OBU to Honor Graduates During Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

May 6, 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.

During commencement, junior class marshals will escort the graduating class to their seats. Marshals are selected from the top-ranking junior men and women based on overall grade-point average.

This year’s junior class marshals include: Stacey Berry, Kody Bialas, Kiersten Bradshaw, Emma Brasier, Haven Brewer, Bray Bussell, Michael Cannon, Morye Chandler, Shaylee Crowder, Hudson Cunningham, Kathryn Dublin, Hayden Duncan, Emily Elam, Sarah Epperson, Keylee Faudere, Thomas Gage, Gideon Gish, Mandolin Greene, Faith Holbrook, Noel Ingram, Reese Janik, Christopher King, David King, Emma Lansford, Mekenzie Lyda, Kyra Mackley, Grace Mapes, Aubrey Marjason, Bailey McIntosh, Talan Nguyen, Railey Nine, Ethan Rohde, James Rother, Elizabeth Scheer, Lily Thompson and Craig Wickliffe.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences include Makinley Andrews, politics, minor in pre-law; Morgan Grace Andrews, criminal justice, minor in athletic coaching; Sydnie Linda Arms, criminal justice, minor in pre-law; Icee Baker, forensic psychology, minor in business administration; Gabriel Barres, criminal justice, minor in psychology; Elizabeth Birch, psychology: pre-counseling, minor in criminal justice; Lauryn Blount, psychology: pre-counseling, minor in family science; Blaine Austin Bowen, history, minor in Christian ministry; David Brothers, politics, minor in criminal justice; Jeremy Camarena, criminal justice, minor in psychology; Brooklyn Campbell, family therapy; Ethan Cross, psychology: pre-counseling, minor in film studies; Emma Dean, criminal justice and psychology; Seth Finch, history, minor in Bible and theology; Reagan Fox, family science, minor in psychology; Madeline Nichole Giles, psychology, minor in cross-cultural ministry; Haley Grant, family science and psychology; Kaleb Hesskew, sport psychology; Mark Hodgson, history, minor in anthropology; Brooke Jaye, forensic psychology, minor in marketing; Cadence Raely Jones, psychology, minor in advocacy; Esther Lim, forensic psychology, minor in pre-law; Chloe Rae Nelson, psychology: pre-counseling, minor in art; Carys Powell, family science, minor in psychology; Avery Rowell, criminal justice, minor in psychology; McKayla Schmitt, psychology, minor in Spanish; Erin Elisabeth Shuman, family science, minor in teaching English to speakers of second languages; Emma Brianne Stayton, psychology: pre-counseling, minor in family science; Lexi Turner, criminal justice, minor in sociology; Adyson Sue Marie Tyson, criminal justice, minor in psychology; and Nathan Grant Wilson, politics, minor in pre-law.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation include Baylor Corbin, exercise science: human performance emphasis; JuliAnna Crews, sports and recreation management; Lauren Nicole Crouch, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis, minor in natural science; Yonas Daniel, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Sydney Lyn Duncan, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Ashlyn Foster, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Claire Gake, sports and recreation management; Benjamin Green, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Anna Grace Hamilton, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis, minor in chemistry; Hannah Hoffman, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Camryn Laverty, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Camden Rex McCrary, sports and recreation management; Josiah Melton, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Jacob Andrew Ostrowski, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Marcus Darin Peters, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Gregory Stephen Quintana, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Anna Grace Rader, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Andrew Sawyer, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Jaycee Danielle Shaffer, exercise science: human performance emphasis; Trenton Emille Summers, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Mahesa Benjamin Suprobo, sports and recreation management; Michaela Ann Taylor, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; Jason Michael Thomason, sports and recreation: athletic coaching emphasis; Charles Armon Whitebear, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis; and Isaiha Thomas Woods, exercise science: pre-allied health emphasis.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Language and Literature include Savannah Mayfield, English, minors in professional writing and editing and Spanish; and Elena Grace Streett, creative writing, minor in theatre.