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Student Life at OBU

Life at OBU is vibrant and welcoming, where faith and learning meet. Get involved, lead, and belong through student organizations, chapel, and campus events.

Welcome Home

When you visit campus, you'll discover what makes OBU truly special by hearing directly from our students about the moments they knew this was their new home. Their stories show how faith, community, and opportunity come together on campus. Come visit and experience the energy and spirit of OBU for yourself. You might just find your place here.

Current Student Braden Taber

Meet Student Braden Taber

“A benefit of a smaller campus like OBU is that the community is tighter knit and you can form deeper relationships with a wide variety of people! Our campus culture is thriving and growing in a way that I am proud to be a part of. OBU challenges me as both a student and an individual. The professors pour into me and provide an environment for me to learn and develop in a rigorous yet intentional manner."

President, Campus Activities Board

Living on Campus

OBU’s campus is filled with natural beauty, from shaded walkways to open green spaces that invite students to enjoy the outdoors. Each fall, the campus comes alive as students return, filling the quad, trails, and common areas with energy and life. Outside of class, students gather for club activities, study sessions, and time with friends, making the most of every corner of our welcoming campus.

Three male students sit in a modern university common room with high ceilings and a large stone fireplace. Two students are sitting on patterned sofas and one in an armchair, all focused on reading books. The room is warmly lit with contemporary wall sconces.

Housing and Dining

OBU offers a variety of housing options designed to fit your lifestyle. Living on or near campus puts you at the heart of student life, making it easy to connect with friends and take advantage of campus resources.

Explore Housing
The interior of a spacious, high-ceilinged campus gym. Several students are using various exercise machines, including treadmills and leg presses. In the background, a large, multi-story indoor rock climbing wall spans the far wall.

Recreation and Wellness

The 59,500-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center (RAWC) is packed with amenities, including a full-service fitness center, strength training room, three basketball courts, a 29-foot climbing wall, racquetball courts, an elevated track, and even an esports arena.

Check Out the RAWC
A group of students dressed in bright yellow costumes and props, celebrating a campus tradition. One student wears a large inflatable yellow suit, another wears a silver wig and glasses with a "Caution! Old Age Ahead" sign, and others are cheering in the background.

OBU Campus Traditions

OBU is full of cherished traditions that help students create lasting memories, from Welcome Week and The Walk to Ka-Rip chants and the iconic Beanie. These experiences foster community, school spirit, and a sense of belonging that lasts well beyond graduation.

Get Involved

Getting involved at OBU is your opportunity to discover where you belong. Build confidence, develop practical skills and form meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. Not only will you stay active and involved, but you'll also grow as a leader, deepen your purpose and gain experiences that shape your future.

An action shot of an indoor intramural basketball game on a hardwood court. A player in a black and blue jersey prepares to shoot the ball while being guarded by a player in a yellow pinnie. Other students in various athletic gear are spread across the court, and a separate group is visible playing behind a green mesh divider in the background. Several international flags hang from the far balcony of the gymnasium.

Intramural and Club Sports

Stay active and have fun with 30 intramural teams where friendly rivalries and campus pride come alive. Along with 13 club sports, students get the chance to compete, connect and challenge themselves.

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Six smiling students standing together outdoors in front of a brick pedestal. Several students are wearing t-shirts featuring Greek letters, including "Sigma Phi," "Theta Sigma Chi," and "Phi Omega Chi." One student is holding blue cotton candy.

Greek Life

OBU Greek Life builds faith-filled community through service and shared experiences. Rooted in Christian mission, it fosters integrity and lifelong bonds that shape students during and after college.

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Three female students engaged in conversation at a "Student Org Fair" booth. The booth is for the "OBU Accounting Club" and is covered in candy, brochures, and a sign-up sheet. The room is filled with other students and various club tables.

Student Organizations

Find your people and fuel your passions through student organizations. From leadership to service to fun, there’s a place for you to belong, grow and make an impact.

Explore
A worship band performing on a stage under blue spotlights. Three vocalists are singing passionately into microphones; the central singer is playing an acoustic guitar. A keyboardist is partially visible in the background.

Spiritual Life

At OBU, spiritual life is the heart of your experience. Grow in faith through leadership, mentorship, and missions. Build a foundation of purpose for your life and career through our community.

Spiritual Life
A scenic view of a brick university building with white columns, framed by green trees. In the foreground, a banner on a lamp post reads, "We are future shapers. OBU." A stone fountain with spraying water is visible at the bottom of the frame.

University Culture

Experience a Christ-centered culture shaped by kingdom diversity. At OBU, love God and others, pursue justice and humility, and grow as you engage a diverse world with purpose.

Leadership Opportunities

Leadership at OBU is both meaningful and transformational preparing you to become a future shaper who leads with purpose and integrity. Each experience helps you grow in confidence, strengthen your communication skills and develop a heart for service. You’ll help shape campus culture, create meaningful experiences and make a lasting impact on those around you. At OBU, leadership is more than a title; it’s preparation for what comes next. Step forward, use your gifts and grow as a future shaper ready to influence your community and beyond.

A large group of diverse college students posing on a stage. They are standing behind three large, glowing marquee letters that spell "CAB." The stage backdrop features a whimsical, hand-painted castle and a large green tree.

CAB

Bring campus life to life by joining CAB. Plan events, spark creativity, and create memorable experiences for fellow students while building leadership skills and lasting friendships.

Join CAB
A large crowd of students gathered on a grassy campus lawn during golden hour. They are standing attentively, looking toward an off-camera speaker. A brick campus building with white columns is visible in the background.

SGA

Make your voice heard through SGA. Represent your peers, shape campus decisions and grow as a leader while working together to strengthen the OBU student experience.

Join SGA
A spirited group of students wearing matching dark green "Tri-W" t-shirts. They are cheering, laughing, and making hand gestures as they surround a dark blue vehicle on a campus street.

Welcome Week Worker

Lead the OBU welcome as a Tri-W. Invest in new students, build meaningful connections, and grow as a servant leader modeling Christ-centered hospitality.

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Career Services

Step into your future with confidence. OBU’s Career Development Office offers assessments, expert guidance, and employer connections to help you pursue your calling and maximize your talents.

Student Wellness Resources

OBU is committed to promoting wellness across campus, helping students thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. Students are empowered to take charge of their well-being while building connections and routines that last beyond college. Prioritizing wellness is part of OBU’s mission to cultivate a vibrant, supportive community where every student can succeed.

Student care team

The Student Care Team at OBU provides proactive, holistic support for students facing crises or significant challenges, from mental health concerns to substance use. By coordinating resources and offering guidance, the team helps students navigate difficult situations while promoting a safe, supportive campus community.

Connect With Care

Disability services

The Disability Services Office at OBU ensures students with documented disabilities have access to academic and social opportunities through personalized accommodations. Working closely with faculty and staff, the office provides support tailored to each student’s needs. Their comprehensive services help students succeed fully on campus.

Find Resources

Campus health services

Campus Health Services gives students access to convenient care right on campus. With a campus nurse and virtual urgent care options, students can receive treatment for common illnesses, injuries, and health concerns without leaving Bison Hill. We support your physical well-being so you can stay healthy, active, and ready to engage in campus life.

See Health Services

Mental health counseling

OBU’s Kemp Clinic provides affordable, holistic counseling to the Shawnee community. Graduate therapists offer faith-integrated, evidence-based care for couples and families, fostering healing and lasting change through expert-supervised support.

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