University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma - History

History

The University was founded on May 16, 1908, with the signing of Senate Bill 249 by Governor Charles Haskell. The bill, authored by Senator N.P. Stewart of Hugo, Oklahoma, resulted in the foundation of the "Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls." The legislature subsequently appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of the initial buildings within the school.

Over the next several decades, the school gained a focus on liberal arts education, awarding degrees in several fields of study. Additionally, deaf education became an increasingly important aspect of the university, as it remains today. With the decline of exclusively female universities throughout the nation, the school was pushed to become coeducational. The legislature did so in 1965, re-branding what had become known as "The Oklahoma College for Women" to the "Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts."

Under the direction of the ninth President, Robert L. Martin, the university switched to a system of three equal trimesters. In an attempt to attract students interested in vigorous academics, this offered an opportunity for advanced students to quickly move through their studies and graduate early. During this period the Alumni Association became active, donating funds for the building of an on-campus chapel. Other buildings housing classrooms, including Davis Hall, were also built around this time. With restructuring, however, came strife among the faculty.

Dr. Bruce G. Carter took over administrative duties as President in 1972. Under his direction, the school advanced a system of night classes for local adult learners. New scholarships for Freshmen were also made available. Soon after Dr. Carter took office, the legislature moved to rename all public institutions of higher education in the state under a new system: 2-year institutions would be known as "colleges" and 4-year institutions would be known as "universities." This led directly to OCLA's new and current name: the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Over the next several years, several construction projects began, including the erections of Gary and Austin Hall, along with renovations to Nash Library. Parking was expanded along 17th Street and with a new lot at 19th and Utah. Serious construction continued throughout the 1980s and 1990's, culminating in the opening of a newly remodeled $2.2 million Student Center in 1998. Sparks Hall, the traditional dormitory on campus, was also seriously reworked.

In 2000, Dr. John Feaver became the university's twelfth president. The National Park Service approved the listing of the entire campus as a National Historic District, the only educational institution in the state to hold such an honor. New housing options were made available in the early 2000s in the form of the $13.1 million Lawson Court Apartment Complex. Historic markers were also added throughout the campus. Owens Flag Plaza, a centerpiece for the campus 'oval', was opened in 2004.