The Oklahoma Baptist University spring class of 2025 will celebrate commencement at 2 p.m., May 3, at First Southern Baptist Church, Del City.
Dr. Carolyn Bishop, Consortium for Global Education, will serve as this year’s commencement speaker.
OBU also announced that the tradition of “The Walk” of graduating seniors will be held on campus at 3 p.m. on May 1. Seniors will walk from the Oval, following the same path as their freshman walk, to the front steps of Raley Chapel.
During commencement, junior class marshals will escort the graduation class to their seats. Marshals are chosen from the top-ranking junior men and women based on overall grade-point average. This year’s group includes Sasha Arauz, Alli Bordwine, Caleb Campbell, Cline Dement, Harrison Flowers, Ashlyn Foster, Thomas Green, Thomas Hadden, Aden Harland, Shayna Hendrix, Noel Ingram, Linnea Malmberg, Hannah Markes, Jaxon McAuliff, Taya McReynolds, Ethan Muehlenweg, Dylanne Nelson, Kieran Paxton, Peyton Ritter, Abigail Ryan, Julianna Sezate, Devin Sligar, Haley Stewart, McKenzie Stewart, Elena Streett and Zachary Ware.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences include Grace Anna Adcock, Forensic Psychology, Minor in Exercise Science; Cooper Brittain, Criminal Justice, Minor in History; Jade Elizabeth Byrd, Psychology, Minor in Business Administration and Athletic Coaching; Isabella Cangelosi, Family Science, Minor in Psychology; Adam Clifton, Politics, Minor in Philosophy; Katherine Dawn DeBock, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Family Science; Shadi Francis, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Criminal Justice; Samantha Greene, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Family Science; Candace Griffith, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Family Science; Jaden Alexander Hansen, Politics, Minor in History; Emily Hill, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Family Science; Connor Jeffers, Psychology: Pre-Counseling, Minor in Family Science; Paityn Johnston, Criminal Justice, Minor in Psychology; Kennedy Large, Interdisciplinary: Family Science, Sociology and Education; Devri Logan, Criminal Justice, Minor in Psychology; Jonah Ritsema, Politics, Minor in Criminal Justice; Verenice Sandoval, Forensic Psychology, Minor in Advocacy; Jake Saunders, History and Politics; Jaiden Takyi-Micah, Forensic Psychology, Minor in Natural Science; Maxamillian Lucky Jean Wheeler, Criminal Justice, Minor in Psychology; and Kulson Rowdy Yates, Family Science, Minor in Communication Studies.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Paul Dickinson School of Business include Rachel Antony, International Business; Evan Ashmore, Marketing; Sarah Elizabeth Black, Finance; Micah Branum, International Business and Marketing; Hannah Carpenter, Management; Abigail Cates, Management, Minor in Christian Ministry; Jared Isaiah Cheatwood, International Business, Minor in Exercise Science; Jenna Raye Cobb, Marketing; Spencer Conrad, Professional Accountancy; Sierra Nicole Copeland, Management, Minor in Marketing; Colter Fannin, Management; Samuel Fantoni, Finance; Nicholas Harris, Finance; Malachi Jaeger, Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics; Etienne James, Management; Jalen Johnston, Marketing; Jonathan Jones, Finance; Logan Lee Kimbro, Management; Jill Leslie, Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics; Haven Lysell, Management; Kylie Dawn Mason, Management; Vinson Miller, Management; Jubal Vernon Richard Nelson, Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics; Olivia Richardson, Marketing; Steven Schmidt, Professional Accountancy; Ayzia Shirey, Professional Accountancy; Harrison Van Shuman, Interdisciplinary: Business Administration, Spanish, and Christian Ministry; Caleb Johnathan Strauss, Interdisciplinary: Business Administration and Christian Ministry; Seth Henry Streeter, Finance; Hadley Laine Streich, Marketing; David F. Stuart, Management; Haven Thomas, Marketing; Matthew Veen, Management; Isaiah Willis, Interdisciplinary: Business Administration and Exercise Science; and Aaron Worten, Computer Science.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the School of Nursing include Erin Linda Bonehill, Nursing; Caitie Braun, Nursing; Gracie Curry, Nursing; Kenzie Davis, Nursing; Lauren Nichole Davis, Nursing; Mereiedi Jordan Dunn, Nursing; Glory Elizabeth Fine, Nursing; Chloe Grace Garrett-Lee, Nursing; Madison Hart, Nursing; Kenedy Houchin, Nursing; Andrew Johnson, Nursing; Kayleigh N. Jones, Nursing; Lauren Mascarenas, Nursing; Cooper Newton, Nursing; Kylie Peters, Nursing; Abigail Read, Nursing; Adeline Reese, Nursing; Kaely Jo Rodriguez, Nursing; Sophia Abebut Strange, Nursing; Jorge Tapia, Nursing; Kaitlyn Thomason, Nursing; Abigale Tipton, Nursing; Gloria P. Todd, Nursing; Ashtyn Waymire, Nursing; and Betty Alyne Williams, Nursing.