by Aubtey Marjason
Oklahoma Baptist University has long maintained a successful Student Government Association. According to OBU’s website, SGA “exists to serve, represent, and uplift the student body through Christ-centered leadership.” The 2025–2026 group has done just that.
Spencer Barnhill, current student body president, shared insight into how this year’s SGA has used events, service projects, and governance to encourage the student body at OBU.
SGA legislation allows the organization to allocate funding to various campus clubs and organizations. During the 2025–2026 school year, SGA helped fund social clubs, the Campus Activities Board, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, and even a square-dancing club. These allocations have enhanced student life both for those directly involved and for the broader campus community impacted by these groups.
SGA has also organized several major campus events. Early in the fall semester, SGA partnered with OBU Athletics to host a luau featuring food, games, inflatables, and music, bringing students and student-athletes together for an evening of community. Another event in late September commemorated Raley Chapel. Additional events included a Kingdom Diversity Block Party and Barks and Barks.
Barnhill said the goal of these events is to “meet people where they’re at, encourage them, and support them.”
This aligns with SGA’s foundational purpose as defined by the university. Barnhill emphasized that events do not need to be elaborate to be effective—they simply need to be enjoyable and positive for students.
This year, SGA also launched an athletic initiative aimed at supporting student-athletes on and off the field. The organization provided goodie bags, encouraging notes, and posters for multiple sports teams. SGA members were also given opportunities to pray before athletic events for athletes, fans, and referees.
In addition, SGA has advocated for several campus improvements, including addressing parking and dining concerns and introducing a hammock station for students. Their goal is to represent student voices and improve the overall college experience.
While SGA has hosted many events throughout the year, more are still to come. Elections for next year’s leadership were held April 15 at Hyde Park Chapel, allowing students to vote. On April 17, SGA will host a Spring Formal. The organization also presents the “7 Who Care Awards,” recognizing faculty and staff nominated by student leaders who go above and beyond in supporting students.
Barnhill has chosen not to seek re-election as he enters his senior year and will pass leadership to the newly elected student body president. During his 2025–2026 term, he has focused on advocating for students and fostering a collaborative, growing organization.
He emphasized that SGA’s continued success depends on remaining service-minded, creative, and ambitious—not reinventing the organization, but building on its strong foundation.
Barnhill expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve and for the lessons he has learned, which he says will last a lifetime.
As his term concludes, he offered advice to the next student body president: “Listen more than you speak, be bought in, and don’t pursue perfection—pursue excellence.”
Students can stay informed about future elections and initiatives by checking their email and attending events at Hyde Park Chapel.
