2026 Stories and Features
Oklahoma Baptist University to host Crash Course Conference for educators June 9
May 6, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University will host a one-day professional development event for educators to strengthen classroom effectiveness ahead of the new school year. “The Crash Course Conference: Start Strong, Teach Stronger” is…
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…
OBU to Host High School All-State Choir Prep Camp on June 27
April 30, 2026
OBU will host its High School All-State Choir Prep Camp on Saturday, June 27, offering student vocalists across the state an opportunity to refine their skills ahead of competitive auditions. Registration is open. The one-day camp will run from…
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…
OBU Recognizes Outstanding Seniors During Awards Chapel
April 30, 2026
OBU held its annual Awards Chapel on April 29 in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The university recognized outstanding seniors within its schools and divisions and presented its four highest student awards. The…
OBU Faculty Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees Recognized
April 29, 2026
OBU honored two esteemed faculty members during the 2026 Awards Chapel on Wednesday, April 29. This year’s inductees, Don Clark (music) and Robbie Henson (nursing), were recognized for their profound impact on the university and their…
OBU Honors Retirees
April 24, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University hosted a retirement reception for three long-time faculty and staff members on April 23 at the Geiger Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Retiring employees include Dr. Brad Jett, James E. Hurley Professor of…
A Milestone Day at OBU That is Sure to Shape the Future
April 23, 2026
A steady stream of students and families, 878 people in all, moved across the Oklahoma Baptist University campus to complete their final steps toward enrollment during Priority Enrollment Day on Saturday. With so many in attendance, an annual…
Campus Construction Updates
April 22, 2026
Hello Bison Nation, Progress continues across campus as key projects move forward during the final stretch of the spring semester. Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month. Raley…
OBU Summer Courses Offer Flexibility and Affordability for 2026
April 21, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University will offer a broad selection of summer courses for 2026, designed to provide flexible and affordable options for students attending colleges and universities. Tuition for Summer 2026 has been set at $350 per credit…
OBU Launches Physician Associate Graduate Program
April 15, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the launch of a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies program, a new graduate healthcare degree designed to prepare students for careers providing patient-centered medical care across a…
Chapman Inducted into OBU Walter O. Mason Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame
April 13, 2026
Dr. Kenneth Chapman Jr., educator, pastor and higher education leader, was honored as the 2026 inductee into the OBU Walter O. Mason Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Sunday, April 12, on the Oklahoma Baptist University…
Campus Construction Updates
March 30, 2026
Hello Bison Nation, Progress continues across campus as key projects move forward. Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month. Thurmond Hall [[grid]] [[span 12]] Thurmond Hall, Cybersecurity…
OBU Theatre to present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” April 16-19, 23-26
March 27, 2026
The Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre program presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. Performances will take place in the Sarkeys Black Box Theatre April 16-18, 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., with…
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…
Oklahoma Baptist University’s MS-SLP Program Receives National Accreditation Candidacy
March 11, 2026
OBU has been awarded Candidacy Accreditation Status for its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The CAA is the national accrediting body for…
OBU hosts Generation Why Youth Apologetics Conference, Equips Youth To Articulate Faith
March 10, 2026
OBU hosted its annual Generation Why Youth Apologetics Conference on March 7 at the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee, with 1,300 middle school and high school students from across the region in attendance. "We are…
Thurmond Hall ribbon-cutting celebrates rapid growth of OBU engineering program
March 6, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University celebrated the future-shaping renovation of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program now in just its third year. Students, faculty, staff,…
OBU choirs to preview Carnegie Hall work during ‘Sound, Soul and Spirit’ concert in Norman
March 4, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University choirs will present a preview of a major work they will perform at Carnegie Hall in May 2026 during “Sound, Soul and Spirit: An Evening with Dan Forrest” on Saturday, March 28, in Norman. The…
OBU Students Win Gold and Silver at 2026 American Advertising Awards
February 26, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University seniors McKenzie Stewart and Kyndall Hicks earned top honors at the 2026 American Advertising Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Omni Hotel in downtown…
OBU welcomes new faculty to lead the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program