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation include Hudson Troy Campbell, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Spencer Dickinson, Interdisciplinary: Exercise Science, Psychology, and Education; Kristina Marie Fulton, Exercise Science: Human Performance Emphasis; Aubrey Danielle Hallmark, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Anisha Zanaa Henderson, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Carson Evan Kardokus, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Daniel Gene King, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Matthew Marsic, Sports and Recreation: Emphasis in Athletic Coaching; Morgan Max, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Nick Meyer, Interdisciplinary: Exercise Science, Business Administration and Sports and Recreation Management; Cassidy Lena Christine Morrow, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Jadyn Pavlik, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Joey Pfennig, Sports and Recreation Management; Chloe Poole, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Daniel Ransom, Sports and Recreation Management; Caleigh Rippy, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Jade Robinson, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis, Minor in Natural Science; Justyce Shirey, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Jacob Sitsler, Sports and Recreation: Emphasis in Athletic Coaching; Sheridan Swift, Sports and Recreation Management, Minor in Communication Studies; Bryant Thornton, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis; Zoee Weaver, Exercise Science: Pre-Allied Health Emphasis, Minor in Natural Science; Michaela White, Exercise Science: Human Performance Emphasis; Nate Wilson, Sports and Recreation Management; and Ayden Wood, Exercise Science: Human Performance Emphasis.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the James E. Hurley School of Science and Mathematics include Ashley Branham, Biology; Lindsay Lane Caudill, Biology; Alejándra Frost, Biology; Kiera Gonzales, Biology; Angené Hale, Biology, Minor in Music; Ryan Harris, Biology; Olivia Kenas, Biology; Jewel Kendrick, Biology, Minor in Natural Science; Austin Olivia Lopez, Biochemistry; Jonah Mahen, Biochemistry; Caden Martin, Biology; Kimberlyn McDonald, Biology; Addison J. Miller, Natural Science; Annika Pinter, Biology, Minor in Marketing; Desiree Taylor Ramus, Biology; Nathan Robbins, Biology; Levi Nathanael Schrader, Biology; Hannah Bethany Shoffner, Biochemistry; Rylie Claire Spaulding, Biology, Minor in Natural Science; Molly Catherine Stevenson, Biology; and Annika Marie Tomtschik, Physics and Mathematics.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education include Kailey Belknap, Elementary Education; Caleb Burns, Math Education, Secondary; Elaina Davis, Social Science Education, Secondary; Kalei Nikole Mackey, Early Childhood Education; Chace Nelson, English Education, Secondary; Makenzie Pickens, Elementary Education and Special Education; Elisabeth T. Reynolds, Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education; Addison Saunders, Elementary Education; Abigail Nichole Taylor, Early Childhood Education; Hannah Trent, English Education, Secondary, Minor in Spanish; Suman Grace Washa, Elementary Education; and Elijah Wood, Science Education, Secondary.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Division of Language and Literature include Rebecca Carpenter, English, Minor in Professional Writing and Editing; Rivers Davis, Creative Writing, Minor in Business Administration; Shelby Green, English, Minor in Education; Macy Ann Kolacny, Creative Writing, Minor in Natural Science; Rachel Ann Lee, Interdisciplinary: English and Psychology; Graci Lowe, English, Minor in Professional Writing and Editing; and Madison Walls, English, Minor in Business Administration.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry include Matthew Allen, Biblical and Theological Studies: Bible and Theology Emphasis, Minor in Education; Grace Banks, Global Marketplace Engagement: Business Emphasis; Joshua Cody, Biblical and Theological Studies: Biblical Studies Emphasis, Minor in Psychology; Jesse Liam Hanzel, Cross-Cultural Ministry, Minor in History; Patrick Hofeld, Christian Ministry, Minor in Worship Studies; Ashton Corey Humphries, Biblical and Theological Studies: Bible and Theology Emphasis, Minor in Christian Ministry; Josh Knox, Philosophy: Apologetics Emphasis, Minor in Business Administration; Christopher Lavigne, Christian Studies; Alaina Donalyn Lende, Global Marketplace Engagement: Graphic Design Emphasis; Brendan Miller, Christian Ministry: Student and Family Ministry Emphasis, Minor in History; Kaitlin Rae Regan, Global Marketplace Engagement: Global Education Emphasis; Jeffery Allen Rodriguez, Biblical and Theological Studies: Biblical Studies Emphasis, Minor in Student and Family Ministry; Lily Sifuentes, Global Marketplace Engagement: Business Emphasis; Judah Skelton, Christian Ministry: Christian Ministry Emphasis, Minor in Worship Studies; Jaxon Paul Smith, Christian Ministry: Student and Family Ministry Emphasis, Minor in History; Carl Wilkerson, Philosophy, Minor in Computer Science; and Levi Wilson, Christian Ministry: Pastoral Ministry Emphasis, Minor in History.
