Listen to the "All of Life Podcast" to dive into OBU's exciting journey. Each episode shares stories about our big dreams and key projects, shining a light on the "Shape the Future" campaign and our community's bright future.
Niccole Hall earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in 2001. She later served as Executive Director of Downtown Shawnee, Inc. In 2023, she returned to OBU as Regional Director of Development, leading donor engagement and the Shape the Future campaign. Niccole is married to Stephen Hall, and they have eight children. She is also a soon-to-be grandmother.
Paul Bross serves as the producer of Oklahoma Baptist University’s All of Life Podcast, where meaningful conversations about faith, learning, and life come together. As OBU's Director of Media Production and Social Media, Paul is passionate about using storytelling to inspire and connect. With a background in video production, content strategy, and creative brand development, he ensures every episode is thoughtfully crafted to reflect OBU’s mission and values. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hannibal-LaGrange University and is currently pursuing his MBA at OBU. Dedicated to creating authentic and engaging content, Paul believes in the power of stories to spark transformation and build community.
Chris graduated from OBU in 1994; his wife, Valerie, in 1995. He has pastored Trinity Baptist Church in Norman for 18 years after 13 years at Southern Hills Baptist Church, and their four children are continuing the family’s OBU legacy. On the episode “The Power of Christian Higher Education at OBU,” he explains how OBU’s professors wove faith into rigorous academics, reinforcing the show’s theme that Christian higher education forms the whole person.
Dr. Brandon D. Smith is a professor at Oklahoma Baptist University, previously teaching at Cedarville University. He has served in pastoral roles for over a decade, overseen editorial and marketing for the Christian Standard Bible, and worked as director of communications and associate editor for the Criswell Theological Review.
He co-founded the Center for Baptist Renewal and hosts the Church Grammar podcast. His research focuses on the Trinity, theological interpretation, and patristic theology.
Smith holds a B.A. from Dallas Baptist University, an M.A. from Criswell College, and a Ph.D. from Ridley College (Melbourne). He has authored several books, including The Trinity in the Book of Revelation (IVP, 2022), The Biblical Trinity (Lexham, 2023), and Taught by God (B&H, 2024).
He and his wife, Christa, are Texpats with four children.
Chuck Baukal is the Director of Engineering at Oklahoma Baptist University where he has been since November 2022. He retired early from industry where he worked as a mechanical engineer for over 40 years, specializing in industrial combustion, heat transfer, and air pollution emissions. He also taught as an adjunct instructor for nearly 40 years. He has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, a doctorate in Applied Educational Studies from Oklahoma State University, and a professional engineering license. He has authored and/or edited 17 books: 14 on industrial combustion and 3 on engineering education. He has authored over 300 publications and presentations, is an inventor on 11 U.S. patents, and serves on many advisory boards.
Dr. Heath A. Thomas is the 16th President of Oklahoma Baptist University. Dr. Thomas became president in 2020 but has been with OBU since 2015, serving in multiple leadership roles. A 1998 OBU graduate, he holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament from the University of Gloucestershire and has authored several books on theology. Dr. Thomas is passionate about helping people understand Scripture and has served churches in the U.S. and the UK. He is also passionate about Shaping the Future of OBU! Dr. Thomas and his wife Jill have four children: Harrison, Isabelle, Simon and Sophia.
Co-Provost | Dean of Theology, Arts, and Humanities
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership | Professor of Religion
Dr. Emerson has taught at Oklahoma Baptist University since 2015, previously serving at California Baptist University. He holds a B.A. from Auburn University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
A scholar in biblical theology and early Christian interpretation, he has authored over 20 publications, including He Descended to the Dead (IVP, 2019) and The Story of Scripture (B&H, 2017). He co-directs the Center for Baptist Renewal and co-edits the Journal of Baptist Studies.
He and his wife, Alicia, are from Huntsville, AL, and have five daughters. They are members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
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Dr. Meredith Bailey, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at OBU, is a physical therapist with nearly a decade of experience. An OBU alumna, she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma and completed a residency in orthopedic manual therapy. Since joining OBU in 2021, Dr. Bailey has led the development of new graduate health care programs while pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences. Specializing in orthopedic and spinal dysfunctions, she co-owns a local clinic and was honored with OBU’s Promising Teacher Award in 2023.
Dr. Micah Meek, Associate Dean of Online, Nontraditional, and Graduate Education at OBU, is also an Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics. An OBU alumnus (Class of 2002), Dr. Meek returned to Bison Hill in 2019 after roles such as Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at South University and faculty positions at DBU and Liberty University. Holding a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics, his research focuses on moral development and the conscience. Dr. Meek combines his academic leadership with ministry, serving as an interim pastor across Oklahoma. He and his wife, Amber, along with their two sons, Micaiah and Mathias, are active members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.
Dr. Todd Fisher serves as the Executive Director-Treasurer for Oklahoma Baptists, providing leadership across the state’s network of churches. A proud OBU alumnus (Class of ’92), Dr. Fisher holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in Christian Preaching. He has pastored churches across Oklahoma and taught preaching at the seminary level. Deeply connected to OBU, Dr. Fisher is passionate about raising up the next generation of ministry leaders and remains a faithful advocate for Christian higher education. He and his wife Jamie have three children and two in-law children.
Lea Ann Quirk serves as the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement at Oklahoma Baptist University, where she leads initiatives that help alumni and friends of the university stay connected to OBU and one another. An OBU alumna herself, Lea Ann earned a B.A. in Communications in 2002 before spending nearly two decades at the University of Oklahoma in advancement and alumni-focused roles ranging from Director of Alumni Travel to Director of Principal Gifts Cultivation. She returned to Bison Hill in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience in relationship-building, program design, and donor stewardship. Raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Lea Ann credits her own transformative student experience—including late-night newsroom broadcasts and OBU athletics—for fueling her passion to “challenge alumni to re-engage and help shape the next generation.”
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Leanne, OBU class of 1978, lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Her children, Haley (’08) and Lane (’12), are also OBU graduates, and she has four grandchildren in town. On the episode “The Power of Christian Higher Education at OBU,” she testifies that OBU’s personal attention and class presentations grew her once-introverted son’s confidence and poise, illustrating the lasting impact of Christian higher education.
Mike Beckham is co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, a global producer of premium drinkware and lifestyle products. Founded in 2015 and based in Oklahoma, Simple Modern currently generates a nine-figure annual revenue and is committed to generosity, donating at least 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations. Under Mike’s leadership, the company has grown into a category leader for Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, serving more than 20 million customers worldwide.
Mike is a teacher, leader, and entrepreneur at heart. Before founding Simple Modern, Mike began his career working for the worldwide Christian ministry CRU. Equipped with a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, Mike transitioned into the business world and helped found and operate several e-commerce businesses, which cumulatively generated more than $1 billion in revenue.
Rich is a 59-year-old landscape architect from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and an OU graduate. Two of his three children, Jessica and Spencer, graduated from OBU, and he now has two grandsons. On the podcast episode “The Power of Christian Higher Education at OBU,” he shares how chapels, mission trips, and close community shaped his kids’ faith and leadership, convincing him that OBU equips students spiritually and academically.
Thomas Hill III serves as Chief Executive Officer of
Kimray, a leading manufacturer of valves and
controls for oil and gas production. Kimray began
in 1948 and employs more than 600 people at its
production facility in Oklahoma City and service
centers throughout the United States.
Thomas currently chairs the board of Hope Is Alive. Thomas and his wife,
Rebecca, both received their degrees from Oklahoma State University. They have
been married more than 35 years and have six children.