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April 2013 Stories and Features

asRecreation and Wellness Center to Offer Swim Lessons

April 26, 2013

The OBU Recreation and Wellness Center will continue a long-time partnership with instructors Mark Ruiz and Marian Salwierak to provide swimming lessons this summer for children ages 4 and older. Registration for swimming lessons is Saturday,…

Donnelly to Present 'Executive Power' Thesis

April 26, 2013

OBU senior Sherrod Donnelly, from Arlington, Texas, will present his senior thesis Wednesday, May 1, at 3:30 p.m. in the AV Auditorium of the Mabee Learning Center. The public is invited to attend. Donnelly, a political science major, is the…

The Glow From That Fire' Premiere Set for April 30

April 25, 2013

The world premiere of "The Glow From That Fire," an original work composed by OBU professor James Vernon, is slated for Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m., in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public. The…

Representatives Invest in Global Engagement

April 25, 2013

Seven OBU representatives recently attended the 2013 University Educators for Global Engagement annual conference in Richmond, Va., joining a collaboration of leaders from other Christian universities who seek to educate and equip their…

Wolff Reads from 'Old School'

April 25, 2013

Author Tobias Wolff reads from his book "Old School" in OBU's Geiger Center on Thursday, April 25, as part of the Pioneer Library System's Big Read program. The event was co-sponsored by the OBU English Department and the library. The Big Read…

Where is Your Aim?' Strategist Asks Students

April 24, 2013

Rachel Wood, a long-term cross-cultural worker in East Asia with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, directed a message of strategy to OBU students during a weekly chapel service Wednesday, April 24. Wood spoke…

Henderson to Present 'Miscellaneous Metals' Art Show

April 24, 2013

Cassidi Henderson, an OBU senior from Edgewood, Texas, will debut her senior art show Saturday, April 27, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the OBU Art Building. The presentation, titled "Miscellaneous Metals," will feature a variety of art created by…

Evening of Southern Charm' Opens April 25

April 24, 2013

Tickets are on sale for OBU Theatre's presentation of "An Evening of Southern Charm: One-Act Plays by Southern Authors," set for April 25-27 in the Black Box Theatre in Sarkeys Telecommunication Center on the OBU campus. The production features…

Alumni Plan 'Engage Sochi' Olympic Outreach, Training

April 24, 2013

As the world's eyes turn to Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Southern Baptists prepare to turn hearts and minds toward a relationship with Jesus Christ. OBU alum Marc Hooks hopes to engage his fellow Bison in the endeavor…

Students Win Creative Writing Contest

April 24, 2013

OBU students recently swept a short story writing contest open to high school and college students in Oklahoma's Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties, with Matt Baker, Andrea Johnson and Andrew Wright named as the college-age finalists…

Renew Your Minds,' Luter Tells Students

April 22, 2013

Speaking with passion and energy, Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter implored OBU students to renew their minds in Jesus Christ during a chapel message Monday, April 22, in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. Dr. Luter, senior…

Engle to Present Senior Thesis on Chaucer's Work

April 22, 2013

OBU senior Kallie Engle, from Durant, Okla., will present her senior thesis Thursday, April 25, at 4 p.m. in the AV Auditorium of OBU's Mabee Learning Center. The public is invited to attend. Engle, an English major with a minor in religion, is…

Bison Jazz Orchestra to Perform at Ritz Theater April 26

April 22, 2013

OBU's Bison Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Pruiett, associate professor of music, will perform its final concert of the 2012-13 academic year Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Ritz Theater in downtown…

Shawnee Honor Choir to Perform Spring Concert April 28

April 22, 2013

Shawnee Honor Choir will present its spring concert on Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. The concert is free and open to the public. Shawnee Honor Choir, an auditioned choir of 45 third-…

University Ringers to Play in Illinois April 21

April 18, 2013

OBU's handbell ensemble, the University Ringers, will take a mini-tour to Illinois this weekend where they will perform on April 21 during the morning service at First Baptist Church, Brownstown, Ill., and during the evening service at Chatham…

Rachel Wood to Speak in Chapel April 24

April 16, 2013

OBU will welcome cross-cultural worker Rachel Wood on Wednesday, April 24, for the university's annual Women's Missions and Ministry Day. Wood will speak during the 10 a.m. chapel service in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. The community is…

Opera Theater Opens 'Street Scene' April 19

April 16, 2013

Rose Maurrant and Sam Kaplan excitedly discuss their future in OBU's Opera Theater production of "Street Scene." The opera tells the tragic story of life and love in the tenements of New York during the sweltering summer of 1946. Rose is…

Myles Named Executive Director of Milburn Center

April 16, 2013

OBU has named Carrie Myles as executive director of the Milburn Center, which encompasses the Student Success Center and the newly formed Academic Advising Center on campus. Myles, who also will serve as director of academic advising, is…

Bilyeu to Perform Junior Recital April 25

April 16, 2013

OBU student Brittni Bilyeu will perform her junior recital Thursday, April 25, at 8:30 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. The community is invited to attend. Bilyeu is a vocal music education major from Blanchard,…

