Chapman to Receive the 2026 Walter O. Mason, Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame Award on April 12 at OBU

March 17, 2026

Oklahoma Baptist University has announced that Dr. Kenneth Chapman Jr. will be the 2026 inductee into the OBU Walter O. Mason Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals whose lives are dedicated to promoting and advancing Kingdom diversity, rooted in the value of people from all nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues, as described in Revelation 7:9.

The ceremony will be held on the OBU campus in Rooms 219-220 of the Geiger Center at 3 p.m. on April 12, 2026. The public is invited to attend the free event. For planning purposes, guests are asked to RSVP by April 1.

According to B.J. Glover, OBU vice president for university culture, the attire is “Sunday best or black tie,” and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served at the event, which will be presented in an awards-show format.

Chapman is an educator, higher education leader, pastor and consultant whose work sits at the intersection of academic leadership, faith formation and organizational strategy. He currently serves on the instructional faculty at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business, where he teaches and mentors the next generation of leaders.

Throughout his career, he has held significant administrative and leadership roles at OBU, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma and Dallas College, bringing a perspective shaped by experience across public, private and faith-based institutions.

Chapman is also a trusted consultant to Christian schools and organizations across the United States, advising leaders on institutional effectiveness, leadership development and gospel-centered approaches to cultivating unity within diverse learning communities.

While at OBU, Chapman served as the inaugural assistant dean of students and diversity, where he led campuswide efforts focused on what he describes as Kingdom Diversity — the pursuit of unity in Christ that reflects the diversity of God’s creation.

Born and raised in Del City, a suburb of Oklahoma City, he earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations and mass communications from the University of Central Oklahoma before completing both a Master of Education and a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma.

Chapman and his wife, Kimberley, are the parents of five children: four sons — Kenneth III, Kole, Karter and Karson — and a daughter, Kenley.

The Chapman family are active members of Life Changing Christian Faith Fellowship in Frisco, Texas, where Chapman serves as executive pastor. In this role, he is committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God, equipping believers and demonstrating the love of Christ through faithful ministry.

Those who have worked with Chapman say his commitment to ministry and mentoring has shaped the lives of students and colleagues alike.

“He carries himself in a way that inspires others to create safe and open communities without bulldozing others in the process,” said Erin Guleserian, OBU director of the residential experience, who nominated Chapman for the award. “He is kind and caring and so very wise.”

She added that Chapman consistently reflects his faith in the way he cares for others.

“Kenneth engages others with kindness and genuinely embodies the love of the Lord for all people,” Guleserian said.

Glover added, “It is a distinct privilege to recognize the person who held OBU’s first diversity leadership role, a position that laid the groundwork for the Office of University Culture that I now lead.”

To RSVP, visit okbu.cc/kdhof.