OBU Recognizes Outstanding Students During Awards Chapel

May 4, 2016

OBU recognized its outstanding students during the annual Awards Convocation Wednesday, May 4, in Raley Chapel, with seniors Lucas Adams and Jessica Dickinson receiving the highest awards given to students by OBU. The University also recognized outstanding seniors in each of its six undergraduate colleges, as well as outstanding senior athletes.

View the Facebook photo album of Awards Chapel.

Adams, a chemistry and mathematics double major from Oklahoma City, was the sixth recipient of the W.P. Blake Award, the University's highest award given to a male student. Adams will graduate summa cum laude with honors. Students graduate summa cum laude for maintaining at least a 3.95 grade-point average.

The W.P. Blake Award is named for the chairman of OBU’s first board of trustees, who was an Oklahoma Baptist pioneer from Okmulgee. The award was established in 2011 to recognize an outstanding man in the graduating class who embodies Blake’s written desire that OBU “perpetuate the heritage of Christian citizenship.” The selection is made by a committee named by the University president. The committee chooses the man of the graduating class who most nearly exemplifies the qualities which characterize the ideal OBU man, including personal character, scholarship, leadership, concern for others, and Christian commitment.

Dickinson, a secondary English education major from Oklahoma City, received the Rosalee Mills Appleby Award, the University's highest award given to a female student. She will graduate magna cum laude. Students graduate magna cum laude for maintaining at least at 3.70 grade-point average.

The Rosalee Mills Appleby Award is named for the donor, a member of the class of 1920 who served for many years as a missionary, writer and teacher in Brazil. This award was established in 1936 as OBU’s first award, and has been given annually since that time. The selection is made by a committee named by the University president. The committee chooses the woman of the graduating class who most nearly exemplifies the qualities which characterize the ideal OBU woman, including personal character, scholarship, leadership, concern for others, and Christian commitment.

Kaleb Miears, a Bible major from Lawton, Oklahoma, received the Evans T. Moseley Leadership Award. The award was established by the senior class of OBU in 1966 to honor the man who served as interim president of the University during that year. It is given to a rising senior who demonstrates the greatest leadership potential.

Gracelyn Perkins, a nursing major from Colorado Springs, received the John Wesley Raley Scholarship. The John Wesley Raley Scholar receives a scholarship from funds provided by the Fay Taylor Pierson Trust, part of which was designated to establish a memorial to Dr. John Wesley Raley, who served as University president from 1934 to 1961 and as University chancellor from 1961 to 1965. The Scholarship is awarded annually to a rising senior with a grade point average of at least 3.00 who plans to continue at OBU. Additional criteria include leadership, moral courage, self-determination and communicative skills.

Dean Pam Robinson presented awards to the outstanding seniors within each division of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. The outstanding seniors included Matthew Clear, English major from Mustang, Oklahoma, Division of Language and Literature; Matthew Welborn, anthropology major from Cache, Oklahoma, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences; Marcus Titterington, health and physical education major from Tonganoxie, Kansas, Division of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies; and Autumn Urton, elementary education major from Oklahoma City, Division of Teacher Education.

Dean Debbie Bosch presented awards for the outstanding senior in the James E. Hurley College of Science and Mathematics. Lucas Adams, chemistry and mathematics double major from Oklahoma City, was recognized as the outstanding senior for both the Division of Science and the Division of Mathematics.

Dean David Houghton presented the Outstanding Business Graduate Award for the outstanding senior in the Paul Dickinson College of Business. Emily McCarthy, professional accountancy major from Tulsa, Oklahoma, received the award.

Dean Heath Thomas presented the awards for the outstanding seniors in the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology & Ministry. The Outstanding Senior in Religion Award was presented to Robert Walker, biblical languages major from Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Outstanding Senior in Applied Ministry Award was presented to Britton VanBuskirk, orality studies major from Oklahoma City. The Outstanding Senior in Philosophy Award was presented to Nolan Cannon, cross-cultural ministry major from Elgin, Oklahoma.

Dr. Stan Norman, provost and executive vice president for campus life, presented the awards for the outstanding seniors in the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts. The Outstanding Senior in Art and Design was presented to Erin Wilson, graphic design major from Oklahoma City. The Outstanding Senior in Communication Arts was presented to Katherine Gilbert, digital media arts major from Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The Outstanding Senior in Music is was presented to Courtney King, vocal music education major from Oklahoma City.

Dean Lepaine McHenry presented the award for the Outstanding Senior in the College of Nursing. Rachel McCloy, nursing major from Stinnett, Texas, received the honor.

Director of Athletics Robert Davenport presented the awards to the outstanding seniors in athletics. Anastasiya Baranova, a women’s tennis player from Sochi, Russia, was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. Clay Shepperson, a track and field athlete and pre-allied health and rehabilitation services major from Lawton, Oklahoma, was named the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete.

Dr. Carol Humphrey, professor of history, presented the Presidential Scholar/Athlete Awards. This award is given each year to the senior male and female athletes with the highest cumulative GPA. Emily McCarthy, track and field athlete and professional accountancy major from Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with Emily Montgomery, track and field athlete and pre-allied health and rehabilitation services major from Frisco, Texas, tied for the top female honor. Andrew Halliburton, men’s swimming and diving team member and Christian ministry major with pastor emphasis from Bentonville, Arkansas, took home the outstanding male award.

The seniors will participate in Spring Commencement Friday, May 13, at 3 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium.