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Nearly three years after the 2023 tornado, Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath Thomas reects on recovery, renewal, and a vision built for the future.
The devastating damage to Shawnee Hall is evident the morning after the April 19, 2023, tornado tore through Shawnee. Photo provided by OBU
Oklahoma Baptist University President Dr. Heath A. Thomas inspects the roof damage of Shawnee Hall following the April 19, 2023, tornado. Thomas said every building on the campus was damaged. Photo provided by OBU
Shawnee Hall reopened in the fall of 2025. Due to the age of the building and some of the needed items being unavailable, portions of the exterior were fabricated to match the original design. Photo provided by OBU
The entry to Shawnee Hall gives visitors a peak into the history of OBU by highlighting some of the alumni. OBU President Dr. Heath Thomas explains that photos pulled from the archives are hung throughout the building as a reminder of the university's history. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun
Students and staff take advantage of the newly renovated space in the Teacher Education Tech Classroomon on the north side of the first floor in Shawnee Hall. Photo provided by OBU
It has been almost three years since the April 19, 2023, tornado ripped through Shawnee and the surrounding areas. At Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), the tornado recovery was only the beginning of the “flex toward the future.”The focus immediately after the storm was clear. OBU President, Dr. Heath Thomas, said, “Safety, security, and students were really the first priority. Aft...
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