August 14, 2009
Oklahoma Baptist University announced the addition of two new staff members this summer. Jody Akehurst, who serves as a financial assistant, joined the staff May 18. Jana VanderTook, who is the administrative assistant to the provost and executive vice president for campus life, began work at OBU on June 22.
Akehurst earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and a bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a certified public accountant and is certified to teach.
She previously worked as a paraprofessional at Bethel Public Schools, working with middle school and high school special education students. In her new role, Akehurst works with the Banner system, which supports and manages student and financial information, and the 2009-10 budget. She attends New Hope Baptist Church in Shawnee.
VanderTook earned a bachelor's degree from OBU in 1991. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.
In her current role, VanderTook manages the day-to-day communications and scheduling for Dr. Stan Norman, OBU's provost and executive vice president for campus life. She attends EastPoint Church in Midwest City, Okla.