University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with more than 17,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty. Founded in 1890, the University of Central Oklahoma was one of the first institutions of higher learning to be established in what would become the state of Oklahoma, making it one of the oldest universities in the southwest region of the United States of America. It is home to the American branch of the British Academy of Contemporary Music in Downtown Oklahoma City, directed by noted indie music agent and manager Scott Booker. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the University of Central Oklahoma as the 2009-2010 Individual Conference Champion for using more green power than any other school in the Lone Star Conference.

History
The University of Central Oklahoma was founded on December 24, 1890, when the Territorial Legislature voted to establish the Territorial Normal School, making UCO the oldest public institution of higher education in Oklahoma. Classes were first held in November 1891. By comparison, Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) held its first classes in December 1891 and the University of Oklahoma began in fall 1892.

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 acre of land within one mile (1.6 km) 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 which 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.

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. 1, 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.

Old North Tower was the first building constructed in the summer of 1892 on the campus of what was then Territorial Normal School. It was also the first building constructed in Oklahoma Territory for the purpose of higher education. 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.

According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the school was routinely affected by state politics. Presidents and sometimes faculty members, were changed with changes in state governors. In 1950, President Max W. Chambers banned solicitations of campaign donations from faculty members. This resulted in more stability of the school administration.

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. Old North Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. 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" or "Central State."

Presidents

 * Richard Thatcher 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
 * George P. Huckaby 1948
 * W. Max Chambers 1948-1960
 * Garland Godfrey 1960-1975
 * Bill J. Lillard 1975-1992
 * George Nigh 1992-1997
 * W. Roger Webb 1997–June 30, 2011
 * Don Betz August 1, 2011 – Present

Academic profile
The University of Central Oklahoma in 2009 was ranked in the top 10% on the Forbes Magazine list of America's Best Colleges out of over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. UCO has the state's largest undergraduate Computing Science program, which is accredited by ABET. 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 in its history. UCO has consistently been recognized as having one of the best education programs in the Southwest.

UCO is also the only institution in the state of Oklahoma that offers Undergraduate Degrees in Forensic Science, Humanities, Funeral Services, Photo Journalism, Biomedical Engineering, Golf Management, Professional Selling, Business Legal Studies and Insurances. UCO is also the only University in the state of Oklahoma to offer a Master of Science in Athletic Training, a Master of Science in Forensic Science and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies

Schools and colleges
UCO is composed of seven schools and colleges:


 * College of Fine Arts & Design
 * School of Music
 * Department of Art
 * Department of Design
 * Department of Theatre Arts
 * Department of Dance
 * Academy of Contemporary Music
 * College of Business
 * Department of Accounting
 * Department of Economics
 * Department of Finance
 * Department of Information Systems & Operations Management
 * Department of Management
 * Department of Marketing
 * Professional Golf Management
 * 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
 * School of Criminal Justice
 * Jackson College Of Graduate Studies

Degrees
UCO offers over 135 degree options.
 * Associate's Degree (ACM@UCO)
 * Associate of Applied Science
 * Bachelor's Degree
 * Bachelor of Applied Technology
 * Bachelor of Arts
 * Bachelor of Arts in Education
 * Bachelor of Business Administration
 * Bachelor of Fine Arts
 * Bachelor of Fine Arts Education
 * Bachelor of Music
 * Bachelor of Music Education
 * Bachelor of Science
 * Bachelor of Science in Education
 * Bachelor of Forensic Science
 * Master's Degree
 * Master of Arts
 * Master of Business Administration
 * Master of Education
 * Master of Fine Arts
 * Master of Forensic Science
 * Master of Music
 * Master of Public Administration
 * Master of Science
 * Certificates:
 * Funeral Service
 * Non-Degree Pre-Professional Programs:
 * Pre-Dental
 * Pre-Engineering
 * Pre-Medical
 * Pre-Occupational Therapy
 * Pre-Optometry
 * Pre-Pharmacy
 * Pre-Physician's Assistant
 * Pre-Physical Therapy
 * Pre-Radiological Technology
 * Pre-Veterinary Medicine

UCO Jazz Lab
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 3rd 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 1st Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Gorrell also teaches Applied Saxophone, Applied Jazz Piano and is the Jazz Graduate Advisor. Jeff Kidwell is the director of the 2nd Jazz Ensemble and teaches applied trombone. Other faculty include Clint Rohr, Mitch Bell, Danny Vaughan, Dr. David Hardman and Dr. James Klages.

