Interesting, I had never thought much about the rankings other than to take them as fact till I read some Malcolm Gladwell recently

https://malcolmgladwell.bulletin.com/902401096977837

I wish everyone would read this. Academic rankings are a total joke. I actually run a top 10 master’s program according to U.S. News & World Report. Our program has completely transformed in the last 5 years. We’ve changed everything about the educational experience. There is not a single variable in their formulas that capture any of it. The rankings don’t include any educational criteria in their rankings. It’s a comedy of the absurd that we still reference them at all.

I wish everyone would read this. Academic rankings are a total joke. I actually run a top 10 master’s program according to U.S. News & World Report. Our program has completely transformed in the last 5 years. We’ve changed everything about the educational experience. There is not a single variable in their formulas that capture any of it. The rankings don’t include any educational criteria in their rankings. It’s a comedy of the absurd that we still reference them at all.

Tell that to President Harroz; he has an entirely different opinion and view.

Tell that to President Harroz; he has an entirely different opinion and view.

What's the argument for the criteria? These dubious rankings have real world effects. I am sure Harroz is just playing the game. That's why OU fudged their donations numbers to move up in previous rankings. I highly doubt he believes the U.S. News & World Report has quality criteria. He just knows people blindly use these rankings to make real world decisions. The whole thing is embarrassing and an indictment on our higher education system. Just as Malcom Gladwell pointed out, these rankings incentivize universities, including the most wealthy ones, to reject more students and educate fewer students. The rankings have no criteria that even attempt to assess educational quality.

What's the argument for the criteria? These dubious rankings have real world effects. I am sure Harroz is just playing the game. That's why OU fudged their donations numbers to move up in previous rankings. I highly doubt he believes the U.S. News & World Report has quality criteria. He just knows people blindly use these rankings to make real world decisions. The whole thing is embarrassing and an indictment on our higher education system. Just as Malcom Gladwell pointed out, these rankings incentivize universities, including the most wealthy ones, to reject more students and educate fewer students. The rankings have no criteria that even attempt to assess educational quality.

You can argue all day long that the criteria and numbers are not completely accurate, but you can't argue the ratings and accreditations don't matter.

I wish everyone would read this. Academic rankings are a total joke. I actually run a top 10 master’s program according to U.S. News & World Report. Our program has completely transformed in the last 5 years. We’ve changed everything about the educational experience. There is not a single variable in their formulas that capture any of it. The rankings don’t include any educational criteria in their rankings. It’s a comedy of the absurd that we still reference them at all.

And yet you humble brag about your RANKINGS. Or, are you saying your department isn't all that good?

I wish everyone would read this. Academic rankings are a total joke. I actually run a top 10 master’s program according to U.S. News & World Report. Our program has completely transformed in the last 5 years. We’ve changed everything about the educational experience. There is not a single variable in their formulas that capture any of it. The rankings don’t include any educational criteria in their rankings. It’s a comedy of the absurd that we still reference them at all.

What program and where?

And yet you humble brag about your RANKINGS. Or, are you saying your department isn't all that good?

He's saying he knows what goes into the criteria, and while his school does well in those data points, the data points don't actually take into account any education data points.

He mentioned being top 10 to add ethos to this experience. Nothing wrong with that.

And yet you humble brag about your RANKINGS. Or, are you saying your department isn't all that good?

I did not humblebrag at all. I pointed out that the ratings having nothing do with educational quality. That doesn’t mean our program is bad. It means that these rankings are just unrelated to the quality of our education. You might re-read my post.

What program and where?

I am one of the facilitators in our online M.Ed. program at the University of North Texas… you can find our program tied with the University of Virginia for the 10th best online master’s: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/curriculum-and-instruction-rankings

However, looking at this now, the specific program I run is ranked #13: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/online-curriculum-instruction-rankings

I am proud of our program, but this ranking doesn’t reflect any of the work we’ve put into it at all.

