OBU Engineering Program Secures $300,000 Funding from Pottawatomie County Commissioners
February 26, 2025
OBU has received $300,000 in funding from the Pottawatomie County Commissioners to jumpstart its engineering program. The funding will support equipment purchases and facility renovations, furthering the university’s mission to provide workforce-ready engineers for Oklahoma and beyond.
The allocation includes $75,000 for advanced equipment and $225,000 for renovations to Thurmond Hall, the engineering program’s primary facility. These funds will help address the additional $3 million in estimated costs needed to expand facilities, acquire specialized equipment, and support the startup of key program components.
“We are grateful for this generous investment by Pottawatomie County in the OBU engineering program,” OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas said. “Our county commissioners have been engaged, inquisitive and phenomenal to work with. Our goal is to create workforce pathways for local students from Pottawatomie County schools and our pre-engineering partners at Gordon Cooper Technology Center, among others and equip them for engineering careers at Tinker Air Force Base, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and beyond. Our engineering degrees and graduates from OBU aid our county, our cities and our state. We are grateful and excited.”
OBU’s engineering program focuses on producing graduates ready to meet the demands of local and state industries. OBU emphasizes practical, hands-on education developed in collaboration with industry partners. Faculty members are selected for their industry experience to ensure students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills needed to succeed.
The program’s mission is deeply rooted in serving Oklahoma’s communities. With 65 percent of OBU students coming from the state, many from rural areas, this commitment is further reflected in the program’s primary focus on students, families, and industries in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole counties.
Before the county’s funding, the engineering program had already secured $8.175 million in investments. This total includes $4 million from private donors and $4.175 million contributed by the university. These funds have been allocated for renovating Thurmond Hall, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and program startup costs.
The program is guided by the OBU Engineering Advisory Board, which is comprised of representatives from local businesses, technology centers, and national corporations. Members include Tinker Air Force Base, Boeing, Georg Fischer, United Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Kratos, Zeeco and more. These partnerships ensure that OBU’s curriculum aligns with industry needs and provides students with opportunities to engage in meaningful, real-world applications.
The funding from Pottawatomie County supports OBU’s broader mission to serve students across rural Oklahoma, a goal advanced through the university’s Bison Pact initiative. By addressing financial and geographic barriers, OBU continues to expand access to education for underserved communities while fostering workforce development in the region.
The investment will lead to highly paid faculty members joining the Pottawatomie County workforce and 200 engineering students, which will add to the local economy.
“Investing in economic development in Pottawatomie County is not just about funding projects; it's about empowering communities to thrive and creating opportunities for future generations,” said County Commissioner Melissa Dennis.
The Pottawatomie County Commissioners’ investment underscores the critical role OBU plays in the region’s economic and educational landscape. The enhanced engineering program is expected to contribute significantly to workforce development by preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of industries in Oklahoma and beyond.
With this funding, OBU is poised to strengthen its role as a hub for engineering education and a driver of economic growth in Pottawatomie County and the surrounding areas.
Learn more about the OBU Engineering program.