University of Central Oklahoma

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University of Central Oklahoma
Image:Uconewlogo2.gif
Established: 1890
Type: Public university
President: W. Roger Webb
Provost: William J. Radke
Faculty: 834
Students: 15,753[1]
Undergraduates: 14,339
Postgraduates: 1,414
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma, USA ( 35°39′30″N, 97°28′19″W))
Campus: Urban, 210 acres
Colors: Bronze and Blue         
Nickname: Bronchos
Mascot: Buddy Broncho
Affiliations: NCAA Division II, Lone Star Conference
Website: http://www.ucok.edu/
Logo is a trademark of the University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a four year coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 16,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty. Founded in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Oklahoma.

Contents

[edit] History

Today, The University of Central Oklahoma is the oldest institution of higher learning in Oklahoma, dating back to Dec. 24, 1890, when the Territorial Legislature voted to establish the Territorial Normal School.

The Territorial Legislature located the new school in Edmond, provided certain conditions were met. First, Oklahoma County had to donate $5,000 in bonds, and Edmond had to donate 40 acres of land within one mile of the town, the land was eventually donated by Anton Classen. Ten of those acres had to be set aside for the new school. The remaining land had to be divided into lots that would be sold to raise money for the new school. On Oct. 1, 1891 Richard Thatcher was elected the 1st President of Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma.[2]

School Names[3]
Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma 1890-1903
Central State Normal School 1904-1918
Central State Teachers College 1919-1938
Central State College 1939-1970
Central State University 1971-1991
University of Central Oklahoma 1991-present
Students outside Old North in 1915
Students outside Old North in 1915


The conditions all were met, with the city of Edmond donating an additional $2,000 in bonds. The first class, a group of 23 students, met for the first time Nov. 9, 1891, in the Epworth League Room, located in the unfurnished First Methodist Church. A marker of Oklahoma granite was placed in 1915 near the original site by the Central Oklahoma Normal School Historical Society. It can be seen at Boulevard and Second Street.

Work started in the summer of 1892 on Old North Tower, the first building on campus. Occupancy began Jan. 3, 1893. The school first operated as a normal school with two years of college work and a complete preparatory school. In 1897, the first graduating class — two men and three women — received their Normal School diplomas.

In 1904, Territorial Normal became Central State Normal School. Statehood was still three years away. On Dec. 29, 1919, the State Board of Education passed a resolution making Central a four-year teachers’ college conferring bachelor’s degrees. From 1901 until 1961, UCO housed a laboratory school in which local elementary schoolchildren were schooled by UCO faculty and soon-to-be teaching graduates.


Two years later, the Class of 1921 had nine members, the first graduates to receive the four-year degrees. Two decades later, Central State Teacher's College became Central State College. In 1939, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the institution to grant both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Old North in 2008
Old North in 2008

On March 11, 1941, Central State became part of a coordinated state system of post-secondary education overseen by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, and joined institutions with similar missions as a regional institution.

In 1954, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education gave Central permission to offer the Master of Teaching Degree, which became the Master of Education in 1969. In 1971, the college was authorized to grant the Master of Arts in English and the Master of Business Administration degrees.

On April 13, 1971, the state legislature officially changed the institution’s name to Central State University. On May 18, 1990, during the university’s Centennial Year, legislation was passed changing the name to the University of Central Oklahoma, though many of the students still refer to the University as "Central".[4]

[edit] Academic Profile

UCO has the state’s largest Computing Science department. It maintains the highest percentage of students passing the CPA Exam. The Department of Physics is ranked among the top 20 in the United States and the only university in Oklahoma to receive this ranking by the American Institute of Physics. The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music Jazz Division is the largest in the state and one of the largest in the region. The Nursing program is the second largest in Oklahoma and the UCO Debaters are consistently rated one of the top in the nation. The College of Education is the largest in the state of Oklahoma and has graduated more than 50,000 teachers since the school was established in 1890.

UCO is also the only institution in the state of Oklahoma that offers Degrees in Forensic Science, Funeral Services, Photo Journalism, Biomedical Engineering, Golf Management, Business Legal Studies, Insurances and a Master of Music In Jazz Studies

[edit] Schools and Colleges

UCO is comprised 7 schools and colleges.