Candidates for bachelor’s degrees from the Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts include Alexis Albright, Graphic Design; Ryleigh Andrews, Music Education: Voice Certificate, K-12; Ricky Brown, Communication Studies, Minor in Business Administration; Chloe Elizabeth Burke, Communication Studies, Minor in Christian Ministry; Jacob Albert Campbell, Communication Studies; Jordyn Clinton, Theatre; Ruby Danielle Dilts, Journalism and Mass Communication: Journalism Emphasis; Zoe Elizabeth Lynn Duck, Communication Studies, Minor in Media; Abby Ettinger, Communication Studies, Minor in Art; Sidney Christine Evans, Journalism and Mass Communication: Film and Media Emphasis; Chloe Finch, Communication Studies; Kaylen King, Graphic Design, Minor in Marketing; Kai McCarty, Graphic Design; Mary Katherine McKey, Communication Studies; Cailey Morris, Piano Performance: Pedagogy Emphasis; Elijah Wylde Motley, Graphic Design; Kayleigh Pierce, Journalism and Mass Communication: Journalism Emphasis; Kelsey Price, Graphic Design, Minor in Marketing; Cayden Raymick, Art; Molly Jane Rickey, Graphic Design; Hope Sanders, Graphic Design; Genna Shanley, Art; Jentezen Smith, Journalism and Mass Communication: Journalism Emphasis; Brandon Spencer II, Journalism and Mass Communication: Film Emphasis; Chloe Faith Taylor, Journalism and Mass Communication: Journalism Emphasis, Minor in Psychology; Emma Thomas, Communication Studies; Jenna King Tully, Communication Studies, Minor in Music; Emma Vaughn, Graphic Design, Minor in Marketing; Jenna Brielle Watson, Art, Minor in Biblical Studies; Cole White, Communication Studies; and Maddie Whitehouse, Graphic Design, Minor in Spanish.
Candidates for the Master of Business Administration from the Paul Dickinson School of Business include Brian Hancock, Business Administration; Evan Olson, Business Administration; Valerie Olson, Business Administration; and Brennyn Seagler, Business Administration.
Candidates for the Master of Arts Teaching from the Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education include Rebecca J. Evans, Teaching; Kayla Diane Kirby, Teaching; Samantha N. LaGrand, Teaching; Jodi Irene Linton, Teaching; Paryssa McDonald, Teaching; Hailey Rooker, Teaching; Shauna Thomas, Teaching; Kelsie Tucker, Teaching; and Sahara Annelise Wiles, Teaching.
Candidates for the Master of Science from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences include Kiersta Rose Daley, Marriage and Family Therapy; Brendan Franks, Marriage and Family Therapy; Hannah Nicole Frazier, Marriage and Family Therapy; Sienna Darcey Golden, Marriage and Family Therapy; Lindsey Marie O’Neal Hendrix, Marriage and Family Therapy; Cheyenne Carmello Holsten, Marriage and Family Therapy; Madison Long, Marriage and Family Therapy; Steilee McClain, Marriage and Family Therapy; Emily Christine Skidmore, Marriage and Family Therapy; and Britney Cherise Yowell, Marriage and Family Therapy.
Candidates for the Master of Arts in Christian Studies from the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry include Catherine Bankston, Christian Studies: Leadership; Curtis “LC” Brown, Christian Studies: Leadership; Kaelynn Craig, Intercultural Studies; and Jackie Keyser, Christian Studies: Biblical and Theological Studies.
This spring will mark the fifth commencement at First Southern Baptist Church, Del City. Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on the OBU campus has served as the traditional location for commencement since the iconic building was constructed in 1961. Due to damage caused by the EF2 tornado on April 19, 2023, the chapel’s auditorium is not available for the commencement ceremony. Renewal efforts are continuing at Raley Chapel.
For more about OBU’s spring 2025 commencement, please visit okbu.edu/student-life/commencement.html.