February 25, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the director appointments of Dr. Carson C. Walker, Dr. Carol Koch, Dr. Becky Jones, Dr. Nancy Quick and Dr. Stephanie Karidas in its new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)…
OBU DECA Students Capture Top Honors at Oklahoma Collegiate DECA Competition Day
February 24, 2026
OBU students earned multiple first-place finishes at the 2026 Oklahoma Collegiate DECA Competition Day, on January 30th at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education in Stillwater. Students competing through OBU’s Paul…
OBU to Host Summer Nursing Camp July 15-17
February 18, 2026
High school students exploring a future in nursing will gain hands-on experience this summer at OBU’s School of Nursing “Called to Care” Camp, scheduled for July 15-17, 2026, on the OBU campus. The camp is open to…
Campus Construction Updates
February 18, 2026
Hello Bison Nation, Construction progress continues across campus as several major projects move closer to important milestones. Here’s a look at what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month. Thurmond Hall [[grid]] [[span…
“From Concepts to Canvas” art talk to feature Oklahoma artist Lucas Simmons in Shawnee Hall
February 18, 2026
OBU will host “From Concept to Canvas,” an art talk featuring artist and OBU alumnus Lucas Simmons at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in Mabee Lecture Theatre on the third floor of Shawnee Hall. Simmons will discuss two…
Thurmond Hall ribbon-cutting celebration to spotlight rapid growth of OBU engineering program
February 17, 2026
OBU will celebrate the grand re-opening of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m. March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program now in just its third year. The OBU community, partners and friends are all…
Six OBU Faculty Installed to Endowed Positions
February 11, 2026
Founders’ Day Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University featured six academic installations and a message from Dr. Eric Costanzo, senior pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in OBU’s Recreation and…
OBU to Host Generation Why Youth Apologetics Conference March 7
February 5, 2026
OBU will host its annual youth apologetics conference, Generation Why, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The conference is designed for middle school, high school and college…
OBU Spring 2026 Business Forum to Feature Construction Leader Stan Lingo
February 4, 2026
Stan Lingo, founder and owner of Lingo Construction Services, will speak on “Building buildings, prepare, position, praise” at the Oklahoma Baptist University Spring 2026 Business Forum from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. on Friday,…
Ten Students to Perform as Soloists in OBU’s Concerto-Aria Concert Feb. 22
February 3, 2026
The OBU Division of Music will present the 52nd annual Concerto-Aria Concert in the OBU Recreation and Wellness Center Sunday, Feb. 22, on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Ten students will perform as soloists, all accompanied by a full orchestra.…
Baxter, Drake Named Lilly Faculty Fellows in Competitive National Program
February 2, 2026
OBU faculty members Ben Baxter, chair of the division of communication arts and of the division of art and design, and Dr. Nathan Drake, professor of mathematics, have been selected for Lilly Faculty Fellowships, a highly competitive national…
OBU Approved to Offer Fully Online 90-Credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration
January 30, 2026
OBU has received formal approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer a 90-credit-hour Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration, a fully online program designed for working professionals and adult learners. The…
OBU’s MOSAIC Event Invites High School Students to Explore the Arts
January 28, 2026
OBU’s Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts invites high school students in grades 10–12 to campus for MOSAIC, an immersive arts experience to be held on April 8, 2026. Hosted on the OBU campus, MOSAIC offers…
OBU Students Named to Honor Roll
January 21, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University recently announced students named to the university’s academic honor roll for the fall 2025 semester. To qualify for the President’s Honor Roll, a student must have completed at least 12 semester…
Adding to history, shaping the future: OBU students return to Shawnee Hall
January 14, 2026
The sounds were familiar, but the moment was historic. Students were talking in the corridors, classroom doors were opening and professors were settling in to teach. But on this day, history met the future. For the first time since April 19,…
Campus Construction Updates
January 14, 2026
Hello Bison Nation, Progress continues across campus as key projects move from construction to completion. Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month. Shawnee Hall With the start of the spring…
OBU Theatre to Host 24-Hour Theatre Fundraiser Feb. 21
January 13, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre will present its spring 24-Hour Theatre Fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, featuring original student-produced short plays created and staged in just one day. Tickets are $1 at the door.…
Nominations Sought for the Walter O. Mason, Jr. Kingdom Diversity Hall of Fame Award
January 9, 2026
OBU is continuing its new tradition of recognizing and honoring individuals whose lives are dedicated to promoting and advancing Kingdom diversity, rooted in the biblical value of people from every nation, tribe, people and language, as…