OU dedicated McCasland Hall, its newest residence building, to the McCasland family and McCasland Foundation at a ribbon cutting Tuesday.
The first of two buildings opened in August and currently holds space for about 560 students. The second building is set to open in fall 2026, according to a university website.
About 200 people attended the event inside the new residence hall to hear speeches from university leader; OU President Joseph Harroz Jr.; and Chelsea Rose, a senior residence adviser and advertising senior at McCasland Hall. Attendees included all five generations of the McCasland family, OU Board of Regents members, campus operations, student affairs, McCasland architects, student government leaders and resident advisers.
Rose said she has lived in three residence halls on campus and believes McCasland combines the best qualities of other residence halls. She said that in the time she has worked at McCasland Hall, she has seen the residents have already found community with one another.
“McCasland Hall was built with intention,” Rose said. “It was built with a purpose in mind to be a space to meet new people, make memories and be your home away from home.”
McCasland Hall replaced Adams Center, a residential hall that housed first-year students for nearly 60 years. Adams Center was officially demolished in summer 2023.
“Today with the dedication of McCasland Hall, we are not simply replacing a building, we are extending a legacy. A legacy of belonging, of community and possibility,” said David Surratt, vice president of student affairs and dean of students.
The McCasland Foundation donated $10 million to fund the residence hall, the family’s largest donation since the foundation was established in 1950.
The McCasland Foundation has also made contributions to the Gallogly College of Engineering, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy and Price College of Business, Harroz said. The Howard McCasland field house and the McCasland Adams tower were named in honor of Thomas Howard McCasland, who established the foundation.
At an event celebrating the naming of the residence hall in December, Harroz said the family has contributed over $22 million to the university since 1970.
“Not only does (McCasland Hall) come with the attachment of a name, but the attachment of a legacy that started back here in 1916 and is here in 2025,” Harroz said in December.
Barbara Brock, granddaughter of Thomas Howard McCasland, thanked the university for allowing her family to continue to make an impact in higher education in Oklahoma. She said the dedication honored her grandfather’s legacy and his love for OU.
“I have heard President Harroz talk many times about how education is transforming lives,” Brock said. “Thank you for giving our family the opportunity to help support you and transform lives.”
OU’s enrollment numbers have increased 20% each academic year for the past two years, with 6,229 first-year students enrolled for the 2025-26 academic year, Harroz said. The university reported an 11% increase in enrollment since last year.
Harroz said without the donation from the McCasland Foundation, the university would not be able to house the growing number of students.
“When we had the conversation with the trustees and the board, I was panicked. We had a lot of students showing up,” Harroz said. “Without McCasland Hall, we would have nowhere to put them.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Ana Barboza.
