ORU’s Campus Expansion Continues with Groundbreaking for New Dining Hall, Residence Halls, and International Commons and Amphitheatre
$41 Million Facility Will Incorporate Popular Retail Food Concepts and Global Cuisine,
and the New Residence Halls Will Serve ORU’s Historic Enrollment
Tulsa, OK, November 20, 2024 —Oral Roberts University (ORU) broke ground for its new Dining Hall, Residence Halls, and the International Commons and Amphitheatre, the first addition in Phase II of ORU’s campus expansion. The dining hall will feature gourmet dining stations, a variety of retail food options, and an all-you-can-eat food court. The residence halls will be designed with contemporary furnishings and facilities. The International Commons and Amphitheatre will be a beautiful green space with domestic and international trees, a water feature, and an amphitheatre. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2025, and the expected completion date is mid-July 2026.
“This groundbreaking marks another significant step in our mission to provide unrivaled facilities for our students,” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “ORU’s enrollment has grown for sixteen straight years, and Phase I of our expansion added four new buildings to campus. Phase II will enhance our student experience and provide world-class services and aesthetically inspiring spaces. This is a historic time for ORU as we continue to develop a new generation of Spirit-empowered leaders.”
Flanking the dining hall on each side will be separate 4-story residence hall towers for men and women. These new apartment-style facilities will include modern furnishings and communal areas for socializing, studying, and prayer.
This construction is part of Phase II of the Whole Leaders for the Whole World Campaign, which also includes the renovation of two residence halls and funding for ORU’s Quest Whole Leader Scholarships.
“Much of what happens in college—our conversations, plans, and friendships—takes place
in the dorms and the dining hall,” said Titus Stevens, ORU’s Student Association President.
“These new facilities will bring excitement to campus and create a long-term community
for the future. The men and women of God, with whom I’ve been closely connected, are
the people who shaped me during my time at ORU. With the new facilities, ORU students
will be able to create more and more of these important connections.”
ORU’s Phase II expansion follows the addition of several new buildings to campus,
including the Welcome Center, Mike Carter Athletic Center, J.D. McKean Library, and
the recently opened Peggy V. Helmerich Media Arts Center. These additions, along with
the Phase II expansion, will meet the needs of ORU’s rapidly growing enrollment. This
fall, ORU’s student body grew for the 16th consecutive year, reporting an all-time
high of 5,936 students, a 10.6% increase from last year. In addition, ORU continues
to expand its global footprint with students from all 50 states and 165 nations in
the last 5 years.
The new buildings will be located east of the new J.D. McKean library and the new Peggy V. Helmerich Center on ORU’s campus.
For more information on the Whole Leaders for the Whole World campaign, please click here.
UNIVERSITY BRIEF
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 165 nations in the last 5 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.
The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2025). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society.
ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:
- #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
- #2 in Most International Students
- #3 in Best Value
- #6 in Best College for Veterans
- #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West
For more information, visit www.oru.edu.
