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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

A New Era Begins in Fall 2025

The Grand Reopening of Historic Shawnee Hall

Shawnee Hall renovated hallway.

An iconic piece of OBU history has made a stunning comeback! Shawnee Hall, a cherished landmark on campus for more than 110 years, has reopened its doors, unveiling a breathtaking transformation that blends tradition with innovation.

After sustaining significant damage from the 2023 tornado, the building has undergone a remarkable interior reconstruction and exterior restoration, now standing as a state-of-the-art learning hub. The revitalized Shawnee Hall serves as the heart of OBU’s new cutting-edge hybrid accelerated graduate health science programs, featuring a spacious, high-tech lab designed to inspire future healthcare leaders.

Shawnee Hall Third Floor Auditorium

The third-floor auditorium now includes fixed seating for 259, with space for six wheelchairs. The room features a mobile partition wall that lowers from a cavity above the ceiling, dividing the space into two equally sized rooms, and the AV control system can manage the entire room or each room independently. The space is used for lectures, guest speakers, and special events.

Wooden bison wall art made from wooden planks form the old Shawnee Hall

In the second-floor lobby, two magnificent wooden bison take pride of place, paying homage to OBU’s beloved mascot. Crafted by renowned Oklahoma City artist Paul Bagley, these sculptures carry profound historical significance, as they are made from reclaimed wood floors salvaged from the original Shawnee Hall prior to the devastating tornado.

Each bison, approximately 11 feet wide, commands attention with its grandeur and artistry, symbolizing both the rich past and the promising future of Shawnee Hall and OBU.