University Recognizes Outstanding Seniors During Awards Chapel May 4

May 4, 2022

OBU held its annual awards chapel May 4 in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on the OBU campus in Shawnee. The University recognized outstanding seniors within its schools and divisions and also presented its four highest student awards.

The University presented the Rosalee Mills Appleby Award to Lauren Jones. The Rosalee Mills Appleby Award is the highest award given for a senior woman at OBU and is given to a student who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, scholarship, concern for others and Christian commitment. The award is named for its donor, Rosalee Mills Appleby, who was a member of the class of 1920. She 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.

The University presented the W.P. Blake Award to Chapman Pennington. The W.P. Blake Award is the highest award given for a senior man at OBU and is given to a student who demonstrates the qualities of leadership, scholarship, concern for others and Christian commitment. The award is named for the chairman of OBU’s first board of trustees, who was an Oklahoma Baptist pioneer from Okmulgee. It 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.”

The Evans T. Moseley Leadership Award was presented to Grace Vernon. The award is given to a rising senior who demonstrates the greatest leadership potential. It 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.

The John Wesley Raley Scholar Award was presented to Micah Compton. 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 which guide the selection committee's nomination to the university president include leadership, moral courage, self-determination and communicative skills. 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 Division of Language and Literature presented its outstanding senior award to Madison Stone, creative writing major and professional writing and editing minor.

The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences presented its outstanding senior award to Avery Miller, double major in family science and political science.

The Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation presented its outstanding senior award to Elizabeth Lette, pre-allied health major.

The Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education recognized Emily Lawrence as its outstanding senior. Lawrence is a special education and elementary education double major.

The James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics presented awards to two outstanding seniors. The outstanding senior in mathematics award went to Nicole Bruner, math major with a minor in communication studies. The outstanding senior in science award went to Laramie Snow, biochemistry major.

The Paul Dickinson School of Business presented its award for outstanding senior in business to Katelyn Onkst, management major with a minor in biblical studies.

The School of Nursing recognized Emily Lauryn Erwin, nursing major, as its outstanding senior.

Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry recognized three outstanding seniors within its various academic disciplines. The outstanding senior in biblical and theological studies went to Lauren Jones, majoring in biblical and theological studies with an emphasis in biblical studies and philosophy, apologetics emphasis. The outstanding senior in Christian and cross-cultural ministry went to Nathan Coats, majoring in Christian and cross-cultural ministry with a pastoral ministry emphasis and a minor in practical theology. The outstanding senior in philosophy went to Grace Hill, majoring in philosophy and Christian and cross-cultural ministry with a student ministry emphasis.

The Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts recognized three outstanding seniors within its three divisions. The Division of Art and Design recognized outstanding senior Lainey Cooley, studio art major. The Division of Communication Arts recognized Lillian Huff, journalism and mass communication major with a minor in English, as its outstanding senior. The Division of Music presented the outstanding senior in music award to Landon Johnson, vocal music education major.