Academics Articles and Features

OBU Announces Dennis and Emerson as New Academic Deans

OBU has selected two candidates to fill the newly established roles of dean of theology, arts and humanities and dean of business, health science and education. Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson, dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry at OBU,…

OBU Trustees Approve Faculty Contracts and Discuss Upcoming Academic Reorganization

The Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees gathered for the spring semester meeting Friday, March 5, on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Trustees approved recommendations for senior faculty status and faculty contracts and continued their…

OBU Celebrates the Winter Class of 2020 During Ceremonies Nov. 21

OBU conferred degrees upon 80 undergraduates and 44 graduate students during the University’s Winter Commencement ceremonies Saturday, Nov. 21. In order to facilitate physical distancing, commencement was held in three separate…

OBU to Honor 124 Graduates During Winter Commencement Nov. 21

OBU will confer degrees upon 80 undergraduate students and 44 graduate students during the Winter Commencement ceremonies Saturday, Nov. 21. The ceremonies will be divided into three separate events to facilitate physical distancing. All three…

OBU Announces Agreement with Phoenix Seminary for Graduates to Earn Advance Standing in MDiv Studies

Oklahoma Baptist University has reached an agreement with Phoenix Seminary to offer graduates of OBU’s Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry the opportunity to apply up to 30 hours of credit from their undergraduate studies toward a…

OBU to Host Lamppost Literary Conference March 5, 2021

OBU will host the inaugural Lamppost Literary Conference March 5, 2021, on the University’s campus in Shawnee. The conference promotes the reading and teaching of the Great Books and is designed for classical educators, home…

Fall Semester to Conclude with Three Winter Commencement Ceremonies Nov. 21

OBU will host three Winter Commencement ceremonies for fall 2020 graduates Saturday, Nov. 21. The day will include two ceremonies in the morning and one in the afternoon, in order to facilitate physical distancing. All ceremonies will be held…

OBU’s Marriage and Family Therapy Program to Host Virtual Info Session Oct. 26

The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program at OBU will host a virtual information session Monday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. Attendees will meet professors, learn about OBU’s Master of Science in marriage and family therapy, and…

OBU Announces Details, Speakers for Winter Commencement Nov. 21

OBU will host its Winter Commencement ceremony for fall 2020 graduates Saturday, Nov. 21. The ceremony will be divided into three separate events in order to facilitate social distancing. View complete details, including rehearsal times and…

OBU Debate Team Finishes Second in First Ever Virtual Debate Tournament

The OBU debate Team won second place in their first ever virtual debate tournament. The event was hosted by Lee College in Houston, Texas, Sept. 19 and 20, but held online only due to concerns over COVID-19. The annual “Mendoza…

OBU Earns Top Rankings from U.S. News and World Report for 29th Consecutive Year

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Oklahoma Baptist University as one of the top ten “Best Regional Colleges in the West” for the 29th consecutive year. OBU also made the top ten for Best Value Schools and Best Colleges…

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…