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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist UniversityShape the Future

Construction Updates

June 23, 2025

Here’s the latest on OBU’s ongoing construction projects and campus enhancements, including updates for Shawnee Hall, Raley Chapel, Thurmond Hall, Agee Residence Center, tree plantings across campus and a note on OBU’s upcoming solar project. Thanks again to OBU Project Manager Ryan Grider for providing these updates!

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Shawnee Hall

Exterior progress has been slowed due to recent weather, but steady advancements continue. The east and west additions are nearing completion, with cast stone and brick now being installed to match the building’s original masonry. Restoration of the historic brick and stonework remains ongoing. Installation of the glass fiber reinforced concrete cornice and pediment also continues as site and weather conditions allow.

In the next two months, key milestones include the installation of exterior lighting, sidewalks and other concrete elements, as well as new landscaping and irrigation systems.

Inside the building, progress continues on all levels. Flooring is complete on the first floor, with the second floor currently underway and the third floor to follow once overhead work—such as electrical, ceiling grid and fire suppression—is finished. Decorative light fixtures are being installed as each floor is completed. New stair railings and glazing are being added, along with interior glass features for offices and classrooms. The HVAC system is now operational, allowing the building to be climate-controlled. Faculty and staff are scheduled to begin moving in after furniture installation is completed and an occupancy permit is received.

Decorative light fixtures are being added to Shawnee Hall, as shown in this first-floor photo from the west entrance.
Workrooms are located within both the BASS and Education office suites on the first floor of Shawnee Hall.
The spacious main entrance on the south side of the second floor features a welcoming Student Lounge on the left and the new home for Admissions on the right.
The Student Lounge features the exposed original brick from the 1915 construction. This area will serve as a study and meeting space for students.
Shawnee Hall classroom design honors the past with original brick feature walls while incorporating the latest technology in bright, modern learning spaces.
The second-floor multipurpose room will accommodate new graduate health science programs and serve as a flexible space for academic uses, large meetings, conferences and other events.
Risers are being constructed in the third-floor lecture hall/auditorium to accommodate tiered seating for up to 260 people. The space also can be divided into two rooms to accommodate a variety of needs.
New restrooms are located in the northeast corners of each floor of Shawnee Hall.

Raley Chapel

Aerial view of the completed Raley Chapel roof.

Roofing work on Raley Chapel is now complete. OBU Administration and Facilities Services are currently finalizing reviews with construction partners and consultants on the renovation documents for Potter Auditorium, the band and choir spaces and related site design work.

Thurmond Hall

Lingo Construction has nearly completed demolition and asbestos abatement on the second and third floors, including removal of the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The enclosure and foundations for the old cooling tower will be removed in the coming weeks. Interior framing layout is scheduled to begin soon; once completed, the renovation is expected to progress rapidly. The current timeline anticipates project completion by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

Agee Residence Center

A new boiler/chiller system will be installed at Agee Residence Center beginning later this month. This new system will serve Agee and allow the new Raley Chapel systems to serve only that building. This separation is expected to be more efficient and effective than the prior shared systems. The upgraded system is expected to be operational in time for the Fall 2025 semester. More updates will follow as work continues.

Tree Plantings

Reforestation efforts on campus continue to enhance OBU’s natural beauty. Two Chinkapin Oaks, a native Oklahoma species, have been planted at the entrance to The Lodge parking lot, where they will eventually help frame the building’s entrance. These are the final trees provided through OBU’s partnership with RETREET, Pottawatomie Go and Keep America Beautiful.

Additionally, three non-fruiting Crabapple trees have been added to The Oval, blooming white in early spring alongside the redbuds planted in May. OBU Grounds has also replaced the Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) that was removed during the Shawnee Hall renovation; the replacement now stands on the southeast corner of Ford Hall near the Gold Star Monument. A new “Summer Chocolate” cultivar of the Silk Tree has also been planted southeast of WMU near Oval Drive. Grounds staff are excited to continue these beautification efforts across campus.

Construction Loan

OBU was recently approved for a bridge construction loan of $25 million through the Oklahoma Baptist University Authority and Sovereign Bank. This will allow OBU to continue moving forward with construction projects without interruption while the Shape the Future fundraising campaign and OBU’s FEMA Public Assistance Grant application process continue.

Rooftop Solar Panel Installation

OBU is working with a partner, Brightwell, to install solar panels on the roofs of the RAWC/Noble Center as well as various other buildings around campus with the assistance of outside investors interested in solar energy projects and the energy production and savings they provide. This project is still in the approval process with various agencies, including the FAA. When approved, the installation of the solar panels will help offset the cost of campus energy usage, saving the university potentially millions of dollars over the system's lifespan. OBU personnel expect the installations to take place in late summer/early fall.

“This project represents more than just going green; it’s about wise stewardship of our resources,” Grider said. “Thanks to Brightwell’s model, we’re able to pursue solar with no upfront cost and create long-term value for the campus.”

Brightwell works specifically with nonprofits like OBU to help them adopt solar energy systems without incurring debt. The company connects mission-driven institutions with impact investors who fund the upfront cost in exchange for federal tax credits. Once the agreement concludes, the university assumes the full impact of the energy savings, creating a win-win transaction.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we work to shape the future of OBU! Stay tuned for more updates as these projects progress.