Walking `The Walk'
Delayed ceremony honors OBU graduates
SHAWNEE —
Oklahoma Baptist University graduates embarked on a symbolic final walk across campus before arriving in front of Raley Chapel for the school's 106th Spring Commencement on Saturday.
“The Walk” mirrors one many of the graduates took during Welcome Week as new students at OBU, 500 W University. The students, dressed in academic regalia, passed by OBU faculty and staff members as they proceeded to their seats for the ceremony.
OBU conferred degrees upon 288 students during the commencement, which was postponed from May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony took place at 8 a.m. on the south lawn of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus to beat the summer heat. The ceremony, typically held inside the chapel, was moved outdoors to allow for social distancing.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, delivered the commencement address to graduates. “You have been equipped by God in this institution. Go fulfill your calling,” Lankford said.
“Over the past several years, hundreds of people have given their time, their insight and their talent to get you equipped for life and for service. You get
to choose now if you're going to waste that gift that you were given or to do something wise with it.”
OBU President Heath A. Thomas presided over the ceremonies and delivered the charge to graduates.
“My prayer for you is that you would allow the Lord Jesus unmitigated permission to work through your life so that our world might be changed. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. You are fundamentally agents of change and transformation for good in our world,” Thomas told the graduates.
“I want to challenge you today, my friends, take the lessons, the learning, the skills, the virtues, indeed the dispositions you've gained here, and live them out loud in your world. Our world desperately needs your voice. We need your influence. From Bison Hill, I charge you: Go into our world. Make a difference for God. Go make a difference for good. Go and live well, go and serve your community, go and serve our Lord.”
Graduates take “The Walk” as part of Aug. 1 outdoor graduation ceremonies on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus in Shawnee. [SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN]