StateImpact on OETA: A College’s Struggle With Quake Damage and Why It Matters

• Joe Wertz
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  Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near Prague, Okla., in November 2011 mortally wounded two century-old towers at St. Gregory’s University — a small catholic university and monastery that has become one of the most visible illustrations of Oklahoma’s earthquake surge. 

The shaking occurred nearly four years ago, but the university and monastery are still struggling with physical and financial damage.

On the July 24 episode of Oklahoma News Report, I talked with OETA host Dick Pryor about what the costly, complicated and time-consuming situation at St. Gregory’s means, especially as quake-related lawsuits against oil and gas companies are making their way through the courts.