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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University
September 25, 2026

September 2026 Campus Construction Updates

University Administration

Progress continues across campus as key projects move from construction to completion. Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking shape on Bison Hill this month.

Raley Chapel

Work across Raley Chapel is advancing rapidly both inside and out.

Building Exterior & Grounds

Aerial view of the OBU campus chapel under construction, showing its steeple and portico alongside the plaza, lawn, and ponds still being finished, with surrounding academic buildings and parking lots in the background.

The landscape surrounding Raley Chapel continues to transform. On the Raley lawn, sod installation is complete on the west side and stonework on the southeast water feature is underway with fine grading scheduled next. Crews are actively backfilling and grading around the well pit and pumphouse that operate the campus stream and water features. At the cross monument, new light poles have been installed, pavers are being laid and the original granite veneer is being carefully reinstalled.

Engraved granite panel bearing the Oklahoma Baptist University seal, braced upright in a wooden frame outdoors, with a memorial cross monument and campus buildings visible in the background.

On the north side of Raley Chapel, irrigation installation is underway. Most of the northern section of the Ichthus walkway has been paved, with some areas left open to allow construction access. The foundations for the new memorial rotunda commemorating the April 19, 2023, tornado have also been poured, and installation of the structural steel will begin soon.

Building Interior

Inside the east wing, first-floor spaces are nearing completion with final paint and ceiling grid installation, while second-floor restrooms now feature finished tile and grout alongside completed AV cabling. In the west wing, second-floor overhead rough-ins for plumbing and HVAC are ongoing with AV cabling installation underway. Tile installation is progressing in the restrooms and catering kitchen and craftsmen are installing the faux fireplace in the Helen Thames Raley Drawing Room.

Interior room under construction with a drywalled fireplace niche flanked by windows, and dark marble slabs for the surround and hearth laid out unfinished on the concrete floor.

In Potter Auditorium, scaffolding has been fully removed. Crews are installing structural steel for the floor as well as new steel supports for the stained-glass windows. The south lobby is currently being sheet rocked with mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins underway and the new ADA-compliant auditorium floor will be poured in the coming weeks. Off-site restoration of the historic stained-glass windows remains on track for reinstallation later this fall.

Interior of the chapel under renovation, showing rows of new steel floor framing on the main level, exposed brick walls with arched windows, and scaffolding along the upper balcony.

Geiger Center

Paving of the Geiger Center loading dock is now complete, which will soon allow kitchen deliveries to utilize the north entrance. In the coming weeks, crews will install handrails, complete sidewalk grading and prepare the surrounding area for additional walkways.

Mabee Learning Center

Summer renovation projects for the Mabee Learning Center have wrapped up, with final furniture delivery and installation scheduled next.

Ford Hall

The soundproofing project in Ford Music Hall has been successfully completed, with crews currently addressing remaining minor punch list items.

Wood-paneled hallway lined with office doors and nameplates, leading back to an archway and exit sign at the far end.