Blitz Week Benefits Good Shepherd Chapel

April 16, 2013

Students at OBU annually raise funds for a designated beneficiary by hosting events and competitions throughout a week known as "Blitz Week." This year's fundraising will benefit Good Shepard Chapel, a church that ministers to impoverished…

Chadwick to Present 'Game Theory' Thesis

April 16, 2013

OBU senior J. Michael Chadwick, from Parker, Colo., will present his senior thesis Thursday, April 18, at 4 p.m. in the AV Auditorium in the lower level of the Mabee Learning Center on the OBU campus. The public is invited to attend. Chadwick…

Valencia to Debut 'New Wave' Art Show

April 15, 2013

Daniel Valencia, an OBU senior from Fort Gibson, Okla., will debut his senior art show Friday, April 19, from 7-9 p.m. The presentation, which is centered on a "new wave" theme, will feature various pieces of art by Valencia and will be…

University Chorale to Sing in Norman

April 15, 2013

The University Chorale, one of OBU's premiere vocal ensembles, will sing at First Baptist Church, Norman, Okla., on Sunday, April 28, during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The performance is free, and the community is invited to attend. The…

Theatre to Present 'Evening of Southern Charm'

April 15, 2013

OBU Theatre will present "An Evening of Southern Charm: One-Act Plays by Southern Authors" April 25-27 in the Black Box Theatre in Sarkeys Telecommunication Center on the OBU campus. Tickets are now on sale. The production features "Portrait of…

McQuigg to Perform Flute Recital April 22

April 12, 2013

OBU student Chelsea McQuigg will perform her senior recital Monday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. The community is invited to attend. McQuigg is a musical arts major from Miami, Okla., with a minor in…

Streck to Present Vocal Recital April 23

April 12, 2013

OBU student Ashlynn Streck will perform her senior vocal recital Tuesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. The community is invited to attend. Streck is a vocal music education major from…

OBU Hosts Hyde Park Day, Moser Elected President

April 12, 2013

OBU's Student Government Association hosted Hyde Park Day during chapel Wednesday, April 10. The annual event is designed to introduce candidates for student government elected positions and class officer positions. After the presentation of…

David's Creed to Lead Worship at Immanuel Baptist Church

April 12, 2013

OBU's praise ensemble, David's Creed, will lead worship at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, Okla., on Sunday, May 12, during the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services. The community is invited to attend. Immanuel Baptist Church is located…

Fifth Graders Learn About World Cultures

April 12, 2013

OBU junior Amie Morvan, from Haltom City, Texas, teaches fifth grade students from North Rock Creek School in Shawnee, Okla., about home-life traditions in Mumbai, India, during an interactive children's museum at OBU Friday, April 12. The…

Students Plant Seeds in the Snows of Russia

April 11, 2013

The weather, which around Oklahoma is notoriously subject to change, was predictably cold as OBU representatives and students arrived in the town of Ufa, Russia, in Eastern Europe during a Spring Break Global Outreach trip. OBU's Global…

Tickets on Sale for Opera Theatre's 'Street Scene'

April 11, 2013

Tickets are on sale for OBU's Opera Theater production of "Street Scene," the tragic story of life and love in the tenements of New York during the sweltering summer of 1946. The performances will run April 19-20 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 at…

Barns to Exhibit Senior Art Show April 13-18

April 10, 2013

OBU student Diana Barns, a senior graphic design major from Denton, Texas, will display her art pieces in an upcoming show debuting April 13 on the OBU campus. The community is invited to view the exhibit. Barns' show will be exhibited April…

Gala Featuring Dungy Benefits Student Scholarships

April 10, 2013

Bolstered by inspiring words offered by Tony Dungy, alumni and friends of OBU gathered to raise money to benefit student scholarship funds during OBU's first Green and Gold Gala Tuesday, April 9, at the Tulsa Convention Center. The gala…

Garcia to Perform Junior Recital April 16

April 9, 2013

OBU student Morganne Garcia will perform her junior recital Tuesday, April 16, at 8:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. The community is invited to attend. Garcia, who plays trumpet, is a music education major from Rogers, Ark. The…

Strobel, Turner to Perform Recital April 16

April 9, 2013

OBU students Joylynn Strobel and Sarah Turner will perform their senior recital Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. The community is invited to attend. Sarah Turner (left) and Joylynn Strobel will perform…

Hopkins to Present 'Ideographical Empowerment' Thesis

April 9, 2013

OBU senior Megan Hopkins, from Bolivar, Mo., will present her senior thesis Thursday, April 11, at 4 p.m. in Bailey Business Center's Tulsa Royalties Auditorium. The public is invited to attend. Hopkins, a strategic communication major and…

The Glow From That Fire' to Feature Oklahoma Talent

April 8, 2013

The world premiere of "The Glow From That Fire," an original work composed by OBU professor James Vernon, will feature several talents from across Oklahoma, including soloist Rebekah Ambrosini and narrator John Holcomb. The premiere also will…

