From a swatting incident to the discovery of human remains on campus, these are some events that shaped the class of 2026 as they look toward graduation.
September 2022: OU announces demolition of Adams Center
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. announced Adams Center would be demolished in summer 2023 to make way for new residence halls. McCasland Hall opened to residents in fall 2025. The South Hall, which is currently unnamed, will open to residents in fall 2026.
April 2023: OU targeted in swatting incident, false active shooter alarm
On April 7, OU received calls claiming there was an active shooter on campus. Law enforcement found no evidence of a shooting, and OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. later confirmed it was a swatting incident.
June 2023: OU softball wins third consecutive national championship
OU softball won its third consecutive Women’s College World Series, defeating Florida State in two games. That season, the Sooners reached a win streak of 53 games, setting an NCAA record.
September 2023: Norman City Council proposes $1.1 billion entertainment district
Team Norman and city leaders proposed the Rock Creek Entertainment District to be built in the University North Park area. The district, which was later approved by city council in September 2024, will include a multi-purpose arena featuring select OU athletic teams as anchor tenants.
February 2024: OUPD investigates suspicious package outside Gaylord College
A sign and package found outside Gaylord College prompted an evacuation from surrounding buildings and a response by the NPD Hazardous Devices Unit. The university issued an all clear just over two hours later and the objects were determined to be part of an art display protesting the war in Gaza.
March 2024: Students protest amid war in Gaza
Over 150 students took part in pro-Palestinian protests and pro-Israeli counterprotests in the Oklahoma Memorial Union food court. Since October 2023, students have marched on campus and organized protests to bring attention to the war in Gaza.
March 2024: OU renames and restructures DEI office
In accordance with an executive order by Gov. Kevin Stitt, the university renamed its Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Division of Access and Opportunity. The division is housed in the former DEI office space in Copeland Hall.
August 2024: First Friday night football game
OU played its debut game as a member of the Southeastern Conference, beating Temple 51-3 during the first Friday night football game in the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium’s history. The Sooners ended with a 6-7 season, including a loss in the Red River Rivalry.
September 2024: OU hosts first SEC matchup, ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’
OU faced Tennessee in the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for its first Southeastern Conference matchup. ESPN’s “College GameDay” visited Norman for this historic OU event. After a hard-fought second half, the Sooners fell to the Volunteers 25-15.
October 2024: Norman residents petition entertainment district
After Norman City Council approved the district, residents filed a petition to bring the Rock Creek Entertainment District to a public vote that collected over 10,000 signatures. The petition was rejected by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in February 2026, clearing the development to move forward as planned.
January 2025: NPD captures suspect after pursuit near campus
Norman Police Department captured a suspect just east of campus in connection with a stolen vehicle from Noble. For around three hours NPD searched for the suspect, causing OU to issue RAVE alerts warning students away from the area.
February 2025: Stephen Tyler Holman elected Norman mayor
Former Ward 7 Councilmember Stephen Tyler Holman defeated incumbent Mayor Larry Heikkila and attorney Riley Mulinix in the election for Norman mayor. Holman served 12 years on city council before his inauguration.
February 2025: Former OU President David Boren dies at 83
Former U.S. Senator, Oklahoma Governor and OU President David Boren died on Feb. 20, 2025. Boren served as the university’s president for 24 years, a tenure marked by fundamental changes to OU’s physical appearance, academics and athletics. In retirement, Boren’s legacy was complicated by allegations of sexual misconduct, for which he was never indicted, and the misreporting of alums’ donor data.
February 2025: DOGE cuts impact National Weather Center employees
As part of a mass strategy proposed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, National Weather Center employees and OU meteorology students interning at the center experienced layoffs amid national NOAA cuts.
November 2025: OU student gains national attention over Bible-based essay
An OU student garnered national attention after she publicly contested a failing grade on a Bible-based essay and filed an illegal discrimination claim. The university removed the graduate instructor who graded the essay, triggering protests on campus.
December 2025: OU hosts College Football Playoff
OU hosted its first College Football Playoff game in the Southeastern Conference against Alabama. The Sooners lost to the Crimson Tide 34-24 in the first round of the playoffs.
January 2026: Joe Castiglione retires as OU athletic director
Former OU athletic director Joe Castiglione announced his retirement as the longest tenured athletic director in the country in July 2025. The university hired Roger Denny, former Illinois deputy athletic director and chief operating officer, to fill the position in January.
February 2026: Cadavers found at site of new lab building
Human remains, later determined to be cadavers from the early 1900s, were found at the construction site of OU’s new Life Sciences Laboratories Building. The new building is at the former site of Sutton Hall, which previously held OU’s department of biology, including offices and laboratories.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour. Kennedy Johnson and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
