Sam Noble Museum Named a Top 50 Most Impressive College Museum
The Sam Noble Museum at the University of Oklahoma has been named as one of the top 50 most impressive college museums by College Values Online, an accolade earned through diverse collections which appeal to a variety of audiences.
The Sam Noble Museum serves as the state of Oklahoma’s officially designated natural history museum. It curates 12 distinct collections ranging from paleontology to genomic samples, which combined, preserve over 10 million objects and artifacts.
“We’re extremely grateful for the recognition, but I think most of our regular visitors wouldn’t be surprised to hear how highly we’re rated,” said Alexander Mann, public relations representative for the Sam Noble Museum. “It’s a beautiful facility, and anyone who’s had the chance to explore our exhibits can tell you there are some incredible treasures on display.”
The Sam Noble Museum serves researchers and visitors from all over the world, but its affiliation with the University of Oklahoma provides local students with incredible opportunities and resources as they pursue their education.
“Quite a few instructors on campus incorporate our exhibits and collections into their coursework,” Mann continued. “It’s a great resource for students to be able to see these kinds of objects in person, and we see a lot of return visitors when students learn they get free admission.”
Museum collections and ongoing research also provide students with more hands-on opportunities to study the world or pursue a graduate degree.
“There are always opportunities for students to help out,” Mann said. “The different collections almost always need volunteers to help with something or another. Of course, students are always welcome to volunteer front-of-house as well and help welcome visitors or learn how to be a docent, or a museum guide.”
Mann also noted that many students develop life-long passions while working at the museum, and more than a few have returned as graduate students to pursue their own research in the museum’s collections.
Learn more about the Sam Noble Museum at samnoblemuseum.ou.edu.
By Alexander Mann
