OBU spring commencement returning to campus May 9

April 30, 2026

Oklahoma Baptist University will host two spring commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on campus Saturday, May 9, in the Recreation and Wellness Center.

Spring commencement will return to the OBU campus after events were held off campus in recent years due to damage to Raley Chapel caused by the April 19, 2023, EF2 tornado.

The morning commencement ceremony will honor candidates from the School of Nursing, Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts, the James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics, the Division of Language and Literature, the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation and the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

The afternoon commencement ceremony will recognize candidates from the Paul Dickinson School of Business, the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education and the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry, as well as interdisciplinary majors and graduate students from all academic areas.

Dr. Chris Wall, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Owasso, will serve as the commencement speaker for both ceremonies. With more than 30 years of ministry experience, he leads with a commitment to biblical faithfulness, generational discipleship and mission-focused ministry. An OBU graduate, he also holds degrees from Southwestern and Midwestern Baptist Theological seminaries.

Wall’s passion is helping people know God and follow Jesus, equipping believers to live all of life for Christ, a vision he shares with OBU. He has served as president of Oklahoma Baptists and currently serves on the board of trustees for the International Mission Board, mobilizing churches for gospel mission among the nations.

This occasion holds special significance as his daughter graduates as a fourth-generation Bison, continuing a family legacy shaped by Christ-centered education.

Each graduate on May 9 will be allowed a total of 10 guests. Tickets will not be distributed, and attendance will be based on the honor system.

Guests for the morning ceremony may begin seating at 8:45 and should be seated by 9:45 a.m. to allow for the processional of graduates.

Guests for the afternoon ceremony may begin seating at 1:45 p.m. and should be seated by 2:45 p.m. to allow for the processional of graduates.

The Recreation and Wellness Center is located on the OBU campus just east of the intersection of University Street and Airport Drive in Shawnee.

Accessible parking for guests will be available directly west of the Recreation and Wellness Center and north of the tennis courts. An accessibility ramp into the building is located on the west side of the facility. For questions regarding parking, entrances or seating, contact Sharon Eulberg, administrative assistant to the vice president of campus life and dean of students, at 405-585-5250 or sharon.eulberg@okbu.edu.

A “come and go reception” with light refreshments will be served to graduates, guests, faculty and staff between the morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies in the Noble Complex between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Photo backdrops will be available for graduates, families and friends to take pictures.

The Walk

The Walk will take place Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. Graduates are asked to arrive at the Recreation and Wellness Center by 6:15 p.m. on court one. Wearing their cap, gown and tassel, they will proceed east on University Street to the Oval and north on the center sidewalk to the Shawnee Hall steps.

Nursing pinning

The Nursing Pinning and Lamp Lighting Ceremony will be held Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. in Rooms 219-220 of the Geiger Center on the OBU campus. A rehearsal is scheduled for May 8 at 12:30 p.m. in the same location. A reception will follow in the lower Geiger Center area. For more information, contact nursing@okbu.edu or call 405-585-4450.

For more information on the 2026 spring commencement, visit okbu.edu/student-life/commencement.