Claremore, Okla. – Rogers State University marked a major construction milestone on Friday morning with a topping‑out ceremony for the upcoming Robson Center for Science and Technology. Faculty, staff, tribal leaders, donors and community members gathered near the building’s steel frame to watch the final beam hoisted into place.
University leaders recognize partners and donors
RSU President Dr. Don Raleigh opened the event by thanking everyone for their support and praising the “visionary” efforts of Dr. Larry Rice, whose leadership turned the concept of a new STEM facility into reality. He also highlighted the contributions of Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilors Danny Callison and Kevin Easley, as well as Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff Dr. Corey Bunch. Major donors Frank Robson and Sen. Stratton Taylor, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, the RSU Foundation, Parkhill architectural firm and construction firm Flintco received public acknowledgment.
Construction progress and timeline
The project broke ground in June 2026, beginning with demolition of existing parking lots and site clearing. Since then, crews have completed site preparation, installed plumbing and electrical utilities, poured the concrete slab and erected the steel framework. The topping‑out ceremony celebrated the placement of the last structural beam, signaling that the building’s exterior shell is now complete.
According to RSU, the construction schedule remains on track for a November 2027 opening. When finished, the Robson Center will house instructional labs, research labs, active‑learning classrooms, collaboration spaces, maker‑spaces, a food‑science lab and additional facilities designed to support hands‑on STEM education for students across the university and the region.
Community involvement and future impact
Attendees were invited to sign the final beam or leave short messages, symbolizing the community’s shared investment in the university’s growth. The ceremony underscored RSU’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities in Oklahoma, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields that are critical for the state’s economic future.
For those interested in watching the construction progress, RSU provides a live video feed of the site. The university hopes the new center will become a hub for innovation, drawing partnerships with local businesses, tribal entities and regional industries.
Looking ahead
As the building moves from structural completion to interior fit‑out, RSU plans to continue engaging donors, tribal partners and local leaders to ensure the facility meets the evolving needs of students and the broader community. The university’s leadership emphasized that the new STEM building reflects a long‑term vision for academic excellence and workforce development in Oklahoma.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
