University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

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University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Motto	"Not for livelihood but for life."
Established	1908
Type	Public
Endowment	$4,177,000
President	John Feaver
Students	1,200
Location	Chickasha, Oklahoma, USA
Campus	Small Town
Colors	Green and Gold
Mascot	Drover
Affiliations	Sooner Athletic Conference
Website	www.usao.edu

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, or USAO, is the only public college with a strictly liberal arts-based curriculum in Oklahoma. USAO is located in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.

Contents 1 Mission 2 Objectives 3 History 4 Academics 5 Campus 6 Athletics 7 Accolades 8 Notable alumni 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Mission

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is the state's public liberal arts college. Its mission is to provide the public with a distinctive and accessible liberal arts and sciences education. In combining an interdisciplinary core curriculum with superior instruction in major fields of study, USAO aims to provide a thorough education that prepares students for meaningful, purposeful lives. Link to Mission Statement on USAO website.Link to Mission Statement on USAO website.

[edit] Objectives

USAO has adopted the following set of objectives consistent with its mission and the functions assigned by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education:

• To provide an outstanding general education program for the State of Oklahoma with strong offerings in the liberal arts and sciences. This program will feature interdisciplinary team-teaching and will extend throughout the undergraduate experience.
• To offer programs of study approved by the State Regents for Higher Education, culminating in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.
• To offer a limited number of career, professional, and specialized degree programs which would be especially strengthened when combined with an interdisciplinary, liberal arts foundation.
• To provide a learning environment suited to the needs of academically and artistically talented students while offering students the advantages of an interdisciplinary, liberal arts program.
• To assemble a faculty whose interests, knowledge, and experiences transcend their specialized fields of graduate study and who are dedicated to liberal arts education.
• To operate on a flexible trimester plan which will permit some students to complete a baccalaureate degree in three years and allow all students to progress in their academic programs at a rate which they desire.
• To foster scholarly activities appropriate to the nature and the needs of the university.
• To provide cultural, educational, and professional opportunities and services which enrich the university and the community.

Accreditation

• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (Since 1920)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Oklahoma State Department of Education
• Council on Education of the Deaf
• National Association of Schools of Music, NASM

Member of

• American Council on Education (ACE)
• American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
• Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges
• American Association of Governing Boards

[edit] History

The University was founded in 1908 as the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls. The name was changed informally in 1912 to Oklahoma College for Women which was made official by the state 1916. In 1965 the school became coeducational and the name was once again changed, this time to Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. In 1974, the name was changed to the current name, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

[edit] Academics

The University places an emphasis on its Arts, Humanities and Music programs, but offers a wide spectrum of degrees, including Business Administration, Physics, Education, Psychology, and Mathematics.

[edit] Campus

Fourteen buildings on the USAO campus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Oklahoma College for Women Historic District.[1]

[edit] Athletics

USAO's colors are green and gold and its mascot is the Drover. The athletics programs attract students from all over the world. Its teams compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference

[edit] Accolades

USAO has been rated as one of the best public comprehensive baccalaureate colleges in the western half of the United States for five of the past six years by US News and World Report.^[1] It is also the only public college in Oklahoma to make their Best Values list.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Famed Chickasaw storyteller Te Ata (Mary Thompson) graduated from OCW in 1919.
• Irish professional boxer Oisin Fagan.
• Charles Neil Rogers, former strength and conditioning coach for The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He graduated from USAO in 2004.

[edit] References

• "US News & World Report" US News & World Report "Best Colleges, Best Values" rankings
• OKCollegeStart.org
• College Board
• Peterson's Guide
• Entrepreneur Magazine
• XAP College Tour

[edit] External links

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
• Dr. Ingrid Shafer, A Faculty Member's History of USAO

v • d • e Institutions of higher education in Oklahoma Public Cameron University · Carl Albert State College · University of Central Oklahoma · Connors State College · East Central University · Eastern Oklahoma State College · Langston University · Murray State College · Northeastern State University · Northwestern Oklahoma State University · Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College · Northern Oklahoma College · Oklahoma City Community College · Oklahoma Panhandle State University · Oklahoma State University–Stillwater · Redlands Community College · Rose State College · Rogers State University · Seminole State College · Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Southwestern Oklahoma State University · Tulsa Community College · University of Oklahoma · University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma · Western Oklahoma State College Private Bacone College · Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College · Mid-America Christian University · Oklahoma Baptist University · Oklahoma Christian University · Oklahoma City University · Oklahoma Wesleyan University · Oral Roberts University · Phillips Theological Seminary · St. Gregory's University · Southern Nazarene University · Southwestern Christian University · University of Tulsa

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v • d • e Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) John Brown University • Lubbock Christian University • Mid-America Christian University • Northwestern Oklahoma State University • Oklahoma Baptist University • Oklahoma Christian University • Oklahoma City University • Rogers State University • Saint Gregory's University • University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma • Southern Nazarene University • Wayland Baptist University