OBU President Announces Launch of “Shape the Future” Campaign

October 18, 2024

OBU officially launched the ambitious “Shape the Future” campaign during a well-attended public kickoff event at The Weekend celebration, marking a pivotal moment in the university’s storied history.

With reflections on the past 18 months, OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shared the university’s vision for renewal, growth and a bold step into the future.

“Friends, today we proudly stand on Bison Hill and expectantly chart the horizon of destiny,” Thomas began, setting the tone for the event. “We have been battered and beaten over the past 18 months, but we have not been bested. Like our forebears, trials refine our resolve and strengthen our hands to engage the work to which we are called.”

Thomas vividly recounted the devastating April 19, 2023, EF2 tornado that ravaged the OBU campus—the worst natural disaster in the institution’s history.

“Our entire campus was disfigured into something unrecognizable,” he said. “But out of that dark night of OBU’s history, the dawn broke forth with the promise of God’s protection, faithful friends and a committed campus. By God’s grace, no lives were lost, and the community has since been on a path to recovery and renewal.”

The “Shape the Future” campaign is a three-year initiative grounded in prayer, partnership and participation. It aims to transform the university’s academic offerings, facilities and campus life, ensuring OBU remains a place where students are equipped to impact the world. Thomas described the campaign as “more than a campaign—it is a call to action.”

At the heart of the campaign are three strategic priorities:

Academic Investment

OBU will expand academic programs in key areas such as Health Sciences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business. Notably, the university plans to launch its first doctoral programs, including the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy plus two new master’s programs in speech-language pathology and physician associate studies. Thomas emphasized that these programs are designed to meet the needs of today’s workforce while staying true to OBU’s Christian values.

“Education opens opportunities to empower lives,” he said. “We will prepare students for the market’s needs while remaining true to our faith.”

Facility Transformation

Over the next 36 months, iconic buildings such as Shawnee Hall, Thurmond Hall, Raley Chapel and Wood Science Building will undergo extensive renovation. These facilities will be reimagined to provide world-class learning and spiritual experiences.

“We are not repristinating the past; we are reimagining spaces,” Thomas said. “Investing in facilities is not just about brick and mortar—it’s about investing in the future.”

Enhancing Campus Life

Recognizing that a vibrant campus experience extends beyond the classroom, the campaign will enhance residence halls, dining services, outdoor spaces and athletic facilities. The goal is to create a Christ-centered community where students can grow holistically.

“Every aspect of campus matters to our students and their experience of belonging,” Thomas said. “We want to create spaces where students can gather, reflect and thrive.”

Throughout the event, Thomas underscored that the campaign is ultimately about people—the students, faculty and staff who make OBU a unique and life-changing institution.

“Shape the Future is about our students, our alumni and the impact they will have on the world,” he said.

He highlighted the stories of notable alumni, such as Brian Wilks, a 1999 graduate now transforming the city of Jenks, Oklahoma, and Jillian Deaton, a 2020 nursing graduate serving as a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Texas.

Thomas closed his speech by inviting the OBU community — faculty, alumni, donors and friends — to join in shaping the university’s future.

“Make no mistake, we can’t do this alone,” he said. “This is an inflection point in the history of Oklahoma Baptist University. We only get one opportunity to shape the future in the way we will over the next 36 months, Together, we will create a future where OBU stands as the pinnacle of Christ-centered, world-class education.”

Thomas said that as the “Shape the Future” campaign moves forward, OBU is calling on all who are connected to the university to participate in the transformative work ahead.

“Our actions for OBU over the next 36 months will echo in the lives of every student who walks through our doors for eternity,” Thomas concluded. “Together, let’s inspire and equip the next generations of future shapers to impact our world—all of life, all for Jesus.”

For more information or to be a part of the Shape the Future campaign, visit the Shape the Future Campaign site.