One Aggie’s Perspectiveon Some Cowboy History

OAMC/OSU

Journey From Where We Were to Where We Are

RUN OF 1889 – Officially opened RUN OF 1889 – Officially opened Unassigned Lands (became Oklahoma Unassigned Lands (became Oklahoma Territory) – 1Territory) – 1stst of 17 Openings of 17 Openings

Oklahoma Territory Oklahoma Territory Agricultural and Agricultural and Mechanical College Mechanical College Established Established Christmas Day, 1890Christmas Day, 1890

Robert Barker Robert Barker appointed First appointed First PresidentPresident1891-18941891-1894

FIRSTFIRSTCLASSESCLASSESMETMETHERE HERE DECEMBER DECEMBER 14, 1891! 35 14, 1891! 35 STUDENTS STUDENTS IN IN COLLEGE COLLEGE PREP PREP STUDIESSTUDIES

The “Cow College” Needed Barns & A Watering Hole

OAMC’S OAMC’S FIRSTFIRSTPERMANENTPERMANENTBUILDINGBUILDING

Dedicated 1894Dedicated 1894

FIRST FIRST GRADUATESGRADUATES18961896

3 Were sons of 3 Were sons of 3 families that 3 families that sold portions of sold portions of land claims for land claims for OAMC CampusOAMC Campus

THE THE “PRINCETON “PRINCETON OF THE OF THE PRAIRIE”PRAIRIE”ININ19001900

EARLY ATHLETIC EARLY ATHLETIC FACILITIES:FACILITIES:

A Student Industrial Arts Class ProjectA Student Industrial Arts Class Project

OSUOSUTULSATULSA19991999

Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton• A legendary

lawman and all around interesting character.

• In 1920’s studentsPersuaded him to

be model for OAMC mascot

F

Today’s Pistol Pete continues to build legends, including being named America’s most unusual mascot in a national competition

THE WATERING HOLE IS NOW THE WATERING HOLE IS NOW THETA PONDTHETA POND

But “Livestock” & Uses Changed

President Truman President Truman named Dr. Henry named Dr. Henry Bennett first Director Bennett first Director of Point 4 Program of Point 4 Program (now USAID). (now USAID).

Emperor of Ethiopia Emperor of Ethiopia requested OAMC requested OAMC assistance in setting up assistance in setting up similar college in his similar college in his country.country.

Dr. Henry Bennett devised a 25Dr. Henry Bennett devised a 25 YEAR YEAR PLAN for location and style of new PLAN for location and style of new constructionconstruction. Still used as a guide today. Still used as a guide today

GI Bill changed GI Bill changed the profile of the profile of OAMC Freshmen. OAMC Freshmen. They were They were older,older, most had familiesmost had families and they and they descended upon descended upon Stillwater in Stillwater in drovesdroves - - 5919 in 5919 in 1947, more than ½ 1947, more than ½ of student body.of student body.

“Vet Village” Sprang up in the Northwest Portion of Campus

-Literally a city within a city, with its own mayor, Post Office and commissary-1,290 housing units-5000 residents

OAMC:OAMC: A A BORROWED BORROWED CHURCH, 35 PREP CHURCH, 35 PREP STUDENTS IN 1891STUDENTS IN 1891

5 OSU 5 OSU CAMPUSES, CAMPUSES, 35,000+35,000+STUDENTS IN 2012STUDENTS IN 2012

OSUOSUInstitute of Institute of Technology Technology in in OkmulgeeOkmulgee19461946

OSUOSUOKCOKC19611961

OSUOSUCenter for Center for Health Health SciencesSciences19881988

OSUOSUTULSATULSA19991999