Ottawa University-Arizona (OUAZ) will hold a two-part ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Feb. 21, to celebrate the completion of $57 million in new facilities on its Surprise campus.
“These new buildings not only accommodate our growing student body, but they also illustrate our continued investment in academic excellence, student development and campus life. The addition of multi-purpose science rooms, a dedicated cafeteria, residential living spaces, health and wellness facilities, and student study pods has transitioned the campus into a true living, learning community and has infused the campus with positive energy both day and night,” said OUAZ President Dennis Tyner.
Construction was completed in fall 2019, and this spring marks the first full semester that students are benefitting from the available services.
The finished projects include:
• O’Dell Center for Athletics: A $25 million, 97,000-square-foot sports complex that includes a recreation center, four-court gym, locker rooms, varsity performance center, classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, athletic offices, press box and VIP Suite.
• Scholars Hall: A $19.8 million, 76,000-square-foot, four-story residence hall with 83 rooms and 340 beds. The building includes four student lounges, Student Affairs offices, faculty offices and the Campus Public Safety office.
• OUAZ Student Center: A $12.2 million, 27,000-square-foot, two-story building that houses the dining center, OUAZ fan shop, student lounge, conference center and the Adawe Center.
Ottawa University Chancellor Kevin Eichner, OUAZ President Dennis Tyner, and City of Surprise Mayor Skip Hall will provide prepared remarks at a dedication program following the ribbon cutting ceremony at the O’Dell Center for Athletics. University leadership announced guests of honor and OU alumni Jim and Jeanne O’Dell will be in attendance. The O’Dells, namesake of the OUAZ’s athletic center, made the largest single donation in the university’s history for its campus expansion.
“We are fortunate to have alumni such as the O’Dells, who believe in our vision to build a residential campus from the ground-up, and we are humbled by their generosity of spirit,” said Eichner. “The O’Dell Center for Athletics will play an important role in the college experience of all OUAZ students, whether they’re cheering on the volleyball and basketball teams in Faith Arena or learning in the state-of-the-art classrooms and labs on the second floor.”
OUAZ’s residential campus is located at 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza in Surprise. Its adult professional campus, which opened in 1977, is located at 9414 N. 25th Ave. in Phoenix. Ottawa University has more than 8,000 alumni in Metro Phoenix, and more than 22,000 graduates nationwide.