I matriculated at OU in 1978, the dawn of the Banowski era.

He raised a ton of money and there were loads of construction projects all over campus, something that continued on for decades.

When I was down there last Saturday, I realized it was probably the only time in over 40 years where there is not a significant construction project on campus. Not a one.

I know there are plans to raze and replace the dorm towers and some other things, but as far as I know, there isn't a single construction project right now unless you count the endless rebuilding of fraternity and sorority houses which aren't officially on the campus.

Looking at the Energy Center building, l think it still looks like it could be a brand new building.

I matriculated at OU in 1978, the dawn of the Banowski era.

He raised a ton of money and there were loads of construction projects all over campus, something that continued on for decades.

When I was down there last Saturday, I realized it was probably the only time in over 40 years where there is not a significant construction project on campus. Not a one.

I know there are plans to raze and replace the dorm towers and some other things, but as far as I know, there isn't a single construction project right now unless you count the endless rebuilding of fraternity and sorority houses which aren't officially on the campus.

A few projects that I have heard are on the horizon:
1. Replacement of the dorm towers with housing similar to the residential halls - this will be a multi-year project
2. Replacement of Cate Center with residential halls - after the dorm towers are replaced
3. West side stadium press box/club level/suite renovation and expansion
4. Replacement of GL Cross with a new life sciences building
5. New parking garage and major renovations at Dale Hall

GL Cross needed to be replaced 20 years ago. I can only imagine it now. And I've heard the same about Cate, but that's probably last on the last since it's being used for so much departmental office space now.

A few projects that I have heard are on the horizon:
1. Replacement of the dorm towers with housing similar to the residential halls - this will be a multi-year project
2. Replacement of Cate Center with residential halls - after the dorm towers are replaced
3. West side stadium press box/club level/suite renovation and expansion
4. Replacement of GL Cross with a new life sciences building
5. New parking garage and major renovations at Dale Hall
Any timeline on these?

^

I don't think they have funding in place for any of it, although the dorms probably could be done by revenue bonds.


Another one on the list is the new softball stadium and a major redo for the baseball stadium. And they still have to do something with Lloyd Noble.

2. Replacement of Cate Center with residential halls - after the dorm towers are replaced
4. Replacement of GL Cross with a new life sciences building
5. New parking garage and major renovations at Dale Hall

these 3 are not currently on the long term capital Master Plan

the tower replacement will start with Adams in the next 4 years ..

the West football deck will be a ways out ..

the softball stadium should break ground within the next year

the baseball improvements should also start within the next year ..

basketball ??????? big big question ..

these 3 are not currently on the long term capital Master Plan

the tower replacement will start with Adams in the next 4 years ..

the West football deck will be a ways out ..

the softball stadium should break ground within the next year

the baseball improvements should also start within the next year ..

basketball ??????? big big question ..

Correct but they are on the list of buildings that need major upgrades and/or replacements from OU A&E. A new life sciences complex to replace GL Cross and an updated Dale Hall (possibly a replacement building with major interior/exterior renovations to Dale Hall Tower) plus a new parking structure on Elm would be the last major capital projects for awhile on the South Oval. That combined with the new student housing neighborhood planned for south of Lindsey will really transform that whole part of campus.

I still think they need to look at what UT did with the Moody Arena and move basketball back to campus on the Duck Pond lots with the entrance facing the quadrangle at Brooks & Jenkins.

Correct but they are on the list of buildings that need major upgrades and/or replacements from OU A&E. A new life sciences complex to replace GL Cross and an updated Dale Hall (possibly a replacement building with major interior/exterior renovations to Dale Hall Tower) plus a new parking structure on Elm would be the last major capital projects for awhile on the South Oval. That combined with the new student housing neighborhood planned for south of Lindsey will really transform that whole part of campus.

I still think they need to look at what UT did with the Moody Arena and move basketball back to campus on the Duck Pond lots with the entrance facing the quadrangle at Brooks & Jenkins.

