OBU Trustees Name Interim President, Approve Presidential Search Committee

February 8, 2019 | Permalink

During their spring semester meeting Friday, Feb. 8, Oklahoma Baptist University trustees approved a recommendation to employ former Southwest Baptist University President Dr. C. Pat Taylor as OBU’s interim president. Trustees also…

OBU President David W. Whitlock Announces Retirement

January 8, 2019 | Permalink

After more than 10 years of service, Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. David W. Whitlock has announced his retirement from the University. Whitlock will step out of his role as president Jan. 8 and serve the remainder of the academic…

OBU Crowns 2018 Harvest Court During Homecoming Football Game

November 3, 2018 | Permalink

OBU announced winners of the 2018 Harvest Court Saturday, Nov. 3, during halftime of the Bison football game versus Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The event was part of OBU’s homecoming celebration happening on campus throughout…

OBU Recognizes Outstanding Alumni During Annual Homecoming Harvest Dinner

November 2, 2018 | Permalink

OBU recognized exceptional alumni with special awards during its Harvest Dinner Friday, Nov. 2. The annual event is part of the University’s “Zip! Bang! OBU! Homecoming 2018” weekend celebration Nov. 2-4. The Alumni…

University Dedicates New Centers for Student and Spiritual Life

October 5, 2018 | Permalink

OBU hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dedication of the Dick and Sue Rader Office of Student Life and Women of Vision Center for Spiritual Life. The newly renovated section of the Geiger Center officially opened at the beginning of the…

‘The Art of Black Preaching’ Gaskin Lecture and Panel Discussion Set for Oct. 1 at OBU

September 28, 2018 | Permalink

Dr. Claybon Lea Jr. will deliver the Gaskin Lecture Monday, Oct. 1, at Oklahoma Baptist University. The lecture will take place at 10 a.m. in the upper level of the Geiger Center, rooms 219-220, on OBU’s campus in Shawnee. The theme of…

Brantley to Lead Recruitment for OBU Graduate College

September 6, 2018 | Permalink

Will Brantley, director of admissions at Oklahoma Baptist University, will transition to a new role at the university effective Sept. 10. Brantley will join the OBU Graduate College as director of recruitment. Brantley came to Bison Hill in…

OBU to Co-Sponsor Institute on Church Excellence Conference Oct. 26-27

August 9, 2018 | Permalink

St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City is partnering with Oklahoma Baptist University to host the 2018 Institute on Church Excellence (ICE) Conference Friday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 27. The conference theme is…

OBU Names DeWoody as Vice President for Academic Affairs

August 7, 2018 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the promotion of Dr. Susan DeWoody to the position of vice president for academic affairs. DeWoody was serving as dean of the Graduate College and interim VP for academic affairs. Dr. David W. Whitlock,…

OBU Marketing and Communications Team Earns Seven Awards at College PR Conference

August 1, 2018 | Permalink

The Oklahoma Baptist University marketing and communications staff was recently recognized with seven awards at the annual Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) conference, hosted July 15-17 at the Artesian Hotel in Sulphur,…

OBU Presents Hobbs Award to Sanchez at SBC Annual Meeting

June 12, 2018 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. Juan Sanchez, senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, June 12, during the Southern Baptist…

OBU Board of Trustees Approves Faculty Promotions and New Faculty Contracts

May 19, 2018 | Permalink

During their spring meeting on the Shawnee campus May 18, the Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees attended the University’s 104th Spring Commencement, approved faculty promotions and new faculty contracts, and authorized…

OBU to Hold 104th Spring Commencement in Honor of 288 Graduates

May 17, 2018 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University will confer degrees upon 288 students during OBU’s 104th Spring Commencement Friday, May 18. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The…

University Recognizes Employees for 630 Years of Service

April 26, 2018 | Permalink

OBU hosted its 2018 Service Awards Luncheon Thursday, April 26, on OBU’s campus in Shawnee. The annual event recognizes employees for milestone years of service, as well as retiring faculty and staff. OBU recognized 49 employees for a…

OBU Recognized as a ‘Tree Campus USA’ for 2017

March 21, 2018 | Permalink

OBU has been honored with 2017 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for the University’s commitment to effective urban forest management. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus…

Norman Departing OBU to Assume Presidency of Williams Baptist University

March 16, 2018 | Permalink

Dr. Stan Norman, provost and executive vice president of campus life, will soon be departing Oklahoma Baptist University after nine years of service. He will be assuming the presidency of Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas,…

OBU Earns Reaffirmation of Accreditation Through Higher Learning Commission

March 7, 2018 | Permalink

The Institutional Actions Council of The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has reaffirmed Oklahoma Baptist University’s status as an accredited institution of higher learning. The 10-year accreditation will stand until the next…

University Honors Founders’ Day Speaker with Honorary Doctorate

February 7, 2018 | Permalink

Dr. Rebekah Naylor, surgeon, church planter, and retired missionary, delivered the chapel address during Oklahoma Baptist University’s annual Founders’ Day celebration Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Founder’s Day event is held…

OBU Trustees Approve Faculty Contracts and Senior Faculty Status

February 2, 2018 | Permalink

OBU trustees met via videoconference for the spring semester meeting Friday, Feb. 2. Trustees approved recommendations for senior faculty status and faculty contracts for 2018-19.  In his report to the board, Dr. David W. Whitlock, OBU…

Whitlock Shares OBU Update at BGCO Annual Meeting

November 15, 2017 | Permalink

Dr. David W. Whitlock, president of Oklahoma Baptist University, addressed delegates at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma annual meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. "OBU is in the business of…

