[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

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                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Centennial Anniversary of Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 
Alva, Oklahoma.
  This institution of higher learning is one of the oldest in the State 
of Oklahoma. The roots of the school predate Oklahoma's statehood by 10 
years. In 1897, the territorial legislature passed a bill establishing 
the Northwestern Territorial Normal School at Alva, the second such 
school in Oklahoma Territory. In 1919, the school became Northwestern 
State Teachers College. The Teachers College then became Northwestern 
State College in 1939, when the college was authorized to grant degrees 
in liberal arts, as well as education. With the advent of courses 
transferable to the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State 
University in 1951 as well as the addition of a variety of master's 
programs throughout the ensuing years, the college's name was finally 
changed to Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1974. Over the 
past century the curriculum has changed from that of a Normal school to 
a teacher's college, to a modern diverse university which currently 
offers bachelor's degrees in nearly 40 areas of study and master's 
degrees in education and behavioral science.
  Although Northwestern Territorial Normal School opened on September 
20, 1897, the first building, The Castle on the Hill, was not completed 
until two years later. Classes were originally held in the 
Congregational Church until a building to house the new college could 
be built. In 1899 the school moved to its present location. The 
physical growth of Northwestern Oklahoma State University has continued 
throughout the past century, including the most recent expansion: the 
creation of Northwestern campuses in nearby Enid and Woodward in 1996.
  The size of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University student body 
has evolved along with the physical facilities and the curriculum 
throughout the past 100 years. In 1897 enrollment was 58 students; 
today it is about 2,000 students each semester. As Northwestern 
Oklahoma State University prepares to enter its second century, it does 
so as a dynamic institution, offering high levels of education and 
training in numerous vocational pursuits.

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