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the School of Nursing include Ashley Bell, nursing; Avery Blaine, nursing; Gabriel Brown, nursing; Gracen Laine Cunningham, nursing; Mary Grace Dyer, nursing; Airalee Evans, nursing; Lyn F. Franklin, nursing; Jaedyn Getman, nursing; LynDee Hammer, nursing, minor in sociology; Dornette Sharmaine Henry, nursing; Ian Wayne Huskinson, nursing; Sydnie Jordan, nursing; Hannah Kasterke, nursing; Samantha Ann Lehr, nursing; Taylor Denise McArthur, nursing; Kimberly McKinney, nursing; Matty Schierloh, nursing; Maya Sullivan, nursing; Liv Charlotte Todd, nursing; Christian Toney, nursing; Bianca Grace Van der Linden, nursing; Natalie Jo Vogler, nursing; Faith Wright, nursing; and Chloe Ziegler, nursing.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics include Brianna Arledge, biochemistry, minor in theatre; Macie Brannum, natural science; Ranly Elijah Huff, biology; Alyssa Maria Johnson, biochemistry, minor in psychology; Luke Morrow, biology; Dylan Peck, mathematics and physics; Adeline Rengel, mathematics, minor in natural science; Ana J’Laine Tindall, biology; and Isabelle Audrey Wells, biochemistry.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts include Zane Boban-Bennett, journalism and mass communication: film emphasis, minor in graphic design; Payton Carter, music composition; Johnny Latrell Curry, communication studies; Bethany Leigh Ellis, journalism and mass communication: film emphasis; Harrison Flowers, journalism and mass communication: journalism emphasis; Kyndall Hicks, graphic design, minor in marketing; Mark Hodge, graphic design; Ayden Kael Jones, graphic design; Linnea Malmberg, graphic design; Joshua Valton McCleskey, theatre; Isaac Melton, music composition; Kaitlyn O’Brien, musical arts, minor in psychology; Grace Palmer, piano performance: pedagogy emphasis; Isabella Rose Perron, journalism and mass communication: film emphasis; Chloe Randall, communication studies; Abigail Ryan, art; Josie Watson Sanders, theatre; Amelia Staggs, journalism and mass communication: film and media emphasis; McKenzie Stewart, graphic design; Cole Taylor, communication studies, minor in Bible and theology; Nora Townsend, graphic design; Sergio Vazquez, musical arts, minor in education; and Toryn Greenlee Marie Wells, graphic design.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Paul Dickinson School of Business include Nolan Michael Atkinson, professional accountancy; Alek Borunda, marketing, minor in worship studies; Colton Burch, professional accountancy; Kye Cavin, management; Cline Parker Dement, interdisciplinary: business administration, professional writing and editing, and film studies; Kassidy Emma Depuy, marketing, minor in graphic design; Simon Dunk, computer science; Tyler Gish, professional accountancy; Eric David Glasscock, management; Cole Green, management; Jackson Green, marketing; Katelyn Hadden, management; Travis Hayes, computer science; Ian Hively, computer science, minor in music; Kinsey Paige Hunnicutt, marketing; Annabelle Joski, management; Jason Wayne Lanier, finance; Ty Lippoldt, finance; Caleb P. Maynard, computer science-interdisciplinary, minor in philosophy; Riley McGuirk, management; Zachary Molyneaux, international business and professional accountancy; Keenan Morris, marketing; Meghan Faith Roberts, finance and professional accountancy; Jeff Robinson, marketing; Julianna Sezate, professional accountancy; Erin Stanley, finance and professional accountancy; Allie Stricker, marketing; Peyton Dawn Tapia, professional accountancy; Olivia Danelle Tate, finance; Henry Thompson, international business; Joshua Imo Udoumoh, software engineering; Joseph Waring, management; Emma Elizabeth Whaley, management; Chase Whitebear, marketing; Joshua Wideman, computer science; and James Williams, international business.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education include Brayley Abbott, special education and early childhood education; Chandler Alexis Baker, English education, secondary; Sophie Nicole Behrens, English education, secondary; Margaret Butler, math education, secondary, minors in Christian ministry and music; Kessi Cabler, early childhood education, minor in cross cultural ministry: student and family ministry; Rachel Nicole Clonts, interdisciplinary: education, music, and family science; Kathryn Conrad, special education and elementary education; Isabella Cosby, elementary education and early childhood education; Kali Harriman, special education, early childhood education, and elementary education; Robert Harrison, math education, secondary, minor in Spanish; Autumn Josephine Henshaw, elementary education and early childhood education; Jamora Horace, elementary education; Kendal Johnson, elementary education and early childhood education; Austin Lane, middle school education, minor in Christian ministry; Ethan Muehlenweg, elementary education; Allison Kathleen Plumlee, social science education, secondary; Mackenzie Pollard, early childhood education; Abigail Primrose, elementary education; Rebekah Grace Rake, science education, secondary; Mackenzie Margaret Robertson, elementary education; Margaret Jo McCabe Smith, social science education, secondary; Noah Steelman, math education, secondary, minor in history; Kaylee Stone, special education and elementary education; Abby Taylor, special education and elementary education; Jonathan McKinley Terry, English education, secondary; and Hannah Brett Walker, English education, secondary.

Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry include Luke Joe Adrean, Christian studies; Sasha Alessandra Arauz, biblical and theological studies: Bible and theology emphasis, minor in graphic design; Gabriel Paul Atyia, biblical and theological studies: history and theology emphasis, minor in computer science; Kat Autry, biblical and theological studies: biblical studies emphasis, minor in history and theology; Noah D. Baker, biblical and theological studies: pastoral ministry emphasis; Caleb Duane Berger, interdisciplinary: Christian ministry, Bible and theology, and natural science; Nathan Blair, cross-cultural ministry: student and family ministry emphasis, minor in apologetics; Clint Bryant, Christian studies; Pike Butler, biblical and theological studies: Bible and theology emphasis, minor in history; Adin Costanzo, biblical and theological studies: biblical studies emphasis, minor in worship studies; Clayton Freeman, biblical and theological studies: Bible and theology emphasis, minor in psychology; T.K. Hadden, biblical and theological studies: Bible and theology emphasis; Samantha Harrison, interdisciplinary: worship studies, cross-cultural ministry, and family science; Alexander Wolfgang Hinker, philosophy, minor in politics; Hannah James, Christian studies; Mackenzie James, Christian studies; Caitlin Jones, global marketplace engagement: TESOL emphasis; Makayela Jones, Christian studies; Nathan Napier, cross-cultural ministry: pastoral ministry emphasis, minor in English; David Lee Olney, cross-cultural ministry: pastoral ministry emphasis, minor in psychology; David Cole Raymick, biblical and theological studies: biblical languages emphasis, minor in psychology; Addison Ryan, global marketplace engagement: global education emphasis; Sierra Tyler Stanley, cross-cultural ministry: student and family ministry emphasis, minor in theatre; Brady Ryan Taber, biblical and theological studies: history and theology emphasis; Evan Walsh, Christian studies; and Anna Welch, global marketplace engagement: business emphasis.

Candidates for the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences include Jorja Barrett, Scott Cross, Andrew S. Floyd, Joshua Frank, Anya Gerald, Sara Hall, Lydia Johnson, Brady Ledford, Aaron McKey, Rachelle A. Pearce, Megann Shelby Raymer, Katrice Williams and Talesa Wilson.

Candidates for the Master of Business Administration from the Paul Dickinson School of Business include Lane Paul, Haven Stewart and David Stuart.

Candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching from the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education include Cayden Evans, Kayla Lynn Hutcheson, Marieh Jordyn Pritchett, Marysa Elizabeth Rake and Carlee Stecker.

Candidates for the Master of Arts in Christian Studies from the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry include Joshua Jacobs, Christian studies: apologetics; and Cheryl Lynn Morgan, Christian studies: biblical and theological studies.

Restoration and renewal efforts across Bison Hill continue as the university celebrates the achievements and perseverance of its graduates.

Learn more about OBU’s 2026 Spring Commencement at okbu.edu/student-life/commencement.

To learn more about the Shape the Future campaign, visit okbu.edu/giving/shape-the-future. If you would like to give to the campaign, visit okbu.edu/giving/shape-the-future/give.