OBU Celebrates Recognition as Blue Zones Approved Worksite

November 3, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project approved worksite with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Nov. 3. OBU is the first university in the state of Oklahoma and the first top 20 employer in Pottawatomie County to…

University Honors Exceptional Alumni During Annual Harvest Dinner

October 27, 2017 | Permalink

OBU recognized outstanding alumni with special awards during its Harvest Dinner Friday, Oct. 27. The annual event is part of the University’s homecoming weekend celebration. OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock provided the opening remarks…

Blade Joins Bison Hill as Assistant Dean of Students

October 17, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University recently welcomed Maliek Blade to the student development office as assistant dean of students, diversity and multicultural student services. He assumed his duties Monday, Oct. 16. Moving halfway across the U.S. from…

Davis Delivers Gaskin Lecture on History of African American Baptist Churches in Oklahoma

October 2, 2017 | Permalink

France A. Davis, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, delivered the Gaskin Lecture at Oklahoma Baptist University Oct. 2. His topic was “The History of African American Baptist Churches in Oklahoma from 1990 to…

Jordan Receives OBU's Hobbs Award During Falls Creek Centennial Celebration

September 7, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. Anthony Jordan, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Sunday, Sept. 3, during the Falls…

Message from OBU President David W. Whitlock Regarding Hurricane Harvey

August 29, 2017 | Permalink

Dear Bison family,  We know many of you have been affected either directly or indirectly by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey that continues to wreak havoc along its path. We pray God's protection and provision for…

OBU Arboretum Earns National Accreditation from ArbNet

June 30, 2017 | Permalink

OBU has been awarded a level I accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet…

University Presents Hobbs Award to Iorg at SBC Annual Meeting

June 26, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary, Wednesday, June 14, during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix,…

OBU Presents Scholarship to National Spelling Bee Runner-Up

June 21, 2017 | Permalink

In recognition of his first runner-up placement in the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Oklahoma Baptist University presented a scholarship to Rohan Rajeev of Edmond, Oklahoma. The presentation took place Tuesday, June 20. OBU’s…

OBU’s MFT Counseling Clinic Brings Hope, Healing to Community

May 26, 2017 | Permalink

Transforming lives – a key component of OBU’s mission – is powerfully demonstrated by the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) graduate program. The students and faculty of the MFT program apply their skills to…

OBU Welcomes Stroud as Assistant Dean of Students for Community and Leadership

May 25, 2017 | Permalink

OBU is excited to welcome Melissa Stroud as the new assistant dean of students for community and leadership. She assumed her duties May 1. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in cross-cultural ministry from OBU in 2004. She then earned a Master…

Former OBU President Cothen Passes at 96

May 22, 2017 | Permalink

Dr. Grady C. Cothen, Oklahoma Baptist University president from 1966-70, passed away May 19 at The Orchard retirement home in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He was 96 years old. “Dr. Cothen was a kind and gracious man with a deep love of Christ…

OBU Board of Trustees Approves Faculty Promotions and New Faculty Contracts

May 19, 2017 | Permalink

During their spring meeting on the Shawnee campus May 19, the Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees attended a “first nail” ceremony for the new Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, approved faculty promotions and new faculty…

OBU to Host First Nail Ceremony May 19 for New Counseling Clinic

May 17, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University will host a “first nail” ceremony Friday, May 19, at 8 a.m. The ceremony will celebrate a significant building remodel that will take place over the summer in preparation for a new counseling clinic. The…

OBU to Present Honorary Doctorates to Chance, Wall During Commencement May 19

May 15, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University will award an honorary Doctor of Humanities to Dr. Jay P. Chance, ’56, and an honorary Doctor of Business to Mary Ellen Wall during OBU’s Spring Commencement May 19 at 3 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s…

OBU Plants Survivor Tree Seedling, Commemorates Arbor Day

April 25, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University hosted a tree planting ceremony Tuesday, April 25, in observance of Arbor Day 2017. Members of the campus community planted a seedling of an American elm from the Survivor Tree at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.…

OBU to Plant Seedling from OKC Survivor Tree April 25

April 18, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University will host a special tree planting ceremony Tuesday, April 25, in advance of Arbor Day 2017. The event will take place on the south lawn of Raley Chapel at 11 a.m. on OBU’s campus in Shawnee. As the central…

University Recognizes Employees for 505 Years of Service

April 13, 2017 | Permalink

OBU hosted its 2017 Service Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 13, on OBU's campus in Shawnee. The annual event recognizes employees for milestone years of service as well as retiring faculty and staff. OBU recognized 47 employees for a…

OBU Seeking Comments in Advance of HLC Accreditation Visit

March 29, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The University will host a visit September 25-26, 2017, with a team representing…

Manning Delivers Inspirational Message During OBU’s Green and Gold Gala

March 8, 2017 | Permalink

Oklahoma Baptist University believes strongly in the quality and value of an OBU education. As such, the University continually strives to provide more funds in scholarships for students, with the hope that no student who desires to attend OBU…

OBU Community Mourns Passing of Dr. Michael Travers

March 2, 2017 | Permalink

OBU is mourning the passing of a beloved member of its family, Dr. Michael Travers. He served the university faithfully as associate provost, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, chair of the Division of Language and…

OBU Trustees Meet Virtually, Approve Faculty Contracts

February 3, 2017 | Permalink

OBU trustees met via videoconference for the first meeting of the spring semester Friday, Feb. 3. Trustees approved recommendations for senior faculty status, sabbatical leave and faculty contracts for 2017-18. In his report to the board, Dr.…