If you’ve ever driven down South Lewis Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you’ve seen it. You basically can’t miss it. The Oral Roberts University campus looks like a futuristic space colony landed smack in the middle of the Great Plains. It’s shiny. It’s gold. It’s incredibly 1960s-meets-the-future. But honestly, most people just gawk at the architecture from their car windows and never actually learn what’s going on inside those gates.
It is a weird, wonderful, and deeply intentional place.
The campus isn't just a collection of buildings for classes. It was designed by architect Frank Wallace under the direct, often vivid vision of Oral Roberts himself. Roberts wanted a "University of the Air." He wanted something that looked like it belonged to the next century, even though the school opened its doors in 1965. When you walk onto the Oral Roberts University campus today, you’re stepping into a very specific brand of mid-century modernism that is rarely found in such a preserved, cohesive state.
The Architecture of Prayer and Persistence
The first thing you notice is the Prayer Tower. It's the literal and figurative heart of the campus. It looks like a cross between a giant sci-fi scepter and a high-tech observation deck. Located right in the center of the university, it’s surrounded by a sunken garden that feels surprisingly peaceful given the bustling college energy nearby.
The tower is 200 feet tall.
Inside, there are literal "prayer rooms" where people have been praying around the clock for decades. It’s not just a decorative landmark; it’s a functional space. The design features an enclosed observation deck and a "crown of thorns" motif at the top, which is meant to represent the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s heavy symbolism, but even if you aren't religious, the view from the top—if you can get up there—is one of the best in Tulsa.
Then there’s the Mabee Center. This is the massive, gold-tinted arena that has hosted everything from NCAA tournament games to Elvis Presley. It holds about 11,000 people. It’s the kind of venue that feels way too big for a private university of ORU’s size, but that was the point. Oral Roberts didn't do "small." He did "global."
What It’s Actually Like to Walk the Grounds
Walking through the Oral Roberts University campus feels a bit like being on a movie set. The sidewalks are perfectly manicured. The grass is aggressively green. Everything is symmetrical.
📖 Related: Why San Luis Valley Colorado is the Weirdest, Most Beautiful Place You’ve Never Been
The Learning Resources Center (LRC) and Graduate Center (GC) are these massive, interconnected structures that house the library, classrooms, and administrative offices. They are covered in gold-mirrored glass. On a sunny Oklahoma day, the reflection can be almost blinding. It’s a bold choice. You’ve got to respect the commitment to the aesthetic.
The "Eternal Flame" burns near the entrance, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It’s one of those details that students just walk past on their way to a biology lab, but for a visitor, it’s a constant reminder that this isn't a typical state school.
There's also the "City of Faith" complex right across the street. While not technically part of the academic campus anymore (it’s mostly medical offices and commercial space now), those three massive towers—one 60 stories tall—were part of the original vision. They loom over the campus like silent sentinels of a dream that was almost too big to handle.
The Famous Praying Hands
You can't talk about the Oral Roberts University campus without mentioning the Praying Hands. They are massive. We are talking 60 feet tall and weighing 30 tons. They sit at the entrance of the campus and serve as a global icon for the university.
Interestingly, they weren't originally at the entrance. They were moved there later. They were sculpted by Leonard McMurry and cast in bronze. They are actually the largest bronze sculpture of their kind in the world. People pull over on the side of the road all the time just to take a selfie with them.
It's a bit of a tourist trap, but in a wholesome, Oklahoma sort of way.
Is It Just for Students?
Actually, no.
👉 See also: Why Palacio da Anunciada is Lisbon's Most Underrated Luxury Escape
The public is generally welcome to walk the grounds, visit the Prayer Tower, and attend events at the Mabee Center. There’s a certain "openness" to the layout that encourages people to see the vision.
The Global Learning Center (GLC) is one of the newer additions, and it’s where the high-tech stuff happens. We’re talking augmented reality, virtual reality, and global classrooms that connect Tulsa to students in rural villages halfway across the world. It’s a weird contrast to the 1960s "space-age" vibe of the older buildings.
One thing that surprises people is the "Whole Person" philosophy. It’s not just a marketing slogan; it’s baked into the physical layout. There are fitness facilities that every student is required to use. There’s a track, a pool, and gyms. Oral Roberts believed that the body needed to be as fit as the mind and the spirit, so the campus is designed to keep people moving.
The Reality of the "Golden" Campus
Let's be real: maintaining a campus made of gold glass and 60-year-old futuristic architecture is a nightmare.
There have been seasons where the campus looked a bit tired. The 1980s and 90s weren't always kind to the university's finances, and you could see it in the weathering of the structures. But in recent years, there has been a massive influx of investment. Under the leadership of President William Wilson, the university has seen a building boom that rivals the original construction era.
New dorms like Niko Njotorahardjo Hall have popped up. The Welcome Center is sleek and modern. They’ve managed to update the campus without losing the "Star Trek" vibe that makes it unique.
Misconceptions and Quirks
People think ORU is a closed-off cult-like compound. It's really not. It's a liberal arts university with a very specific code of conduct (the Honor Code), but the campus itself is an active part of the Tulsa community.
✨ Don't miss: Super 8 Fort Myers Florida: What to Honestly Expect Before You Book
- You’ll see locals jogging on the perimeter.
- People attend concerts and graduations at the Mabee Center who have zero affiliation with the church.
- The library is a legitimate resource with deep archives on Pentecostal history.
It’s also surprisingly international. You might be standing in a gold-plated building in the middle of a flyover state, but the person sitting next to you is likely from Nigeria, Brazil, or South Korea. The campus feels more global than many larger state universities.
How to Visit the Oral Roberts University Campus
If you're planning to stop by, don't just stay in your car.
- Park at the Mabee Center or the Welcome Center.
- Walk to the Prayer Tower. Even if you don't go in, the gardens around it are stunning.
- Check out the Praying Hands. They’re at the 81st and Lewis entrance.
- Visit the LRC. Just walking through the lobby gives you a sense of the scale and the "gold" aesthetic.
- Eat at the Hamill Student Center. It’s pretty standard college fare, but the atmosphere is pure ORU.
The best time to visit is in the spring. Tulsa is famous for its "green country" foliage, and the contrast between the blooming flowers and the gold buildings is a photographer’s dream.
The Takeaway
The Oral Roberts University campus is a monument to a specific kind of American ambition. It’s bold, it’s polarizing, and it’s undeniably unique. Whether you’re interested in mid-century architecture, religious history, or just want to see the "gold school," it’s worth a stop.
It represents a time when people weren't afraid to build things that looked a little crazy if it meant pointing toward a bigger vision. In a world of cookie-cutter glass-and-steel offices, ORU stands out as a reminder that buildings can tell a story—even if that story is written in gold-tinted glass.
Take Action: Plan Your Visit
If you’re in the Tulsa area or driving through on I-44, set aside 45 minutes. Turn south on Lewis Avenue and pull into the main entrance. Start at the Praying Hands for the mandatory photo op, then head to the center of campus.
Check the university's official calendar before you go. You might catch a public lecture or a performance that gives you a reason to see the inside of these architectural marvels rather than just staring from the sidewalk. If you're a fan of 20th-century design, bring a camera with a wide-angle lens—you’re going to need it to capture the symmetry of the LRC.
The campus isn't just a relic of the past; it’s a living, breathing institution that is currently undergoing its biggest transformation in decades. Seeing it now allows you to catch the overlap between the original 1960s vision and the high-tech future they’re currently building.