December 17, 2008
Fifty-nine students will receive diplomas during Oklahoma Baptist University's 2008 Winter Commencement on Friday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m., in the university's Raley Chapel.
Karen Cotter, OBU assistant professor of nursing and recipient of the university's 2008 Most Promising Teacher Award, will deliver the Commencement address.
An OBU nursing graduate herself, Cotter teaches all levels of nursing classes. She has been honored with the Outstanding Community Service Award from the College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma. In 2004, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nurses, as a Community Leader.
The program also will include greetings from Ron Fannin, associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, and a charge to the graduates by OBU President David W. Whitlock.
Four students will graduate with the scholastic predicate Summa Cum Laude for maintaining at least a 3.95 grade point average on all work offered for their degrees. They are Sarah Chloe Freeman, a studio art major from Stillwater, Okla.; Sarah Marie Krueger, a history major from Piedmont, Okla.; Melinda Sue Merriman, a sociology major from Smithville, Mo., graduating with college honors; and Andrea Dawn Selfridge, an early childhood/elementary education major from Shawnee.
Nine graduates maintained at least a 3.70 GPA on work toward their degrees and will be designated Magna Cum Laude. These students are Seth William Brown, a psychology/pre-counseling major from Stuart, Fla.; Lane S. Compton, a philosophy major from Gurnee, Ill., graduating with college honors; Leah Renee Dumey, an elementary education/Spanish major from Ellisville, Mo.; Emily Brooke Holder, an interdisciplinary major from Garland, Texas; Andrew Lee Hutchcraft, a public relations major from Shawnee; William Corey Lamb, a telecommunication major from Whitesboro, Texas; Kari Leigh Mitchell, a music education major from Shawnee; Keely Elizabeth Tolin, an elementary education major from Shawnee; and Ryan Preston Weaver, a journalism major from Lee's Summit, Mo.
Four students are designated Cum Laude, maintaining at least a 3.40 GPA on work toward their degrees. They are Cyndi Grace Guffey, a family psychology major from Stillwell, Okla.; Kelli Latrell Owens, a public relations major from McLoud, Okla.; Rachel Ashley Richard, a family psychology major from Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Jessica Elizabeth Street, a political science major from Liberty, Mo.
From the College of Arts and Sciences, candidates for bachelor's degrees include Lamar Eugene Baskin, an exercise and sports science major from Oklahoma City; Idella Ruth Baylock, an exercise and sports science major from Shawnee; Michael Anthony Ehrsam, a family psychology major from Waynesburg, Ky.; Catherine Jane Eimen, a science major from Mannford, Okla.; Kasey Erin Franks, an elementary education major from Midwest City, Okla.; Catherine Rose Gregory, a mathematics major from Decatur, Texas; Kristin Lyn Helsley, a public relations major from Bentonville, Ark.; Aimee Nicole Hicks, a family psychology major from Plano, Texas; Brian A. Hill, an interdisciplinary major from Olney, Md.; Taizo Kasuya, an exercise and sports science major from Fujimi, Saitama, Japan; Kena Lynn Martin, an elementary education major from Tuttle, Okla.; Tana Janine Martin, an English major from Shawnee; Jordan Curtis Pedro McCavitt, an interdisciplinary major from Santa Cruz, Calif.; Taylor Lauren Pritchett, an exercise and sports science major from Colleyville, Texas; Mark Bryant Richards, a public relations major from Choctaw, Okla.; Brandi LaShay Sanford, an English major from Houston, Texas; Nathaniel Totten, a health, physical education and recreation major from Shawnee; Chad Warren Varney, an exercise and sports science major from Midwest City, Okla.; and Kyle Scott Welborn, a mathematics major from Meeker, Okla.
From the Paul Dickinson School of Business, candidates include Hillary Katherine Davis, a management major from Bristow, Okla.; Jeremy David Foster, a management major from Claremore, Okla.; Jonathan Berry Hilton, a management major from Buhler, Kan.; Brett Russell Jackson, a professional accountancy major from Bartlesville, Okla.; Brock Daniel Stolzfus, a finance major from Meade, Kan.; and Zikeh Rabo Zakka, a marketing major from Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
From the Joe L. Ingram School of Christian Service, candidates include John Allen Armstrong Jr., an applied ministry major from Lincoln, Calif.; Christopher Michael Bonner, an applied ministry major from Roanoke, Texas; Antonio Conchos, a Christian studies major from Ponca City, Okla.; Anthony E. Jimenez, a Christian studies major from Coweta, Okla.; Christopher Michael Johnson, a religion major from Woodward, Okla.; Richard William Loucks, an applied ministry major from El Reno, Okla.; Joseph Eugene Marble, an applied ministry major from Enid, Okla.; James Robert Marple, an applied ministry major from Madill, Okla.; Jason Kyle Stein, a religion major from Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Deborah Joy Willitt, an applied ministry major from Shawnee.
From the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, candidates include Heather Lee Davidson, a music education major from Shawnee; Ashley Marie Flowers, a music education major from Snyder, Okla.; Travis Wran Lightsey, an art major from Ardmore, Okla.; PatRick Quinton Little, a theatre major from Enid; Daniella Michelle Mendez, a church music major from Hobbs, N.M.; Amber Marjorie P. Overton, a church music major from Fort Worth, Texas; and Aline Areas dos Santos, a communication/business administration major from Cçapava, São Paulo, Brazil.
Eight of the graduates have been listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. They are Lane Sullivan Compton, Leah Renee Dumey, Ashley Marie Flowers, Sarah Chloe Freeman, Sarah Marie Krueger, Melinda Sue Merriman, Keely Elizabeth Tolin, and Ryan Preston Weaver.