The Three Bison sculptures at the intersection of Kickapoo and MacArthur were made from more than 60,000 welded masonry nails by Pennsylvania artist Bill Secunda.

Randy Smith, executive vice president for business and administrative services, gave an overview of the project, from concept to finished product.

Pictured, back row, left to right: Stan Lingo, president of Lingo Construction; Tonia Kellogg, director of the executive offices; Danny Overland, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) commissioner for District 3; Carol Tomlinson, wife of the late Phil Tomlinson, secretary of ODOT; Randy Smith, executive vice president for business and administrative services; Mike Patterson, executive director of ODOT; Skip Robinson, chairman of the OBU Board of Trustees; and Dr. Will Smallwood, senior vice president for advancement and university relations. Front row, left to right: Danna Humphreys, vice chairwoman of the OBU Board of Trustees; Connie Scothorn with CLS & Associates, LLC, landscape architect; Ryan Hawkins, Lingo Construction project manager; OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock; and Justin Erickson, Shawnee city manager. OBU photos by Jeremy Scott.

OBU Dedicates New Bison Sculptures and University Sign

October 7, 2016

OBU held a dedication ceremony Friday, Oct. 7, for a new campus art project located on the southwest corner of Kickapoo and MacArthur. The project includes three life-sized metal Bison sculptures, a new OBU sign, a new brick structure housing the sign and Bison, and landscaping that harkens to the prairie.

Dr. Will Smallwood, senior vice president for advancement and university relations, opened the ceremony. Danny Overland, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) commissioner for District 3, offered remarks as well.

Randy Smith, executive vice president for business and administrative services, then gave an overview of the project, from concept to finished product. Next, OBU President Dr. David W. Whitlock offered a few remarks and expressed the University’s gratitude for those making the project a reality. OBU Board of Trustee vice chairwoman Danna Humphreys closed the ceremony in prayer.

The sculptures were created by Pennsylvania artist Bill Secunda using his signature technique of thousands of welded masonry nails, giving the appearance of fur on the animals. Secunda is known for creating sculptures of all sizes from detailed insects to massive animals, striving for realism and implied movement. He named the new work “Virtus,” meaning valor, excellence, character, courage and worth.