Campus- North, Parrington Oval

North, Parrington Oval

The North Oval is where The University of Oklahoma first rose out of the vast prairie to become its present day masterpiece of education, architecture and horticulture.   Officially called Parrington Oval, named for Vernon Louis Parrington, this area is comprised of many of the older buildings on campus: Evans Hall, Old Science Hall and Holmberg Hall to name a few.

When Parrington first came to teach English in 1897, The University of Oklahoma consisted of only one building.  He proposed a long-range plan for the architectural direction and campus layout.  Later, he became a beloved teacher, the first OU football coach and, ultimately, Pulitzer Prize winner.