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Oklahoma State University

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"Oklahoma State University" redirects here. For other system schools, see Oklahoma State University System.
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
File:Osu state's university.png
TypePublic
Sun-grant
Land-grant
Established1890
Endowment$468 million[1]
PresidentV. Burns Hargis
Students23,307
Location
Stillwater
,
Oklahoma
,
USA (36°07′56.02″N 97°04′51.23″W / 36.1322278°N 97.0808972°W / 36.1322278; -97.0808972)
CampusUrban, 1,489 acres on the Stillwater campus[2]
NicknameOklahoma State Cowboys
ColorsOrange and Black   
AffiliationsBig 12 Conference
MascotOSU's Pistol Pete logo Pistol Pete
Websitewww.okstate.edu
Logo is a trademark of Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, is a coeducational public research university founded in 1890 as a land-grant university under the Morrill Act. Originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (Oklahoma A&M), it is the flagship institution of the Oklahoma State University System. The campus had a total enrollment of 23,307 students for the 2006–07 academic year.[3]

History

On December 24, 1890, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature finally gained approval for Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College, the land-grant university established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It specified that the college was to be within Payne County. Such an ambiguous description created rivalry between towns within the county, with Stillwater ultimately winning out. Upon statehood in 1907, "Territorial" was dropped from its title.

The first students assembled for class on December 14, 1891. Classes were held for two and one-half years in local churches until the first academic building, later known as Old Central, was dedicated on June 15, 1894, on the southeast corner of campus. In 1896, Oklahoma A&M held its first commencement with six male graduates.

1894 photo of OSU's Old Central

Much of the growth of OAMC can be attributed to work of Henry G. Bennett, who served as the school's president from 1928 to 1950. Early in his tenure Dr. Bennett developed a strategic vision for the physical expansion of the university campus. His vision was followed for more than fifty years and made the university what it is today, including the Georgian architecture that permeates the campus. The focal point of his vision was a new library, which became a reality when the Edmon Low Library opened in 1953.

On May 15, 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name for the final time to Oklahoma State University to reflect the broadening scope of curriculum offered. Branches have since been added in Okmulgee, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa to the Oklahoma State University System, with the Stillwater campus as the flagship institution.

In 2005, OSU announced its "Campus Master Plan", an ambitious campaign to enhance academic, athletic, and administrative facilities. It is intended to be an extension of the Bennett Plan developed almost 80 years ago. Over $800 million is planned to be spent on construction and renovation to be completed over twenty years.

The Plan calls for an "athletic village" where all of the university's athletic facilities will be located on the main campus. To accomplish this goal, the athletic department has bought all (or nearly all) the property north of Boone Pickens Stadium up to McElroy between Knoblock and Washington streets. This has drawn criticism from the city of Stillwater and those property owners.[4] While the vast majority of the real estate was rental property targeting college students, a few owners were longtime residents. There was a lone holdout in this parcel of land, who sued OSU over their right to use eminent domain.[5] However, this case was recently settled in favor of the University's use of eminent domain. The project includes the construction of an indoor practice facility for most sports, a soccer stadium/outdoor track, a tennis complex, and a baseball stadium.

Colleges

Oklahoma State slogan used in the state of Texas

The Graduate College oversees the graduate degree programs of all colleges, and the Honors College provides further opportunities for students to study, conduct research, and exchange ideas in a challenging and supportive academic environment.

  • Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Education
  • Engineering, Architecture, and Technology
  • Human Environmental Sciences
  • William S. Spears School of Business
  • Veterinary Health Sciences

Awards and distinctions

Oklahoma State has garnered many awards and distinctions. As a land-grant university, historically renowned programs include its College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Veterinary Medicine. The College of Engineering is internationally renowned, particularly in the fields of architecture and mechanical engineering.

Ledger

Student Union Memorial Gardens

Oklahoma State University provides information about the university that is easily accessible on its Ledger website. This comprehensive data provides a thorough look at OSU, its colleges and its departments, helping prospective students and their parents make informed decisions about their college choice. The ledger is divided into three sections:

Academic Ledgers contain a five year history of student, faculty, research, and financial information, as well as tuition/mandatory fee rates. The academic ledgers are available for the entire university, as well as broken down by academic college, and within each college by department.

Student Profile contains additional student information including the geographic origins of OSU students, enrollment trends, academic information and enrollment projections.

Diversity Ledger is a five year history that provides a more detailed breakdown of the student, faculty and staff of Oklahoma State University.

