by Ruby Dilts
Previously, The Bison reported that Shawnee Hall and Raley Chapel would be under repair for 18-24 months. As reconstruction efforts progress, OBU administration offers a new timeline for these two iconic buildings. Shawnee Hall is slated to reopen fall of 2025, with Raley Chapel likely reopening in late 2026.
Upon its reopening in the fall of 2025, Shawnee Hall will have a refreshed exterior and an entirely new interior.
“The entire wooden roof structure has to go and then it will be replaced with a steel structure that is supported by steel columns that go all the way down into the ground below the first floor,” Executive Vice President for Business and Administrative Services Randy Smith said.
After this is completed, changes to the interior of Shawnee Hall can take place.
Shawnee Hall’s first floor will house offices and specialized classrooms for teacher education and behavioral and social sciences. The second floor will house a large student collaboration space and OBU admissions offices, along with a multi-purpose classroom used primarily for hybrid programs launching at OBU. As OBU prepares to launch graduate healthcare programs, the need for multipurpose classrooms is increasing.
“The multipurpose room’s first anticipated use is for the graduate healthcare programs,” Smith said. “Those are all hybrid programs where they do a lot of their classwork online but then they will come to campus for a week of clinicals… A lot of those programs may need tables and chairs and some may need other things so it’s a true multipurpose room.”
The third floor will house new classrooms and restrooms. After the reopening of Shawnee Hall, students will be able to use their OBU ID to access the west entrance of 24 hours a day to utilize collaborative spaces.
“I miss Shawnee Hall because it’s where I connected with some of my closest friends and connected with awesome professors,” Student Body President and senior marketing major Evan Ashmore said. “Even though I’m sad I won’t be there for its reopening, I’m excited for future students who get to make those memories.”
Raley Chapel, while set to reopen later than Shawnee Hall in late 2026, will also boast an entirely new interior and renovated exterior.
“There are just so many complexities that are being addressed and solved,” Dean of Students, Vice President of Campus Life, and Title IX Coordinator Brandon Petersen said. “That’s why it takes time.”
One complexity includes Raley Chapel’s HVAC system. Currently, Raley Chapel and Agee share an HVAC system. Part of the renovations to Raley Chapel include implementing a separate system for each of these two buildings. Beyond updating systems, plans to repair and update the interior and exterior of Raley Chapel are underway.
Raley Chapel’s exterior boasts new copper on the iconic spire. Stone work and roof repairs are underway, with a next step focusing on updating the clock. LED lights will be added to this area with the ability to change colors for game days and holidays.
Currently, scaffolding fills the main level of Raley Chapel as demolition takes place. Classes are no longer meeting in the basement level Raley Chapel and will not return until renovations are complete. In the midst of renovations and closures, Raley Chapel’s basement continues functioning as a severe weather shelter with an open entry on the north side of the building. The construction process includes a complete renovation to Potter Auditorium, seating about 1,500 people upon its reopening.
“Raley Chapel has been an incredible space for students to encounter God and has been an incredible space for chapel opportunities and to meet some awesome people,” Ashmore said. “I can’t wait for our chapel to be open again for our student body to have those experiences.”