Can't really compare OU and UT. UT is Goliath, and likely one of the 5 largest public schools in the country, and can print money (hence why buying out coaches is nothing for them). OU is not. So they have to be way more selective with with capital projects.

Correct but they are on the list of buildings that need major upgrades and/or replacements from OU A&E. A new life sciences complex to replace GL Cross and an updated Dale Hall (possibly a replacement building with major interior/exterior renovations to Dale Hall Tower) plus a new parking structure on Elm would be the last major capital projects for awhile on the South Oval. That combined with the new student housing neighborhood planned for south of Lindsey will really transform that whole part of campus.

I still think they need to look at what UT did with the Moody Arena and move basketball back to campus on the Duck Pond lots with the entrance facing the quadrangle at Brooks & Jenkins.

basketball is currently on campus

basketball is currently on campus
Doesn’t feel like it.

Doesn’t feel like it.

It really doesn't. The problem is that OU has invested a lot in the practice facilities attached to Lloyd Noble. I've pitched it before, but what if OU developed the exterior of the giant parking lot surrounding Lloyd Noble with mixed use student housing, hotel, entertainment, etc? In short, turn this area into a dense, walkable southern extension of campus that also serves the research part to the east (which could be made more dense, walkable over time too). Run 15 or 30 minute shuttles from here to the heart of campus.

It really doesn't. The problem is that OU has invested a lot in the practice facilities attached to Lloyd Noble. I've pitched it before, but what if OU developed the exterior of the giant parking lot surrounding Lloyd Noble with mixed use student housing, hotel, entertainment, etc? In short, turn this area into a dense, walkable southern extension of campus that also serves the research part to the east (which could be made more dense, walkable over time too). Run 15 or 30 minute shuttles from here to the heart of campus.

You would have to pry that free parking from the students hands! :wink:

It really doesn't. The problem is that OU has invested a lot in the practice facilities attached to Lloyd Noble. I've pitched it before, but what if OU developed the exterior of the giant parking lot surrounding Lloyd Noble with mixed use student housing, hotel, entertainment, etc? In short, turn this area into a dense, walkable southern extension of campus that also serves the research part to the east (which could be made more dense, walkable over time too). Run 15 or 30 minute shuttles from here to the heart of campus.

I like the idea of turning that whole area into a mixed-use neighborhood but without LNC. Tear it all down and build out the whole property like what they are doing at Wheeler Park with mostly residential but also some things like a brewery and restaurant mixed-in. You could also tie it into more research park development across Jenkins. This is Oklahoma’s version of Research Triangle Park.

Then for the basketball arena build a smaller venue on campus with the practice facilities and maybe even a conference center/hotel on Jenkins between Brooks and Lindsey. Perfect spot with surface parking to the east and existing garage parking at the stadium to the west. Students can easily walk from all of the new housing OU has and will build along Lindsey and fans can eat/drink at Campus Corner before/after games. Once Norman has commuter rail there could even be a stop right next to it at Brooks.

^

I don't think they have funding in place for any of it, although the dorms probably could be done by revenue bonds.


Another one on the list is the new softball stadium and a major redo for the baseball stadium. And they still have to do something with Lloyd Noble.

Pete, I was talking to a friend who has some indirect connections to OU and claimed some big announcement was coming tomorrow., but wasn't clear exactly what. You hear of any rumblings in that vein? Possibly a formal softball stadium announcement?

They've had some pretty conspicuous donations to the athletic department in the last few months, so I'm making a jump in inferring the announcement is athletic-related. I suppose it could also include some stadium master plan updates for the west deck, but that's such an expensive project, I figure that's still years down the road....

Just wondering if you'd heard anything...

