight students maintained at least a 3.70 grade point average and graduated with the predicate magna cum laude. Those are Emily Christine Ball, Milan, Tenn., cross-cultural ministry; Douglas Andrew Jones, Aurora, Colo., cross-cultural ministry; Megan Lorraine Tinley, Abilene, Texas, Spanish education; Jennifer Leah Brand, Spring, Texas, instrumental music education; Joy Beth Stewart, Norman, elementary and early childhood education; Robyn Reine Trent, Dallas, Texas, recreation administration; Kitty Racquel Cupp, majoring in both religion and health, physical education and recreation; and Lisa Lynn Tennell, Bartlesville, elementary and early childhood education.

Seven students earned the predicate cum laude by maintaining at least a 3.40 grade point average. Those seven are Daphne Ann Capps, Bixby, youth ministry; Melina May Hilfiker, Carmel, Ind., elementary education; Kersten N. Walters, Shawnee, special education; Matthew Braden Crutchmer, Oklahoma City, international business, William Francis Hill, Denton, Texas, computer information systems; Lisa Ann Dill, San Antonio, Texas, early childhood education; and Carla Joy Jones, Aurora, Colo., family psychology.

Also graduating from the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, with bachelor's degrees were Jennifer Kay Burgy, Parker, Colo., art education; Heather Renee Carman, Decatur, Texas, theatre; Arlene Caudill, Woodenville, Wash., art; James Robert Criswell, Tecumseh, vocal music education; Steven Eugene Jones, Glendale, Ariz., vocal music education; Christopher McCabe, Broken Arrow, communication studies; James Daniel Morrison, Shawnee, speech and drama education; Krista Renae Nelson, Camarillo, Calif., piano; Matthew Levi Roberson, Longview, Texas, church music; Valerie J. Shields, McAlester, vocal musical arts; and Eric Phillip Wells, Guthrie, art education.

Bachelor's degree graduates from the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service, included Jacob Daniel Bice, Moore, Bible; Timothy Karl Carpenter, Shawnee, Christian studies; Holly Crutchfield, Choctaw, children's ministry; Gibson Micah Largent, Shawnee, Bible; Shannon N., Kirkland, Wash., religion; Mark Everitt Patterson, Olathe, Kan., youth ministry; Charles Edward Rogers, Smithville, Bible; Mandy May Southern, Norman, children's ministry; Jeremy Matthew Sutton, Piedmont, youth ministry; and Charles Matthew Wigley, Paoli, cross-cultural ministry.

Students who earned alternate degrees from the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service were Christopher Dale Duke, Owensboro, Ky., associate of arts degree in Christian studies; Kevin Justiss Rainey, Skiatook, diploma in Christian studies; and Steven Keith Williams, Miami, associate of arts degree in Christian studies.

From the College of Arts and Sciences, those receiving bachelor's of arts degrees included Jason Ray Allen, Spring, Texas, psychology, business administration, and communication arts; Michele Sara Weller Anderson, Tucson. Ariz., elementary and early childhood education; John Matthew Brookshire, Tulsa, recreation administration; Melissa Renee Brown, Stigler, family psychology; Angela Dawn Pegg Countess, Pryor, family psychology; Kitty Racquel Cupp, Edmond, health, physical education and recreation; Jonathan Michael David, Divide, Colo., elementary education; Charla Danei Downing, Coffeyville, Kan., family psychology; Christa Jo Geary, Blanchard, health, physical education, and recreation; Celeste Nevil Gwynn, San Diego, Calif., child care administration; Heather Marie Hall, Plano, Texas, science education: secondary; Alyson Brooke McKenzie, Puyallup, Wash., English education; Krista Renae Nelson, Camarillo, Calif., political science; Elizabeth O'Bannion, Carrollton, Texas, mathematics education; Kevin Joe Paxson, Shawnee, sports medicine; Amanda Rochelle Penix, Shawnee, early childhood education; Peter Martin Samwel, III, McLoud, mathematics; Sunnye Christen Simpson, Colleyville, Texas, early childhood education; Stephanie Lynn Speir, Farmersville, Texas, family psychology; Jeremy Lee Strong, Ada, health, physical education and recreation; Erica Fuller Stuckey, Berryville, Ark., family psychology; Amanda Jo Teague, Tulsa, elementary and early childhood education; Autumn Lee Tinsley, Walsenburg, Colo., social work; Bree Renae Van Dyne, Shawnee, science education; Adriana Vela, Laredo, Texas, early childhood education; Ami Dawn Vineyard, Belleville, Ill., child care administration; Elizabeth Watts, Broken Arrow, elementary education; and Crystal Michelle Wingo, Shawnee, elementary and early childhood education. December 2000 bachelor's degree graduates from the Paul Dickinson School of Business were Matthew James Clevenger, Chouteau, computer information systems; Russell James Eason, Bethany, marketing; Michael David Hargrove, Shawnee, computer science; Virginia Redmond, Claremore, health care administration; Danee Lynn Roulinson, Del City, health care administration; Jeffrey David Spitler, Choctaw, finance; and David Matthew Varnum, Colorado Springs, Colo., international business.