Engineering a New Future for Thurmond Hall

With the rise of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers, the demand for skilled engineers is rapidly increasing. In Oklahoma, the aerospace industry faces a significant shortage of engineers. Research shows that engineering is the second fastest-growing career field, with a projected growth rate of 10.2% through 2031.

The OBU engineering program began in the fall of 2023 with 37 students, more than three times the original goal. This fall, around 30 new students were added to the electrical and mechanical engineering programs. While engineering was planned to be based on the first floor of Thurmond Hall and then gradually expand, the overwhelming success created an immediate need for the renovations of the second and third floors.