Board Approves Construction Manager, Dedicates Hobbs Suite

May 11, 2012

Taking the next step in completing new student housing facilities, Oklahoma Baptist University's trustees approved the hiring of a construction manager for building two campus apartment buildings during their spring meeting on the university's Shawnee campus May 11.

The board confirmed selection of Lingo Construction Services, Inc. of Oklahoma City as construction manager for a two-building student apartment project. OBU officials broke ground for the project on May 10. The buildings, which will each house 92 students, will open for the fall 2013 semester.

"We marked a milestone this week as we broke ground for the first two of eight new facilities in our student residential village," OBU President David W. Whitlock said in his state-of-the-university report to the board. "These will serve thousands of students for generations with excellent living quarters."

Trustees also participated in dedication ceremonies for the recently renovated Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry office suite on Friday morning.

"This is a place where students from every major and academic program will be influenced, a place from which our students will prepare for ministry, preaching, evangelism, and missions," Dr. Whitlock told the board.

OBU President David W. Whitlock speaks to the board of trustees May 11.

Updating trustees on the university's Vision for A New Century capital campaign, Whitlock said "God is blessing our efforts as evident in the total campaign pledges and gifts to date of over $23.34 million.

"Today, I am pleased to report that the state of our university is strong," Whitlock said. "This academic year our fall enrollment was 1,871 compared to 1,777 last year. Our January term for this year was 742 up from 731 last year. And our spring enrollment is 1,747, compared to 1,666 last year. We should note that our full time equivalent students were up each of the three academic terms as well."

The board ratified promotions for two faculty members. Dr. Andrew Armond, who joined the faculty in 2006, was promoted from assistant professor of English to associate professor of English. Dr. Michael Dean, who joined the faculty in 2005, was promoted from assistant professor of music to associate professor of music.

Board members also approved contracts for four new faculty members. New faculty include Silas Kaine Ezell, assistant professor of English; Dr. Kristi Pope Key, associate professor of English; Brent Newsom, assistant professor of English; and Dr. Ishwaran Mudliar, associate professor of religion.

Dr. Reagan Bradford Sr., chair of the 33-member board, moderated the meeting. Bradford, who resides in Edmond, is a medical research physician.