NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma is taking a significant step toward enhancing the academic experience for students, staff and faculty through the construction of a new life sciences building with state-of-the-art teaching labs and classrooms on the former site of Sutton Hall, which began demolition over winter break.
Sutton Hall is named after George Miksch Sutton, a former University of Oklahoma professor and renowned bird expert who retired in 1968. It long served as a core facility for the School of Biological Sciences and once housed the College of Pharmacy before the college moved to the OU Health Sciences campus in Oklahoma City.
With its demolition, OU is marking the first improvement for teaching labs on the Norman campus in more than 40 years. Support for the construction comes from a transformative $80 million investment from the state legislature and with a $20 million private gift.
“We are profoundly grateful for the state and private support that will make this state-of-the-art learning and research facility a reality,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “This exceptional funding underscores the shared commitment of Oklahoma’s leaders to advancing science and technology education and workforce development in our state.”
The demolition and construction process will take place over the next two years. Along with modern labs and flexible classroom spaces, the new STEM-focused facility will feature space tailored to the evolving demands of biology and chemistry education, fostering an environment where students and faculty can engage in cutting-edge learning and research.
“We are excited to usher in this next phase for the School of Biological Sciences,” said OU Senior Vice President and Provost André-Denis Wright. “The new space will not only support current educational needs but will also be a valuable resource for future generations of students.”
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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