Student life

Housing

Current university-owned housing options include 26 residence halls, more than 30 dining options, and seven family-first apartment complexes. In recent years, on-campus housing has been undergoing significant transformation. Student living was previously dominated by traditional dormitories; however, apartment-style buildings now comprise approximately half of the living quarters. In 2005, the high-rise Willham North and South residential halls that once dominated the Stillwater skyline with Kerr and Drummond Halls were demolished and replaced with more apartments built on its site. Iba Hall, another traditional dorm, was closed in 2007.

Kerr-Drummond, Parker, Wentz and Stout Halls continue to offer traditional dormitory accommodations. Apartments for single students are Bost, Davis, Morsani-Smith, Peterson-Friend, Kamm, Sitlington and Young Halls. Housing in suite-style accommodations are provided in the named Village CASNR (College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources), Village HES (Human and Environmental Science), Village C, Village D, Village E and Village F. Deluxe suites are provided in Patchin & Jones, Bennett, Zink & Allen, and Stinchcomb & Booker Halls. Graduate students and families are offered accommodations in seven apartment "neighborhoods" with a variety of floor plans and amenities: Brumley, Demaree, Morrison, Prosser, Stevens, West and Williams.

Additionally, a number of learning communities and special interest housing options are available, providing opportunity for students who share interests or majors to live together. Most of these communities occupy certain floors of buildings or halls, rather than consisting of separate buildings. Included among the options are: FIT (Freshman in Transition, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources), athletic training, career exploration (College of Arts and Sciences), computer science house, engineering houses, health and sciences house, HES house (College of Human and Environmental Sciences), journalism and broadcasting house, Kamm Leadership House, Ketchum House (Native American interests), Maude's Quad (Women in Engineering House), Recovery House (students recovering from drug and/or alcohol dependence), Spanish House (language immersion), Spears School of Business House, Stout Honors housing (University's Honors Program), Uhuru House (African Centered Cultural House), Wellness House, and The Transfer Zone (transfer students).

Greek life

Oklahoma State Universities Fraternity and Sororities will celebrate 100 years of existence at OSU in 2008.

Social fraternities and sororities at Oklahoma State are divided among four councils: Panhellenic, Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic and Multicultural.

Eleven national Panhellenic sororities have chapters at OSU. They are: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha.

Nineteen fraternities make up the Interfraternity Council. Member fraternities include: Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, FarmHouse, Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau.

NPHC member organizations are historically black fraternities and sororities. As of the 2006-2007 school year, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta have chapters at OSU. In March 2007, the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter at OSU was closed down in the midst of serious allegations of hazing.

The Multicultural Greek Council is the umbrella organization for additional minority Greek letter groups. Member organizations include Alpha Pi Omega, the nation's first Native American sorority; Delta Epsilon Psi, a south Asian fraternity; and Phi Sigma Nu, the nation's first Native American fraternity.

Other Greek letter organizations not affiliated with a governing council include Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity; Omega Phi Alpha, a service-based sorority; and a colony of Sigma Phi Lambda, a Christian sorority.

Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary fraternity and sorority for college bandmembers, were founded at Oklahoma State in 1919 and 1946, respectively.

See also Notable OSU Greek Alumni

Student Organizations

Organizations are available to students through the university that serve any interest. A complete list of campus organizations can be found here.

Athletics

Main article: Oklahoma State Cowboys
File:Osu ath brand.png
OSU athletics logo

Stats:

NCAA Division I-A
Conference: Big 12 (South)
Major Rivalries: University of Oklahoma Sooners
Minor Rivalries: University of Texas Longhorns, University of Kansas Jayhawks (basketball), the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (wrestling), and Texas Tech Red Raiders (football)
NCAA Championships: 48
Wrestling: 34
Golf: 10
Basketball: 2 1945 and 1946
Baseball: 1 1959
Cross Country: 1
Athletic Director: Mike Holder

Football

Main article: Oklahoma State Cowboys football

10 conference titles - 18 bowl games played - 1988 Heisman trophy winner

Basketball

Main article: Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball
File:OSU Spirit Rider 4.JPG
OSU Spirit Rider

Men's basketball is tradition rich at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State made the Final Four in 1995 and 2004 and was the first ever Division 1 basketball program to win back-to-back National Championships in 1945~1946.