I like the idea of turning that whole area into a mixed-use neighborhood but without LNC. Tear it all down and build out the whole property like what they are doing at Wheeler Park with mostly residential but also some things like a brewery and restaurant mixed-in. You could also tie it into more research park development across Jenkins. This is Oklahoma’s version of Research Triangle Park.

Then for the basketball arena build a smaller venue on campus with the practice facilities and maybe even a conference center/hotel on Jenkins between Brooks and Lindsey. Perfect spot with surface parking to the east and existing garage parking at the stadium to the west. Students can easily walk from all of the new housing OU has and will build along Lindsey and fans can eat/drink at Campus Corner before/after games. Once Norman has commuter rail there could even be a stop right next to it at Brooks.

Yes, I like this plan, but it means tearing down brand new, multimillion dollar facilities. I just don’t see that happening. Maybe they could keep the practice gym/training facility and tear down the arena?

Yes, I like this plan, but it means tearing down brand new, multimillion dollar facilities. I just don’t see that happening. Maybe they could keep the practice gym/training facility and tear down the arena?

Maybe repurpose into a rec center or school in the middle of the neighborhood

I like the idea of turning that whole area into a mixed-use neighborhood but without LNC. Tear it all down and build out the whole property like what they are doing at Wheeler Park with mostly residential but also some things like a brewery and restaurant mixed-in. You could also tie it into more research park development across Jenkins. This is Oklahoma’s version of Research Triangle Park.

Then for the basketball arena build a smaller venue on campus with the practice facilities and maybe even a conference center/hotel on Jenkins between Brooks and Lindsey. Perfect spot with surface parking to the east and existing garage parking at the stadium to the west. Students can easily walk from all of the new housing OU has and will build along Lindsey and fans can eat/drink at Campus Corner before/after games. Once Norman has commuter rail there could even be a stop right next to it at Brooks.

There is a great piece of university owned land south of the Duck Pond (Lindsey) where those old apartments used to be that would be great for a new arena.

Agree on the LNC though. That place has to be one of the most uninspiring venues in college basketball. Make it walkable from the main housing areas on campus and it should really help student attendance.

There is a great piece of university owned land south of the Duck Pond (Lindsey) where those old apartments used to be that would be great for a new arena.

Agree on the LNC though. That place has to be one of the most uninspiring venues in college basketball. Make it walkable from the main housing areas on campus and it should really help student attendance.

that would be an interesting location .. but man traffic would be terrible .. and it still would not be walk able from any bar/restaurants ....

i do know that there are some still working behind the scenes on the legacy park stadium project ..

If Phi's idea (or something similar) won't happen, the UNP site is the second best option IMO. At least it'd be more convenient.

there is a rumor that chris plank might have an announcement on the softball stadium project at 10am today on his radio show ..

there is a rumor that chris plank might have an announcement on the softball stadium project at 10am today on his radio show ..

A few days ago I heard Patti Gasso imply something really good was about to be announced, so this would make sense. Sure hope this is done and done quickly.

there is a rumor that chris plank might have an announcement on the softball stadium project at 10am today on his radio show ..

announcement came one day late ..

https://twitter.com/OU_Softball/status/1453719449614311432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1453719449614311432%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=

Loves giving 9 mil (and matching up to another 3 mil ) toward the Softball stadium ... this should let them break ground in 2022 ..

https://soonersports.com/news/2021/10/28/loves-contributes-naming-gift-for-new-softball-stadium.aspx


NORMAN – Love's Travel Stops, the nation's leading travel stop network, has provided the lead and naming gift for the University of Oklahoma's new softball stadium. OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione made the announcement today. The new facility will be called Love's Field.

The company has pledged $9 million toward the project and also extended a challenge to other donors. It will match every other donation dollar for dollar up to an additional $3 million dollars as part of project fundraising. Once fulfilled, the match will result in a total gift of $12 million from Love's, which is the largest philanthropic gift directed toward a female specific sport program in OU Athletics history.



Groundbreaking will likely occur in 2022. It is expected that the stadium will open for the 2024 season.

