OBU Hosts Ribbon Cutting and Dedication for ‘The Lodge’

October 2, 2015

OBU hosted a ribbon cutting and dedication for the newest building in the student residential village. OBU’s Board of Trustees, administration, student housing leaders and guests were on hand for the event.

"The Lodge," the fourth building in the student residential village, broke ground in May 2014 and opened this August. The Lodge is 41,810 square feet and has the capacity for 162 students in suite-style rooms. The construction is lodge style, with a large rock fireplace with cedar trim in the common area. It features an apartment for a faculty member to live in residence, mentoring and aiding students. It also features a tornado safe room.

During the dedication, Dr. Brandon Skaggs, dean and associate vice president for student development, welcomed the attendees. Following Skaggs’ opening remarks, Clay Henderson, resident director of the residential village, shared his thoughts on the value and importance of residential housing and the connections it builds within the campus community. Resident Assistant Connelly Rader also shared from a student leadership perspective, on the value of The Lodge specifically in the lives of the students who live there.

Executive Vice President for Business and Administrative Services Randy Smith, provided a project overview, highlighting the project scope and impact of the facility. OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock then shared about the importance of this facility, as well as the entire residential village, for recruiting and retaining students at OBU as well as the value of the friendships and family ties that are built in student housing. Following the ribbon cutting, OBU Trustee Steve Bagwell closed with the dedicatory prayer.