[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

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                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2009

  Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a milestone for a 
prestigious institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. Rogers State 
University, with campuses located in Claremore, Bartlesville, and Pryor 
is turning 100 years old this month.
  Founded in 1909, Rogers State University has been a center of 
excellence and learning for thousands of Oklahomans.
  In 1998, the Oklahoma Legislature solidified the role of Rogers State 
University as a world class regional university by granting them full 
accreditation. RSU is one of only two universities in the state of 
Oklahoma to offer both associate of arts and bachelors degrees in 
various disciplines.
  Rogers State University is one of the fastest-growing universities in 
Oklahoma. Over the last eight years Rogers State University's 
enrollment has jumped 70 percent. At one time RSU's enrollment 
registered just over 400, but in recent years it has swelled to boast a 
diverse student body of 4,000.
  RSU is a national leader and pioneer in online learning. They are the 
first public university in the state of Oklahoma to offer associate and 
bachelor degrees completely online.
  In athletics, the future looks just as promising for Rogers State. A 
few years ago, the RSU Hillcats gained acceptance into the National 
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, NAIA. RSU currently fields a 
multitude of athletic teams and competes in the Sooner Athletic 
Conference.
  During their university's Centennial this year, the Hillcats won the 
Sooner Athletic Conference championship in men's basketball, and 
represented their school this month as the No. 1 seed in the NAIA 
Championship Tournament. In 2008, just their first year of Sooner 
Athletic Conference play, the RSU women's soccer team earned a 
conference championship.
  RSU is the only university in Oklahoma to operate a full-power public 
television station. It also operates a radio station, and boasts a 120-
acre nature conservatory located on the main campus in Claremore.
  The university has also added significantly to their university 
infrastructure and facilities. Recently, the school opened a $13 
million Student Services Center at its main campus and a $1.3 million 
expansion that will double the size of the campus at the Pryor 
location.
  In these times of limited educational dollars, it is important for 
the United States Congress to remember the local and regional 
universities that educate so many of our citizens and allow them to 
benefit both the future of their family and our entire society. Rogers 
State University is an enormous asset to eastern Oklahoma and I come to 
the floor today to honor all they do.
  Happy Birthday Rogers State University!

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