Nice, this will be a great addition to the NW corner of Imhoff and Jenkins. What happens to the old stadium?

Nice, this will be a great addition to the NW corner of Imhoff and Jenkins. What happens to the old stadium?

i would guess it gets demoed?? it will be interesting .. it is a pretty nice facility

KFOR article: https://kfor.com/sports/loves-field-to-be-new-home-of-oklahoma-softball/

KFOR article: https://kfor.com/sports/loves-field-to-be-new-home-of-oklahoma-softball/

Love's Field, LOL!

I wonder if they could get Southwest Airlines to be a big sponsor?

Looks like OU is 48th best large employer https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/?sh=7d35522a7b66

Looks like OU is 48th best large employer https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/?sh=7d35522a7b66

That is great positioning for OU. Only Yale and Michigan also made the list, except for a few university affiliated medical centers.

Hopefully this helps them continue to recruit great faculty and support.

It’d be nice if one of Oklahomas universities developed a really good transportation planning program. They could use this as a start: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/president-biden-and-us-department-transportation-announce-450-million-fund-35

They have started to demolish the existing Bud Wilkinson building and related facilities just east of the stadium.

Does anybody have renderings of the new facility?


The regents meeting agenda detailed a review of the Northeast corner of Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue where the Wilkinson House is located, with the possibility of a relocation of the Student Athlete Academic Service to the area.

Collaborative learning areas, administrative office space, Varsity O-Club facilities and multipurpose space are also possible futures for the Wilkinson House area, according to the agenda. Retooling the space is estimated to cost $75 million with funding from private and athletics department sources.

Demolition of Bud House:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622c.jpg

Recent photos of campus:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622d.jpg

I really wish they would expand the Field House for modern basketball.

I really wish they would expand the Field House for modern basketball.

Too costly and not enough space for an adjacent practice facility. The Duck Pond lot is a better location for a 10k seat arena/practice facility. There is room for surface parking on the east side which would still be used for football tailgating and in the existing Asp Ave parking garage. Doing this would allow OU to eventually tear down LNC and redevelop that entire site.

What are the little square buildings used for in the first picture? The building look to be two building north of the Blender

What are the little square buildings used for in the first picture? The building look to be two building north of the Blender

They are a wing of the Fred Jones art gallery; part of an expansion a couple of decades ago.

Here’s a 2006 Architectural Digest article on the wing, which was built in large part to accommodate the then recently-acquired Weitzenhoffer Collection of (mostly) French Impressionism: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/jacobsen-article-092006

Recent photos of campus:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou062622d.jpg

When is the adams dorm scheduled to be demolished! I thought it was approved and was going to happen last summer.

When is the adams dorm scheduled to be demolished! I thought it was approved and was going to happen last summer.

I don't think there is a schedule set.

They have to draw up a replacement plan and then come up with the funds.


I lived in Walker my freshman year and on the day I took the photographs above, I went to say goodbye just in case they decided to quickly take it down. It was actually open as I guess there are some summer school residents. Fond memories but the towers don't begin to compare with the new residential colleges.

I don't think there is a schedule set.

They have to draw up a replacement plan and then come up with the funds.


I lived in Walker my freshman year and on the day I took the photographs above, I went to say goodbye just in case they decided to quickly take it down. It was actually open as I guess there are some summer school residents. Fond memories but the towers don't begin to compare with the new residential colleges.

My son was in Walker 2 years ago so l was able to see it again. Other than some furniture updates it was still essentially the same as 40 years ago. He said the primary issues were poor wi-fi and mold in the HVAC system.

I don't think there is a schedule set.

They have to draw up a replacement plan and then come up with the funds.


I lived in Walker my freshman year and on the day I took the photographs above, I went to say goodbye just in case they decided to quickly take it down. It was actually open as I guess there are some summer school residents. Fond memories but the towers don't begin to compare with the new residential colleges.
I’m a Walker Tower alum from 1971. Still friends with my suite mates. Would love to pay it a visit now. Some great memories.

