OBU Honors Three with Top Awards

Included in Oklahoma Baptist University's spring Commencement ceremonies Saturday was presentation of the University's three top employee awards. 

Dr. Ramona Farthing, professor of French, was presented the 2003 Distinguished Teacher Award. Dr. Joe Bob Weaver, retiring senior vice president of academic affairs, received the Meritorious Service Award. The 2003 Most Promising Teacher Award was presented to Dr. Garry Bailey, associate professor of communication arts.

The Distinguished Teacher Award is given to a faculty member who has maintained his or her teaching career in an exemplary fashion, as acknowledged by colleagues and current and former students.

Farthing began working at OBU in 1967 as an instructor and was promoted to professor of French in 1990. She became assistant professor in 1970 and associate professor in 1983.

She received her bachelor's degree from OBU in 1962 and her master's degree from Duke University in 1967. She earned her Ph.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1988.

She taught in the Shawnee Public Schools and in the public school system of Durham, N.C., before coming to OBU.

The Meritorious Service Award is given to faculty or staff members who have made a substantial commitment of talent and service to OBU.

Weaver began his work at OBU in 1988. Before coming to Shawnee, Weaver was assistant superintendent of educational services and executive secretary of the Professional Standards Board for Oklahoma's Department of Education.

Earlier, he was a special instructor of mathematics at the University of Oklahoma Laboratory School, assistant professor of math at Southeastern Louisiana University, and a math teacher in junior high and high schools in Alexandria, La.

Weaver holds a bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana College, Pineville; a master of science degree from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, La.; and a doctor of education degree from the University of Oklahoma, Norman.

The Promising Teacher Award is given to a junior faculty member who demonstrates outstanding potential as a teacher.

Bailey joined the faculty at OBU as an assistant professor in 1998 and was named associate professor and granted senior faculty status in 2002.

He came to OBU from Valdosta State University and also had taught at Pepperdine University and was a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma and at Abilene Christian University.

Bailey earned the B.B.A. and M.A. degrees from Abilene Christian University, and completed a Ph.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma.