Past Projects

2024 Annual Event

renovations to science and math classrooms and laboratories in the Wood Science Building.

A record-breaking crowd of women gathered in the backyard of Cargill Alumni Center for the Women of Vision 2024 annual event.  This year, their project funded renovations to science and math classrooms and laboratories in the Wood Science Building. These renovations address the need for modernized educational spaces, integrating advanced technology and tools to benefit OBU science students. The project also supported improvements to the W.P. Wood Planetarium and the Bailey Science Museum.

The Women of Vision project aligns with the focus on academic investment, facility improvement, and campus life enhancement as part of the university's “Shape the Future” campaign. By enhancing the science facilities, the project supports OBU’s exceptional legacy of preparing students for medical school and other scientific careers, ensuring they have access to state-of-the-art resources.

2023 Annual Event

The creation of a 20-to-25-seat classroom in Shawnee Hall

Women of Vision's 2023 project funded the creation of a 20-to-25-seat classroom in Shawnee Hall to showcase and provide modern classroom technology for students. This new classroom is intended to benefit education students, preparing them for future teaching roles in today's modern world. The classroom is part of the larger Shawnee Hall revitalization, focusing on transforming this historic building after the April 19, 2023, tornado.

This project reflects Women of Vision’s commitment to academic investment and facility improvement. By supporting Shawnee Hall’s renewal, the Women of Vision project advances OBU’s mission to create a supportive and inspiring environment for students, especially education majors, contributing to long-term institutional goals.

2022 Annual Event

CREATION OF AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND SOCIAL SPACE

During the 2022 Women of Vision annual event, members voted for their project to be the creation of an outdoor classroom and social space on campus.

The unique space will provide meeting opportunities for classes, clubs, and performances, and feature seating for a typical class. The covered structure will offer protection from weather elements while also adding to the campus’s beauty.

This project aligns with the Women of Vision’s mission to make lasting improvements on Bison Hill by enhancing the campus experience for students, employees, alumni, and guests. By creating an aesthetically pleasing space, the project fosters a sense of community and contributes to OBU’s goals.

2021 Annual Event

Renovation and extension of the Cargill Center patio

During this event, more than 70 women attended to raise funds that positively impact students and the entire OBU campus community.

OBU First Lady Jill Thomas opened the event and welcomed guests. Rachael Melot, 1999 OBU alumna, brought greetings from Shawnee Forward, and an alumni panel discussed OBU and kingdom impact. The panel included Casey Merrifield,’95; Jenn Hawkins, ’00; Erin Zimmerman, ’99; Celeste Gwynn, ’00; and Susanne Clinton, ’99.

Women of Vision members selected the renovation and extension of the Cargill Center patio. This beautiful space will be ideal for campus gatherings and meetings for students, staff, alumni and friends. The renovation will extend the patio to the north by adding concrete or brick pavers, construct a retaining wall/border and firepit for visual appeal and add seating.

2020 Annual Event

outdoor seating AND CREATION OF SCHOLARSHIP

Fifty-five women gathered together Oct. 8, 2020 for the sixth annual Women of Vision luncheon. They celebrated raising a collective gift of $53,000. OBU’s first lady was the keynote speaker.

After reviewing several worthy projects, the Women of Vision voted to create more outdoor seating. This seating will give students more areas around campus where they can safely get together while maintaining social distancing. It provides more opportunities for students to gather or study outside in the fresh air.

2019 Annual Event

Enhancements to Thurmond Hall

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Members of the Women of Vision giving circle gathered for their fifth annual luncheon to celebrate raising over $58,000. OBU alum and Women of Vision advisory board member, Pat Prescott was the keynote speaker.

The Giving Circle awarded the first-ever WOV scholarship to OBU senior graphic design major Tori Harrison. This scholarship was one of the projects Women of Vision chose to support last year. It is designed to award scholarships to a junior and/or senior woman who represents OBU’s values, believes in the OBU mission, and honors Christ in her life. 

The group voted to fund renovations for Thurmond Hall and the admissions lobby. These efforts remove the raised planters out front and replace them with pavers and outdoor seating. This project will impact both potential new students and current students as they utilize the many services provided in Thurmond Hall.

2018 Annual Event

Installation of blue phones and establishiment of a WOV endowment.
Dozens of women gathered  to celebrate their collective gift of over $85,000 and determine how to direct that gift on Bison Hill.

Amy Elaine Martinez, 1991, was the keynote speaker for the event. Her powerful message was entitled “The Unveiling” and reminded us that we can confidently trust in God, even in the unseen.

Over 100 women joined Women of Vision in 2018, raising the most money to date. The women voted to use their 2018 investment to fund a 2-in-1 project, which included installing blue phones and establishing a WOV endowment.The blue phones were an SGA (Student Government Association) Initiative and include installing safety phones in strategic areas on campus that will automatically connect to emergency services when picked up.

The Women of Vision endowment will be established to award scholarships to students each year that will impact their ability to experience an OBU education. 

2017 Annual Event

Establishment of the Campus Ministry Center Renewal

In its third year, Women of Vision saw 89 members join together to raise $75,000. Since its inception in 2015, the group has invested nearly $200,000 in the life and mission of Oklahoma Baptist University.

Jamy Fisher, 1994 OBU alum, delivered a touching keynote address entitled “The New Definition of Greatness," with a stirring reminder about the potential within each of us to make a positive difference.

This year, the Campus Ministry Center Renewal project was selected by vote. The $75,000 investment from Women of Vision will enable Spiritual Life to offer students space and resources for enhancing meaningful, spiritual encounters inside the Geiger Center. 

Spiritual Life is the heart of Oklahoma Baptist University. Through the collective gift of Women of Vision, the university is able to emphasize the importance of campus ministry and ensure all students are offered a valuable and transformational experience.

2016 Annual Event

Keyless Card Access

In its second year, membership to Women of Vision increased from 58 to 78, and the total collective gift was nearly $70,000 (up from over $20,000 from the inaugural year in 2015).

Brenna Stull, 1990 OBU alum and Women of Vision member, delivered a heartening message about “The Power of the Circle,” a stirring reminder of the meaningful impact we can make by joining together.

The members voted to fund the ‘Keyless Card Access’ project, which won with the majority of the votes. This project, combined with the project funded last year – adding more campus lighting which will enhance and impact the safety/security of a student’s experience on Bison Hill, as well as OBU faculty, staff, and visitors. This technology insures building access to only those with permission. It also gives the university the ability to lock the buildings electronically.

2015 Annual Event

Additional campus lighting

Women of Vision launched in 2015, and the inaugural year saw lots of work – brainstorming, planning, marketing, etc. With an outstanding Advisory Council established, the group surpassed its base goal of 50 women and celebrated a total of 58 charter members! In all, almost $47,000 was gifted.

The first Annual Event for Women of Vision was on September 24th, 2015 – a time to gather as members, review projects in need of funds, and decide how to award the collective funding. It also served as the time to meet other members, fellowship together, and just have a really good time.

Ronda Mikles, 1975 OBU alum and a Women of Vision Advisory Council member, delivered an inspiring and encouraging message about the power there is in working, serving, and simply DOING together.

The 58 member votes were evenly spread across the board, and the project that was chosen was for additional campus lighting.

Because of Women of Vision and the $47,000 that was given, approximately 25 additional lighting fixtures will soon be installed on campus as part of phase one of the OBU campus lighting improvement plan. 

The financial gift through Women of Vision will help offset OBU’s investment, allowing the university to provide our student body more peace of mind through the added safety and security.