Southwestern Oklahoma State University
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1901 |
| Type | State university |
| President | Randy Beutler |
| Academic staff | 203[1] |
| Undergraduates | 4,014[1] |
| Postgraduates | 831[1] |
| Location | Weatherford, Oklahoma, USA |
| Campus | Rural, 73 acres (295 km²)[2] |
| Colors | Blue, White and Grey |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
| Website | www.swosu.edu/ |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is a public university in Weatherford and Sayre, Oklahoma. It is one of seven state regional universities in the state of Oklahoma.
The current president of SWOSU is Randy Beutler.
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[edit] History
SWOSU was first established in through an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1901 as Southwestern Normal School, although no classes were held until 1903. The normal school included both a two-year degree program for teacher education and a preparatory school. In 1920, the preparatory portion of the school was closed and replaced by a four-year baccalaureate degree program. The first bachelors degrees by the renamed Southwestern State Teachers College were awarded in the spring of 1921.
The school underwent significant expansion during World War II, adding additional programs in the arts and sciences as well as its School of Pharmacy. After brief periods as Southwestern State College of Diversified Occupations and Southwestern Institute of Technology, the name was formally changed to Southwestern State College by the Oklahoma Legislature. The first graduate degree, a Masters of Teaching, was added in 1953, and the school was officially designated as Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1974.
In 1987, Sayre Junior College in Sayre, Oklahoma was merged with SWOSU, becoming Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre.[3]
SWOSU has 15 nationally accredited academic programs--the most among Oklahoma's senior regional universities.
[edit] Athletics
Southwestern Oklahoma State's athletic teams participate in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference. The team mascot is the bulldog, and the school colors are blue, white, and "bulldog grey".[4]
[edit] Notable alumni
- John Aaron, NASA engineer who developed the electrical recovery sequence for the Apollo 13 mission
- Ed Berrong Sr., former Oklahoma State Senator
- Randy Beutler, former Oklahoma State Representative and current SWOSU President
- Carl Birdsong, former NFL punter
- Bill Brewster, former Oklahoma State Representative
- Ray Burris, former MLB pitcher
- M.A. Diel, former Oklahoma State Representative
- Everett Dobson, founder of Dobson Communications Corporation
- Shane Drury, former PRCA bullrider
- Glenn English, former U.S. Congressman
- Jerry Grizzle, General of the Oklahoma Army National Guard
- Al Harris, former president of SWOSU
- John Hays, former president of SWOSU
- Joe Anna Hibler, Oklahoma regent and former president of SWOSU
- Charles Hicks, former NFL and CFL player
- Yvonne Kauger, Oklahoma Supreme Court justice
- Grady Lewis, former NBA player
- Kelli Litsch, member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
- Jesus Ben Lucero, Native American artist
- Cord McCoy, PBR bullrider and runner-up on The Amazing Race
- Jet McCoy, runner-up on The Amazing Race
- Bob Magness, Cable TV Pioneer (TCI) and Billionaire
- Bob Mills, founder and president of Bob Mills Furniture
- Richard Morris, physician and pioneer in micro-vascular surgery
- John Murphy, Major General of the U.S. Air Force and Legion of Merit recipient
- Rollin Reimer, former Oklahoma State Representative
- Gary Russi, president of Oakland University
- Rex Ryan, head coach for the New York Jets
- Rob Ryan, defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys
- L. David Sparks, pioneer in pharmaceutical compounding
- G.D. "Gary" Toole, former PRCA Rookie-of-the-Year
- Stanley Vestal, American writer, poet, and historian
- Rocky Walcher, former PGA Tour golfer
- Kathleen Wilcoxson, former Oklahoma State Representative
- Harold Wright, Oklahoma State Representative
- Purcy Walker, Oklahoma State Representative
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Fact Book retrieved September 19, 2010
- ^ STUDENT HANDBOOK FALL 2005 (PDF file) retrieved June 7, 2006
- ^ SWOSU History retrieved September 19, 2010
- ^ Graphics Standards Manual, page 7, retrieved September 19, 2010
[edit] External links
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University official web site
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University student web site
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University's official athletics web site
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- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- American Association of State Colleges and Universities
- Educational institutions established in 1901
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University
- Great American Conference
- Education in Custer County, Oklahoma
- Education in Beckham County, Oklahoma
- Buildings and structures in Custer County, Oklahoma
