Timberlake and McWilliams inducted into Faculty Hall of Fame

October 14, 2022

Two former Oklahoma Baptist University faculty members were inducted into the University’s Faculty Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 14. The ceremony was held at the Cargill Advancement and Alumni Center as part of The Weekend celebration and events.

The Faculty Hall of Fame recognizes former OBU faculty members who demonstrated a significant impact on students throughout their teaching careers.

Inductee Kathryne O’Bryan Timberlake was honored for her time as assistant professor of music from 1953 to 1988. She passed away in 2019 at the age of 95. During her service at OBU, she exhibited high standards of academic excellence and was merited for her devotion to Christian education and her positive influence on students throughout her 35-year career. In 2014, she received an Honorary Doctor of Music during the University’s annual musical gala.

Timberlake earned a Bachelor of Music from Baylor University and pursued graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. After joining the OBU music faculty in 1953 as an assistant, she became an instructor just two years later. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1978 and in 1979, she gained tenure and the rank of assistant professor. She was named professor emerita of music in 1993. She was married to the late Dr. James Samuel Timberlake, a longtime OBU professor of Greek and religion.

Inductee Warren McWilliams, OBU professor emeritus of theology, was honored for his many years of service to OBU.  He was hired as an assistant professor of religion in 1976 and was installed to the Auguie Henry Professorship in Bible in 1980 and promoted to associate professor in 1982. He served as Auguie Henry Chair of Bible from 1982 to 2018, when he retired.

McWilliam’s deep and abiding faith influenced and inspired many students throughout his career. In 1986, McWilliams received OBU’s Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2010, he received the OBU Alumni Association’s Profile in Excellence Award.

A 1968 OBU alumnus, he completed a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.

The OBU Faculty Hall of Fame named its first inductees in 2010. The award continues to recognize those individuals who have exemplified high standards of teaching and upheld OBU’s ideals and mission through noteworthy service to students and the betterment of the university.