A site for the university was sought, and from 1908–1909 negotiations were held with entities in El Reno, Lawton, Chickasha and Oklahoma City without reaching agreeable terms.

[6] In 1915, Shawnee Hall housed faculty, staff, classrooms, library, an auditorium which doubled as a gymnasium, and the women's dormitory.

The building was removed in 1989 due to structural concerns and a new Montgomery Hall was located on south University street west of the Bailey Business Center.

[7][8] On 14 January 1964, during final examinations week, the school narrowly missed disaster when a man flew a small airplane into Shawnee Hall.

Although all damage has been repaired, the brick and mortar on the south side of the building is discolored in one area on the third floor when Shawnee Hall is viewed from the campus oval.

[11] In 2007, OBU's International Graduate School opened in Oklahoma City, offering a master's of business administration degree.

[12] The university was granted an exception to Title IX in 2014 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons.

Dr. Scott Harris, director of the OBU Graduate School, cited the reasoning behind the move as more classroom space for existing and future programs, easier access in Oklahoma City concerning location (near Interstate 44 and Lake Hefner Parkway), and other educational endeavors.

In December 2018 the sale to Hobby Lobby of the Shawnee campus of the bankrupt St. Gregory's University, located at 1900 West MacArthur, was approved by the bankruptcy court.

The existing glass and aluminum framing could potentially interfere with the antenna transmission, leading to the replacement project.

The building was named in honor of the city of Shawnee, who donated the original 60 acres (24 ha) and a $100,000 cash bonus to the university.

From 1948 on, the building was used as an intramural gymnasium, auditorium, theater annex, and physical education locale until 1986, when it was heavily remodeled.

Wood Science Building was constructed in 1985 and is located on the southeast corner of the campus oval, north of the intersection of Kickapoo Street and University Drive.

The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Great American Conference (GAC) since the 2015–16 academic year.

[40] The OBU Recreation and Wellness Center, home to the department of Bison Recreation and Wellness, (RAWC, pronounced "rock") was completed in 2007 and includes cardio and weight machines, a 29-foot (8.8 m) rock climbing wall, an indoor running track, three basketball-volleyball courts, three racquetball courts and a lounge.

[41] Located where the RAWC is at the present time, Clark Craig Fieldhouse originally served as a military recreational facility at Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas, during World War II.

[42] On December 16, 2010, Oklahoma Baptist University president David Whitlock announced that football, lacrosse, and varsity swimming teams would be added to the list of athletics.

[43] On January 18, 2012, OBU announced the hiring of Chris Jensen to become head coach of the university's revitalized football program.

As a result of the religious affiliations of both universities (St. Gregory's being a Roman Catholic institution), some sports writers referred to the athletic contests as "The Holy War on MacArthur Street".

Belshazzars I, II, III, and IV lived in a pen near the fieldhouse and athletic fields and members of "The Sacred Order of the Bison" were responsible for the care of the mascot.

However, in 1974, due to concerns from "The Sacred Order of the Bison" and students alike, Belshazzar IV was released from the confines of the campus pen and allowed to roam on a semi-natural ranch near Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

The university does have a male and a female student dress in bison mascot-animal costumes at some athletic and other special events.

By 1925, the OBU student handbook stated that freshmen were required to wear their "Greencaps" on campus from the beginning of fall semester until Thanksgiving.

[48] The "Hanging of the Green" is an OBU Christmas tradition that dates back to 1937 and is held on the first Friday in December to commemorate the holiday season.

Freshmen were required to wear name tags and "Greencap", bow before upperclassmen, and memorize and recite "Bison Orientation Police", "Hymn to Alma Mater", "Ka-Rip", and a poem known as I am a lowly freshman.

"Freshmen Initiation", "Freshmen-Upperclassmen Tug-O-War", and "Bison Orientation Police" were eliminated in the 1980s and replaced with "Welcome Week".

[49] OBU recognizes more than 150 campus organizations with various interests and purposes, including student government, involvement, academics, music and arts, politics, social service, sports and religion.

They hear bills and resolutions that can range from chartering official clubs on campus to allocating money for student activities.

Campus organizations and individuals petition the Senate for funds that go to various club activities and for competitions such as Model Arab League.

CAB sponsors three major talent and variety shows each academic year: Biggie, Freshmen Follies and Spring Affair.