Above: OBU President Heath Thomas with his wife Jill reports via Twitter that in-person learning will return to OBU May 1.
SHAWNEE—Students of Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) will be able to return to on-campus activity on Saturday, April 29. Life on the OBU campus had been interrupted because of damage from April 19 tornado.
“I’ve got some very exciting news,” said OBU President Heath Thomas through a video shared on Twitter. “We have been working with all of our contractors to ensure a safe return to campus, and we are returning to campus for in-person learning on Monday, May 1.
“We are excited that we have received the go-ahead from all our contractors and the specialists who have done all the assessments in every space on our campus. So, we are returning for on-campus learning on Monday. It is a miracle of God.”
Thomas reported students can check into their dorms at 10 a.m., April 29.
“God’s been really good to us, and we are really excited to make this announcement,” Thomas said. “We are in Hallelujah territory right here.”
OBU will host a volunteer campus clean-up effort called “Big Serve” on April 29, beginning at 9 a.m. Check-in will be on the Raley Chapel lawn at the RecWell tent. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, rakes, brooms and shovels, if possible. Parking will be available at the Noble Center, behind the Bailey Business Center and in the MacArthur lot. Those wanting to participate should RSVP by email to volunteer@okbu.edu by Friday evening, April 28.
Those wishing to assist with recovery efforts, can do so now by giving to OBU’s Tornado Relief Fund at okbu.edu/giving/tornado-relief-fund.
