OBU Honors Nursing Graduates During Pinning Ceremony on May 2

May 2, 2025

OBU honored its class of graduating nurses during the School of Nursing’s Pinning and Lamp Lighting Ceremony held Friday, May 2, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Dr. Stephanie Parker, chair of the OBU School of Nursing, welcomed the graduates and guests to the ceremony. Dr. Larinee Dennis, dean of business, health, science and education, led the invocation. OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas offered opening remarks and shared a brief word of congratulations with the graduating nurses.

Kelia Crabbe, who earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from OBU in 2012, delivered the address to graduates. Crabbe is also a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and has been a registered nurse for over 40 years, obtaining her associate degree in nursing in 1981.  Throughout her career, Crabbe has gained extensive experience across multiple areas of nursing, including critical care, women’s health, home care, orthopedics, neurology and nursing education. For the past 20 years, she has devoted her work to nursing education in both academic and clinical settings. She plays an active role in shaping the future of nursing through service on academic-clinical partnership committees for the Oklahoma Nurses Association and several area nursing programs.

Crabbe also continues to share her knowledge and passion for nursing as an adjunct faculty member for local nursing programs.

Cassie McIntosh, associate professor of nursing, discussed the significance of the ceremony.

Receiving pins were Erin Linda Bonehill, Lewisville, Texas; Caitie Nicole Braun, Oklahoma City; Gracie Nicole Curry, Choctaw; Kenzie Ryann Davis, Wister; Lauren Nichole Davis, Fort Gibson; Mereiedi Jordan Dunn, The Woodlands, Texas; Glory Elizabeth Fine, Denver, Colo.; Chloe Grace Garrett-Lee, Tuttle; Madison Elaine Hart, Tulsa; Kenedy Sage Houchin, Decatur, Texas; Andrew Scott Johnson, Ada; Kayleigh N. Jones, Claremore; Lauren Rae Mascarenas, Mansfield; Cooper Gail Newton, Pauls Valley; Kylie Suzanne Peters, Shawnee; Abigail Ann Read, Tulsa; Adeline Marie Reese, Whitewater, Kan.; Kaely Jo Rodriguez, Sapulpa; Sophia Abebut Strange, Seabrook, Texas; Jorge Tapia, Prague; Kaitlyn Nicole Thomason, Tulsa; Abigale Adaliha Tipton, Duncan; Gloria Pagelyn Todd, Florence, S.C.; Ashtyn Mikayla Waymire, Fort Collins, Colo.;  and Betty Alyne Williams, Tahlequah.

Dr. Laura Gramling, associate professor of nursing, delivered the charge to the graduates and Abbie Richardson, instructor of nursing and director of nursing simulation, led the benediction.

Learn more about the OBU School of Nursing.