Alumni Honored During 2024 OBU Harvest Dinner

October 21, 2024

OBU recognized outstanding alumni with special awards during its annual Harvest Dinner on Friday, Oct. 18. The event occurred during The Weekend, the University’s homecoming celebration at OBU’s campus in Shawnee.

Multiple awards were presented, including the Alumni Achievement, Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) and Profile in Excellence (PIE) Awards.

The highest honor bestowed by the OBU Alumni Association, the Alumni Achievement Award is given in recognition of outstanding life service that has brought honor to the University.

Receiving this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards were Rev. James and Barbara Anderson, Rev. Sam Garner and Dr. Ed Steele.

Rev. James L. Anderson, a 1970 OBU graduate, dedicated his life to spiritual leadership and community service. After completing his undergraduate studies at OBU, he furthered his theological education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was awarded a Master of Divinity in 1975. His academic journey laid a strong foundation for his pastoral career, which he fulfilled with unwavering devotion.

He served as a pastor for many years, leading his congregation with wisdom and compassion. His commitment to faith and service extended beyond his local church, as evidenced by his role on the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1979 to 1981. His leadership and guidance have been instrumental in shaping the lives of many within the Baptist community.

Barbara Anderson, also an OBU alumna, graduated in the class of 1977. A steadfast partner in her husband’s ministry, she shared in his mission to serve others. Born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, she was raised on a farm near Red Rock and graduated from Red Rock High School. Her journey led her to OBU where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. Inspired by the Bison Glee Club, she pursued her passion for music and voice at OBU. Her faith deepened during her freshman year when she accepted Christ as her Savior. Meeting her husband further affirmed God’s plan for their ministry together. As a vocal music student, she used her talents to sing praises and impact lives. Lifelong friendships formed at OBU sustained her through challenges and joyful moments. Dr. Rowena Strickland, her professor-turned-friend, left an indelible mark.

Dr. Sam L. Garner, an ordained Southern Baptist minister with over 60 years of service, has demonstrated remarkable life service to God’s kingdom. His journey began at First Baptist Church Wister in 1954 when he trusted Christ as his Savior. Then at age 13, he started preaching and was licensed by the First Baptist Church in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. His dedication to ministry continued throughout his career. Recently retired as a full-time Chaplain for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Department of Public Safety, he also served as chaplain for the Oklahoma Troopers Association for an impressive 41 years. His commitment extended beyond state borders; he is a Certified Master Chaplain with the International Conference of Police Chaplains and a Cleet Certified Police Chaplain for the State of Oklahoma.

Throughout his tenure, Garner contributed significantly to various ministry and service capacities within Oklahoma. He served as the former pastor of First Baptist churches in Welch, Catoosa, Vinita, and Atoka. Additionally, he held the position of executive director for associational missions in the Atoka-Coal Baptist Association. His leadership extended to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, where he served as a board member and as the first vice-president of the state convention.

Former Governor George Nigh appointed Garner to the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, where he also served as the board president. His impact reached the state regulatory Long Term Care Advisory Board to the Commission of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

A proud native of Red Oak, Oklahoma, and a member of the Choctaw Tribe, Garner pursued his education at Pryor High School, Eastern State College in Wilburton, where he also served as Baptist Student Union Director, and then to OBU where he graduated from the School of Hospital Administration. His commitment to faith and community is evident in his 55-year marriage to Patricia Ann. Together, they have two children, Jason and Kimberli, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Ed L. Steele, an OBU 1974 graduate, has left an indelible mark in the field of music education, showcasing unparalleled dedication, talent, and leadership throughout his illustrious career. As a music professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Steele’s passion for nurturing the next generation of musicians has inspired countless students over the years. His commitment to excellence, coupled with his unwavering faith, has shaped minds and touched hearts, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of academia.

After earning a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in voice from OBU, Steele furthered his education with a Master of Music in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Musical Arts from NOBTS. His academic pursuits were complemented by 20 years of service as a music missionary with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), working in Nicaragua, Panama, and the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso, Texas.

In his current role as a retired faculty at NOBTS, Steele’s influence extends beyond the classroom. During the over 20 years of teaching at the seminary, he and his wife Kathy made regular trips to teach in the seminaries in Cuba and continue to do so in retirement. His recent publication, "The Majestic Manger," co-authored with Michael Barrett, exemplifies his dedication to music and scholarship.

Outside the classroom, Steele remains deeply engaged in his community, co-teaching an adult Sunday School class alongside Kathy, and pursuing his passions for composition and woodworking. His involvement in First Baptist Church, Leeds, Alabama, reflects his steadfast commitment to faith and service, embodying the values instilled by OBU.

Jaden Jennings, a 2020 OBU alumnus, is the Graduate of the Last Decade Award Winner. She has achieved remarkable success in her field and credits her OBU professors for helping her pursue a master’s degree in public relations at Baylor University.

Jennings was recently promoted to Public Affairs Officer for the Flight Operations Directorate.  This role involves anything from astronauts to launches and landings.  Her primary responsibilities include supporting the NASA astronaut corps with public appearances, handling media requests, and providing real-time mission support. Additionally, she assists Mission Control Houston by supporting leadership and Flight Directors with their public engagements.

As a Public Affairs Specialist at NASA, she has received recognition for her outstanding contributions. Her accomplishments include being a Webby Award Winner for NASA’s First Asteroid Sample Return Mission, People’s Voice Winner for the same mission, Spaceflight Awareness Award for OSIRIS-REx, receiving the Silver Achievement Award for her efforts in NASA’s Open House Event, and an imagery award winner for the Artemis I mission back to the Moon.