  • College of Arts, Media & Design
    • School of Music
    • Department of Art
    • Department of Design
    • Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Arts
  • College of Business Administration
    • Department of Accounting
    • Department of Economics
    • Department of Finance
    • Department of Information Systems & Operations Management
    • Department of Management
    • Department of Marketing
  • College of Liberal Arts
    • Department of English
    • Department of History & Geography
    • Department of Humanities & Philosophy
    • Department of Mass Communication
    • Department of Modern Languages
    • Department of Political Science
    • Department of Sociology, CJ & SAS
  • College of Education and Professional Studies
    • Department of Adv. Professional Services
    • Department of Curriculum and Instruction
    • Department of Human Environmental Sci.
    • Department of Kinesiology & Health Stud.
    • Department of Occupational Tech. Educ.
    • Department of Professional Teacher Edu.
    • Department of Psychology
    • Department of Special Services
    • Department of Teacher Education Services
  • College of Mathematics and Science
    • Department of Biology
    • Department of Chemistry
    • Department of Computer Science
    • Department of Funeral Services
    • Department of Mathematics and Statistics
    • Department of Nursing
    • Department of Engineering & Physics
  • Jackson College Of Graduate Studies

[edit] Degree Options

UCO offers over 135 degree options.

[edit] UCO Jazz Lab

The UCO Jazz Lab was built in 2002
The UCO Jazz Lab was built in 2002

The UCO Jazz Lab is home for the celebrated Jazz Studies Division of the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music. The Jazz Program was started in 1974 by Dr. Kent Kidwell. Since 1974, the Jazz program grew to what it is today. Current Jazz faculty include Lee Rucker, who is the director of the Jazz Lab and also serves as director of 1st Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Rucker also teaches applied Jazz Improvisation. Brian Gorrell is the Head of the Jazz Studies Division, Recording studio and is the director of the 2nd Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Gorrell also teaches Applied Saxophone, Applied Jazz Piano and is the Jazz Graduate Advisor. Jeff Kidwell is the director of the 3rd Jazz Ensemble and teaches applied trombone.

The UCO Jazz Lab is located on the corner of 5th and Littler St. in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Jazz Lab was built in 2001. It was built with a stage, classrooms, Hideaway Pizza and the Jazz Lab Recording Studio[5]. Students utilize the Jazz Lab on a daily basis. The UCO Jazz Studies Division offers numerous performance ensembles which include[6]:

  • Jazz Ensembles I, II & III
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Combos
  • Latin Jazz Ensemble
  • The Jazz Guitar Ensemble I & II

The School of Music currently offers an undergraduate Minor in Jazz Studies and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies with Majors either in Performance or Commercial Music Production. The UCO Jazz Lab also Hosts the Annual Recording Technology Workshop and The Annual Guitar Techniques Workshop During the summer. The UCO Jazz Ensembles have received many awards. In 2008, The UCO Jazz Ensemble I revived the "Outstanding University Jazz Ensemble" award at the 2008 UNT Jazz Festival[7]. In 1983 UCO's Dixieland band was ranked No.1 in the nation[8] and in 1975, UCO Jazz Ensemble I received top honors at the Wichita Jazz Festival and since then, all UCO Jazz Bands have participated in the event.

Since it opened, The Jazz Lab has won "Best Place for Live Music" multiple times in the Edmond Life & Leisure's Reader's Choice annual poll, and has been repeatedly included as a finalist for Best Live Music Venue in the Oklahoma Gazette’s Best of OKC readers’ poll. The Jazz Lab has featured many famous performers including Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Kenny Werner, Christopher Cross, Ann Hampton Callaway, Maynard Ferguson, Phil Woods and Chick Corea. In addition to featuring some of the biggest names in Jazz, The UCO Jazz Lab features the Best local and regional musicians from various genres every Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

[edit] Broadcasting

The UCentral Logo
The UCentral Logo

UCO is well known for its excellent broadcasting program. Ucentral is the network of the University of Central Oklahoma.The University currently operates 2 radio stations and a TV station. The school operates an FM radio station, 90.1 KCSC, which plays classical music, opera, and features news from the BBC.

The school also operates a second radio station which is entirely student run. ED-FM is the student run station at UCO. It can be heard on the UCO campus and all across the Oklahoma City area on 90.1 HD-2 (HD Radio needed). This station plays mainly alternative rock from the 90's and Today.

The school also operates a television station which is also student run. The TV station, known as UCentral, plays mainly airs alternative rock music videos throughout most of the day and features a newscast along with other student produced shows. It can be seen on Cox Cable Channel 6 in the Edmond Area.

