OBU Trustees Approve Faculty Contracts and Senior Faculty Status

February 2, 2018

OBU trustees met via videoconference for the spring semester meeting Friday, Feb. 2. Trustees approved recommendations for senior faculty status and faculty contracts for 2018-19. 

In his report to the board, Dr. David W. Whitlock, OBU president, told trustees the Ford Hall renovation had been completed and reopened for student use. New equipment and pianos made by Steinway & Sons have also been added to improve the student experience.

“There is a buzz of excitement in the building among students and faculty utilizing the newly renovated facility,” he said.

A grand opening celebration is being planned for later in the spring semester. Details will be announced once a date is confirmed.

Whitlock also announced the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic will open at its new location on Kickapoo this spring to serve as a counseling clinic for the campus and community.

“The center will provide a space for faculty members and students in OBU’s MFT graduate program to apply their skills to bring healing to families, couples and individuals,” Whitlock said. “We are pleased to partner on this project with the Avedis Foundation who provided a $200,000 grant for the remodeling of the center.”

The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation for senior faculty status for Dr. Contessa Edgar, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Kaine Ezell, assistant professor of English; Dr. Yvonne Bongfen Mbote, assistant professor of chemistry; and Dr. Brent Newsom, assistant professor of English. Recommendations are based on a vote from the senior faculty advisory and evaluations of the faculty members by an academic unit advisory and the academic deans advisory in the areas of teaching effectiveness, professional development, service to the university, and Christian commitment and service as defined in the faculty handbook.

Full-time faculty contracts for 115 faculty members were approved for the 2018-2019 academic year. Faculty vacancies will be filled before the beginning of the new academic year. 

The 2020-21 academic calendar was approved as recommended by the academic services committee. Steve Allen, chair of OBU’s 29-member board of trustees, moderated the board’s plenary session.