Oklahoma Panhandle State University

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Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Motto	Progress Through Knowledge
Established	1909
Type	Public
President	Dr. David Bryant
Students	1,550 +
Location	Goodwell, Oklahoma, USA 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.

1 History
2 Academics
3 Athletics
4 Notable alumni
5 References
6 Further reading
7 External links

History [edit]

Oklahoma Panhandle State University was created by an act of the Oklahoma Legislature in 1909 as Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute offering secondary agricultural education for the Panhandle area. 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. In 1967, the school was designated as Oklahoma Panhandle State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. In 1974, the university assumed its present name.

Academics [edit]

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.

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

Athletics [edit]

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, softball (women), baseball (men), and men's and women's golf, cross-country running, and basketball.

The football team plays at Carl Wooten Field and competes in the NCAA Division II Independent Football Alliance with several games from the Central State Football League of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In the early nineties, OPSU Aggies football was known as a football powerhouse. The program has recently had tremendous success thanks to the late Mike Wyatt (2007-2010). The 2010 team produced the Aggie football program's first winning season since 2004, going 6-5.

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 championships in the sport. As part of their scholarship package, rodeo team members may receive lodging in special housing and stalls for their animals.

Notable alumni [edit]

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
Mark King, an American guitar player for the rock band Hinder from Guymon Oklahoma; Mark graduated from OPSU in 2004.
Frank Beede, a former offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks; Beede played offensive line for the OPSU aggies football team 1995-1996
Taos Muncy, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider for 2011 graduated from OPSU in 2007

References [edit]

External links [edit]

v t e 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

v t e Heartland Conference

University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Dallas Baptist McMurry University Newman University Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma Panhandle State St. Edward's St. Mary's (TX) Texas A&M International University University of Texas of the Permian Basin

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