OBU Recognized Nationally as One of the Best for Transfer Students

March 22, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University was recognized by Phi Theta Kappa as one of 65 members of the Transfer Honor Roll, which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities for creating dynamic pathways to support community college transfers. In addition to this year’s recognition, OBU was recognized last year in the first inaugural class for the award.

Winners were selected based on engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships/financial aid, student engagement opportunities and institutional priorities.

These 65 colleges and universities, which offer exemplary programs, initiatives, and benefits for community college transfers, will be featured in the 2017 Phi Theta Kappa Partners in Excellence publication, distributed to higher education leaders nationally, and will receive recognition on Phi Theta Kappa’s website and at PTK Catalyst, the organization’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, April 6-8.

Will Brantley, director of admissions, is appreciative of the recognition and grateful to his team of admissions counselors for the work they put into making the admissions process simple for all students who apply to OBU.

“We are thrilled to once again be included on the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll,” he said. “Students who transfer to OBU are such an integral part of our student body. This ongoing recognition of our work with transfer students tells the story of just how important every student is here at OBU.

“We help transfer students transform their lives by pursuing Christ-centered academic excellence in a way that integrates faith with all areas of learning. We want students to come to OBU and when they leave, to be prepared to live a life worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.  Recognitions like this one point to the fact that we are doing great work here at OBU. We are grateful that Phi Theta Kappa has recognized us as one of only a few universities in the country to be named to Transfer Honor Roll for 2017.”

Phi Theta Kappa CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said the recognition program reflects the growing importance of transfer students in helping the U.S. achieve its college completion goals, and will promote further study and sharing of best practices.

“Increasingly, students of all ages and achievement levels are choosing the community college, not only as their first step, but also their first choice, in the pursuit of a quality, affordable bachelor’s degree,” she said. “With this designation, we hope to connect community college students with institutions who value their unique transfer experience and prioritize their success.”

Tincher-Ladner added that colleges and universities who provide high-quality transfer programs benefit from the rich perspective and diversity community college students bring to the student body.

“These students are scholars, leaders and global citizens, often with higher grade point averages than students who started at the university,” she said. “In order to ensure their continued success, the Transfer Honor Roll program identifies colleges and universities that understand the unique needs of community college transfer students and applauds the dynamic pathways these colleges have created to continue fostering student success at the four-year college.”

For more information on transferring to OBU, visit www.okbu.edu/admissions/transfer-students.