THE SoonerWAY OF LIFE The Sooner WAY OF LIFE NORMAN AT A GLANCE The University of Oklahoma’s 15% 116K below national 44.3% $66K $141K $185K beautiful, bustling campus is nestled average in the heart of Norman, the state’s third largest city. Norman combines Population Cost Bachelor’s Median family Average OU Median home the charm of a college town, the of living degrees or income faculty salary sales price higher and benefits sophistication of a cosmopolitan city and the history and culture of the American West. AFFORDABILITY + [COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY AND CULTURE] = HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE Faculty who come to OU for outstanding career opportunities are captivated by Norman and its easy OKLAHOMA AT A GLANCE way of living. They stay because Norman is a culturally diverse community where balancing work and achievement with family and 3.86M 39 400+ 60.5°F recreation is, quite simply, our way of life – the Sooner way of life. Population Federally- Miles of Average recognized Route 66 annual tribal nations temperature Quick access from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport to Kansas City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Denver and many other cities Community AND NEIGHBORHOODS Norman’s neighborhoods offer a wide variety of old and new Norman’s two city-designated historic preservation districts flank the east – from campus homes to rural estates to modern designs. Neighborhood, and west sides of the university. Most of 300-plus homes were built between community and local government organizations work together to address 1915 and 1938, represent almost every architectural style prevalent during beautification, historic preservation and public safety issues. the first quarter of the 20th century, and are significant for their collection of eclectic residential homes, including the popular Bungalow, a subtype of the With a cost of living close to 15 percent less than the national average, Craftsman style. Norman is a very affordable city. In fall 2014, Time ranked Norman the “least expensive city to raise children.” Green Norman • Curbside recycling • Seasonal cleanup collection • CNG-fueled public transportation • Bicycle-friendly community NEIGHBORHOOD photo “ The people you cross paths with on a daily basis run the gamut from eager entrepreneurs to aging artists, from immigrant intellectuals to native small-town Oklahomans; but they all seem to have absorbed some of the unhurried warmth and gentle directness- David Vishanoff, that defineassociate this professor, place.” religious studies SUPERIOR Schools The Norman Public School District is recognized on the state and A $109 million capital program completed in 2013 provided national levels for exceptional teachers and instructional programs. In enhancements and/or additions at each school. Voters have 2013, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and the Washington Post approved another $129 million in capital improvements to be completed acknowledged both Norman high schools as among the top during the 2017-18 school year that include the creation of University 5 percent in the nation. In 2014, Newsweek, the Washington Post, Centers on both high school campuses, and several districtwide U.S. News & World Report and the Daily Beast commended the district enhancements, among which is a 1:1 technology initiative. for its rigor and success. Norman also has five private schools. • 2 high schools, 4 middle schools, 17 elementary schools, 1 alternative school, and 1 online school • 16,000 students • Eighth largest Oklahoma school district ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS • Second in the state in: Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy Norman Music Institute o National Merit Scholar semifinalists and finalists Child development centers Norman Public Library o U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools City of Norman recreation centers, Norman Youth Soccer Association o Oklahoma Reward Schools sports and camps OU Precollegiate Programs o National board-certified teachers Community After School Program Sooner Studio Firehouse Arts Center YMCA In the NPS French language immersion program at Reagan Elementary, students spend half their day learning math and science in French. “Norman is a truly pleasant place to raise and educate a family. The people are exceptionally- Bala Saho, warm .” assistant professor, history Cultural CORNERSTONE Known as the City of Festivals, Norman is home Each month, the Norman Arts Council presents theatre productions, concerts by national touring to more than 25 annual festivals, fairs and events, The 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk, a citywide groups, special events and dozens of performing including: celebration of art. The popular collaboration arts classes for all ages at The Studio of The Sooner • Norman Music Festival among visual and performing artists, art Theatre. The Depot, which continues to operate as • Jazz in June organizations and businesses is a free public event. Norman’s train station, also is an art gallery and • Medieval Fair home base for the popular Winter Wind, Summer • Firehouse