Tulsa World: 100 years strong

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100 years strong
By any name, RSU centennial is sweet

Rogers State University President Larry Rice stands in the new student center that will be dedicated Wednesday during the university's centennial celebration. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 3/25/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 3/25/2009 3:13 AM

CLAREMORE — What is now called Rogers State University has seen many incarnations in its 100 years — from one building on College Hill to an expanding campus serving more than 4,000 students.

It will officially celebrate its centennial Wednesday, under the direction of a man who began his higher education career in 1979 as a professor at what was then Claremore Junior College.

"We have a wonderful legacy," RSU President Larry Rice said recently. "It's a beautiful campus."

The school opened March 25, 1909, as Eastern University Preparatory School. It became the Oklahoma Military Academy 10 years later and was a military institution into the 1970s.

It became a junior college in 1971 and was designated a four-year university in 2000.

"It really has changed in the years since it became a regional university," Rice said.

Enrollment at RSU has risen about 70 percent since 2000. Athletics have returned to the university, and the men's basketball team was nationally ranked in its division this year.

Recent campus construction has included student housing, a library and a student center. RSU also has campuses in Pryor and Bartlesville and was the first public university in the state to offer bachelor's and associates degrees entirely with online classes.

John Wooley, who has written a book about the university's past, said his study revealed a complex story.

"I don't know of any other school in Oklahoma that has such a rich history," he said.

Wooley will be signing copies of his book, "100 Years on the Hill," as part of Wednesday's celebration. Other activities will include a dedication of the recently completed student center and a centennial parade in the afternoon.

RSU's history includes troubled phases. Several times, it was able to stay afloat through the work of committed politicians. Each time, the college increased in size and capability, Wooley said.

"I think that the history tells you it's never really taken a step back," he said.

Rice is well-aware of the importance of political friends in RSU's history. He got to know some of them as an Oklahoma legislator.

"I've watched the school grow and change," he said. "I was in the Legislature when we gave it authority to be a stand-alone university."

Rice worked at Claremore Junior College until 1991 as a criminal justice and psychology professor and in administrative positions. He moved to the University of Tulsa in 1991, working in the President's Office.

He took the job as RSU's president in March 2008, officially taking the title that July.

"I long had a goal of being a college president," he said.

Rice enjoys living and working on a college campus and has spent much of his first year getting to know students and faculty members.

He and his wife have hosted open houses and invited community leaders to become involved, he said.

"We enjoy a tremendous amount of support from the Claremore community, and we look for ways to strengthen that support," he said.

One of the difficult parts of his job has been private fundraising, and the biggest challenge for the future will be financial, as well, Rice said.

With the state budget looking grim, much of Rice's second year likely will involve budgetary matters. But his primary goal is to not lose sight of the university's mission, he said.

"My vision would be to continue to offer an affordable, quality education to northeastern Oklahoma," he said.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS

Wednesday

11 a.m.: Dedication and naming ceremony, Student Center

Noon: Book signing and birthday celebration, Student Center

2 p.m.: Centennial parade

7 p.m.: A political update with Jeff Greenfield, Student Center Ballroom

Sunday

Noon-5 p.m.: Free guided tours of the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum, Meyer Hall

Noon-2 p.m.: Student Center open for lunch

2 p.m.: Film premiere of “RSU: The First 100 Years,” Student Center Ballroom

A brief history of Rogers State University

1909: Eastern University Preparatory School founded

1917: Preparatory school closes

1919: Oklahoma Military Academy founded

1971: OMA becomes Claremore Junior College

1982: College renamed Rogers State College

1998: Oklahoma Legislature renames institution Rogers State University

2000: RSU becomes a four-year university that offers bachelor’s and associate’s degrees

Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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