School of Christian Service Presents Awards, Scholarships

OBU's Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service recognized an outstanding alumnus and outstanding students in Christian service studies during a banquet April 25 and during the 2011 Awards Convocation on May 4 in Raley Chapel.

Army chaplain Col. Gordon G. Groseclose received the School of Christian Service's Outstanding OBU Alumni Award. Chaplain Groseclose currently serves as the chief of the Department of Pastoral Ministry Training at the Army Medical Department Center and School in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

"Colonel Groseclose is both an exemplary and unique OBU School of Christian Service graduate," said Dr. Mark McClellan, dean of the School of Christian Service. "He has exemplified a lifelong commitment to both proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We desire our graduates to be godly leaders. Colonel is an exceptional Christian leader and serves as a model. He is one of the highest ranking chaplains in the U.S. Army. Having commanded the Army's school for pastoral and medical chaplaincy training, he is being assigned to Washington, D.C., as the chaplain commander for the U.S. Army Intelligence Command, where he will assume responsibilities in both the U.S. and overseas."

Groseclose earned a bachelor's degree in religion from OBU in 1976. He earned a master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a master's degree in strategic studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. His education includes several military courses since 1985, including the Division Course in 2000, Colonel Course in 2006 and Army War College in 2009.

"Colonel Gordon Groseclose's life was changed at OBU from a Wyoming cowboy to a lifelong minister of the Gospel," McClellan said. "He met his wife, Debbie, at OBU. He has served God, served his country, and he serves as a model alumnus for our graduates. He is a man of strong biblical convictions, personal and spiritual courage, and Christ-like compassion. Anyone who comes into contact with him for even a short time experiences his personal warmth, humility and genuine personal concern for their life. His life is inspiring, and I pray it will inspire our students. I am honored to call him a friend and proud that such a man is a graduate of the School of Christian Service at Oklahoma Baptist University."

Groseclose entered the chaplaincy May 2, 1983, with the Wisconsin National Guard 2/128 Infantry Battalion. He entered active duty June 15, 1985. His assignments have included the 16th Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; 3/8 Infantry Battalion, Mainz, Germany; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; 232 Medical Battalion and Army Medical Department Center and School Medical Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Leonard Wood Hospital, Deputy Installation Chaplain and Installation Protestant Pastor, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Deputy Medical Command Chaplain, Fort Sam Houston; Personnel System Coordinator, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Pentagon; Chief, DMPC, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, and Command Chaplain for the Southeast Regional Medical Command, Fort Gordon, Ga.; and his current role as Chief, Department of Pastoral Ministry Training, Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Leaf and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Staff Identification Badge, Order of Military Medical Merit, and the Germany Armed Forces Military Efficiency Badge "Leistungsabzeichen" in gold.

Groseclose has been married 33 years to the former Debbie Frellick from Afton, Okla., who also graduated from OBU in 1976. They have two children, Angela and Micah, and one grandchild.

At the 2011 Awards Convocation in Raley Chapel, McClellan recognized the outstanding seniors in Christian service studies. Veronica Pistone, a religion: biblical languages major from Blue Springs, Mo., received the Outstanding Senior in Religion Award, presented to the student who has demonstrated exceptional ability in the fields of theology, Christian history and biblical studies. Pistone graduated with the designation summa cum laude with college honors for maintaining at least a 3.95 grade point average. Nick Johnson, an applied ministry: youth emphasis major from Lindsay, Okla., received the Outstanding Senior in Applied Ministry Award, given to the student who has demonstrated exceptional ability in the field of applied ministry. Amanda Abernathy, philosophy/religion: Bible major from Oak Ridge, Tenn., received the Outstanding Senior in Philosophy Award, given to the student who has demonstrated exceptional ability in the field of philosophy. She also graduated with the designation summa cum laude with college honors.

OBU senior Veronica Pistone, a religion: biblical languages major from Blue Springs, Mo., is recognized as an outstanding senior in OBU's Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service by Dr. Mark McClellan, dean of the School of Christian Service.

Senior awards presented at the banquet included the biblical studies award, presented to Jacob Hibbard, a religion: Bible major from Chickasha, Okla.; the Hebrew award, presented to Abernathy; the Greek and theology awards to Pistone; the Christian history award, presented to Tyler Geohagan, a religion: Bible major from Allen, Okla.; the pastoral ministry award, presented to Clay Phillips, a religion: Bible major from Heavener, Okla.; the youth ministry award, presented to Johnson; the missions award, presented to Taylor Phillips, a cross-cultural ministry major from Mountain View, Okla.; the philosophy award, presented to Parker Jackson, a religion: Bible/philosophy major from Ozark, Mo.; the church recreation award, presented to James Wright, a sports ministry major from Oologah, Okla.; and the church music award, presented to Casey Flynt, a church music - voice major from Turpin, Okla.

