By Kat Dublin
As the daughter of a Baptist pastor while growing up in a primarily Catholic Panama City, young Lyda Wilbur was faced daily with challenges in holding fast to her beloved faith.
“Being a Christian teenager in Latin American countries is different from being a Christian [in the United States],” Dr. Wilbur said. “Being in a public school where you are a Christian, you will not be doing the curriculum they do for religion…so you’re set aside as a young person, thinking, ‘my friends will know I don’t go to [the Catholic] church.’”
Raised in a Baptist family, Wilbur lived with her parents, two older brothers, and one older sister. They were content in their home and church, but her parents desired for their children to attend a Christian university—which are far less prominent in Latin America. Then, missionaries from Oklahoma Baptist University traveled to their home and everything changed.
“My sister came [to the United States] first,” Wilbur said. “She came to OBU because of the missionaries from OBU, [while] the rest of the family stayed in Panama because that’s where our life was.”
Just a few years later, Wilbur’s father was offered a job in Oklahoma, but initially, he turned it down.
“He had been invited many times to come to the United States, but he always said no,” Wilbur said. “Then God moved differently this time because he really wanted us to come [to the United States]. After a year or so, they kept insisting, and the Holy Spirit talked to my father. Next thing we know, we moved to Oklahoma.”
The family moved to Oklahoma when Lyda was only fifteen years old. Both of Dr. Wilbur’s brothers followed in their sister’s footsteps and attended Oklahoma Baptist University. Then, Lyda Wilbur decided to go as well. But, after two years at OBU, she transferred to Cameron University in Lawton, OK where her family lived.
There were many factors that influenced the change, but Wilbur says the most prominent was that she met her future husband, Geoff Wilbur.
“He lived in Lawton, and he was going to the church that I was visiting with my sister there,” Wilbur said. “At the time, being able to fit in was hard for me, and connecting was very important, so I thought, ‘I like this guy, why not?’”
So, Wilbur transferred to Cameron University. Geoff was already working and attending OU for his master’s.
Wilbur went on to earn her master’s in Spanish from Millersville University in Pennsylvania while working as a teacher. She then attended Oklahoma State University and earned her master’s in Educational Leadership. Finally, Wilbur earned her doctorate in Education Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma University.
Aside from attending school and teaching, Dr. Wilbur has many interests and hobbies that fill her time.
“I love doing mission work intentionally, both abroad and in the area,” Wilbur said. “I also love interior decorating, design and renovation, and keeping things organized. There’s always a place for everything.”
Alongside these interests, Dr. Wilbur has a passion for writing. She keeps most of what she writes to herself, but she would love to be published someday. She writes non fiction and biographical, and is currently working on a book.
Dr. Wilbur also has a passion for teaching, but she loves intentionally getting to know her students even more.
“Since we don’t have children of our own, Geoff and I get to know our students,” Dr. Wilbur said. “That’s the part I really truly enjoy. Having relationships with students, getting to know them, what makes them tick, and what life is like for them.”
Dr. Lyda Wilbur is currently in her seventh year teaching at OBU. She is beloved by students both new and old for her humor, love, and sincerity.
