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Faculty, Staff Named in Humanities and Social Sciences

August 10, 2012

Song Cho is an assistant professor of Spanish. He earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from New York University and a master's degree in Spanish from Middlebury College in Madrid, Spain. He is pursuing a master's degree in Christian studies from Trinity International University.

Cho has taught Spanish courses at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Tennessee State University. He attended elementary school in Mendoza, Argentina, until the third grade and studied as a graduate student at the Universidad de Costa Rica in San José. In addition to Spanish and English, he speaks Korean fluently.

Dr. Silas Kaine Ezell is an assistant professor of education. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and English education from Southern Arkansas University and a master's degree and doctorate in English from the University of Arkansas.

Ezell has served as a senior teaching assistant at the University of Arkansas since 2006. He has served as an adjunct instructor at Ozarks Technical Community College since 2010. His courses included Composition, World Literature and Survey of American Literature from 1660-1900.

Dr. Kristi Key is an associate professor of English. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from John Brown University; a master's degree in English from the University of Tulsa; and a doctorate in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Key comes to OBU from Newberry College, where she was an assistant professor in the Department of Literature and English. She previously taught as assistant professor at St. Andrews Presbyterian College and River Parishes Community College. She served as a graduate assistant at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and she was an adjunct professor at Tulsa Community College and John Brown University.

Dr. Brent Newsom is an assistant professor of English, returning to Bison Hill where he earned a bachelor's degree in 2003 in interdisciplinary studies: religion, English and teaching English as a Second Language. He earned a master's degree in English: literary studies from Louisiana State University and doctorate in English: creative writing from Texas Tech University.

Newsom has served as a part-time graduate instructor at Texas Tech since 2007. He also was a graduate teaching assistant at Louisiana State University. In 2009-10, he received a Fulbright grant from the U.S. Dept. of State for novel-related research in China.

Phyllis Tipton is returning to Bison Hill as an assistant professor of education. Tipton earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is certified in elementary education and early childhood education, and she has extensive training in the Literacy First process.

Tipton joined OBU's Division of Teacher Education in fall 2010 as an instructor of education, having also taught OBU courses in 2001-03. She previously worked as director of the pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs at The Goddard School in Edmond, Okla. From 2003-06, she served as director of the after-school program for Shawnee Public Schools, supervising 15 staff members and organizing tutoring for 75 students.

"I am excited to have these five new faculty in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences," said Dr. Pam Robinson, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. "New faculty bring new ideas and new perspectives as we continue to ensure our programs meet the needs of a given career field. I look forward to working with these new faculty as we live out the mission of OBU through the preparation of our graduates."

Teresa Jett is joining OBU's Division of Language and Literature as part-time secretary. She earned a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from OBU in 1989. Jett also serves as financial secretary for First Baptist Church and University Baptist Church, both in Shawnee.

Click here more information about OBU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences.