Academics Stories and Features
OBU Welcomes Royer and Knight to the Division of Science and Engineering Program Faculty
September 9, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has welcomed Dr. Derek J. Royer as associate professor of biology and Jason Knight as assistant professor of mechanical engineering, joining the Division of Science in the James E. Hurley School of Science and…
Oklahoma Baptist University Announces New Faculty Appointments in Health Sciences
September 8, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has announced three faculty appointments within its graduate Health Sciences programs, strengthening instruction in physician associate studies, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy while supporting the…
Oklahoma Baptist University Presents Top Employee Honors During Convocation
August 28, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University presented its highest employee awards during Convocation chapel on Aug. 26 on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Each year, OBU presents three awards recognizing excellence in teaching and faithful service: the Distinguished…
OBU welcomes Walsh and Payton to the School of Nursing
August 28, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome two new faculty members this fall in the School of Nursing. Sarah “Katy” Walsh and Claressa Payton are joining the School of Nursing as assistant professors of nursing. Both…
OBU Welcomes 575 New Undergraduates at Annual Convocation
August 26, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University officially opened the 2026-27 academic year and welcomed 575 new undergraduate students during Convocation chapel Aug. 26 at the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Combined freshman and…
OBU welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
August 26, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome Christa Smith as assistant professor of exercise science and Christopher Carver as visiting professor of exercise science in the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation. Smith and…
OBU Welcomes Dr. Kevin Gao
August 25, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has named Dr. Chaoyang “Kevin” Gao assistant professor of mathematics. He joins the Division of Mathematics to teach undergraduate courses and advise students. His appointment supports…
OBU Announces Faculty Appointments in Language and Literature Division
August 24, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University has announced three appointments to its Division of Language and Literature, strengthening its programs in English, literature, composition and creative writing. Dr. Jonathan Callis joins the division as associate…
STEM Day to bring high school students to OBU campus
August 19, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University will host STEM Day 2026 on Tuesday, Sept. 22, welcoming high school students to campus for a day of hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The free event is open to students in grades…
Registration open for OBU’s Lamppost 2026 Literary Conference
July 30, 2026
Registration is now open for Oklahoma Baptist University’s Lamppost 2026 Literary Conference, which will be held Friday, Oct. 9, on the OBU campus. The free conference is designed for educators, homeschool parents, co-op instructors…
Learning, Service and Ministry Beyond Bison Hill
July 29, 2026
Summer at Oklahoma Baptist University is anything but quiet. While many students step away from campus for the season, OBU’s mission continues through camps, conferences, educational experiences and ministry opportunities that reach…
OBU Hosts State Early Literacy Teacher Academy to Strengthen Reading Instruction Across Oklahoma
July 27, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University recently hosted the Early Literacy Teacher Academy on Bison Hill, a weeklong professional development program designed to equip kindergarten through third-grade educators with evidence-based literacy instruction…
Trustees Approve Faculty Promotions During Meeting
June 30, 2026
The Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees approved faculty promotions during its meeting on May 15 on the OBU campus in Shawnee. Trustees approved the promotion of Dr. Timothy Darr from assistant professor of computer science to…
OBU to Host All-State Choir Camp for High School Singers Sept. 5
June 10, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University will host its 2026 All-State Choir Camp on Saturday, Sept. 5, providing high school singers with focused preparation for upcoming Oklahoma High School All-State Choir auditions. The camp is open to all students…
Hobbs Award presented at SBC to Dr. Ryan Blackwell
June 10, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath A. Thomas presented the Herschel H. Hobbs Award for Distinguished Denominational Service to Dr. Ryan Blackwell on June 9 during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.…