20110926_hammer_center
ORU unveils details on the Alumni-Student Center slated to break ground in 2012
By Natasha Mitchell (94)
Oral Roberts University announced that the new Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center will be a place for food, fun and fellowship for ORU students. The center will be just over 30,000 square feet.
The Hammer Center has over $10.6 million in gifts and pledges to date to ensure the completion of the project and is slated to be erected in the empty field just east of the Prayer Tower. Tim Philley, ORU executive vice president and chief operations officer, said discussions are ongoing regarding food services for the center. Preliminary options include two food formats, a coffee format, and possibly an ice cream/smoothie format.
The second floor of the center (which will be about 3,200 square feet) will house the ORU alumni and Career Services offices as well as a lounge for alumni. The center's lower level will contain ORU Student Association offices and workroom, more food services, game tech zone, a large main lounge, large living room area with a fireplace and seating (both inside and outside of the building).
This project was announced in February 2011, and construction on the new facility is targeted to begin in the spring 2012. Groundbreaking is scheduled for January 2012, and a construction kick-off event will be held during Homecoming in February 2012. The center is the first building to be erected in over 27 years. The renderings can be viewed at www.hammercenter.org.
ORU is seeking to raise additional funds through Oct. 1, 2011, to enhance the project. Individuals can give online at www.hammercenter.org.
Donations can also be mailed to the university at 7777 S. Lewis Ave.; Tulsa, OK 74171. To contact Alumni Relations at ORU, call 918.495.6610.