My son was in Walker 2 years ago so l was able to see it again. Other than some furniture updates it was still essentially the same as 40 years ago. He said the primary issues were poor wi-fi and mold in the HVAC system.

From what I understood. Walker and couch are both still fully utilized during school year, but adams is closed and will be first down.
Lived in Adams so that one has my interest.

University of Oklahoma Breaks Fundraising Record (https://www.ou.edu/news/articles/2022/july/university-of-oklahoma-breaks-fundraising-record#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Oklahoma%20 received,for%20continued%20growth%20and%20success. )
July 25, 2022

The University of Oklahoma received a record $317 million in gifts and pledges during the fiscal year that ended June 30, surpassing last year’s record of $237 million. The record-breaking fundraising performance, shepherded by the OU Foundation, positions the university for continued growth and success.

“Achieving yet another historic year of giving represents an extraordinary moment for the University of Oklahoma,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Across the university, we’ve spent the past two years channeling our focus into amplifying OU’s excellence to even greater heights. This outpouring of support from our alumni and friends speaks to their endorsement of our progress and their belief in our momentum. Together, with our OU Family, we are building upon a legacy more than a century in the making: to change lives through education, innovation and service.”

Of the more than 80,377 gifts received this year, 54 totaled $1 million or more. Gifts of $10 million or more included commitments from Donald Ball of Tomball, Texas; Dave and Judi Proctor of Dallas, Texas; Jonny and Brenda Jones of Austin, Texas; Tim Headington of Dallas, Texas; and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

In addition to their longstanding support of the university’s academic areas, the transformational gifts made by Tim Headington and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores provided impactful support to the OU Athletics Department.

“Providing world-class resources for our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority, and we simply cannot pursue and accomplish this standard of excellence without support from our stakeholders, donors and fans,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “OU Athletics and our generous and passionate stakeholders have worked year after year in lockstep to achieve record-setting success. We are so grateful to have this critical support in our ongoing pursuit that only continues to evolve in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.”

In addition to gifts from loyal donors, the university saw a notable increase in gifts from first-time donors. During fiscal year 2022, nearly 7,000 people donated to OU for the first time, impacting areas of need all over campus. The majority of these donors made their gifts on OU’s Giving Day, a 24-hour digital fundraising event that set a new one-day fundraising record for the university, raising over $11 million with 2,978 gifts received from faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends across 41 states.

Establishing a powerful and robust Giving Day was among the top priorities of OU Foundation Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Amy Noah when she joined the foundation in 2021. Under Noah’s leadership, the foundation has prioritized establishing relationships with OU donors and alumni by increasing staffing, allowing the foundation to better connect current and potential donors with areas of support for which they have a passion – something that has greatly contributed to the foundation’s recent fundraising success.

“The OU Foundation has undergone great changes, but our dedication to supporting the university has stayed the same,” Noah said. “The growth of our organization has afforded us the opportunity to thoughtfully build and steward donor relationships at an even greater level of attentiveness.”

For more information or to make a gift to the university, visit oufoundation.org.

University of Oklahoma Breaks Fundraising Record (https://www.ou.edu/news/articles/2022/july/university-of-oklahoma-breaks-fundraising-record#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20Oklahoma%20 received,for%20continued%20growth%20and%20success. )
July 25, 2022

The University of Oklahoma received a record $317 million in gifts and pledges during the fiscal year that ended June 30, surpassing last year’s record of $237 million. The record-breaking fundraising performance, shepherded by the OU Foundation, positions the university for continued growth and success.

“Achieving yet another historic year of giving represents an extraordinary moment for the University of Oklahoma,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Across the university, we’ve spent the past two years channeling our focus into amplifying OU’s excellence to even greater heights. This outpouring of support from our alumni and friends speaks to their endorsement of our progress and their belief in our momentum. Together, with our OU Family, we are building upon a legacy more than a century in the making: to change lives through education, innovation and service.”

