Thurmond Hall ribbon-cutting celebrates rapid growth of OBU engineering program

March 6, 2026

Oklahoma Baptist University celebrated the future-shaping renovation of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program now in just its third year.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners gathered to mark the completion of the facility’s renewal and to recognize the momentum of OBU’s engineering, computer science and cybersecurity programs.

Thurmond Hall’s renovation was driven primarily by the need to house OBU’s expanding electrical and mechanical engineering programs. While the building sustained damage during the April 19, 2023, tornado, the renewal reflects the university’s continued investment in hands-on engineering, computer science and cybersecurity education as part of its Shape the Future campaign.

The engineering program has grown well beyond early projections. In the 2023-24 academic year, the program enrolled 37 students, far exceeding the projected 12. Enrollment increased to 56 students in 2024-25, surpassing a projection of 40. For the current 2025-26 academic year, enrollment has reached 84 students, ahead of its projected total of 67.

“As I walk through Thurmond Hall now, I see more than labs and equipment. I see possibility,” OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas said. “I see students gathered around projects late into the evening, faculty investing in the next generation and ideas taking shape that will one day impact companies, communities and churches. None of this happens by accident. It happens because faculty lead with vision, trustees steward wisely, alumni pray and give faithfully, partners believe in what OBU can become and students trust us with these formative years.”

Thomas added, “Today we cut a ribbon. Tomorrow the work continues—lectures will be delivered, experiments conducted, code written, designs tested and faith deepened.”

Dr. Chuck Baukal, director of the OBU engineering program, noted that the applied focus of the space is designed to prepare students for what’s next by equipping them with practical experience tied to growing workforce needs. This past fall, 43 new engineering students entered the program, where workforce demand is very real.

“There is projected to be a 33 percent shortfall of engineers by the year 2030,” Baukal said. “Last year, a published report had the deficit already at 20 percent. While these renovated facilities will benefit many, I am most excited for our first cohort of students who started in the fall of 2023. They are seeing the plans come to fruition.”

The renewed Thurmond Hall brings aerospace, engineering, computer science and cybersecurity education together in one space. New features include an Aerolab Educational Wind Tunnel capable of producing wind speeds up to 145 mph. The wind tunnel was provided through a collaboration between OBU and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. Thurmond Hall also features a ground-display Firejet drone built and donated by Kratos Defense.

The facility is also home to computer science and a new cybersecurity lab designed for hands-on instruction using physical servers, firewalls and routers. The lab includes 15 student work areas, each equipped with two computers, a router and a switch. In addition, rack space in the lab will house various servers, firewalls and other cybersecurity equipment, giving students practical experience working directly with the systems used in professional cybersecurity environments.

“Along with engineering, there are projected shortfalls of cybersecurity and computer science graduates for the foreseeable future, especially in Oklahoma,” said Dr. Tim Darr, Lawrence Peitz Chair of Business and assistant professor of computer information science. “We are excited to bring our new cybersecurity lab online in conjunction with the opening of Thurmond Hall. Our goal is to give students a real-world, hands-on experience where they are able to roll up their sleeves and gain practical training in multiple cybersecurity offensive and defensive skills.”

The ceremony represented the latest facility project completed under the Shape the Future campaign.

Raley Chapel is the next campaign milestone. A cornerstone of OBU campus life since its dedication in 1961, the structure sustained significant damage during the April 2023 tornado, resulting in the longest closure of its doors in nearly 62 years. Its restoration represents another step forward in the university’s continued recovery and long-term vision.

To learn more about the Shape the Future campaign, visit okbu.edu/giving/shape-the-future. If you would like to give to the campaign, visit okbu.edu/giving/shape-the-future/give