OBU announces Dennis and Emerson as new academic deans
OBU
Oklahoma Baptist University has selected two candidates to fill the newly established roles of dean of theology, arts, and humanities and dean of business, health science, and education. Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson, dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry at OBU, has been selected to serve as dean of theology, arts and humanities. Dr. Larinee Dennis, vice president for academic administration at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri, has been selected to serve as dean of business, health science and education. Their appointments will be effective June 1, 2021.
In addition to his role as dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry, Emerson also serves as the Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership, professor of religion and director of the Master of Arts in Christian studies and intercultural studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University. He then earned both his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming to OBU in 2015, he taught at California Baptist University, where he also served as chair of the Arts and Sciences Department in the Online and Professional Studies Division.