McClellan presented more than 30 scholarships during the awards banquet. Beth Jones, a junior from Fletcher, Okla., received the Haggard Religious Education Scholarship, given to a rising upperclassman who is a religious education, youth or children's ministry major. Ashley Wyatt, a junior from Louisburg, Kan., received the Buell Hill Missions Scholarship, given to a rising senior missions volunteer. Dalton Funkhouser, a junior from Hobart, Okla., received the James S. Timberlake Scholarship, given to a rising upper-classman who has excelled in biblical and theological studies. Weston Potts, a sophomore from Grove, Okla., received the Alma Baggett Memorial Scholarship, given to a religious or applied ministry major. Potts and Colby Nicholson, a freshman from Harrah, Okla., received the Murray and Willene Fuquay Pastoral Care Award. The Joe L. Ingram Scholarship, given to upper-class students preparing for the pastoral ministry who has demonstrated a strong commitment to ministry and outstanding leadership skills, was presented to Nicholson; Jered Bell, a junior from Magnolia, Texas; and Josiah Custar, a sophomore from Ardmore, Okla.

The Jack and Betty Moore Scholarship, given to a non-traditional major in the School of Christian Service who is preparing for church staff ministry other than pastor or music ministry, was presented to Kimberly May, a senior from Shawnee, Okla.; Juan Romero, a sophomore from Bethany, Okla.; and Robbie Bernhardt, a freshman from Tulsa, Okla. May also received the James J. Dooley Scholarship, given to a student preparing for the ministry who is older than 30 years of age. The Glen E. and Erma J. Braswell Scholarship, given to church vocation students, was presented to Taylor McDannel, a freshman from Denver, Colo. The J.W. and Edith May Rolf Scholarship was awarded to Fernando Castro, a junior from Vila Velha, Brazil. Erin Black, a sophomore from Cassville, Mo., received the Ruth C. Clark Memorial Scholarship, given to a student who is a child of missionaries and who is planning a career in foreign missions. The Orie and Edna Booze Religious Vocations Scholarship, given to students planning to enter a church-related vocation, was presented to Jered Bell; Caroline Reel, a sophomore from Tishomingo, Okla.; Katie Denny, a junior from Fort Worth, Texas; Amy Singmaster, a junior from Perry, Okla.; and Clay Henderson, a junior from Edmond, Okla.

Logan Lambert, a junior from Talala, Okla., received the Aaron and Hilda Hancock Scholarship, given to a student of Native American descent or preparing for the ministry among Native Americans. Jeremy Lalli, a junior from Krebs, Okla., received the James W. (Bob) and Patsy Evans Scholarship, an annual scholarship given to OBU Christian vocation students. The Ross and Pauline Hughes Scholarship in Home Missions, given to students planning to be home missionaries, was presented to Shane Haff, a junior from Pryor, Okla., and Zack Malthaner, a junior from Norman, Okla. Ellen Richard, a junior from Perkins, Okla., received the Rowena Strickland Scholarship, given to worthy religion students with interest in biblical studies. Andrew Cannon, a sophomore from Elgin, Okla., received the Hough Memorial Scholarship, given to a student with a major in education ministry, youth ministry or children's ministry.

Molly Byrom, a sophomore from Duncan, Okla., received the Bob and Nelle Agee International Study/Missions Scholarship, an annually funded scholarship given to OBU students who have participated in a University-approved overseas study program or missions program. Daniel Ray, a junior from Chickasha, Okla., received the Bob and Nelle Agee Leadership Scholarship, an annually funded scholarship given to an OBU student who has demonstrated overall campus leadership in each of the following areas: academic studies, Student Government Association and religious life activities and programs. The Guy L. Carr Memorial Scholarship, with half awarded to a music major through the College of Fine Arts and half awarded to a religion major through the School of Christian Service, was presented to Spencer Davis, a senior from Pine Bluff, Ark., and Devin Warfield, a junior from Enid, Okla. George Everett Scott Croucher, a junior from Shawnee, received the Dr. and Mrs. Warren Forbes Yarborough Scholarship, given to a rising junior or senior entering religious education, youth, or children's ministry.

Graduating seniors participated in Spring Commencement Friday, May 13, in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium.