254 to Graduate at Spring Commencement Saturday

May 21, 2009

Two hundred and fifty-four graduates will have degrees conferred upon them during Oklahoma Baptist University's 95th Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 23.

The graduating students will take their final walk across the campus as OBU students when they file into Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium for the 10 a.m. ceremonies. The students, in academic regalia, will proceed from the Geiger Center to the chapel, passing through rows of OBU faculty members before they reach the chapel's east steps.

An overflow audience of more than 1,800 will witness the Commencement activities in Raley Chapel.

Dr. Brad Jett, OBU's James E. Hurley professor of biology and recipient of the 2008 OBU Distinguished Teaching Award, will deliver the Commencement Address. Dr. David W. Whitlock, OBU president, will preside over the ceremonies.

In addition to the address from Jett, the program includes greetings by officials from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and induction into the OBU Alumni Association.

OBU's top three honors for faculty and staff members will be presented by Whitlock during the graduation exercises. They include the Distinguished Teaching Award, the Promising Teacher Award and the Meritorious Service Award.

Candidates for bachelor's degrees from OBU's College of Arts and Sciences, with academic majors and hometowns, include Ryann Matthew Aaron, interdisciplinary: business administration/finance/Spanish, Hutchinson, Kan.; Derrik Kyle Anderson, mathematics, Shawnee, Okla.; Hillary Faye Anderson, English, Oklahoma City; Kristin Marie Anderson, health, physical education and recreation, K-12, Piedmont, Okla.; Mallory LaRae Argo, English, Gallup, N.M.; David Matthew Auld, biology, McAlester, Okla.; Alicia Marie Avilla, leisure services management: sports and recreation management, Shawnee; Frank Matthew Avilla, Jr., interdisciplinary: kinesiology/sports management, Shawnee; Alissa Ann Bass, special education, Arlington, Texas; Ashley Faye Baumann, special education, Wynnewood, Okla.; Lyndsay Leigh Bownds, elementary education, Amarillo, Texas; Kristin Jean Boyd, early childhood education, Grand Rapids, Minn.; Jayme Lynn Boyer, English, secondary education, Shawnee; Katie Allison Bradshaw, health, physical education and recreation, K-12, Stillwater, Okla.; Brandi Cherelle Brisco, family psychology, Oklahoma City; Ryan McKinley Brown, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/leisure/sports management, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Seth William Brown, psychology: pre-counseling, Jensen Beach, Fla.; Zachary Warren Brown, biology, Bullard, Texas; William Wade Browning, psychology, Shawnee; Rhiannon Kelsey Brunsteter, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Stillwater; Phillip Thomas Burns, family psychology, Shawnee; Ryan Patrick Cameron, health, physical education and recreation, K-12, Carney, Okla.; Kyle Belvin Cantrell, exercise and sports science: exercise physiology and wellness, Shawnee; Bonnie Christine Cassidy, biology, Oklahoma City; Evan Dean Chambers, English, secondary education, Oklahoma City; Bryan Charles Christie, biochemistry, Carmel, Ind.; Amy Marie Cordova, interdisciplinary: art/asian studies/cross cultural ministry, Ponca City, Okla.; Heather Michelle Daniell, public relations, Ovilla, Texas; Daniel Tristen Demmitt, history, Henryetta, Okla.; Lindsey Michelle Dennis, psychology, Hollis, Okla.; Rebekah Ann Dillinger, political science, Buffalo, Wyo.; Emily Elizabeth Disney, family psychology, Topeka, Kan.; Brooke Adelle Dockery, English, McLoud, Okla.; Amanda R. Eakle, psychology: pre-counseling, Quinton, Okla.; Howard John Eliason, II, biology, Keller,, Texas; Amanda May Eves, sociology/religion: Bible, Terrebonne, Ore.; Lindsey Lea Faught, public relations, Oklahoma City; Travis Lee Flood, leisure services management: camp administration, Shawnee; Alan Michael Ford, social studies, secondary education, Enid, Okla.; Kimberly Anne Foster, elementary education, Allen, Texas; Brian Christopher Friesen, physics, Wichita, Kan.; Ashley Brooke Gamble, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/education, Shawnee; Julie Star Garland, family and community services: family life, Goldsby, Okla.; Adam Christopher Garner, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/psychology/education, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Alexander Reeves Genheimer, psychology, Mustang, Okla.

Others receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences are Stacie Beth Hamilton, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Tulsa, Okla.; Alyssa Donielle Hargett, exercise and sports science:personal training/strength conditioning, El Dorado, Ark.; Rebekah Lea Hargrave, family psychology, Atoka, Okla.; Daniel Christopher Hayes, history, Shawnee; Alyssa Denise Hilburn, family and community services: community service, Saint Peters, Mo.; Brian A. Hill, interdisciplinary: leisure/sports management, Olney, Md.; Jessica Marie Hill, English, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Julie Ann Hixon, elementary education/early childhood education, Bartlesville, Okla.; Mackenzie Alyce Hufty, English/public relations, New London, Mo.; Spencer Allen Hylander, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Conroe, Texas; Rendy Nicole Janssen, family psychology, Antlers, Okla.; Joya Johnson, biochemistry, Bartlesville; Eric Matthew Jones, leisure services management: recreation management, Oklahoma City; Jennifer May Jupin, exercise and sports science: personal training/strength conditioning, Moore, Okla.; Laura Elizabeth Kee, journalism, Bentonville, Ark.; Emily Allison Kerran, interdisciplinary: education/family relations, Edmond, Okla.; Joshua Gerald King, interdisciplinary: Bible/creative writing/psychology, Oklahoma City; Kelly Allyn Koonce, elementary education, Bartlesville; William Graham Korver, English/history, Broken Arrow; Hannah Rachelle Lapo, social studies, secondary education, Tulsa; Kelly Carlynn Liggett, early childhood education, Lebanon, Ill.; Christopher Carl Lind, political science, Oklahoma City; Aaron Paul Llewelyn, biology, Oklahoma City; Brandon Scott Loeser, biology, Byron, Okla.; Dejah Cherie Lynn, early childhood/elementary education, Denver, Colo.; Branham Matthew Mann, history, Shawnee; Rachel Dawn Mann, history, Shawnee; Jill Ann McDonald, English, Newcastle, Okla.; Lindsay Michele McEver, English, Overland Park, Kan.; Jonna Shai Terrell Moore, elementary education, Prague, Okla.; Kathleen Deanne Morrow, biology, Covington, Ohio; Rebecca Ann Murdock, elementary education, Clarksville, Ark.; Allison Paige Neel, family and community services: family life, Canton, Texas; Ricki Ann Norman, English, Norman, Okla.; and Andrew Davis O'Gwynn, history, Shawnee.

Also receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences are Caroline Elizabeth Patterson, anthropology, Galveston, Texas; James Sheridan Pearson, biology, Shawnee; Blaine Rae Perry, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Mt. Enterprise, Texas; Erin Leigh Pickering, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Oklahoma City; Kelli Samantha Reith, leisure services management: sports ministry, McPherson, Kan.; Cassie Ann Rial, early childhood education, Pryor, Okla.; Stephen Ross Riddel, biology, McAlester; Sarah Elizabeth Roberts, elementary/early childhood education, Grand Prairie, Texas; Christina Ann Robinson, biology, Shawnee; Dayla Lynae Rowland, psychology: pre-counseling, Claremore, Okla.; Tara Michelle Ryan, international relations, Bixby, Okla.; Brandi Lashay Sanford, English, Houston, Texas; Courtney Lennis Seigler, biochemistry, Fayetteville, Ark.; Bethany Grace Simmons, elementary education, Grapevine, Texas; Brett Douglas Spalding, family psychology, Canyon, Texas; Jake Edwin Stehr, history, Bolivar, Mo.; Brooke Anne Stevens, exercise and sports science: sports medicine, Langley, British Columbia, Canada; Megan Elizabeth Suarez, public relations, Rio Rancho, N.M.; Chad Christopher Taylor, mathematics, Holdenville, Okla.; Billy Bruce Thomas, exercise and sports science: personal training/strength conditioning, Georgetown, Calif.; Jacob Allen Thomas, English, secondary education, Choctaw, Okla.; Kelsey Dawn Thompson, science, secondary education, Pittsburg, Kan.; Emily Colleen Treadwell, family relations, Oklahoma City; Jordan Hope Turner, family and community services: family life, Shawnee; Rachel Louise Ukens, psychology: pre-counseling, Tulsa; Rachel Dee Wambolt, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Frederick, Okla.; Sarah Marie Weber, public relations, Lee's Summit, Mo.; Holly Melissa Whittern, elementary education, Oklahoma City; Justin Jamaal Williams, exercise and sports science: exercise physiology and wellness, Garland, Texas; Robert Tray Williams, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Alex, Okla.; Gabriel B. Yandell, psychology: pre-counseling, Euless, Texas.

From the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, candidates for bachelor's degrees include Lacy Nicole Abbott, art, Tecumseh, Okla.; Kathryn Danielle Anderson, musical arts: voice, Harrah, Okla.; Kristin Michelle Brown, electronic media production, Edmond; Whitni Dawn Butler, music education, vocal, PK-12, Sapulpa, Okla.; Christopher Corey Cochran, art, Oklahoma City; Brittni L'Rae Coursey, news and information, Liberty, Mo.; Daniel Phillips Daily, electronic media production, Woodland Park, Colo.; Whitney Danielle Davis, musical arts: piano, Arcadia, Okla.; Richmond Lendl DeCray, music: voice, Moore, Okla.; Daniel Oliver Evans, church music: voice, Moore; Aaron James Foshee, vocal performance, Jones, Okla.; Eric William Gay, music: voice, Shawnee; Sarajane Harris, art, Aurora, Colo.; Courtney LaChelle Hollis, church music: voice, Shawnee; Megan Elaine Hungerford, electronic media production, Stillwater; Laura Elaine Ingram, music education, vocal, PK-12, Lenexa, Kan.; Shaylan Leann Jacobs, interdisciplinary: music/education/French, Atwater, Calif.; Ryan Daniel Kee, graphic design, Centerton, Ark.; Daniel Jobe Lay, electronic media production, Boise City, Okla.; Jacob Lee Lonsinger, graphic design, Ponca City; Christi Ann Mitchell, electronic media production, Blair, Okla.; Justin Robert Mitchell, news and information, Lexington, Okla.; Micaela Raye Mitchell, music education, vocal, PK-12, Shawnee; Michael Arron Morris, theatre, Arlington, Texas; Polly Marie Morris, strategic communication, Ponca City; Lisha Sue Newman, electronic media production, Shawnee; Jennifer Renee Novotny, musical arts: voice, Meeker; Sarah Elisabeth O'Hara, electronic media production, Topeka, Kan.; Kathryne Rose Overturf, musical arts: voice, Fort Smith, Ark.; Natalie Anne Pedersen, interdisciplinary: art/graphic design/church recreation, Boelus, Neb.; Rachel Renee Piontak, applied communication, Catoosa, Okla.; Kate Elizabeth Rutledge, theatre, Carrollton, Texas; Jacob Charles Seals, music education, vocal, PK-12, Harrah; Jeremy Dean Stephenson, telecommunication, Moore; Taylor Lynn Weaver, music: voice, Cassville, Mo.; Ashli Brooke Williams, applied communication, Antlers, Okla.; Morgan Ashley Zabriski, studio art, Plano, Texas.

From the Paul Dickinson School of Business, candidates for bachelor's degrees include William Chance Allison, professional accountancy: interdisciplinary: finance, Shawnee; Sarah Ann Corley, finance/marketing, Oklahoma City; Samuel Grant Craig, professional accountancy: interdisciplinary: finance, Shawnee; Marcelo Drummond, professional accountancy: interdisciplinary: international business, Shawnee; Nathan Duane Goodpasture, finance, Shawnee; Jonathan Berry Hilton, management, Buhler, Kan.; Brett Russell Jackson, professional accountancy, Bartlesville; David Matthew Johnson, computer science: interdisciplinary: history, Shawnee; Peter N. Jones, accounting/finance, Huntington, Ind.; Mason Allen Mattocks, management, Edmond; Kenneth Cade Meadors, professional accountancy, Claremore; Andrew Emerson Sharp, international business, Tulsa; Brock Daniel Stoltzfus, finance, Meade, Kan.; Phillip Andrew Suarez, marketing, Kansas City, Mo.; Alexis McCall Terry, international business, Aurora, Colo.; Megan Elizabeth Warren, finance/international business, Shawnee; Carissa Caye Watson, international business, Albuquerque, N.M.; Nathan Lee Weigl, computer science: interdisciplinary: mathematics, Gallup, N.M.; Peter Glenn Wilson, marketing/finance, Bethany, Okla.

