09/03/2026
🏗️ Rotary Goes Back to Campus!
Klamath County Rotary Club members had a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of Oregon Tech’s new residence hall, led by Dean of Students Bonita Bontrager, along with Paul and Monique from Bogatay.
The new residence hall will provide space for 511 students, with beautiful views of Klamath Lake and the Oregon Tech campus. We were impressed by the thought and innovation built into the project:
🏠 Three separate buildings designed with earthquake resilience in mind
🪵 Cross-laminated timber (CLT) shipped from Austria and assembled almost like a giant puzzle — with impressive fire-resistant properties
❄️ Snow-melt sensors paired with geothermal heating for stairs and sidewalks
💨 Extensive air-barrier testing
🤝 More community gathering spaces incorporated in response to student input
🚿 Private shower rooms designed with students’ comfort in mind
🎨 Commissioned artwork throughout the hall inspired by scenery from the Klamath Basin
It was exciting to see how engineering, sustainability, safety, student feedback, and local art are coming together to create a new home for Oregon Tech students.
Thank you to Bonita, Paul, and Monique for such an informative look at this impressive addition to our community!