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. Students utilize the Jazz Lab on a daily basis. The UCO Jazz Studies Division offers numerous performance ensembles which include:
 * 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 2006 and 2008 UNT Jazz Festival. In 1983 UCO's Dixieland band was ranked No.1 in the nation 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 won the award for The 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
 * Kenny Garrett
 * George Winston
 * Chris Botti
 * Kenny Werner
 * Christopher Cross
 * United States Army Jazz Ambassadors
 * David Gibson
 * Ann Hampton Callaway
 * Steve Tyrell
 * Miguel Zenon
 * Diane Shuur


 * Pat Metheny
 * Lynn Seaton
 * Jane Monheit
 * John Pizzarelli
 * Boz Scaggs
 * Peter Krauss
 * Maynard Ferguson
 * Leon Russell
 * Phil Woods
 * Chick Corea
 * Tierney Sutton

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.

UCentral Student Media
UCentral is the student media network at the University of Central Oklahoma, featuring traditional media (television, radio, newspaper) and new media (web, netcasts, social networking) created by students majoring in professional media. UCentral is a successful transformative learning experience within the Mass Communication Department on the campus of UCO.

UCentral television programming is available online at ucentralmedia.com and in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma on Cox Cable digital channel 125.

The Vista newspaper, founded in 1903, is distributed free of charge on the UCO campus and designated off-campus locations and also available online at ucentralmedia.com.

The student radio station, UCentral Radio, applied for an LPFM license in 2013 for 101.3fm and is currently awaiting approval from the FCC.

Academic buildings

 * The Art and Design Building
 * Max Chambers Library
 * Communications Building
 * Center For Transformative Learning
 * Education Building
 * Evans Hall
 * Health and Physical Education Building
 * Math and Computer Science Building
 * Coyner Health Sciences Building* Human Environmental Science Building
 * Howell Hall


 * Laboratory Annex
 * UCO Jazz Lab
 * Liberal Arts Building
 * Mitchell Hall Theatre
 * Business Building
 * Music Building
 * Thatcher Hall
 * Wantland Hall
 * Forensic Science Institute
 * Center For Transformative Learning

Other campus buildings

 * Wantland Stadium
 * Lillard Administration Building
 * Old North
 * Buddy's(Central Cafeteria)
 * Stephenson Park Theatre
 * Nigh University Center
 * Housing Office
 * Ropes Course
 * 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

Residential buildings
UCO has five residence halls on campus.
 * Murdaugh Hall - traditional-style men's residence hall; houses up to 290 students.
 * West Hall - traditional-style women's residence hall; can house up to 452 students.
 * The University Suites - co-ed suite-style residence hall; houses up to 302 students and contains a computer lab and dining facility.
 * University Commons apartments - consists of multiple apartment buildings, which include two-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments. The Commons Clubhouse is a 3000 sqft community building with a TV lounge, computer lab, and recreation room.
 * Central Plaza - high-rise residence hall opened in 2005, located southeast of the main campus; contains a dining facility.

Off-Campus buildings

 * Outdoor Activities and Recreation Center (Lake Arcadia)
 * Small Business Development Center (Downtown OKC)
 * The Academy of Contemporary Music (Bricktown)
 * Selman Living Laboratory (Freedom, OK)

Athletics
UCO participates in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA at the Division II level and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The university joined the MIAA in 2012; prior to joining the conference, UCO was a member of the Lone Star Conference and was the largest school in the conference. In 2010, it applied to join the MIAA. On July 30, 2010, the conference approved its application to join the conference beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year. 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 and track and field, football, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, volleyball, and wrestling, men's ice hockey and women's rowing.

Police Department
The UCO Police Department is a full-service, 24-hour police department. There are 17 sworn commissioned police officers, 6 full-time civilian employees and several part-time student employees. The officers attend the Oklahoma State Police Academy (CLEET) in Ada and then a 10-week Field Training Program before working on their own. All officers are cross commissioned with the City of Edmond Police Department and thus enforce Edmond City Ordinances and utilize the city jail and city court system.

Greek life
UCO is home to 22 Greek organizations.


 * IFC Chapters:
 * Acacia
 * Kappa Sigma
 * Pi Kappa Alpha
 * Sigma Nu
 * Sigma Tau Gamma
 * Tau Kappa Epsilon
 * Alpha Tau Omega
 * Panhellenic Chapters:
 * Delta Zeta
 * Sigma Kappa
 * Alpha Gamma Delta
 * Alpha Xi Delta
 * Alpha Delta Pi


 * National Pan-Hellenic Chapters:
 * Alpha Kappa Alpha
 * Alpha Phi Alpha
 * Delta Sigma Theta
 * Kappa Alpha Psi
 * Omega Psi Phi
 * Phi Beta Sigma
 * Sigma Gamma Rho
 * Zeta Phi Beta
 * NALFO Chapters:
 * Sigma Lambda Gamma
 * Christian Greek Chapters:
 * Sigma Phi Lambda
 * Beta Upsilon Chi
 * Beta Sigma Chi
 * Professional Fraternity Association
 * Kappa Kappa Psi
 * Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (in colonial process)