Wrestling

Main article: Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling

The Cowboy wrestling team is among the most storied programs in college wrestling. The Pokes brought home their 33rd NCAA championship in spring 2005, scoring the most points ever by an Oklahoma State wrestling team in the NCAA. OSU won their 34th overall (and 4th consecutive) title in 2006.[13] OSU's 34 team titles are the most ever collected by a school in one sport. The Cowboys have also produced 127 individual national champions, including the sport's first-ever four-time champion, Pat Smith.

Other sports

Heisman trophy winner Barry Sanders set the single season rushing record in 1988.

Since the 1924 Olympics, 55 Oklahoma State University Olympians have won a total of 24 medals: 21 gold, two silver, and one bronze.

Fight Song

Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement, convocation, and athletic games are: Ride Em Cowboys the Oklahoma State University fight song.

People

Main article: List of Oklahoma State University people

Today, there are over 190,000 living OSU alumni worldwide. Prominent alumni include oil tycoon and billionaire philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, country singers Garth Brooks and Hoyt Axton, US Senator Tom Coburn, former acting Surgeon General of the United States Robert A. Whitney, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven W. Taylor and legal scholar Anita Hill. Coaching alumni include OSU wrestling head coach John Smith, OSU football head coach Mike Gundy, former OSU basketball coaches Eddie Sutton and Sean Sutton. The Cowboys have produced several NBA players, including Desmond Mason of the OKC Thunder, Tony Allen of the Boston Celtics, Joey Graham of the Toronto Raptors, JamesOn Curry of the Chicago Bulls, and former New York Knicks guard John Starks. NFL players Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas also attended OSU.

Campus buildings

Academic buildings

Engineering South and Edmon Low Library - view from classroom building
The Edmon Low Library
  • Advanced Technology Research Center
  • Agriculture Hall
  • Architecture
  • Barlett Center for the Visual Arts
  • Classroom Building
  • Classroom Building North
  • Colvin Recreation Center
  • Cordell
  • Edmon Low Library
  • Engineering North
  • Engineering South
  • Food and Agricultural Products Research & Technology Center
  • Gundersen
  • Hanner Hall
  • Human Environmental Sciences
  • Human Environmental Sciences West
  • Life Sciences East
  • Life Sciences West
  • Math Statistics Computer Science
  • Morrill Hall
  • Murray Hall
  • Noble Research Center
  • North Murray
  • Old Central (Home of the Honors College starting Spring 2009[14])
  • Paul Miller Journalism Building
  • Physical Sciences
  • Seretean Center for the Performing Arts
  • Spears School of Business
  • Thatcher Hall
  • Whitehurst
  • Willard, home of the College of Education

Residential buildings

Bennett Hall
  • Bennett Hall
  • Bost Hall
  • Davis Hall
  • Drummond Hall
  • Kamm-Peterson-Friend
  • Kerr Hall
  • Morsani-Smith
  • Parker Hall
  • Patchin-Jones Hall
  • Scott Hall
  • Stout Hall
  • Booker Hall (formerly known as Suite A)
  • Stinchcomb Hall (formerly known as Suite B)
  • The Village Suite Halls A-F (now open)
  • Wentz Hall
  • Young Hall
  • Zink-Allen

Other buildings

The Student Union
The Student Union

See also

References

  1. ^ "2007 NACUBO Endowment Study" (PDF). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  2. ^ History and Background Information - Budget & Asset Management - Oklahoma State University
  3. ^ Oklahoma State University System Reports Only Slight Enrollment Decrease for 2006-07
  4. ^ "Pickens's Donation to Oklahoma State Spurs Fight on Land Grab". Boone State. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  5. ^ "Lone Holdout Blocks Pickens's Vast Sports Project at Oklahoma State U." The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  6. ^ "America's Best Value Colleges". The Princeton Review. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  7. ^ a b OSU Chosen America's #1 Best Buy
  8. ^ OKCBusiness - Oklahoma City Business News
  9. ^ NSA and DHS Announce the 2005 Designation of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education
  10. ^ "OK-FIRST Timeline". okfirst.ocs.ou.edu. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  11. ^ What is IGSHPA?
  12. ^ OSU’s Colvin Center Named One of Six Top Centers in Nation
  13. ^ "Oklahoma State Wins Fourth Straight NCAA Wrestling Title". big12sports.com. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  14. ^ Tulsa World: Renovation: First, do no harm
  15. ^ About Us
  16. ^ "Filming Locations for All-American Murder (1992) (V)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2007-01-28.

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