Hill Shares 'Leadership Essentials for 21st Century'

April 8, 2013

Grounded in 20-plus "Leadership Essentials for the 21st Century," Ross Hill, CEO of Bank2 in Oklahoma City, presented OBU's 2013 Minter Lectureship in Business, Leadership and Christian Ministry Monday, April 8, in Bailey Business Center. Hill…

OBU Honors 573 Years of Service

April 5, 2013

Recognizing a combined 573 years of service to the institution, OBU honored 47 faculty and staff members during the university's annual Service Awards Banquet April 2. Forty-seven faculty and staff members were honored during OBU's annual…

Spring Affair 'Safari' Hits OBU April 13

April 5, 2013

OBU's Campus Activities Board promises an evening of fun and entertainment as they present "Spring Affair Safari" on Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m. in Raley Chapel. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the free performance; the community is welcome and…

Students Present Work at Sigma Tau Delta Convention

April 5, 2013

Six OBU students presented creative and critical papers at the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention in Portland, Ore., March 20-23. They included Matt Baker, Bethany Jackson, Rachel Maxwell, Amie Morvan, Leah Palmer and Caroline…

Yuan Tells Students: 'I Chose God'

April 4, 2013

Christopher Yuan was the king of his world -- a future dentist fueled by money, fame, drugs and sex -- until he lost his freedom, health and happiness, driving him to seek solace with God. And in the midst of his struggle, Yuan's mother found…

David's Creed to Lead Worship in Weleetka

April 4, 2013

OBU's praise ensemble, David's Creed, will lead worship at First Baptist Church of Weleetka, Okla. on Sunday, April 21, during the 10:45 a.m. worship service. The community is invited to attend. First Baptist Church of Weleetka is located at…

Community Invited to 'Sacred Harp' Singing Event

April 4, 2013

The Shawnee-area community is invited to attend OBU's second annual Sacred Harp singing event 6-7:15 p.m., Thursday, April 11, in Raley Chapel Room 142. The special singing is sponsored by the OBU student chapter of the National Association for…

Seale to Perform Senior Recital April 14

April 3, 2013

OBU student Brittany Seale will perform her senior recital Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium on the OBU campus. The community is invited to attend. Seale is a music education major, with an instrumental…

OBU Opera Theatre to Premiere 'Street Scene' April 19

April 3, 2013

The tragic story of life and love in the tenements of New York during the sweltering summer of 1946 will be brought to the stage of OBU's Craig-Dorland Theatre April 19-21. Tickets are on sale for OBU Opera Theater's production of "Street…

Lynch to Present 'Retro' Senior Art Show

April 3, 2013

Rachel Lynch, an OBU senior from Newalla, Okla., said nothing speaks to her quite like retro-style art. Lynch will debut her senior art show Friday, April 5, from 7-9 p.m. when examples of 1950s-era art and various other pieces of her original…

Profile in Excellence: David Steverson Counts God's Blessings

April 2, 2013

Editor's Note: Oklahoma Baptist University alum David Steverson, a 1983 graduate, is a 2013 recipient of the OBU Alumni Association's Profile In Excellence Award. The award is given to a former student who has "demonstrated recognizable…

Orchestra's 12th Season Concert to Feature Guest Pianist

April 2, 2013

The OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra will present its 12th Season Spring Concert Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. Guest pianist Dr. Michael Dean, associate professor of music in the OBU Division of Music, will…

Trimble Named Development Director for Shawnee, OKC

April 2, 2013

OBU's university advancement team has named Gretchen Trimble as a director of development, with responsibilities for the Shawnee and Oklahoma City regions. "Gretchen Trimble has established herself as a dedicated and able professional," said…

OBU Enactus Kicks Off 'Let's Can Hunger' Campaign

April 2, 2013

OBU's Enactus group launched a Campbell's "Let's Can Hunger" Challenge April 1. The canned food drive, conducted in partnership with FireLake Discount Foods in Shawnee, will run through April 12. According to recent statistics, Oklahoma is the…

Profile in Excellence: Mark Johnson Builds Success on Fundamentals

April 1, 2013

Editor's Note: Oklahoma Baptist University alum Mark Johnson, a 1982 graduate, is a 2013 recipient of the OBU Alumni Association's Profile In Excellence Award. The award is given to a former student who has "demonstrated recognizable…

Tobias Wolff to Read from 'Old School'

April 1, 2013

Author Tobias Wolff will present a reading of his book "Old School" in OBU's Geiger Center, rooms 218-220, on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. The community is invited to attend the reading, co-sponsored by the OBU English Department and the…

McHenry Named Dean of Nursing

April 1, 2013

OBU has named Lepaine Sharp-McHenry as dean of the College of Nursing. She will assume the responsibilities of this role July 15, 2013. McHenry currently serves as the assistant director and a clinical instructor for the University of Arkansas'…