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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU Honors 136 Graduates During Winter Commencement

December 15, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University conferred degrees upon 80 undergraduate and 56 graduate students during Winter Commencement, Friday, Dec. 15. The ceremony took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Dr. Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, delivered the address.

The students took their ceremonial final walk across campus as OBU students before filing into Raley Chapel. The students, in academic regalia, proceeded from the Geiger Center to the chapel, passing through rows of OBU faculty members before reaching the chapel’s east steps.

OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock presided over the ceremonies and delivered the charge to the graduates. The program included a presentation of the graduating class by Savannah Payne, vice president of the OBU Student Government Association, and Dr. Stan Norman, provost and executive vice president for campus life.

Following more than 28 years of experience as a pastor, Jordan was elected executive director-treasurer of the BGCO in 1996. In 2010, he was presented with an honorary Doctor of Divinity from OBU. In October 2016, he delivered OBU’s Gaskin Lecture on Baptist History, focusing on the contribution of Falls Creek to Oklahoma Baptist history. In September of this year, OBU presented Jordan with the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service during the Falls Creek 100th anniversary celebration.

“You’re about to walk into a world that will try you by fire,” Jordan said to the graduates. “You will be tested and tempted to compromise your beliefs, and thus, compromise your integrity. You will not be able to withstand the challenges if you are not strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Character formation is a work of Christ in you. He shapes and molds you as you surrender to His will and His way.

“So today, graduates, here’s my prayer for you. It is a prayer that you will become people of high character and uncompromised integrity. People who daily reflect the very character of your Lord and Savior. And if you do, you will shine in this world like a star in the darkest night, and you will achieve true success, not just in the eyes of people around you, but more significantly, in the eyes of your God. That is true success.