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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU Trustees Meet Virtually, Approve Faculty Contracts

February 3, 2017

OBU trustees met via videoconference for the first meeting of the spring semester Friday, Feb. 3. Trustees approved recommendations for senior faculty status, sabbatical leave and faculty contracts for 2017-18.

In his report to the board, Dr. David W. Whitlock, OBU president, told trustees J-Term and spring enrollment numbers have increased since last year with 824 students enrolled in J-Term classes and 1,914 students enrolled in spring classes.

Sabbatical leave was granted to Dr. Lee Hinson, professor of music, for 2017-18 with a half teaching load and half-time sabbatical leave. A faculty member at OBU for 11 years, Hinson will focus on writing a book exploring worship planning from a biblical and ethnodoxological perspective. He plans for the book to be used as a text for worship classes in university and seminary settings.

Sabbatical leave also was granted for the spring 2017 semester to Dr. Michael Travers, associate provost, associate dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, chair for the Division of Language and Literature, and professor of English. Travers will update teaching notes and classroom materials for his C.S. Lewis class and research and write an article on the apologetic themes and value of C.S. Lewis’ poetry.

The Board of Trustees approved senior faculty status for Dr. Tawa Anderson, assistant professor of philosophy; Dr. Bruce Carlton, WMU professor of missions; Dr. Mary Chung, assistant professor of piano; Dr. Randolph Johnson, assistant professor of music; Dr. Sarah Marsh, assistant professor of mathematics; and Dr. Renita Murimi, assistant professor of computer information science.

Full-time faculty contracts were approved for the 2017-2018 academic year. Steve Allen, chair of OBU’s 31-member board of trustees, moderated the board’s plenary session.

OBU will host the annual Green and Gold Gala March 7 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Archie Manning, All-American quarterback and NFL icon, will be the featured speaker. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.okbu.edu/alumni/gala, call OBU University Advancement at (405) 585-5427, or email crystal.mckee@okbu.edu.