Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Motto	Progress Through Knowledge
Type	Public
Established	1909
President	Tim Faltyn
Students	1,720 +
Location	Goodwell, Oklahoma, U.S. 36°35′35″N 101°38′14″W / 36.59306°N 101.63722°W / 36.59306; -101.63722Coordinates: 36°35′35″N 101°38′14″W / 36.59306°N 101.63722°W / 36.59306; -101.63722
Colors	Crimson and Blue
Nickname	Aggies
Website	www.opsu.edu

Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) is a university in Goodwell, Oklahoma. OPSU is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution. General governance of the institution is provided by the Board of Regents of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. Academic programs and financial support are authorized and coordinated through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

History

In 1908, the Oklahoma Legislature passed legislation stating that, "...each of the Supreme Court judicial districts [shall have] a district agricultural school of secondary grade for instruction in agriculture and mechanics and allied branches, and domestic science, and economics, with courses of instruction leading to the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the state normal schools."^[1]

Oklahoma Panhandle State University was created in response to this act and opened in 1909 as Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute, (PAI) offering secondary agricultural education for the Panhandle area. PAI began offering courses to prepare public school teachers in 1915.^[1] In 1921, the legislature authorized the school to offer a two-year college curriculum, and the name was changed to Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College (PAMC). The college began offering four-year degree programs in 1925. In 1967, the school was designated as Oklahoma Panhandle State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. In 1974, the university assumed its present name.^[2]

Franklin Hall, the school's oldest building, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Academics

The university is organized into six schools that offer associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in such areas as history, education, business, and nursing. OPSU's agriculture-related degree programs produce valued and competent graduates who are qualified to work in the region's many bovine, equine, swine, and farming-related industries.

OPSU is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to grant associate and bachelor's degrees. It is also approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education for the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers, The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.(ACEN).

Primary quad and clock tower at OPSU

The constituent schools are:

School of Agriculture
School of Business and Technology
School of Education
School of Liberal Arts
School of Science, Mathematics, and Nursing
University College

Nationally competitive teams in: Computer Programming (OPSU AITP), Business (OPSU PBL), Crops Judging, and Livestock Judging.

Athletics

Main article: Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies

Carl Wooten Field and Water Tower

OPSU competes as a founding member of the Heartland Conference as the "Aggies" (except rodeo and football). The university sponsors football, volleyball (women), softball (women), baseball (men), men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross-country, and men's and women's basketball.

The football team plays at Carl Wooten Field and competes in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Confrence. In the early nineties, OPSU Aggies football was known as a football powerhouse in NAIA. The program has recently had some success thanks to the late Mike Wyatt (2007-2010). The current coach, Russell Gaskamp, has set new records in player involvement in community service activities.
A point of pride for OPSU is its men's and women's rodeo teams. The school is a member of the Central Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and has won several regional and national team championships as well as numerous individual championships in the sport. The OPSU Men's Rodeo Team won national titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2013.^[1] As part of their scholarship package, rodeo team members may receive lodging in special housing and stalls for their animals.

Notable alumni

Jim Holder, an All American running back from Wichita Falls; Holder set NAIA rushing records in 1963 and is the only Aggie inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame
Frank Beede, a former offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks; Beede played offensive line for the OPSU aggies football team 1995–96

References

1 2 3 Richter, Sara and Tom Lewis. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Oklahoma Panhandle State University." Retrieved May 9, 2014.
↑ Oklahoma Panhandle State University Retrieved February 16, 2014.

External links

Institutions of higher education in Oklahoma

Public institutions	Cameron University University of Central Oklahoma East Central University Langston University Northeastern State University Northwestern Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Panhandle State University Oklahoma State University–Stillwater Rogers State University Southeastern Oklahoma State University Southwestern Oklahoma State University University of Oklahoma University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Private institutions	Bacone College Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma City University Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oral Roberts University Phillips Theological Seminary St. Gregory's University Southern Nazarene University Southwestern Christian University Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology University of Tulsa

Community colleges	Carl Albert State College Connors State College Eastern Oklahoma State College Murray State College Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Northern Oklahoma College Oklahoma City Community College Redlands Community College Rose State College Seminole State College Tulsa Community College Western Oklahoma State College

Heartland Conference

Members	Arkansas–Fort Smith Lions Dallas Baptist Patriots Lubbock Christian Chaparrals & Lady Chaps Newman Jets Oklahoma Christian Eagles Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Rogers State Hillcats St. Edward's Hilltoppers St. Mary's Rattlers Texas A&M International Dustdevils

Affiliates	Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds Midwestern State Mustangs Texas–Permian Basin Falcons West Texas A&M Buffaloes

NCAA Division II Independents

All-sport	Auburn–Montgomery Warhawks Bluefield State Big Blues & Lady Blues Oakland City Mighty Oaks Salem International Tigers

Football	Alderson Broaddus Kentucky Wesleyan Limestone Malone UNC Pembroke North Greenville

Lacrosse	Men — Alabama–Huntsville Davis & Elkins Felician Georgian Court Notre Dame de Namur Post Shorter Young Harris Women — Concordia–St. Paul

Soccer	Men — Chowan Women — Chowan Lincoln (PA)

Wrestling	Alderson Broaddus American International Long Island–Post Notre Dame College Ohio Valley Ouachita Baptist Shorter Simon Fraser West Liberty Wheeling Jesuit

Central States Football League

Current members	Arizona Christian University Bacone Langston Lyon College Oklahoma Panhandle State (alliance member) Southwestern Assemblies of God Texas College Wayland Baptist

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