Women of Vision Dinner Highlights Philanthropy and Campus Impact

Women of Vision held its annual gathering and dinner Oct. 1 in the Geiger Center as part of The Weekend festivities on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus, bringing together alumnae, parents, community partners and friends who share a commitment to supporting OBU through philanthropy and service.

First Lady of OBU Jill Thomas welcomed attendees as the organization celebrated another year of impact on students and campus life. The evening highlighted Women of Vision’s core value: coming together to plan for the future with imagination and wisdom. Members learned more about current initiatives and opportunities to support projects that enhance the student experience and strengthen the OBU community.

Chloe Roberson, a past Women of Vision scholarship recipient, offered the invocation to open the program. Lea Ann Quirk, executive director of university engagement, introduced the evening’s featured speaker, Dina Deleasa-Gonsar. She is the author of the new cookbook and devotional, “At the Kitchen Sink,” a seasoned writer, speaker and television personality and the creative force behind DishItGirl.com.

Women of Vision hosted its annual gathering and dinner Oct. 1 in the Geiger Center as part of The Weekend festivities on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus. In a special highlight, the evening’s featured speaker, Dina Deleasa-Gonsar presented a live cooking demonstration, and guests enjoyed a dinner featuring recipes from her cookbook.

In a special highlight, Deleasa-Gonsar presented a live cooking demonstration, and guests enjoyed a dinner featuring recipes from her cookbook. This was Deleasa-Gonsar’s first-ever visit to Oklahoma, and to OBU, making her welcome to Bison Hill especially memorable.

Julie Paul, vice president for advancement and alumni, presented three Women of Vision projects for members to consider, leading to the evening’s vote. Members selected the outdoor kitchen and seating area behind Kerr Residence - a dynamic new space for all students to gather, build community, and enjoy campus life - as this year’s funded project.

During the program, Jordan Cleveland, events and engagement coordinator, invited attendees to become part of Women of Vision, reinforcing the organization’s open membership to all OBU alumni and friends. Membership includes events that foster networking, service and community-building, while providing financial resources to make lasting improvements across Bison Hill by funding a campus project each year.