College embarks on greatest expansion since 1928
Big changes are coming to the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences with two new buildings to house the departments of Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering.
The lead gift for J. Newton Rayzor Hall, which will house the computer science and electrical engineering departments, was generously given by Evelyn Rayzor Nienhuis in memory of her father. Rayzor Hall will include 24 integrated classrooms and teaching/research laboratories, 33 faculty and graduate student offices, two conference rooms, and five student commons areas with a student organizations office. J. Newton Rayzor Hall will be a welcome move for the computer science and electrical engineering departments, which have critically outgrown their current space in Keplinger Hall.
Stephenson Hall will house the petroleum and mechanical engineering departments. The building will be a two-story, 38,600-square-foot facility. The lead gift for this transformational facility was made by Charles and Peggy Stephenson. Currently, the departments of petroleum and mechanical engineering are greatly restricted by the limited amount of space available for research and teaching. Since 2000, petroleum engineering has more that doubled its undergraduate enrollment. Mechanical engineering has received numerous national awards with its alternative fuel and fuel efficient vehicle designs, but continues to outgrow its limited research space.
Samson Plaza, a grand 1.5-acre open gathering area, will connect Keplinger Hall, J. Newton Rayzor Hall and Stephenson Hall. Funded through a gift from Samson, Samson Plaza is named in memory of the late Charles Schusterman, in tribute to the exploration and production firm founded by the noted Tulsa businessman and leader in the oil industry.
Construction on these projects is scheduled to begin in 2010. Check back soon for more updates!
The College of Engineering and Natural Sciences encourages the development of problem-solving skills that require imagination and ingenuity, emphasizes the development of curiosity and creativity, and provides the technical education that will allow our graduates to gain insight into the roles of the engineer and scientist within the complex interactions of both national and international societies.