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Kelly to Bring Commencement Address

May 8, 2013

Kelly joined the OBU faculty in 1997. He was named the Rowena Strickland Professor of Bible in 2000 and the Ruth Dickinson Chair of Bible in 2004. He earned his bachelor's degree from Clear Creek Baptist College in Pineville, Ky., and his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1998, he earned his doctorate in New Testament studies from Southwestern Seminary, where he also served as a teaching fellow for three years.

A sought-after preacher and teacher in churches throughout Oklahoma, Kelly is a frequent contributor to the Biblical Illustrator as well as dictionary articles and presentations at professional conferences. He has served as interim pastor of 11 Oklahoma churches since his arrival at OBU including First Baptist Church, Midwest City; Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City; First Baptist Church, Ponca City; and First Baptist Church, Shawnee. He also travels the state teaching January/Winter Bible Studies.

Kelly has been recognized for excellence in teaching. He received the Promising Teacher Award in May 2000, an award given annually to a junior faculty member who demonstrates outstanding potential as a teacher. In May 2011, OBU awarded Kelly the Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest honor for OBU faculty members. The award is presented to a senior faculty member who has exemplified characteristics of superior instruction as acknowledged by former students, peers and current students. Kelly also received the Delta Epsilon Chi Award in May 2000, an annual award given to a distinguished alumnus as selected by the faculty, administration and trustees of Clear Creek Baptist College.

Kelly has been married to his wife, Angie, for 20 years. They have two children, Luke and Levi. In his spare time he enjoys Kentucky basketball, serving as basketball coach for his sons and running.

In addition to the address from Kelly, the Commencement program includes greetings by officials from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and induction of the graduates into the OBU Alumni Association. OBU President David W. Whitlock will present a charge to the graduates.

OBU's 2013 Spring Commencement will begin at 3 p.m. May 17 in Potter Auditorium of John Wesley Raley Chapel on the university campus in Shawnee. Tickets are required for admittance.