Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts
Kelsey D’Emilio, assistant professor of music, earned her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Oberlin College, before going on to earn a Master of Music from Westminster Choir College and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to being hired as assistant professor of music, she served as an adjunct professor of voice at OBU.
Dr. Patricia Nelson, associate professor of music education, is a lifelong music educator working with students from preschool through adults. She has taught public school music, as well as private piano and organ lessons; worked as a choir director, coordinator, organist and academy director in churches in Texas; and taught at the university level. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University, a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education from Baylor University.
Jake Yenish, assistant professor of theatre and design technician, has been designing for the stage for the last 15 years. In that time, he has designed for over 70 productions, including 13 world premieres and 18 annual productions of the vaudeville revue “Theatre Physics.” He served 11 years as an adjunct professor of theatre at Bethany Lutheran College, teaching a variety of classes in theatre arts. He received his Master of Fine Arts in theatre arts from Minnesota State University in 2012.
Dr. Abigail Mace, assistant professor of music and director of the preparatory department, earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Vanderbilt University, before going on to earn both a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas in Austin. She also was a Fulbright Fellow at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands. Before joining OBU, Mace served as the director of keyboard studies at Northern Oklahoma College.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Jason Eaker, men’s basketball coach and instructor of physical education, has more than 15 years of coaching experience, with nine of those in Division I competition. Before joining OBU, he served as the assistant coach at Mercer University, where he helped guide the team to three consecutive postseason appearances, which included the most successful season in school history. Eaker holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Pan-American University and a Master of Education from Mercer University.
Samantha Maples, softball coach and instructor of physical education, was a recognized pitcher in Division I competition prior to her coaching career. After earning her bachelor’s degree in health administration, she became the graduate assistant coach at Colorado Christian University and was later named the interim head coach of the softball team. In 2017, she became the full-time pitching coach and served as an active recruiter. Maples holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado Christian University.
Dr. Nathan Drake, associate professor of mathematics, earned his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from MidAmerica Nazarene University, before going on to earn his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in mathematical sciences from Clemson University. Before joining OBU, Drake filled a number of roles, including associate professor of mathematics at Southern Nazarene University, mathematical consultant to Harms Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina, and chair of the department of mathematics at North Greenville University.
Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry
Dr. David Gambo, assistant professor of Christian ministry, and Reverend A.E. and Dora Hughes Chair of Christian Ministry, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Jos in Nigeria. He later earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has spent several years serving in Nigeria as both an instructor and minister. Before coming to Bison Hill, Gambo served as the Church Planting Resident at Omni Fellowship in Cedar Hill, Texas.