OBU Honors Retirees
April 25, 2025
OBU hosted a retirement reception for three long-time faculty and two staff members on April 24 at the Geiger Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee.
Retiring employees include Marcia McQuerry, registrar, after 42 years of service: Dr. Albert Chen, professor of physics, who has taught at OBU for 39 years; Dr. Charles Swadley, associate professor of English and Spanish, after 28 years at OBU; Dr. John Powell, professor of history, after 21 years; and Bettye Finch, human resources coordinator, after more than three years of service at OBU; and Nancy Deichman, administrative assistant in the Division of Language and Literature.
With a passion for space physics, Chen conducted research as a NASA Summer Research Fellow at several NASA centers, including Johnson Space Center, Dryden Flight Research Center, Stennis Space Center and Kennedy Space Center. His work included Martian dust studies and engineering simulations for space shuttle technology.
Chen earned his B.S. in Taiwan and both his M.S. and Ph.D. at Baylor University. At OBU, he taught all levels of physics and inspired students to pursue graduate education. Named Teacher of the Year by Mortar Board in 1989 and recipient of OBU’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015, Chen is known for challenging, mentoring and preparing students for success in science and beyond.
McQuerry retires as OBU registrar after more than four decades of service. She joined the university in 1983 as a senior computer programmer/analyst in the Information Systems and Services Office before being named registrar in 2010. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, McQuerry later earned a Master of Education with honors in Higher Education/Student Affairs from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Her career has been marked by professionalism, institutional knowledge and dedication to student success. Over the years, McQuerry supported generations of students through registration and academic transitions, playing a key role in the university's academic life with grace, precision and enduring commitment.
Swadley joined the OBU faculty in 1997 following 13 years of teaching Spanish in Christian schools. He earned his B.A. in Spanish in 1980 and M.A. in English with an emphasis in ESL in 1985 from the University of North Texas. Encouraged by OBU’s Faculty Council to pursue further education, he began doctoral studies in his second year of teaching and earned a Ph.D. in Composition, Rhetoric and Literacy from the University of Oklahoma in 2008.
At OBU, Swadley taught in both the English and Spanish programs. His English courses included first-year composition, advanced composition, technical writing, linguistics and grammar. In Spanish, he taught beginning and intermediate levels as well as conversation and reading courses for majors and minors. He progressed through academic ranks at the university, ultimately achieving the position of Associate Professor. Swadley said teaching in two disciplines was both challenging and rewarding. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues and teach purpose-driven students. Known for his commitment to language learning and student success, he considers his time at OBU a privilege and a meaningful chapter in his academic career.
Powell is retiring after serving on the OBU faculty since 2004. He has taught courses in Western civilization, European and British history and the history of American music. His publications include books on Victorian political biography and Lord Kimberley's politics; special editions on "Religion and Prose" (Nineteenth-Century Prose) and "William Gladstone's First Ministry" (Journal of Liberal History); and critical editions of John Morley's “On Compromise” and Lord Kimberley's Journal.
He is currently working on a biography of William Gladstone’s early political career. Powell is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Liberal History.
Finch has served as human resources coordinator at OBU since March 2022 and has been a valued member of the OBU community. Before coming to OBU, Finch held key roles in several state and local organizations.
She served as a health professional for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, worked in workforce development with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and taught business communication at Seminole State College. Earlier in her career, she served 19 years with the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
Deichman’s service through the years at OBU included serving as executive secretary to the president.