Art Center Chocolate Festival Performances by the Norman Ballet Company Breeze and jazz concert series. • May Fair and the Norman Philharmonic are other popular • Norman Mardi Gras Parade cultural events. And for sports enthusiasts, Norman has countless • Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) opportunities — from the thrill of OU athletic events • 89ers Day Parade The Sooner Theatre in Norman’s historic to the fun of a round of golf to the camaraderie of • National Weather Festival downtown arts district offers in-house musical community leagues for all ages, this city has it all. OU Arts District 9 venues | 350 annual performances w ballet and modern dance w musical theater w art exhibitions w opera w dramas w recitals w concerts Inspiring INTERACTION Norman’s concert and performance venues Swimmin’ Sammy Steel, Ziggy Star Duck, Glow Norman’s public arts projects also include are located throughout the city and range from in the Duck, and Dig Duck, all painted by local sculptures that visually anchor the downtown arts arenas, music halls and theaters to coffee houses, artists. district and murals painted on building facades parks and city streets. that illustrate the history and culture of the state. Central Norman’s culture of biking for A collaboration among the Norman Arts Council, transportation make it a natural fit for artist- Norman’s public arts projects are supported in Norman Public Arts Board and Firehouse Art designed bike racks. With shapes ranging from part by donations to the Art in Public Places Fund Center promotes community-based public art bison to thunderclouds to, yes, bicycles in various through city utility bills. that fosters social interaction, develops arts forms, the colorful and practical racks created awareness and enhances Norman’s public as part of another public arts project inspire spaces. The Samo Ducky Project, inspired by the conversation and interaction in the community. Cow Parade in Chicago and other similar public art initiatives, integrates unique art into community parks. The “duck parade” currently consists of OU ONE-OF-A-KIND COLLECTIONS 15 installations with such whimsical names as Bizzell Bible Collection Native American Languages Collection Fleischaker, Thams and Adkins collections Vertebrate Paleontology Collection of Taos and Native American art Weiztenhoffer Collection of Impressionism History of Science Collections Western History Collections OU world-class museums The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History “Norman is a great college town – big enough to have things to do, but small enough to feel like you belong to a community. People are extremely friendly and neighbors really- Sharon care Kessler, about assistant each professor, other.” microbiology and plant biology DAY Trippin’ Want to take a day trip? Oklahoma City is Building bombing. The Myriad Botanical just 17 miles away. Gardens and conservatory displays plants from around the world. In historic Bricktown, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, hop on a water taxi for a cruise Other Oklahoma City attractions include down the canal, catch an Oklahoma City the Paseo Arts District, Oklahoma City Zoo, Dodgers baseball game at the Chickasaw National Cowboy and Western Heritage Bricktown Ballpark or drop in at the American Museum, Oklahoma History Center, Frontier Banjo Museum. Just a few blocks away, City Theme Park and National Softball Hall of cheer on the Oklahoma City Thunder at Fame. Chesapeake Energy Arena or the Oklahoma City Barons hockey team at the Cox Seventy-five minutes south of Norman, a Convention Center. At the Oklahoma City visit to Arbuckle Country could include the Boathouse District – home of the Oklahoma Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Turner Regatta Festival and training area for Falls, the Arbuckle Mountains, Lake Murray Olympic hopefuls and the OU rowing team – State Park and Lake Texoma. anyone can get on the water to row, kayak, dragon boat or stand-up paddle board. For Take the Heartland Flyer Amtrak passenger an airborne experience, zip line across the train from Norman to Fort Worth in the river or try the rumble drop or sky slide. morning and return the same evening. Or stay for a day or two and enjoy the Dallas-Fort Downtown, the Oklahoma City National Worth metro. Memorial and Museum honors “those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever” by the 1995 Murrah Pubs AND DANCE From continental cuisine to comfort food, Asian fusion SAVORY SAMPLINGS to Mexican favorites, pasta to vegan, Norman offers Benvenuti’s Hideaway Scratch outstanding dining experiences for every palate. Bison Witches Jax Soul Kitchen Sooner Dairy Blu Fine Wine & Food Legend’s Tarahumara Mexican Cafe A vibrant night life unfolds throughout Cafe Plaid Local Thai Thai the city. Start in the OU Arts District and Campus Charleston’s Louie’s Grill & Bar The Diner Corner, move a few blocks north to downtown Main Classic 50’s Drive-in Michelangelo’s The Library Street and head west toward Brookhaven Village for Cool Greens O Asian Fusion The Mont live music and theater, museums and galleries, and Fancy That O’Connells The Service Station community festivals and other events.