Additionally, she served as the agency social media lead for the 2024 astronaut graduation and NASA’s astronaut application recruitment campaign. her impact extends beyond NASA, as she collaborated with ESPN to create a social campaign for the College Football Championship in Houston, worked with the Canadian Space Agency and colleagues around the country for the historic announcement of the Artemis II crew (the first astronauts to go back to the Moon in over 50 years) and has collaborated with other notable companies around the globe to help foster a greater understanding and appreciation of space exploration.

Furthermore, she played a crucial role as the lead social media external strategist for celebrity visits to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, working with Back to the Future actor Christopher Lloyd and his manager, Jack Black, The Food Network, Blippi, comedian Robyn Schall, the social team for the Governor of Texas Greg Abbott, and the Vice President of the United States. She also serves as a rotating host for NASA's Space to Ground video series.

Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys dancing (as an OBU Dance team alum), hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends and her church small group. In her free time, she is a hospice patient care volunteer with Traditions Health in South Houston. She also enjoys traveling and going on walks with her new dog, Cher. She is an active member of Clear Creek Community Church.

This year’s Profile in Excellence Award recipients include OBU alumni Dr. Eric Barreto, a 2001 religion graduate;  John Bernard, a 1982 music–piano performance graduate; Dr. Todd Fisher, a 1992 ministry graduate; Jason Gallagher, ex. ’09, Emmy-award winning producer and director; Tina Steele Hanna, a 1991 management and marketing graduate; Marissa Lightsey, a 2010 applied communication graduate; Dr. Brent Newsom, a 2003 English graduate; Dr. Randall Umstead, a 2001 music-vocal performance graduate; and Dr. James Wilder, a 1996 religious studies graduate.

Barreto, the Frederick and Margaret L. Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, is celebrated for his academic and religious contributions. An OBU alumnus with a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from Princeton and Emory respectively, Barreto has taught at Luther Seminary and contributed to the Hispanic Theological Initiative Consortium. His involvement with the Society of Biblical Literature and civic organizations showcases his commitment to faith-based scholarship and community engagement.

Bernard strongly exemplifies OBU's values. As president and chief of staff at Cenergistic LLC, he has guided the company to remarkable success, growing from 125 to over 1,500 clients across 48 states. His commitment to lifelong learning, civic involvement, and mentoring talent make him an inspiring figure for future OBU alumni.

Fisher holds several distinguished degrees, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2018) and a Doctor of Ministry from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2001). He has extensive teaching experience at OBU, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served in various pastoral roles for many years. He became the 10th executive director-treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists in 2022 as he continues to impact countless lives.

The accomplishments of Gallagher, an Emmy-winning director, span podcasting, digital video, and production. As head of video strategy at The Ringer, he shaped the brand’s identity and impact. Gallagher’s versatility extends to writing and producing for various media outlets. He leads production at ThreeFourTwo Productions, directing athlete-driven podcasts and winning a national Emmy for Digital Innovation in Sports.

Hanna transitioned from telecommunications to business marketing during her studies at OBU. As the CEO of South Central Industries, Inc., she empowers individuals with disabilities. Hanna’s diverse interests and recognitions reflect her impactful contributions to the community. She also established the Hanna Family Scholarship at OBU to support local students pursuing business careers.

Lightsey has excelled in education, community service and leadership. Lightsey earned a degree in Applied Communication from OBU and a Master of Science in Human Resources from East Central University in 2014. She now serves as the program director of Student Development at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She received the 2023 Citizen of the Pioneer Library Year Award and the 2022 Journal Record Under 40 Achievers Award. Her athletic achievements include induction into the OBU Athletic Hall of Fame as a 20-time All-American track competitor.

Newsom, a versatile poet and academic, gained acclaim through his collection “Love’s Labors” (CavanKerry Press, 2015). His Fulbright grant, opera libretto, and insightful book reviews highlight his versatility. Collaborating on “Ink & Letters” fostered an artistic community, and his return to Bison Hill inspired the next generation. His acclaimed poetry earned him the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award, and the opera “A Porcelain Doll” premiered at OBU in 2017, showcasing his poetic finesse.

Umstead, who has a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree and a Master of Music (MM) degree, is a respected figure in academia. After 15 years on the faculty of Baylor University, he is currently a professor and chair of the Department of Music at Furman University. As president-elect of NATS, he demonstrates leadership. His civic contributions include serving as secretary/treasurer and Texoma region governor of NATS, and as Regent Honoris Causa on the Baylor University Board of Regents.

Wilder serves as the associational missions strategist for the Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association. His remarkable journey in ministry and community service has left a significant impact both locally and globally. With accolades such as Southwest Region Chaplain of the Year and Paul Harris Fellow, Wilder exemplifies dedication to faith, education and community.

The evening began with an invocation led by Tim Rasnic, vice president for advancement. Following this, Lea Ann Quirk, 2002 OBU alumna and director of the OBU Alumni Association, delivered a warm welcome to all attendees.

The program included a State of the Association Address by Austin Manger, 2014 alumnus and president of the OBU Alumni Board.

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas, 1998 graduate, delivered the presidential address.

Manger conducted the award presentations, followed by closing remarks by Quirk.

The evening concluded with a benediction, "The Hymn to the Alma Mater," led by Ryleigh Andrews, a vocal music education major, with accompanist and piano major Cailey Morris.