Commencement to Honor 255 Graduates

May 16, 2013

Two hundred fifty-five graduates will have degrees conferred upon them during OBU's 99th Spring Commencement on Friday, May 17. Dr. Bobby Kelly, who serves as Ruth Dickinson Chair of Bible at OBU, will deliver the Commencement Address.

The graduating students will take their symbolic final walk across the campus as OBU students when they file into Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium for the 3 p.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. OBU President David W. Whitlock will preside over the ceremonies. The program will include a presentation of the graduating class by Kallie Engle, president of the Class of 2013, from Durant, Okla.

Kelly joined the OBU faculty in 1997. He earned his bachelor's degree from Clear Creek Baptist College in Pineville, Ky., and his master of divinity degree and doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

A sought-after preacher and teacher in churches throughout Oklahoma, Kelly has been recognized for excellence as a professor. In May 2000, he received the Promising Teacher Award, and in May 2011, he received the Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest honor for OBU faculty members.

In addition to the address from Kelly, the program includes greetings by Dr. Anthony Jordan, executive director/treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, and induction of the graduates into the OBU Alumni Association by Lori Hagans, executive director of the association.

OBU's top three honors for faculty and staff members will be presented by Dr. 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 Paul Dickinson College of Business, with academic majors and hometowns, include Craig Thomas Alvarez, professional accountancy, Wichita Falls, Texas; Alicia Danielle Bang, marketing, Independence, Mo.; Tayler Alyssa Blount, marketing, Sallisaw, Okla.; Joseph Michael Chadwick, computer science: interdisciplinary: mathematics, Parker, Colo.; Lauren Michele Christian, computer science: interdisciplinary: music, Cypress, Texas; Christie Beth Clark, interdisciplinary: cross-cultural ministry/anthropology/ business administration, Frederick, Md.; Jonathan William Hampton Dicrisantis, professional accountancy, Oklahoma City; Colton J. Holland, management, Muskogee, Okla.; Jacobi Isham, management, Lawton, Okla.; Elliot Lain McGowen, international Business, Oklahoma City; Colin Michael Metcalf, management, Tulsa, Okla.; Cody Lee Potter, management/finance, Miami, Okla.; Pedro Henrique Mendes Pereira, international Business, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Reese Anthony Rogers, computer science: interdisciplinary: management, Claremore, Okla.; David Kent Smith, finance, Choctaw, Okla.; Brett James Vandervort, finance, Tulsa; Kenneth Allen Wall Jr., marketing, Paris, Texas; and John H. Wingo, professional accountancy, Shawnee, Okla.

Candidates for bachelor's degrees from the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry include Robert Kenneth Bernhardt, applied ministry: youth, Sperry, Okla.; Erin LaVell Black, religion: Bible, Cassville, Mo.; Andrew P. Cannon, applied ministry: youth, Elgin, Okla.; Kasey James Chapman, applied ministry: pastoral, Elmore City, Okla.; Tanner Warren Clark, religion: biblical languages, Blackwell, Okla.; Blake Paul Compton, religion: biblical languages, Shawnee; Marcus Joe Crook, religion: Bible/philosophy, Earlsboro, Okla.; Josiah David Custar, applied ministry: pastoral, Ardmore, Okla.; Joshua R. Franzoni, applied ministry: youth, Choctaw; Jesse Lynn Grandstaff, religion: Bible, Seminole, Okla.; Joel D. Hill, applied ministry: pastoral, Wichita, Kan.; Nathan Lee Howard, applied ministry: pastoral, Shawnee; Rebekah Allison de Juárez, applied ministry: cross-cultural, Burleson, Texas; Naomi Elizabeth King, applied ministry: youth, Shawnee; Quintin W. Magruder, applied ministry: youth, Ardmore; Jessica Gayle Masterson, interdisciplinary: Bible/cross-cultural ministry/teaching English as a second language, Oklahoma City; Cody Wayne Moore, applied ministry: youth, Moore, Okla.; Alex Christopher Myers, applied ministry: youth, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Weston Zachary Potts, applied ministry: pastoral, Grove, Okla.; Isaac Sullivan Queen, religion: Bible, Blanchard, Okla.; Sara Colette Quesenbury, interdisciplinary: biblical languages/psychology/anthropology, Guymon, Okla.; Caroline Elisabeth Reel, orality studies, Tishomingo, Okla.; Alma Pilar Rivero, religion: Bible, Hobart, Okla.; Jonathan Allan Scott, applied ministry: youth, Fort Gibson, Okla.; Mark EuGene Soulsby, religion: Bible, Burley, Idaho; Elizabeth Chloe Sullivan, religion: departmental, Ozark, Mo.; Samuel Michael Walker, religion: Bible, Stigler, Okla.; Raliegh Lee White, religion: Bible, Oologah, Okla.; and Milton Eugene Winkelman, Christian studies, Bethel Acres, Okla.

