Academics Articles and Features

Coolidge Wins Heartland Emmy Award

OBU student Victoria Coolidge was recently awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences  Heartland Regional Emmy Student Scholarship. She is a sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, majoring in journalism and mass…

Students Gain Real-World Marketing Experience, Assist Local Businesses

Students in the Paul Dickinson College of Business at OBU have the opportunity to gain real-world marketing experience while serving clients in the community. The micro internship for marketing majors program piloted during the spring 2020…

Princeton Review Ranks OBU ‘Best in the West” for the 16th Year in a Row

For the 16th consecutive year, The Princeton Review recognized OBU as one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States. OBU was one of 127 institutions listed in the “Best in the West” section on the…

OBU Earns Seven ‘Colleges of Distinction’ Honors for 2020-21

Oklahoma Baptist University has been named as a College of Distinction in seven categories for 2020-21. Colleges of Distinction is a nationally recognized and prestigious designation for universities whose undergraduate experiences are grounded…

OBU College of Nursing Hosts Prayer Ceremony for Junior Nursing Majors

The OBU College of Nursing held a “Blessings of the Hands” ceremony Monday, Aug. 10, on the first day of the fall semester. The ceremony commissioned all junior nursing majors as they enter the nursing program of study. Dr.…

Thomas Challenges University to Unity in Divisive Times

Dr. Heath A. Thomas delivered his first Convocation address as OBU President Wednesday, Aug. 12. The message was live-streamed from the stage of Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. He challenged the University community to consider the…

OBU Honors Henson, Walker and Baxter with Highest Employee Awards

OBU presented its annual faculty and staff awards Friday, Aug. 7, during the University’s back-to-school employee meeting in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on the OBU campus in Shawnee. OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas…

OBU Hosts 106th Spring Commencement, Honoring 288 Graduates

OBU conferred degrees upon 288 students during the University’s 106th Spring Commencement Saturday, Aug. 1. The ceremony took place on the south lawn of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus in Shawnee, beginning at 8:30 a.m. James Lankford,…

University Launching Prison Divinity Degree Program, Perkins to Lead

OBU will begin offering undergraduate courses in-person in August at the Lexington Correctional Center as part of its new Prison Divinity Program. The university will offer a full Bachelor of Arts in Christian studies, taught inside the walls…

Lankford to Speak at OBU Commencement Aug. 1

James Lankford, United States Senator from Oklahoma, will deliver the address to graduates during OBU’s Spring Commencement ceremony Saturday, Aug. 1. The ceremony will take place on the south lawn of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus in…

Spillman Appointed Assistant Director of Honors Program

Dr. Daniel Spillman, associate professor of history, has been appointed as the assistant director of the Honors Program. He joins Dr. Lindsey Panxhi, director of the Honors Program and assistant professor of English, in leading the program into…

OBU to Begin Classes Aug. 10, End Semester Before Thanksgiving

OBU has revised the fall calendar for academic year 2020-21. The Board of Trustees voted to move up the start of the fall semester, remove Labor Day and Fall Free Days, and conclude the fall semester before Thanksgiving. The move is part of the…

Hobbs College Welcomes Melendez to Faculty

Dr. Mario Melendez will join the faculty of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry beginning this fall. He has been hired as the Auguie Henry Chair of Bible and assistant professor of Old Testament and biblical studies. Melendez earned a…

OBU’s Statement Regarding Racism and Injustice

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas issued the following statement Tuesday, June 2, 2020, on behalf of the University: OBU mourns the violence and injustice perpetrated in our country even to this day. The killing of George Floyd…

Honors Program Students Recognized with Scholarship Awards

Four students in the Honors Program at OBU have been recognized with special scholarship awards. The awards are selected by the Honors Program committee based on criteria specific to each scholarship. The Deaton Memorial Scholarship is awarded…

Bullard Earns John Wesley Raley Scholarship

Gage Bullard, rising senior at OBU, has been named the John Wesley Raley Scholar. The John Wesley Raley Scholar receives a scholarship from funds provided by the Fay Taylor Pierson Trust, part of which was designated to establish a memorial to…

Graves Honored with Evans T. Moseley Leadership Award

Noah Graves, rising senior at OBU, has won the University’s Evans T. Moseley Leadership Award for the 2019-20 academic year. The award is given to a rising senior who demonstrates the greatest leadership potential. It was established…

Stokes Honored with Rosalee Mills Appleby Award as Outstanding Senior Woman at OBU

Chloe Stokes of Shawnee received OBU’s Rosalee Mills Appleby Award, the highest award given for a senior woman at the University. The presentation was made by OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas in a surprise visit to her home. Awards…

Manlapig Honored with W.P. Blake Award as Outstanding Senior Man at OBU

Mitchell Manlapig of Shawnee received OBU’s W.P. Blake Award, the highest award given for a senior man at the University. The presentation was made by OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas in a surprise visit to Manlapig’s…

Six Senior Artists Showcase Work in Online Shows

When the University moved to fully online learning for the remainder of the spring semester, six seniors still needed to host their capstone art and graphic design shows. The decision was made for them to host the shows fully online, creating…