Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, often referred to as Southeastern and abbreviated as SOSU, is a public university located in Durant, Oklahoma with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,000 as of 2005.

The previous SOSU President was Dr. Glen D. Johnson who served Southeastern for 9 years. At the start of 2007, Johnson left Southeastern and assumed the duties of Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education. Dr. Jesse Snowden proceeded Johnson. Dr. Michael Turner is currently the president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

History

On March 6, 1909 the Second Oklahoma State Legislature approved an act designating Durant as the location for a normal school to serve the following 12-county region: Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Choctaw, Latimer, LeFlore, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha. Southeastern Oklahoma State University first opened its doors to students on June 14, 1909, as Southeastern State Normal School. The early program of instruction consisted of four years of high school and the freshman and sophomore college years. The first sessions of the school were held in temporary quarters pending completion of Morrison Hall in January, 1911, long known as the Administration Building.

The original purpose of Southeastern was the education of teachers for the public schools of Oklahoma. The two-year graduates were awarded life teaching certificates. In 1921, the institution became a four-year college and was renamed Southeastern State Teachers College. The primary function remained that of teacher education and the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Education were authorized.

The purpose of the college was expanded in 1939. Courses leading to two newly authorized non-education degrees - Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science - were added. At this time, the college was renamed Southeastern State College. In 1954, the curriculum was enlarged by the addition of a graduate program leading to the Master of Teaching degree. In 1969, the name of the degree was changed to Master of Education.

On May 27, 1968, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education designated Southeastern as an Area Community College. While retaining previous functions, the college moved in the direction of providing greater post-secondary educational opportunities by expanding its curriculum to include new programs in areas such as business, technology, aviation, and conservation.

In 1971, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requested that the state supported institutions of higher education review and evaluate their functions as members of the State System of Higher Education. Upon completion of the review, a comprehensive “Plan for the Seventies” was prepared by each institution and submitted to the Regents. On June 1, 1972, Southeastern submitted its plan to the Regents which was, subsequently, approved on March 29, 1973. The Master of Education degree was changed to the Master of Behavioral Studies and, subsequently, the University was approved to offer a graduate program in business which culminated in the degree of Master of Administrative Studies. Four options of the Master of Behavioral Studies degree were renamed Master of Education in August, 1979. The Master of Administrative Studies degree was revised and renamed Master of Business Administration in August, 1996.

On August 15, 1974, the name of Southeastern State College was changed to Southeastern Oklahoma State University by an act of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Since 1974, Southeastern, through institutional reorganizations, has continued to diversify, so that, presently, there are three academic schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education and Behavioral Science.

Expansion

It has been 99 years since Southeastern first opened its doors. The 20 acres and no buildings of 1909 have expanded to approximately 161 acres and 62 buildings. The 39 faculty members and 324 students have increased to approximately 160 faculty members and 4,000 students. The total assets of the University have grown from less than $1,000 in 1909 to over $31,000,000.

The college is now undergoing a tremendous makeover, with more dorms being constructed, a new and completed student union plaza, the recently renovated Pual Laird football field, and the construction of a new basketball arena.

Community and Location

The University is linked by tradition to the geographic region of southeastern Oklahoma and north central Texas. Although new programs have produced many changes in the geographic origin and the ethnic backgrounds of the student body, they are still primarily products of small towns and rural communities in Oklahoma and Texas. The present student body numbers approximately 4,000 representing 31 states and 20 foreign countries.

The University is 15 miles from the Oklahoma-Texas border; 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas; 160 miles southeast of Oklahoma City; and 15 miles east of Lake Texoma (one of the largest man-made lakes in the world with approximately 580 miles of shoreline).

Technology

Students have access to more than 411 computers in 8 labs/classrooms across campus.

Class size

64% of their classes have fewer than 30 students; less than three percent of classes have more than 50 students.

The student to faculty ratio is 20:1.

Athletics

SOSU is currently a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference, North Division.

The Savage Storm participate in baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, men's and women's tennis, rodeo, women's cross country, softball, and women's volleyball.

Mascot issues

SOSU was one of the many schools named by the NCAA regarding the use of a Native American nickname, Savages. The school has since changed its athletic nickname to the "Savage Storm". Its mascot is now a superhero instead of a Native American symbol.

Notable alumni

*Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation
*Brett Butler, professional baseball player
*Ira Clarence Eaker, Lt General US Army, US Army Air Force
*Reba McEntire, country music singer and actress
*Gregory E. Pyle, Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
*Dennis Rodman, professional basketball player
*Crystal Robinson, professional basketball player
*Joe McCulley, Legendary Oklahoma High School Football Coach

External links

* [http://www.se.edu Southeastern Oklahoma State University]
* [http://www.gosavagestorm.com SOSU Athletics]