Candidates for bachelor's degrees from the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service include Billy Earl Benson, religion: biblical languages, McLoud; Christopher R. Canary, religion: biblical languages, Newcastle, Okla.; Lara Alyssa Cobb, religion: Bible, Seminole, Okla.; Stephanie Ann Davis, religion: Bible, Blue Springs, Mo.; Delana Sue Deere, applied ministry: cross-cultural ministry, Shawnee; Corey Wade DeGiacomo, religion: Bible, Inola, Okla.; Jeffrey Fox, Christian studies, Ekalaka, Mont.; Adam Christopher Goggins, philosophy/history, Justin, Texas; Lance Michael Goodwin, religion: biblical languages/psychology: pre-counseling, Wellston, Okla.; Anthony Gorsuch, Christian studies, Billings, Mont.; Remley Gorsuch, Christian studies, Billings, Mont.; Steven C. Grim, applied ministry: youth ministry, Broken Arrow; Jose Adolfo Guerrero, Christian studies, Billings, Mont.; Jeremy Glenn Houf, religion: Bible, Brandon, Miss.; Andrew J. Hoyt, applied ministry: pastoral ministry, Sand Springs, Okla.; Courtney Dawn Ingram, applied ministry: children's ministry, Norman; Brian Kelsey James, religion: Bible, Ponca City; Kimberly Ann Kessler, Christian studies, Billings; Richard Brian Levings, religion: biblical languages, Perry, Okla.; William J. Macsas, II, religion: departmental, Shawnee; Steven Patrick Masters, Christian studies, Oklahoma City; Peter Lynn McCorkle, religion: Bible, Tulsa; Holden D. McCrackin, applied ministry: youth ministry, Chickasha, Okla.; Orrey Wayne McFarland, religion: biblical languages, Ardmore, Okla.; Michael Kent McMahon, applied ministry: youth ministry, Sand Springs; Howard Christopher McMurry, religion: biblical languages, Ardmore; Aaron Kyle Mowery, applied ministry: youth ministry, Springtown, Texas; Michael James Novotny, philosophy, Meeker, Okla.; Kristy Joy Osmun, Christian studies, Billings, Mont.; Krystal Summer Perkins, religion: Bible, Cooper, Texas; Scott Allen Ramsay, religion: Bible/psychology: pre-counseling, Fredericksburg, Texas; Krystina Renae Rankin, religiion: departmental, Topeka, Kan.; Daniel John Reeves, religion: Bible, Edmond; John Ryan Rhodes, religion: departmental, Edmond; Matthew Adam Ricks, religion: Bible, Claremore; Whitney Alliece Ritchie, cross-cultural: orality studies, Pryor; Rachel Lynn Sanders, applied ministry: children's ministry, Duncan, Okla.; Kristopher Michael Stephens, religion: Bible, Edmond; Michael Aaron Thomas, applied ministry: youth ministry, Bedford, Texas; Sarah Suzanne Underwood, religion: biblical languages, Edmond; Britt Allen Vaughan, religion: Bible, Edmond; Ryan W. Weber, religion: Bible, Shawnee; Valerie Sue Wilson, Christian studies, Billings, Mont. Angela Nichole Derks, from Billings, Mont., will receive an associate of arts degree in Christian studies.

From the School of Nursing, candidates for the bachelor of science degree in nursing include McKenzie Morgan Battershell, nursing, Shawnee; Hannah Elizabeth Benfield, nursing, Kennewick, Wash.; Kara Leigh Brock, nursing, Enid; Emily Anne Burton, nursing, North Richland Hills, Texas; Laura Ann Cooprider, nursing, Edmond; Briann Lari Ediger, nursing, Meade; Kim Alan Friesen, nursing, Tinker AFB, Okla.; Britney Kaydonn Fulton, nursing, Owasso, Okla.; Laurence Anfone Gacho, nursing, Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Michelle Marie Green, nursing, Irving, Texas; Monica Lea Hale, nursing, Oklahoma City; Hilary Lynan Hendrickson, nursing, Chelsea, Okla.; Rebecca Ashley Hill, nursing, Euless, Texas; Jessica Ceres Hobbs, nursing, Coffeyville, Kan.; Renee Elizabeth Jamison, nursing, Oklahoma City; Shayna Lynn Legg, nursing, Shawnee; Cara Michelle Little, nursing, Stillwater; Destiny A. Marrs, nursing, Moore; Laci Marie Martin, nursing, Claremore; Ashley Diane McMains, nursing, Edmond; Emily Ruth McMath, nursing, Shawnee; Jenna Lynn Meshew, nursing, Shawnee; Victoria Anne Miller, nursing, Beaumont, Texas; Natalie Jane Neal, nursing, Nederland, Colo.; Hannah Michelle Peters, nursing, Arvada, Colo.; Julia Michelle Plangman, nursing, Argyle, Texas; Jennifer Caitlin Plunkett, nursing, Shawnee; Shauna Afton Shelton, nursing, Norman; Megan Lynne Ronne, nursing, Oklahoma City; Shawnda Lynn Sears, nursing, Fort Worth, Texas; Elizabeth Lee Simmons, nursing, Washington, Okla.; Jeremy Valerio Tayag, nursing, Alameda, Calif.; Jenni Marie Tilson, nursing, West Plains, Mo.; Lisa Haywood Vernon, nursing, Shawnee; Grace Elizabeth Wagner, nursing, Shawnee; Ellisabeth Susanne Weaver, nursing, Stillwater; Christopher Zane Wilkinson, nursing, Puyallup, Wash.; Kimberly Laura Wyatt, nursing, Germantown, Tenn.; Kathryn Joy Young, nursing, Santa Ynez, Calif.; Sara Elizabeth Young, nursing, Oklahoma City.