From a halting start in a new state through its emergence as a nationally recognized comprehensive college, OBU has been proudly standing on Bison Hill for more than 97 years. That storied history will be on display when the University celebrates its Centennial in 2010.
With the theme Proudly Stand on Bison Hill: The First 100 Years , the OBU community will mark a century of steadfast achievement with centennial activities kicking off in the fall of 2009 and continuing through the fall of 2010. The University was officially founded February 10, 1910, but alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends will commemorate the historic milestone before and after a Founders’ Day celebration on February 10, 2010.
The Centennial Committee, formed in 2006, is headed by John W. Parrish, OBU executive vice president emeritus, who joined OBU as a faculty member in 1964 and retired as chief financial officer and executive vice president in 2002. Parrish is coordinating the work of a 22-member committee representing faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni and the local community. Sub-committees are working on compiling centennial information, coordinating and scheduling special events, and publicizing and funding the celebration.
Preliminary work by the committee has produced a tentative schedule for the 16-month celebration. Concerts, lectures, theatrical productions and a Homecoming emphasis will point to the Centennial in the fall of 2009. The February 10, 2010, Founders’ Day Convocation will signal the official Centennial celebration kickoff. From that point, most campus activities and traditions for the balance of 2010 will include a centennial aspect.
“We have the opportunity to revisit the creation of many of today’s campus traditions, and some of those which are no longer continued, but contributed to OBU’s history,” said Parrish.
Read Governor Brad Henry's Founders' Day Proclamation here.
View the orignial Founders' Day Proclamation here.
View Centennial Moment videos here.
View the Founders' Day Chapel video here.
View the Worship Service video here.
Centennial Founders' Day
Centennial Community Celebration
Spring Centennial Commencement
Centennial Nurses' Pinning Ceremony
Centennial Homecoming
