East Central University facts for kids
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Former name
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East Central State Normal School (1909–1939) East Central State College (1939–1974) East Central Oklahoma State University (1974–1985) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1909 |
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Parent institution
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Regional University System of Oklahoma |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $35,564,099 |
| President | Wendell L. Godwin |
| Provost | Jeffery Gibson |
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Administrative staff
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422 |
| Students | 3,577 (2019) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
34°46′28″N 96°39′53″W / 34.77444°N 96.66472°W |
| Campus | College town |
| Colors | Black and Orange |
| Nickname | Tigers |
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Sporting affiliations
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Great American Conference |
| Mascot | Roary the Tiger |
East Central University (often called ECU or East Central) is a public university located in Ada, Oklahoma. It's part of Oklahoma's system of regional universities.
Besides its main campus in Ada, ECU offers classes in McAlester, Shawnee, and Durant. You can also take many courses online. The university started in 1909 as the East Central State Normal School. It got its current name in 1985.
ECU is about 90 miles from Oklahoma City and 115 miles from Tulsa. Its campus has 37 buildings spread across 135 acres. Each semester, more than 3,500 students attend ECU. These students come from over 30 countries and 25 states.
Contents
History of East Central University
Early Beginnings: Training Teachers
East Central University began as the East Central State Normal School in 1909. This was just two years after Oklahoma became the 46th state in the U.S. It was one of six new "normal schools" created by the state.
These schools were designed to train teachers. They offered four years of high school-level study, followed by two years of college work. This training helped people get certified to teach. A local group called the 25,000 Club worked hard to get the school started. They even raised money for teacher salaries so classes could begin in local churches and schools.
In 1910, the Oklahoma Legislature provided money for teachers and a new building. This building was on a 16-acre site given by a Chickasaw land owner. By 1919, these normal schools could offer four-year teaching degrees. They were then called teachers' colleges.
Horace Mann Training School
From 1910 to 1960, East Central ran the Horace Mann Training School. This program helped future teachers learn classroom skills. It focused on teaching elementary and junior high students.
Later, in 1925, Horace Mann added older students when it became a four-year high school. A new building for Horace Mann was finished in 1953. The program continued there until it closed in 1960.
Growing into a University
The school expanded beyond just teaching degrees in 1939. It was then renamed East Central State College. Fifteen years later, regional colleges like ECU could start offering graduate degrees.
In 1974, the state legislature changed the names of these colleges again. It became East Central Oklahoma State University. This name lasted until 1985, when it finally became East Central University.
What You Can Study at ECU
ECU serves around 4,000 students. It's well-known for its Environmental Health Science Program. This program is one of only 30 in the country accredited by a national council.
East Central has five main academic units. These include three colleges and two schools. They offer 70 different degree programs. Here are the main areas of study:
- College of Education and Psychology
- College of Health and Sciences
- School of Nursing
- College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
- School of Fine Arts
- The Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business
- School of Graduate Studies
Other Locations and Online Learning
East Central University also offers classes at other locations. You can find Distance Education sites in Shawnee, OK, through the Gordon Cooper Technology Center. There's also a site in McAlester, OK through Eastern Oklahoma State College. ECU also provides many online courses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Student Life at ECU
East Central has nearly 80 student organizations. These groups help students get involved and make friends. Some popular groups include the Student Government Association and the Campus Activity Board.
There are also five Greek organizations at ECU. These are social fraternities and sororities. They include:
- Chi Omega
- Zeta Tau Alpha
- Phi Kappa Tau
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Sigma Tau Gamma
East Central Tigers Athletics
East Central's sports teams are called the "Tigers." They compete in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference (GAC). They joined this conference in 2011. Before that, they were in the Lone Star Conference.
The university has 13 sports teams. There are 6 programs for men and 7 for women. The school's football team won the NAIA national football championship in 1993. The athletics offices are located in the Kerr Activities Center.
Famous People Who Went to ECU
Many successful people have graduated from East Central University. Here are a few:
Sports Stars
- Harry Brecheen, a former baseball player
- Armonty Bryant, a former professional football player
- Mark Gastineau, a former professional football player
- Todd Graham, a former college football coach
- David Moore, a wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
- Trinity Benson, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions
- Gil Morgan, a professional golfer
- Lloyd Waner, a baseball Hall-of-Famer
- Paul Waner, a baseball Hall-of-Famer
Other Notable Alumni
- Wade Burleson, an author and historian
- Hallie Brown Ford, a generous giver to charities
- Leon Polk Smith, a famous artist
- Harland Stonecipher, who founded Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
- B. Kevin Turner, a former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Microsoft and CEO of Sam's Club
- La Vern E. Weber, a United States Army Lieutenant General
