University Administration Articles and Features

University Hosts Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 During ‘The Weekend’

OBU hosted a Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 on its campus in Shawnee. Around 55 pastors, church staff and members of the OBU community attended the free event. The conference kicked off activities for “The Weekend,”…

OBU Welcomes Quirk as Alumni Director

OBU is pleased to welcome Lea Ann Quirk as the director of the OBU Alumni Association. Quirk assumed her duties on Bison Hill effective Oct. 12. Quirk is an OBU alumna, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. She worked…

Thomas Inspires Alumni, Business Leaders at OKC Bison Connections Sept. 30

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas delivered the keynote during the University’s Bison Connections event in Oklahoma City Sept. 30. The luncheon took place in the Great Hall on the Hobby Lobby corporate office campus. Bison Connections…

OBU Recognizes First Recipient of 1921 Memorial Scholarship During Campus Event

OBU recognized its first recipient of the 1921 Memorial Scholarship during a special event Sept. 27 on the University’s campus in Shawnee. The scholarship was established last year in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa…

Rev. Anthony Scott to Deliver OBU’s Gaskin Lecture Sept. 27

Reverend Anthony L. Scott, pastor of First Baptist Church North Tulsa, will deliver Oklahoma Baptist University’s Gaskin Lecture Monday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Scott’s lecture…

OBU Hosting Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 During ‘The Weekend’

OBU will host a special Pastors Conference Oct. 21-22 on its campus in Shawnee. All pastors, church staff ministers and those who preach and teach the Word of God are invited to attend the free event. The conference kicks off activities for…

OBU Prison Divinity Program Offers Hope and Transformation

Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath A. Thomas, administrators, faculty, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) officials, Oklahoma Baptists leaders and 40 inmates from the Lexington Assessment and…

OBU Earns Top Rankings from U.S. News and World Report for 30th Consecutive Year

Oklahoma Baptist University once again ranked among the top 10 “Best Regional Colleges in the West” by U.S. News and World Report for the 30th consecutive year. OBU ranked sixth out of the entire Western region of the United…

OBU Named “Best in the West” for 17th Year by Princeton Review

For the 17th consecutive year, The Princeton Review recognized OBU as one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States. OBU was one of the 126 institutions named for its academic standing in the “Best in the…

OBU Marketing and Communications Team Wins ‘Best of Show,’ 16 Awards at College PR Conference

The OBU marketing and communications team recently won the “Best of Show” award at the 2021 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) Awards Competition. The team won 16 total awards during the event, competing…

OBU Earns Seven ‘Colleges of Distinction’ Honors for 2021-22

OBU has been named as a College of Distinction in seven categories for 2021-22. Colleges of Distinction is a nationally recognized and prestigious designation for universities whose undergraduate experiences are grounded in a philosophy of…

Cooper Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Nursing

Oklahoma Baptist University announced the hiring of Harriet Cooper to the faculty as assistant professor of nursing. She comes to Bison Hill with 15 years of experience in nursing and public health. She earned an Associate of Science from…

Keehn Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Natural Science

OBU announced the hiring of Annie Keehn to the faculty as assistant professor of natural science. She comes to Bison Hill from Bethel Public Schools, where she served as a high school and middle school assistant principal after several years of…

English Joins Faculty as Visiting Assistant Professor

OBU announced the hiring of Dr. Edward English to the faculty as visiting assistant professor of English. He comes to Bison Hill from the University of Louisville. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, non-profit studies at the…

Hogan Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation

OBU announced the hiring of Dr. Jeff Hogan as assistant professor of exercise science, sports and recreation. Hogan comes to OBU with more than 15 years of experience in physical therapy and with experience as a mentor and instructor to…

Xu Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Finance

OBU announced the hiring of Dr. Liying Xu as the Albert J. Geiger Chair of Business and assistant professor of finance. Xu comes to Bison Hill from Oklahoma State University, officially joining the faculty in July ahead of the fall 2021…

Franklin Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Music, Piano

OBU announced the hiring of Dr. Mark Franklin as assistant professor of music, piano. Franklin comes to OBU from Florida State University, officially joining the faculty in July ahead of the fall 2021 semester. He earned a Bachelor of Music in…

Ashbach Joins Faculty as Assistant Professor of Political Science

OBU announced the hiring of Dr. Jonathan Ashbach as assistant professor of political science. Ashbach comes to OBU from Baylor University, officially joining the faculty in July ahead of the fall 2021 semester. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in…

OBU Presents J.M. Carroll Award to Dilbeck During SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville

OBU presented the J.M. Carroll Award to Dr. Hance Dilbeck during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 15. The presentation took place during a special event for alumni and friends of the University.…

OBU Presents Hobbs Award to Manner at SBC Annual Meeting

OBU presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. David Manner during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, June 14. Manner is an OBU alumnus and serves as the executive…