{"id":3712,"date":"2023-03-01T15:43:52","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T21:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.okbu.edu\/obumagazine\/?p=3712"},"modified":"2023-03-02T13:37:22","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T19:37:22","slug":"updates-across-bison-hill-shaping-the-future-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.okbu.edu\/obumagazine\/updates-across-bison-hill-shaping-the-future-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Updates across Bison Hill\u2026 Shaping the Future, Today!"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the mission is to shape the future, it only makes sense to take on a new look that will carry students well into that future.<\/p>\n

Last spring after the OBU Board of Trustees made several important decisions including the approval of campus construction projects, OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas told University employees, \u201cWith new proposed degrees, significant construction improvement projects and faculty promotions in rank, the future is bright on Bison Hill. We are committed to reaching this next generation of future shapers and equipping them to live all of life, all for Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the business services committee, chaired by Steve Bagwell, the board voted to approve two campus construction projects paid for through the generous contribution of the Tulsa Royalties Company at a cost of $3.5 million. Focused on delivering the best on-campus experience both in housing and in academic facilities, the University began construction last summer. However, the updates don\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n

Across Bison Hill, students, faculty, staff and visiting alumni are noticing impressive evidence of this commitment through construction completed and ongoing projects.<\/p>\n

On\u00a0 <\/span>a recent day, a tour group of various friends of OBU\u00a0walked through the doors of the Sarkeys Center. Those who had taken classes in this building a few years back simply shook their heads in pleasant amazement at the changes.<\/p>\n

Why such a reaction?<\/p>\n

The Sarkeys Center, which houses academic programs in communication arts, underwent a $1.3 million renovation providing notable updates to classrooms, a student center, faculty offices, audio\/video editing suites, a conference room, and the lobby and entry space.<\/p>\n

However, as they say, \u201cWait there\u2019s more.\u201d Significant improvements in the Sarkeys Center also include modern furnishings and d\u00e9cor, flooring, ceilings,\u00a0lighting, modernized technology and computer labs and a new roof.<\/p>\n

Sarkeys Center houses learning space and equipment for a variety of degree programs including communication studies, journalism and mass communications and theatre.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s in this building that students gain valuable experience through the many resources provided. OBU has a strong commitment to providing opportunities that reduce any gap between learning spaces and actual working environments.<\/p>\n

The multi-faceted building offers a professional environment for production of the student news broadcast, \u201cNews on the Hill,\u201d video production, and creation of the student newspaper, \u201cThe Bison.\u201d<\/p>\n

Theatre students utilize spaces for set design, technical and creative design, rehearsals and theatre performances inside the Black Box Theater. A large, updated computer lab is also housed in the facility.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the many projects aimed at making tomorrow much brighter with changes today. Here is a quick look at a few of those:<\/p>\n