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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Campus Construction Updates

March 30, 2026

Hello Bison Nation,

Progress continues across campus as key projects move forward. Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month.

Thurmond Hall

Thurmond Hall, Cybersecurity Lab

The formal ribbon cutting for Thurmond Hall took place on March 6 at 11:30 a.m., marking the completion of a nearly three-year renovation of the facility for OBU’s engineering program. Guests to campus, alumni and members of the campus community gathered to celebrate the finished building and tour the updated spaces.

Raley Chapel

Raley Chapel, groundwork

The Raley Chapel project continues to advance. Exterior work around the building includes backfilling, waterproofing trenches and the French drain on the east and west sides of the chapel. Across the site, excavation for retention ponds is underway.

Earthwork has reached a rough grade stage, with fine grading scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, along with construction of the stream that will connect the ponds on the east side of the site. The leveling pipe connecting the two ponds on the south side of the building has now been installed, helping maintain consistent water levels between them. In addition to their aesthetic value, the ponds will help mitigate stormwater runoff from Raley Chapel and nearby buildings during major rainfall events. Acting as detention ponds, they will temporarily hold water and slowly release it into the city’s stormwater system.

Footings are also being poured for a bridge that will cross the stream and help establish the main east-west walking path through campus.

Raley Chapel, east wing choir room

Interior work continues as well. With spray foam insulation complete in the east wing, sheetrock installation in the new choir facilities is underway. Overhead rough-in for mechanical and plumbing systems is ongoing and framing has wrapped up on the second floor of the west wing, the future home of the Raley Drawing Room. In the Potter Auditorium attic, additional steel bracing is being installed for catwalks following completion of spray foam insulation in the upper levels.

The stained glass windows in Raley Chapel are currently being restored at Willet Stained Glass Studios. Shown above is how the windows look before, during and after the cleaning process.

Stained glass restoration remains on schedule, with individual frames being dismantled, the glass cleaned and resoldered.

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