OBU Recognizes Outstanding Students During Awards Chapel

May 10, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University recognized outstanding students during Awards Convocation Wednesday, May 10, in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium, with seniors Graeson Griffin and Emma Patton receiving the highest awards given. The University also recognized outstanding seniors in each of its six undergraduate colleges, as well as outstanding senior athletes.

Griffin, a piano major from Shawnee, was the seventh recipient of the W.P. Blake Award, the University’s highest award given to a male student.

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.” A committee named by the University president makes the selection. 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.

Patton, a communication studies major from Oklahoma City, received the Rosalee Mills Appleby Award, the University’s highest award given to a female student.

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. A committee named by the University president makes the selection. 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.

Tyre Terry 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.

Rebekah McPheeters 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 3.0 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 and Social Sciences. The outstanding seniors included Hayley Graft, Spanish major from Oklahoma City, Division of Language and Literature; Kysha Miller, sociology major from Edmond, Oklahoma, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences; Hannah Cantrell, sports ministry major from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, Division of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies; and Kathleen Houston, elementary education major from Roanoke, Texas, Division of Teacher Education.

Dean Chris Jones presented awards for the outstanding senior in the James E. Hurley College of Science and Mathematics to Jordan Spencer, biochemistry major from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Division of Science; and Nathan Fawver, secondary math education major from Andover, Kansas, Department of Mathematics.

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

Dean Heath Thomas presented the awards for the outstanding seniors in the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry. The Outstanding Senior in Christian and Cross-Cultural Ministry Award was presented to Ryan Ross, Christian and Cross-Cultural ministry major from Oklahoma City. The Outstanding Senior in Biblical and Theological Studies Award was presented to Gage Johnson, Bible major from Shawnee. The Outstanding Senior in Philosophy Award was presented to Gunner Briscoe, philosophy major from Bixby, Oklahoma.

Dean Chris Mathews 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 Zachary Trosper, art major from Oklahoma City. The Outstanding Senior in Communication Arts was presented to Emma Patton, communication studies major from Oklahoma City. The Outstanding Senior in Music was presented to Dakota Unruh, worship arts major from Elk City, Oklahoma.

Dean Lepaine McHenry presented the award for the Outstanding Senior in the College of Nursing. Rachel Detweiler, nursing major from Corn, Oklahoma, received the honor.

Director of Athletics Robert Davenport presented the awards to the outstanding seniors in athletics. Paige Morrison, exercise physiology and wellness major from McKinney, Texas, was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. Jinny Parra, sports and recreation management major from the Dominican Republic, 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 Banks, psychology major from Norman, Oklahoma; Lauren Franz, psychology pre-counseling major from West Plains, Missouri; and Lacey Herbert, elementary education major from Perryton, Texas, tied for the top female honor. Andrew Thomsen took home the outstanding male award.

View the Facebook album of award recipients.