[edit] Campus

[edit] Academic buildings

The Max Chambers Library
The Max Chambers Library
  • The Art and Design Building
  • Central Cafeteria
  • Max Chambers Library
  • Communications Building
  • Education Building
  • Evans Hall
  • Health and Physical Education Building
  • Computer Science Building
  • Coyner Health Sciences Building
  • Human Environmental Science Building
  • Howell Hall
  • Laboratory Annex
  • UCO Jazz Lab
  • Liberal Arts Building
  • Michell Hall Theatre
  • Business Building
  • Music Building
  • Thatcher Hall
  • Stephenson Park Theatre
  • Wantalnd Hall[9]

[edit] Other Campus Buildings

The UCO Wellness Center
The UCO Wellness Center
  • Wantland Stadium
  • Lillard Administration Building
  • Old North
  • Nigh University Center
  • University Commons Clubhouse
  • Edmond Chamber of Commerce
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Alumni House
  • Hamilton Field House
  • Central Plant
  • Wellness Center
  • Physical Plant
  • Y Chapel of Song

[edit] Residential buildings

UCO has 5 different residence halls on campus.

  • Murdaugh Hall - UCO's Mens Dorm can House up to 290 male Students
  • West Hall - UCO's Female dorm can house up to 452 Female Students
  • The University Suites - Houses approximately 302 students, The building contains a computer lab, mailboxes, a tv lounge, and a food court.
  • The University Commons apartments - opened in the fall of 1999, it consist of multiple buildings, which contain fully furnished two and four bedroom apartments. The Commons Clubhouse is a 3,000 square foot community building with a Tv Lounge, Computer lab, recreation room and more.
  • Central Plaza - Opened in 2005, Central Plaza is located across the street from the main campus. It is a converted hotel and offers a lobby with a Piano, Coffee bar, and in-hall dining.

[edit] Athletics

UCO athletes participate in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and is the largest school in the conference. Both men's and women's teams are nicknamed the "Bronchos." UCO currently competes in baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross-country, football, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, volleyball, and wrestling, and women's rowing.

Wantland Stadium is home for the Bronchos Football team. First used in 1965, it went under a $16 Million renovation in 2005 increasing the seating capacity to 10,000. UCO Basketball home court is Hamilton Field House and seats 3,000.

The Official website for UCO athletics is Bronchosports.com

[edit] Fight Song

UCO Fight Song Fight Boys, Fight for U – C – O! Fight Boys, Fight Today! All for the team, boys All full of steam, boys, Hear our cheers for you, Go Bronchos!

Fight Boys, Fight for the Bronze and the Blue Fight Boys, Fight Today! Add one more vict’ry To Central’s hist’ry! U - C- O!

[edit] Presidents of UCO

  • Richard Thacher 1891-1893
  • George W. Winans 1893-1894
  • E.R. Williams 1894-1895
  • E.D. Murdaugh 1895-1901
  • F.H. Umholtz 1901-1906
  • T.W. Butcher 1906-1908
  • James A. McLaughlin 1908-1911
  • Charles Evans 1911-1916
  • Grant B. Grumbine 1916-1917
  • J.W. Graves 1917-1919
  • John G. Michell 1919-1931
  • M.A. Beeson 1931-1935
  • John O. Mosley 1935-1939
  • Roscoe R. Robinson 1939-1948
  • W. Max Chambers 1948-1960
  • Garland Godfrey 1960-1975
  • Bill J. Lillard 1975-1992
  • George Nigh 1992-1997
  • W. Roger Webb 1997-Present[10]

[edit] Greek Life

UCO is home to 19 Greek organizations.

[edit] Notable Alumni of University of Central Oklahoma

[edit] References

  1. ^ Enrollment Statistics & Demographics Fall 2007. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  2. ^ UCO Archives - University Time Line. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  3. ^ UCO Archives. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  4. ^ UCO Archives - History. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  5. ^ UCO Jazz Lab Recoding Studio. University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  6. ^ UCO Jazz Lab Education. University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab. Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
  7. ^ UCO Jazz Lab. University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab. Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
  8. ^ UCO Archive - Timeline. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
  9. ^ UCO Archives - University Buildings. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  10. ^ UCO Archives - Presidents. University of Central Oklahoma. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.

[edit] External links

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