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.
After COVID-19: OBU will return to normal operations for Fall 2021
OBU
Oklahoma Baptist University will return to normal campus operations beginning June 1 for the summer and upcoming fall 2021 semesters, the university announced via video featuring OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas and First Lady Jill Thomas.
With the announcement, the university signaled the end of altered campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement includes a return to the traditional fall schedule, with classes beginning Aug. 19 and Welcome Week kicking off Aug. 14 on move-in day.
This move will affect numerous policies and procedures around campus, including the end of physical distancing requirements; changing the face covering policy from required to optional; a return to the normal academic calendar, including Labor Day, fall break, Thanksgiving break and spring break; fully in-person chapel services; a return to pre-pandemic campus housing visitation policies, including rooms and stu
OBU teacher education students teach fifth graders about colonial life
OBU
Students in the Division of Teacher Education at Oklahoma Baptist University presented a special hands-on social studies learning opportunity recently for fifth-grade students at Sequoyah Elementary School in Shawnee.
A class of OBU teacher candidates developed the special event through their social studies methods course taught by Dr. Jeanne Akin, Mary A. White professor of education.
The result was an interactive hands-on learning day for around 50 fifth graders at Sequoyah, held at the elementary school. “Life as a Colonist” provided a day to experience first-hand many aspects of a colonist s life such as making butter, scrubbing clothes in a tub with a scrub-board, creating silversmith work, making candles, making ink, learning about taxes and writing with a quill. The day ended with the fifth graders signing their own name to the Declaration of Independence and enjoying a picnic.
OBU Staff Council hosts customer service and brand development workshop
OBU
The Staff Council at Oklahoma Baptist University hosted a special professional development opportunity for staff members Thursday, April 22. The group welcomed guest speakers Jeff and Kathy Madison, owner/operators of the Shawnee Chick-fil-A, to lead two identical sessions on brand development and customer service. The events took place in the Geiger Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee.
The Madisons led staff members through various aspects of customer service, emphasizing that at both OBU and Chick-fil-A, the way customers interact with employees largely determines their perceptions about the organization. They discussed many aspects of successful brand development with regards to managing customer interactions, delivering a quality product, resolving customer issues, and remaining consistent in how customers experience the University. They likewise encouraged engagement within each table, where group mem
OBU Symphonic Winds to perform in Spring concert April 29
The Shawnee News-Star
The Symphonic Winds, the premier wind band at Oklahoma Baptist University, will perform during their spring concert Thursday evening, April 29. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Admission is free but advanced reservations are required to maintain physical distancing. Seats may be reserved online at okbu.edu/fineartsevents.
The Symphonic Winds is under the direction of Dr. Teresa C. Purcell-Giles, assistant professor of music and director of bands. Membership in the Symphonic Winds is achieved through an audition and is open to all students of the university. Comprised of the most accomplished instrumental musicians on campus, the Symphonic Winds maintains a strong commitment to performing quality wind band works of high artistic merit.