University Administration Articles and Features

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…

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 Board of Trustees Approves Budget for 2021-22 During Nov. 6 Meeting

The Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees approved a revised spring 2021 academic calendar, the 2021-22 budget and student costs for the next academic year during their meeting at the OBU Green Campus Nov. 6. In his report to the Board…

Kemp MFT Clinic Provides Counseling Services to OBU Community

Mental health is a crucial component of overall wellness. For college students, it is vitally important they heed their mental health needs, as they face a myriad of pressures, stresses, and anxiety-inducing situations, all while learning how…

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 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…

Registration Open for ‘Bison Connections’ Webinar on Diversity Coming Sept. 10

OBU is hosting its next “Bison Connections” event as an online webinar on diversity. The webinar is free and will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, at 12 p.m. Speakers include author and human resources consultant Mona Sabah…

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…

University Honors 10 Retirees for 226 Years of Service

OBU hosted an outdoor reception Aug. 19 to celebrate the retirements of 10 employees who have contributed a combined 226 years of service to the university. The come and go, physically distanced event was hosted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the…

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…

University Community Mourns the Passing of Former First Lady Nelle Agee

A special statement from Oklahoma Baptist University in memory of a dear member of the Bison family We mourn the passing of Nelle Agee, legendary former first lady and former assistant professor of education at OBU. We celebrate and remember…

Thomas Inspires New Students at 'President's Vision'

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shared an inspirational message with new students Saturday night, Aug. 8, at the President’s Vision on the south lawn of Raley Chapel. The event is an annual Welcome Week highlight. Watch the full…

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…

University Announces Safety Protocols for Spring Commencement Aug. 1

OBU will hold its Spring Commencement Saturday, Aug. 1, on the south lawn of Raley Chapel on the university’s campus in Shawnee. The ceremony will be held outdoors to follow physical distancing guidelines and will begin at 8:30 a.m.…

Petersen Hired as Dean of Students and VP of Campus Life

Brandon Petersen, OBU alumnus and director of consulting at JM2 Capital in Oklahoma City, has been hired as the dean of students and vice president of campus life at OBU. He will begin his duties on Bison Hill effective July 20. In his role,…

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…