Of the more than 80,377 gifts received this year, 54 totaled $1 million or more. Gifts of $10 million or more included commitments from Donald Ball of Tomball, Texas; Dave and Judi Proctor of Dallas, Texas; Jonny and Brenda Jones of Austin, Texas; Tim Headington of Dallas, Texas; and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

In addition to their longstanding support of the university’s academic areas, the transformational gifts made by Tim Headington and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores provided impactful support to the OU Athletics Department.

“Providing world-class resources for our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority, and we simply cannot pursue and accomplish this standard of excellence without support from our stakeholders, donors and fans,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “OU Athletics and our generous and passionate stakeholders have worked year after year in lockstep to achieve record-setting success. We are so grateful to have this critical support in our ongoing pursuit that only continues to evolve in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.”

In addition to gifts from loyal donors, the university saw a notable increase in gifts from first-time donors. During fiscal year 2022, nearly 7,000 people donated to OU for the first time, impacting areas of need all over campus. The majority of these donors made their gifts on OU’s Giving Day, a 24-hour digital fundraising event that set a new one-day fundraising record for the university, raising over $11 million with 2,978 gifts received from faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends across 41 states.

Establishing a powerful and robust Giving Day was among the top priorities of OU Foundation Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Amy Noah when she joined the foundation in 2021. Under Noah’s leadership, the foundation has prioritized establishing relationships with OU donors and alumni by increasing staffing, allowing the foundation to better connect current and potential donors with areas of support for which they have a passion – something that has greatly contributed to the foundation’s recent fundraising success.

“The OU Foundation has undergone great changes, but our dedication to supporting the university has stayed the same,” Noah said. “The growth of our organization has afforded us the opportunity to thoughtfully build and steward donor relationships at an even greater level of attentiveness.”

For more information or to make a gift to the university, visit oufoundation.org.

It's almost as if there is a University President that alumni like!

Harroz is doing a fantastic job especially given all the Covid-driven budget challenges.

He seems to be universally liked and respected.

Harroz is doing a fantastic job especially given all the Covid-driven budget challenges.

He seems to be universally liked and respected.

Yes he has.
I’m still convinced Gallogly was brought in on purpose to shake things up and clean some things up and then get out and let Harroz take over. Let Gallogly take blame for some things and gave Harroz clean slate to start on.

Just my opinion from the outside.

Yes he has.
I’m still convinced Gallogly was brought in on purpose to shake things up and clean some things up and then get out and let Harroz take over. Let Gallogly take blame for some things and gave Harroz clean slate to start on.

Just my opinion from the outside.

No doubt about Gallogly but the way things were handled was horrific.

They could have easily accomplished what they did without that jackass trying to ruin Boren and casting a very negative light on the entire university.

Completely inexcusable.

Yes he has.
I’m still convinced Gallogly was brought in on purpose to shake things up and clean some things up and then get out and let Harroz take over. Let Gallogly take blame for some things and gave Harroz clean slate to start on.

Just my opinion from the outside.

this is what happened and this is what the plan was to happen ..

this is what happened and this is what the plan was to happen ..

It was ham handed and arrogant. It was highly politically motivated and a disaster. There were changes that were needing to be made, but it was a clown show how it was done. Luckily Harroz stuck around.

I was in Norman yesterday and noticed that Adams Center was completely empty and there were dumpsters outside. Students are already back on campus and the other towers were filled, so I would expect Adams to start coming down very soon.

Also, Stubbeman Village directly to the west is also boarded up and just about ready to be scraped.


Haven't seen any plans for what will replace these buildings, but I'm sure it will be more student housing, likely similar to the recent university colleges built to the east.


BTW, OU welcomed its largest ever freshman class this year.