Academics Articles and Features

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…

OBU Sets Spring Commencement for Aug. 1

OBU has announced the new date and time for its 2020 Spring Commencement. The event will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be held in Raley Chapel on OBU’s campus in Shawnee. OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas…

Students and Professors Adapt and Thrive While Distance Learning

Over the last seven weeks, students and professors at universities around the world have made the switch to online learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, many have transformed their homes or offices into classrooms and…

Darr and Greenwell Join Faculty of OBU Dickinson College of Business

The Paul Dickinson College of Business at OBU recently hired two new full-time faculty members. Dr. Timothy Darr, assistant professor of computer science, and David Greenwell, MBA, CPA, Bill and Twylah Horne Professorship in Accounting and…

OBU Professor Bandy to Join New Orleans Seminary

Dr. Alan Bandy, Rowena R. Strickland associate professor of New Testament, has accepted a position at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) as professor of New Testament and Greek, occupying the Robert Hamlin Chair of New Testament…

SGA Presents Seven Who Care and Presidential Awards During Online Event April 16

OBU students honored seven faculty and staff members Thursday, April 16, for their contributions to the campus community with the Seven Who Care Award, along with one faculty member receiving the SGA Presidential Award. Usually given at the…

OBU Library Connecting with Students Virtually During Online Learning

Amidst the University’s recent move to online learning, the Mabee Learning Center has modified their resources to accommodate students who need to access the library and study sessions form home. Director of Library Services Julie…

Emerson Named Dean of Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry

OBU has appointed Dr. Matthew Emerson as dean of the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry and the Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership. Emerson has served as interim dean since January 2020 along with his duties as…

OBU Undergraduates Begin Online Learning for Remainder of Spring Semester

Oklahoma Baptist University undergraduate students began their first day of fully online learning Monday, March 23, the first day following spring break. The University announced Friday, March 20, that the remainder of the spring semester would…

OBU Moves to Online Learning for Minimum of Two Weeks Following Spring Break

Oklahoma Baptist University has moved to online learning for a minimum of two weeks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The University goes on Spring Break from March 16-20 and will then deliver all courses online from March…