NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma’s summer was marked by momentum, from expanding access to critical cancer treatment to welcoming key leadership, opening state-of-the-art facilities and launching a new suite of signature student experiences. After announcing an update to the “Lead On, University: The Next Phase” Strategic Plan last spring, OU is translating the vision into measurable progress, reinforcing its commitment to serve Oklahoma and beyond through innovation, discovery and care.
Jones Family Welcome Center Opens as OU’s Front Door to Future Students
OU has completed the renovation and expansion of Jacobson Hall, made possible by a $15 million gift from alumni Jonny and Brenda Jones. Named the Jones Family Welcome Center in recognition of their support, the modernized central wing preserves the historic character of the 17,300-square-foot building while providing expanded space for tours, workshops and recruitment events. As the home of the OU Welcome Center and Office of Admissions and Recruitment, Jacobson Hall continues to serve as the front door of the university, where more than 20,000 annual visitors gain their first impression of campus. The new Jones Family Welcome Center positions OU to attract top students and advance the goals of the university’s Strategic Plan.
New Housing Option for First-Year Students
The university is building a transformative residential experience for students with the official opening of McCasland Hall, which welcomed its first group of students over the past few weeks and provides 560 beds for first-year students. A state-of-the-art facility designed with a small community atmosphere in mind, McCasland Hall features a convenience store, coffee shop, lounges, outdoor spaces and more. As part of the first-year housing master plan, the university will open a second new residence hall in fall 2026.
OU Makes Progress on New Life Sciences Laboratories Building
Work has begun on OU’s new Life Sciences Laboratories Building, a 105,000-square-foot facility on the former site of Sutton Hall that will house 25 state-of-the-art teaching labs, a 250-seat auditorium, and modern classroom and research spaces. Supported by an $80 million investment from the state Legislature and a $20 million private gift, the project represents OU’s first major improvement to teaching labs on the Norman campus in more than 40 years and will advance science education, research, and workforce development across Oklahoma. The new facility is expected to be completed in fall 2027.
With roughly one-quarter of the University of Oklahoma’s research rooted in AI, OU is harnessing its transformative power across fields to drive real-world solutions and equip students to thrive as professionals and citizens amid rapid technological change. To expand AI-driven innovation at the university and further a commitment to providing students with a leading AI education, OU has named Shishir Shah, Ph.D., as the first university-wide Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, pending OU Regents’ approval. Shah’s arrival comes at a defining moment for the university, as OU deepens its focus on AI as a key priority of the “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan. By advancing university-wide strategy in AI innovation, research, education and implementation, Shah will lead a charge to reimagine curriculum and academic opportunities to integrate AI across the student educational experience, guaranteeing that OU graduates enter the workforce as literate and responsible AI-users able to leverage the technology for maximum impact.
The Soval Series: OU Announces Suite of Signature Student Experiences Coming This Fall
This fall, OU will launch a new suite of signature student experiences designed to foster connection, school spirit and memorable traditions among the student body. The Soval Series, taking place this fall on the historic South Oval on OU’s Norman campus, will feature three signature student experiences: Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay, Beat Bevo Bash and Holiday Lights. The Soval Series will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 8, starting at noon with a revamped Beat Bevo Bash. Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay will take place during Homecoming Week on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. OU will also bring the community together to ring in the holiday season with an expanded Holiday Lights event on the South Oval on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.
“The Oval is Open”: OU Unveils New Tailgating Experience on the Iconic North Oval
OU announced a new game day tradition this fall: free, public tailgating on the historic North Oval, also known as the Parrington Oval. For the first time in university history, fans have the opportunity to set up their tailgates on one of the most recognizable places on campus, creating an electric atmosphere just steps away from Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. This consolidation of tailgating brings fans, alumni and campus traditions together in one iconic location, streamlining the tailgate footprint to further enhance the game day experience and establish the North Oval as the premier game day destination. The Oval will feature Boomer Bash, OU’s alumni tailgate, as well as a robust lineup of amenities, including a convenient drop-off process for easy tailgate setup, performances from the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, OU mascot appearances, food trucks, kids activities, LED videoboard to watch college football games from around the country, nearby indoor restrooms and dining in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, and giveaways.
OU Names Matthew Wade Hulver Vice President for Research and Partnerships
In May, the university announced Matthew Wade Hulver, Ph.D., as the first university-wide vice president for research and partnerships. This new role integrates the university’s research enterprise across campuses to accelerate growth and increase the university’s impact. The VPRP serves as a key member of the university’s senior executive leadership team and plays a central role in advancing OU’s refreshed Strategic Plan, particularly Pillar 1: Lead as a top-tier public research university, Pillar 4: Lift the health of Oklahoma, and Pillar 5: Shape the future through discovery, creativity and innovation. Since the launch of the university’s “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan in 2020, OU’s research enterprise has grown rapidly. In 2023, OU ranked No. 71 in the nation for overall research expenditures at $437 million, according to the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development survey. OU now ranks among the top 8% of research universities nationwide, positioning it as the fourth fastest-growing research institution in the country.
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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.
Three University of Oklahoma graduate students have been named winners of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition, which challenges participants to explain their research in three minutes to a non-specialist audience.
Sarah Sharif, a researcher with the University of Oklahoma, has been awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to create innovative light detectors that pick up mid-wave and long-wave infrared signals at higher temperatures than previously considered achievable.
A team from OU and WVU recently earned a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how concept cigarillos influence the potential for addiction. The results will be used to inform the FDA’s impending flavor ban on cigar products and could have wider-reaching implications for other tobacco products that come in flavors, such as e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