Candidates for bachelor's degrees from OBU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences include Emily Grace Alexander, psychology: pre-counseling/sociology, Shawnee; Robert Paul Antosh, multilingual communication, Shawnee; Adam Todd Argo, sociology, Gallup, N.M.; Jacqueline Alyse Armstrong, political science/history, Lincoln, Calif.; Matthew Baker, English/anthropology, Muskogee; Alice Banks, family and community services: family life, Oklahoma City; Daniel Santos Baptista, leisure services management: sports and recreation management, Fairfield, Calif.; Vanessa Nicole Brackett, psychology: pre-counseling, Sperry; Audrey Lee Branscum, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Hurst, Texas; Ryan David Brooks, anthropology, Oklahoma City; Sara Beth Brown, Spanish, Pryor, Okla.; Gabriella Elizabeth Bryant, English secondary education, Shawnee; Courtney Grace Buchanan, early childhood/elementary education, Shawnee; Regan Ann Bullock, early childhood/elementary education, Arlington, Texas; Thomas Ian Bullock, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/sports management/anthropology, Fort Smith, Ark.; Kelsey E. Callies, sociology, McKinney, Texas; Jenna Lea Chamberlain, early childhood education, Denton, Texas; Sabra Jade Clark, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Andover, Kan.; Kylee Rianne Clement, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Madill, Okla.; Cara Elise Cliburn, English, Ada, Okla.; Kara LaNell Rhodes Coberley, family and community services: family life/applied ministry: children, Gainesville, Texas; Collin Cockrell, leisure service management: sports ministry, Blanchard; Louie J. Cook, political science, Woodway, Texas; Victoria Ann Corte, elementary education, San Antonio, Texas; Cassidy Custar, interdisciplinary: natural science/kinesiology, Catoosa, Okla.; Koral Daniel, Spanish, Kingman, Ariz.; Gabriella Elizabeth Dellick, early childhood education, Goldsboro, N.C.; Tarah Briana Derden, elementary education, Arlington; Danielle Dobrinski, elementary education, Sapulpa, Okla.; Sherrod Michael Donnelly, political science, Arlington; Kallie Michelle Engle, English, Durant; Patrick Ross Fairchild, social sciences education, secondary, Centennial, Colo.; Naomi Fawcett, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Conroe, Texas; Lori Rebeccah Finley, psychology: pre-counseling, Mustang, Okla.; Megan Elizabeth Fort, elementary education, Littleton, Colo.; Justin Paul Frye, personal training/strength and conditioning, Amarillo, Texas; Laura Fulenwider, anthropology, Princeton, Texas; Shelby Gibson, elementary education, Harrah, Okla.; David Gilliland, leisure service management: camp administration, Ponca City, Okla.; and Desmond T. Griffin, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/sports management, Lake Charles, La.

Others receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are Carley A. Hamilton, early childhood/elementary education, Shawnee, Kan.; Kayla Mione Hamlin, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Shawnee, Okla.; Chad Everett Hardison, leisure service management: sports and recreation management, Fort Pierce, Fla.; Gavin Thomas Hart, anthropology, Oklahoma City; Shelby Kaye Hartgrove, early childhood/elementary education, Yukon, Okla.; Robin Lynn Harjo, early childhood/elementary education, Shawnee; Aaron Neal Hayes, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Justin, Texas; Stephanie Hixon, multilingual communication, Bartlesville, Okla.; Clinton G. Houston, sociology, Flower Mound, Texas; Megan Garcia Hollowell, interdisciplinary: psychology/family and community service/cross-cultural ministry, Rogers, Ark.; Jared Bell Jackson, psychology: pre-counseling, Rowlett, Texas; Amanda Jett, early childhood/elementary education, Shawnee; David G. Johnson, interdisciplinary: kinesiology/leisure service management/business administration, Chicago, Ill.; Erin Darcy Johnson, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Muskogee; Krystal LaShea Johnson, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Denton; Tori M. Johnson, elementary/early childhood education, Oklahoma City; Miranda Kell, exercise and sports science: exercise physiology and wellness, Chickasha, Okla.; Melody M. King, social science education, secondary, Clovis, N.M.; Justine Nicole Kirby, interdisciplinary: English/religion/applied communication, McLoud, Okla.; Daniel A. Marti Maggi, leisure service management: sports and recreation management, Caracas, Venezuela; Mikka Lee Mattox, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Stillwater, Okla.; Maggie McCracken, psychology, Tulsa; Tara C. McKinney, exercise and sports science: exercise physiology and wellness, McLoud; Kristyn McMichael, early childhood/elementary education, Waldorf, Md.; Jason C. McPhail, secondary social science education, Tecumseh, Okla.; Jonathan R. Meadows, social science education, secondary, Shawnee; Justin L. Melot, interdisciplinary: leisure service management/kinesiology/business administration, Shawnee; Rachel Marie Merritt, English, Owasso, Okla.; Mariah Miller, elementary education, Enid, Okla.; Carson Jon Misner, psychology: pre-counseling, Sapulpa; Lindsay Michelle Mitchell, exercise and sports science: exercise physiology and wellness, Blair, Okla.; Whitney Danae Moore, early childhood/elementary education, Shawnee; and Vanessa Lynn Murry, interdisciplinary: anthropology/orality studies/natural science, Loveland, Colo.

Also receiving bachelor's degrees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are Leah Ashley Palmer, English, Oklahoma City; Lauren Elizabeth Palmer, interdisciplinary: anthropology/music, Oklahoma City; Grace Elizabeth Peters, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Harrah; Mason Parker Phillips, psychology: pre-counseling, Mustang; Mitchell Prophet, leisure service management: sports and recreation management, Visalia, Calif.; Bennett Michael Rader, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Elk City, Okla.; Jedidiah Graham Richards, anthropology, Chandler, Ariz.; Hallie Jean Riggins, English, Muskogee; Tristen Nichole Rizzo, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Owasso; Samantha Lindsey Rose, elementary education, Norman, Okla.; Taylir Ann Ross, elementary education, Oklahoma City; Caleb Austin Sanders, elementary education, Eufaula, Okla.; Megan Ashley Sandridge, anthropology, Holt, Mo.; Tyrael Stephen Scarborough, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Plano, Texas; Evan Nicole Shimanek, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Hennessey, Okla.; Breanna Renae Shuler, elementary education/early childhood education, Red Oak, Texas; Elizabeth Deborah Sidler, interdisciplinary: anthropology/strategic communication/cross-cultural ministry, Argyle, Texas; Michael Glen Sliger, leisure service management: sports and recreation management, Camarillo, Calif.; Timothy Ryan Smith, anthropology, Grapevine, Texas; Lauren Jacquelyn Spray, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Lake Forest, Ill.; Molly Marie Starbuck, early childhood/special education, Elk City; Caitlin Michelle Steer, early childhood education, Shawnee; Christina Mae Stevens, special education/elementary education, St. Charles, Mo.; Jana Olivia Swann, interdisciplinary: English/sociology/business administration, Amarillo, Texas; Rachel Michelle Tarleton, early childhood education, Midwest City, Okla.; Tori Michelle Thomas, psychology: pre-counseling, Owasso; Katie Thompson, elementary/early childhood education, Sapulpa; Kirsten Hayley Thompson, English, Fort Worth, Texas; Nathan Taylor Thompson, leisure service management: camp administration, Bartlesville; Taylor Pierce Thompson, personal training/strength and conditioning, Edmond, Okla.; Kirk Aubrey Tinsley, psychology: pre-counseling, Neosho, Mo.; Meredith Anne Treat, psychology: pre-counseling, Ralston, Okla.; Emily Ann Urminski, special education/elementary education, Mansfield, Texas; Patiance Ranaa Villa, elementary/special education, China Spring, Texas; Laura Joy Voth, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Hooker, Okla.; Cameron Jean Weimer, elementary education, Fort Morgan, Colo.; Adrienne Nicole Williams, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Tulsa; Adrienne Nicole Williams, Spanish, Tulsa; William Darren Yarbrough, anthropology, Blanchard; and Caitlyn Renee Yount, exercise and sports science: pre-allied health, Shawnee.

