OU Continues Momentum: Advances Facility Enhancements to Strengthen Student Preparedness, Research and Workforce Training

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NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's premier facilities today during their meeting in Norman. These improvements are designed to enrich the educational and residential experience for students while also fostering new pathways to strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce and economic growth.

“Improving our infrastructure is crucial to ensuring our university meets the needs of today’s students while preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “In a highly competitive higher education landscape, staying the same is not an option. These upgrades ensure OU is reaching forward, embracing growth and preparing to lead.”

In a significant advancement, the Board of Regents approved the selection of a construction management firm to oversee the creation of a new STEM-focused lab and classroom building that will house biology and chemistry teaching labs, classroom space, and research space. The new building, which will provide much-needed lab space in response to the university’s growing student enrollment, particularly among STEM majors, also will consolidate seven separate current lab locations into one building. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a crucial asset in continually attracting faculty, students, research funding and industry leaders, bolstering OU's commitment to excellence in STEM fields.

“We are deeply grateful to the Oklahoma State Legislature for their transformative $80 million investment in our new STEM-focused lab and classroom building,” Harroz said. “This funding, coupled with a $20 million private gift, underscores the university’s and legislature’s shared commitment to continually increasing the number of STEM graduates to meet Oklahoma’s workforce needs. These resources will empower our students and faculty to reach new heights, fostering innovation and economic growth for years to come.”

Additionally, the Regents approved a project budget for a new Infrastructure Technologies Building on OU’s research campus, which will support the Gallogly College of Engineering's transportation research initiatives, including unmanned vehicles, battery testing and fuel cell testing. These transformative projects will significantly advance the university's educational and research mission, positioning both the university and state for future success.

“These additions to our campus infrastructure underscore our commitment to advancing impactful research and enriching the educational experience for our students,” said OU Senior Vice President and Provost André-Denis Wright. “By providing state-of-the-art resources, we are equipping our campus community with the tools they need to make meaningful contributions to the state and beyond.”

Also approved during the meeting was a total budget for a new six-story air traffic control tower at Max Westheimer Airport. In April, OU announced $36.5 million in funding from Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) to support improvements to Max Westheimer Airport, including the addition of new hangar space.

The Regents also approved the naming of one of several new hangars at Max Westheimer Airport as “The Pigman Family Hangar” in honor of the gift from the Pigman Family Charitable Fund to support the construction of the new facility. The hangar is designed to house the university’s ever-expanding aircraft fleet.

“We are proud to honor the Pigman family for their generous contributions to our top-ranked School of Aviation,” Harroz said. “These improvements will ensure we can continue to meet the demands of today’s aviation workforce while providing best-in-class facilities for our students.”

The university is expanding upon its weather research capabilities with the construction of a new Weather Research/Advanced Manufacturing Facility. The Regents approved the selection of a construction management firm to provide services for the project, which will create leading-edge space for weather offices and research while supporting innovations in radar technology and advanced manufacturing.

OU is also making significant progress toward the completion of the renovation of Jacobson Hall, one of the oldest buildings on the Norman campus, which also serves as home to the Jones Family Welcome Center and Office of Admissions and Recruitment. The Regents approved a revised project budget for the renovations, which include modernizing the existing building and adding 10,000 square feet of space for campus tours, presentations, application workshops and one-to-one meetings with admissions counselors and prospective student recruitment events.

The Regents also approved the naming of the new residence hall on the Norman campus as “McCasland Hall” in honor of the McCasland Foundation’s generous contribution to support the construction and maintenance of the new facility. McCasland Hall – set to open in fall 2025 – will offer 560 beds in a state-of-the-art on-campus living experience for first-year students and is the first of two new residence halls included in phase one of the OU First-Year Housing Master Plan.

Building upon its commitment to being a leader in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software development education and research, the Regents approved four new graduate degree programs to be offered on the Norman and OU-Tulsa campuses.

The Regents also approved several academic and administrative appointments, including Hollye Hunt as vice president for executive affairs and chief of staff, and Carol Silva as interim vice president for research and partnerships and vice president of research.

The board is set to next meet in January.