A Stronger Campus for Future Aggies: One Year After the Flood

Goodwell, Okla — A devastating flood swept through the Oklahoma Panhandle in June 2024, inundating campus buildings, soaking mechanical rooms, and leaving a trail of damage across Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Later described as the 1,000-Year Flood, it hit hard and fast, impacting spaces like the Oscar Williams Fieldhouse, McKee Library, Holter Hall, Hesper Hall, and the Doug Wirtz Building. Buildings already awaiting repairs, including Carter Hall, Hefley Hall, Hughes Strong, and the Noble Center, faced new leaks that depended the challenge.

What happened next revealed the heart of the Panhandle. Within hours, campus teams and local partners were on the ground, pumping out water, drying spaces, and clearing debris. Over the past year, those emergency efforts grew into a vision that went far beyond repairs. OPSU set out to create a safer, stronger, and more welcoming campus for generations of future Aggies.

Vice President of Fiscal Affairs, Liz McMurphy, reflected on how the university responded to the flooding. “I’m proud of how quickly we mobilized and how well we communicated with one another and the community,” VP McMurphy shared. “The flooding was devastating for so many, including the OPSU campus, but this campus community is resilient. We viewed this as an opportunity to create more sustainable facilities for the future. We have replaced roofs on Carter and Hefley Halls to eliminate any water intrusion going forward. We have plans in progress for roof repairs at the Noble Center and Hughes Strong. We’ve completed interior repairs, installed more durable finishes, and are repairing mechanical systems so our students and employees can rest assured that they are occupying safe and comfortable spaces on campus.”

These updates do more than fix what was damaged. They protect classrooms and residence halls from future disruptions, make study lounges and labs more durable and welcoming, and keep athletic and recreational spaces ready for students to gather and build school spirit. Each project reflects a commitment to create an environment where students feel supported, safe, and able to thrive.”

For OPSU President Dr. Julie Dinger, the past year shows what makes the university and the Oklahoma Panhandle great. “This flood showed us the strength of our campus and our community,” Dr. Dinger shared. “But it also gives us the chance to reimagine our space and invest in what really matters: modern facilities where our students can thrive. Thanks to the careful planning and the dedication of so many, these renovations won’t just restore what we had. VP McMurphy and her team will make OPSU better than ever for the next generation of Aggies.”

For those first hours of response to the months since of planning and construction, the journey has been about more than rebuilding. It is a story of looking forward, protecting what makes OPSU special, and preparing the campus for the generations of Aggies to come. As new and returning students arrive this fall, they will find a campus renewed by hard work, shaped by resilience, and built on the shared belief that together, the Panhandle can overcome any challenge.