From the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, candidates for bachelor's degrees include Travis Ryan Alexander, applied communication, Bartlesville; Andrew Scott Barker, news and information, Louisburg, Kan.; Diana Kathryn Barns, graphic design, Denton; Sarah Alise Barrett, theatre, Greeley, Colo.; Jinger Nicole Bernhardt, strategic communication, Shawnee; Rebekah Kathleen Byland, electronic media production, Shawnee; Cody James Camacho, interdisciplinary: applied communication/mathematics, Enid; Dana Marie Clark, music education, vocal PK-12, Muscatine, Iowa; Michelle Reneé Compton, musical arts: voice, Weatherford, Okla.; Mary Alexandra Corley, graphic design, Oklahoma City; Neal Andrew Ellis, applied communication, Midlothian, Texas; Joshua Alan Ferguson, music, Carrollton, Texas; Johnathan Lamar Flowers, musical arts: instrumental, Irving, Texas; Andrew William Gabbert, digital media arts, Acworth, Ga.; Parker Davis Goforth, applied communication, Tulsa; Tabitha Nerissa-Haley Gordon, music education, instrumental, Crowley, Texas; Derek Anthony Green, graphic design, Midwest City; Cassidi Olivia Henderson, graphic design, Edgewood, Texas; Megan Elizabeth Hopkins, strategic communication, Bolivar, Mo.; JemiJean Jones, theatre/family and community service: family Life, Del City, Okla.; Amanda Ellen Lancaster, strategic communication, Ketchum, Okla.; Yang Li, news and information, Huaibei, China; Yue Liu, applied communication, Su Zhou, China; Rachel Nive Lynch, studio art, Newalla, Okla.; Chelsea Marie McQuigg, musical arts: instrumental, Miami; Joshua Kale Michael, music, Piedmont, Okla.; Lyndsy Celeste Perkins, musical arts: composition, Mazeppa, Minn.; Jessie Nicole Prewitt, graphic design, Newcastle, Okla.; Kyler Zane Prewitt, electronic media production, Newcastle; Charla Francine Roark Robison, art, Tecumseh; Brittany Allene Seale, music education, instrumental, Broken Arrow; Lauren Rachel Smith, applied communication, Greenwood, Ark.; Sara Lauren Smith, applied communication, Enid; Sarah Elizabeth Stephens, vocal performance, Tulsa; Skyler Elizabeth Strahm, art education, P-12, Royse City, Texas; Ashlynn Christine Streck, music education, vocal PK-12, Hennessey, Okla.; Joylynn A. Strobel, Worship arts, Brownstown, Ill.; Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, worship arts, Oklahoma City; Colin Edward Tresch, strategic communication, Tulsa; Sarah Faith Turner, music education, instrumental, Newalla; Daniel Alexander Valencia, graphic design, Fort Gibson; Jamie L. Watts, news and information, Shawnee; and Ethan Garrett Wood, digital media arts, Blanchard.

Students receiving bachelor's degrees from the James E. Hurley College of Science and Mathematics include Diamond Leshawn Austin, natural science, Bronson, Texas; Cordell M. Baker, biology, Sapulpa; Timothy James Benham, mathematics, Enid; Candice Michelle Bowling, biochemistry, Gainesville; Samantha Elizabeth Brown, biology - forensic, El Paso, Ill.; Emily Frances Buller, secondary science education, Ringwood, Okla.; Kameron Von Conely, secondary science education, Burbank, Okla.; Natalea Rae Foster, biochemistry, Walnut Ridge, Ark.; Shannon Marie Griffith, secondary mathematics education, Parker, Colo.; Krista Gail Jones, natural science, Greeley; Hayden Scott McAfee, biochemistry, Gravette, Ark.; Jacob Daniel Morris, biology, Aledo, Texas; Victoria Lauren Orms, secondary mathematics education, Carrolton, Texas; Kelsey Marie Proctor, biology, Hanna, Okla.; Kaleb Keith Vitosky Robertson, mathematics, Okemah, Okla.; and Meagan Taylor, biochemistry, Lawton.

From the College of Nursing, candidates for the bachelor of science degree in nursing include Olumayowa Taiwo Akinyode, Grand Prairie, Texas; Deborah Lauren Alt, Shawnee; Kassidy Anglin, Kirkland, Wash.; Cailey DeLayne Barron, Wichita Falls; Emily Kay Blackwell, Chandler, Okla.; Mackenzie Diane Borden, Oklahoma City; Mollie Anne Butner, Seminole; Barrett Ray Cook, Shawnee; Leanne Elizabeth Craig, Riverside, Calif.; Mojolaoluwa D. Davies, Houston, Texas; Brittany Elizabeth Delaney, Quinlan, Texas; Paige Eversole, Fort Worth; Victoria Elaine Fowler, Carrollton; Elissa Garbiso, Katy, Texas; Brittani Mikal Harmon, Houston; Sarah Ruth Heald, Oklahoma City; Sarah M. Heilaman, Bethel Acres; Elizabeth Ann Hensley, Sallisaw; Nicole Brooke Holcomb, Tulsa; Hannah Beth Irwin, Rogers; Joseph Benjamin Keleher, Huntington Beach, Calif.; Amy Elizabeth McCarthy, Tulsa; Brandy Niccole Moore, Mansfield; Jennifer Michelle Morales, Dallas, Texas; Tolani Adeyemi Olabode, Grand Prairie; Michelle Kaylene Peters, Shawnee; Jonathan Curtis Phillips, Exeter, Calif.; Rachel Maria Piston, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Jennifer Lauren Plett, Broken Arrow; Naman K. Sharma, Shawnee; Autumn Rose Simms, Shawnee; Alma Marie Skelton, Shawnee; Kelsey Mariah Sorensen, Gunnison, Colo.; Sydney Lorraine Sutton, Broken Arrow; Paige Elizabeth Terry, Enid; and Alexandra May Whelan, Parachute, Colo.