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July 2013 Stories and Features

Students Take Truth of Gospel to Zambia

July 31, 2013

For some, the journey halfway around the world was a new experience. For others, the voyage reacquainted them with Christian believers in southern Africa. But for all eight Oklahoma Baptist University representatives, a recent Global Outreach…

Mabee Foundation Issues $1 Million Challenge Grant

July 25, 2013

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., has issued a $1 million challenge grant to OBU toward the construction of the Jane E. & Nick K. Stavros Hall. The academic building will be the state-of-the-art home of the OBU…

Alum Christi McGahan Earns Two 2013 Emmys

July 24, 2013

Christi Mitchell McGahan, a 2009 graduate of OBU, won her third and fourth Emmy awards at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Heartland Regional Emmy Awards July 13. In Oklahoma, the awards were presented at the University of…

High School Students Find Creative Learning at STEM Camp

July 24, 2013

By midsummer, teenagers across America barely stave off boredom as they await the beginning of school. But for 10 Shawnee-area students, OBU has piqued their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a new…

Oklahoma Pastors Encouraged, Equipped at OBU

July 22, 2013

More than 80 pastors from across the state were encouraged and equipped through the 2013 OBU Pastors School July 15-17. The annual Pastors School, conducted on the Shawnee campus, is designed to provide an opportunity of ministry development…

Eleven Athletic Teams Earn Scholar Distinctions

July 15, 2013

Eleven athletic teams from OBU are among the 898 from across the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to be named NAIA Scholar-Teams. OBU teams earning the honors were women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country,…

Organ Concert to Benefit Professor Peter Purin

July 15, 2013

Five Shawnee musicians with ties to OBU will present an organ concert Sunday, July 21, at 4 p.m. at First Christian Church in Shawnee. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Dr. Peter Purin, assistant professor of music…

OBU Hoping to Bridge Years in Football

July 11, 2013

1940-41 Bison football team. OBU is seeking people connected with the previous era of Bison football for an Opening Day honor. The Bison play their first football game since 1940, taking the field Aug. 31. OBU is planning to recognize players,…

Preparatory Department Celebrates with Recitals

July 11, 2013

Students in OBU's Music Preparatory Department celebrated the conclusion of a year of lessons and competitions with annual awards recitals May 11-12 in Yarborough Auditorium in Raley Chapel. The celebratory events included five recitals by…

OBU Welcomes Volunteers

July 9, 2013

OBU Athletics welcomes volunteers for the 2013-14 season. While the focus currently is on football, volunteers in most sports are welcome. Volunteers can fill out an online form at the Bison Athletics Web Page under "additional links." Among…

Profile in Excellence: Melissa Busby

July 9, 2013

Editor's Note: OBU alum Melissa Busby, a 1999 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 accomplishment in his or her…

In Memory: Former First Lady Ellen Tanner

July 8, 2013

Ellen Yates Tanner, OBU's First Lady from 1971-76, died July 4, 2013, in Temple, Texas. She was 82. Mrs. Tanner was born Jan. 4, 1931, in Louisville, Ky., the daughter of Dr. Kyle Monroe Yates Sr. and Margaret (Sharp) Yates. After graduating…

Profile in Excellence: Sean Meade

July 8, 2013

Editor's Note: Oklahoma Baptist University alum Sean Meade, a 2000 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…

Profile in Excellence: Doug and Lana Melton

July 5, 2013

Editor's Note: OBU alums Doug Melton, a 1983 OBU graduate, and Lana (Dotson) Melton, a 1986 graduate, are 2013 recipients of the OBU Alumni Association's Profile In Excellence Award. The award is given to a former student who has "demonstrated…

Davenport Named SAC Athletic Director of the Year

July 2, 2013

OBU director of athletics Robert Davenport is Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year. Davenport is eligible for consideration for the national NAIA award. In addition to facility improvements and fundraising, Davenport has…

Professor Releases Books on Faith and Music

July 2, 2013

Dr. Louima Lilite, assistant professor of music at OBU, recently released two books about faith and music -- "Weeding Impatience: Growing in Patience" and "When Music Meets Faith: Reflecting on Musical Terms for a Deeper Faith" -- both…

Potts Promoted to Director of Admissions

July 2, 2013

Rachel Potts has been promoted to director of the OBU Admissions Team, with the new role effective Aug. 1. Potts joined OBU's admissions staff in 2009 as an admissions counselor, and she was promoted from admissions counselor to assistant…

Two Educators Retire from OBU Faculty

July 1, 2013

Two longtime educators announced retirements from the OBU faculty, effective following the conclusion of the 2012-13 academic year. Dr. Lana Bolhouse, dean of the College of Nursing, is retiring after 40 years of service at the university, and…