University Presents top Employee Honors During Convocation August 28

August 30, 2024

OBU presented its highest employee awards during Convocation chapel Aug. 28 at the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee.

Each year, OBU presents three important awards to recognize quality teaching and faithful, productive service: the Distinguished Teaching Award, the Promising Teacher Award and the Meritorious Service Award. Nominations for the awards are made by alumni, current students, faculty and administration. In addition to public recognition and a token of the university’s appreciation, the recipients receive cash awards from a fund provided by OBU graduates John and Janet Hudson of Edmond, Oklahoma. This year’s recipients are Dr. Rich Rudebock, Dr. Meredith Bailey and Kyle Rudek.

Rudebock, the Robert L. and Sara Lou Cargill Professor of Business, received the Distinguished Teaching Award. The highest honor for OBU faculty members, this award is presented to a faculty member who has taught at OBU for five consecutive years or more. This faculty member has exemplified in his or her teaching career those characteristics of the superior instruction delineated in the “Commitment to Excellence,” a statement of teaching expectations and objectives adopted by the faculty, administration and the Board of Trustees.

Rudebock has been with Oklahoma Baptist University since 2001. From 2004 through 2008 he served as the Dean of the Paul Dickinson School of Business at OBU. He brings close to three decades of business experience in sales, management, and training into the classroom. Additionally, Rudebock is a veteran instructor and former manager of instruction for Dale Carnegie Training Systems in Oklahoma.

An Ohio native, Rudebock earned his B.B.A. at Kent State University in 1974, his M.Ed. at Texas Tech University in 1978, and his Ed.D. at Oklahoma State University in 1999.

Known for his volunteerism, Rudebock gives back to the community through his 30 years (over 4,004 hours) of service as a volunteer with Heartline/211, formally called Contact Crisis Helpline. He has served on the board of directors of Contact Crisis Helpline, The Pioneer Country Walk to Emmaus, The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and The North Metro Area Council.

Rudebock’s wife, Dr. Diane Rudebock, R.N., is a Professor Emerita at the University of Central Oklahoma. Diane is also a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator.

Rich Rudebock also teaches in the OBU College of Graduate and Professional Studies MBA program.

A nominator said, “Dr. Rudebock is truly a ‘distinguished teacher.’ His door is always open. He is very supportive to students throughout his courses and beyond. His classes teach us well how to present and strategize. In my opinion, his classes are structured perfectly to prepare me for the outside business world and my desired field in sales.”

Another nominator of Rudebock said, “He did a guest lecture in my class last Spring and from his students, I know him to be a knowledgeable professor. I found his lecture to be extremely relevant to the course and his practical knowledge beneficial. In his engagement with me, I find him to be uplifting, kind and humorous. He challenges his students to be greater than they are and helps them succeed. I also know that he is continuing his own quest for knowledge.”

Bailey, assistant professor of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation, received the Promising Teacher Award. This award is presented to a junior faculty member who has taught at OBU for less than six years, has demonstrated outstanding potential as a teacher and has the characteristics of one who may be a future recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Bailey is a licensed physical therapist in the state of Oklahoma and retains clinical rights to practice. In her clinical work, Bailey specialized in orthopedics and manual therapy. She has numerous years of experience in private practice, outpatient orthopedics, and business management. Her passion is helping OBU students find their pathway toward careers in exercise science and health-related fields.

Bailey earned a Bachelor of Science from OBU in 2011, a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2014 and was certified in orthopedic manual therapy, Evidence in Motion, in 2016.

She has been described as “encouraging, collaborative, invested and talented.”

“Dr. Bailey explains her content with a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm,” a nominator said. “She cares for her students as she celebrates their highs and walks them through their lows.”

Another nominator said, “While the award specifically designates ‘teaching,’ the work of a promising faculty member goes beyond the classroom.  Dr. Bailey has a large advising load and still finds creative ways to meet with each student and advise them appropriately per their career goals.  She has gone above and beyond with university service during her young tenure at OBU, serving as FDC (Faculty Development Committee) chair and on a faculty handbook revision task force.  She is focused on future program growth and was instrumental in guiding OBU to partner with EIM for the new graduate healthcare programs.”

Rudek, an accounting manager, received the Meritorious Service Award. This award is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who has made a substantial commitment of years and service and who has been a loyal and faithful faculty or staff member.

Rudek previously worked at Tinker Federal Credit Union, Arvest Bank Shawnee and Extreme Inflatables. He is an active member at Trinity Baptist Church in Shawnee. He and his wife Amber were married in 2007. They have three children: Makenna, Makayla, and Josiah.

“Kyle is deeply involved in his church activities and regularly goes on mission trips with his family, including a recent GO trip through OBU,” a nominator said. “He is known for his positive demeanor and willingness to help others. He openly shares his faith and is respected as a dedicated coworker and Christian brother.”

Another nominator said of Rudek, “Kyle has worked for OBU for more than five years and gives continuous support to the business office and to everyone on campus.  He is a team player for OBU and the community.”