Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College - Viking Yearbook (Miami, OK)

Page 12 text:

Dr. Carter, today, admits that he was tempted to turn his business acumen into a highly profitable endeavor; He continues to regard his work experience as a precious investment; never has he disdained the state of the working man. Today, in a time of rising student expenses, he will spend much time and effort to see that a determined student has the opportunity to work his way through college. He admits that he has been skeptical of some students' ambition for success in the occupational and professional world; on the other hand, the resourcefulness of some young men and women little surprises the veter- an administrator. The retiring president has retained his warmth and regard for young people. Giving of his personal financial resources and counseling time, Dr. Carter has invested much in higher education. He has in- vigorated and revitalized the Student Senate into a vibrant and responsible organization. Student rep- resentatives, meeting frequently with Dr. Carter, share with him his candor and respect for the individ- ual. Under his guidance, students often propose beneficial ideas related to improvement of environment, activities, conduct, curricula, and social and cultural pursuits. Dr. Carter has maintained that his office door is Halways open to anyone with an idea or problem. The NEO administrator has served as President of the Miami Rotary Club and Chamber of Com- merce and has been a member of the Parks and Recreation Board for over twenty years. He was Chair- man of the Ottawa County Semi-Centennial in 1957' and helped formulate the Ottawa County Historical Society in 1960. He has occupied leadership positions in the state and local Democratic organization. Professionally, he has served as President of the Council of North Central Junior Colleges, an organiza- tion with over 250 member schools, located in nineteen states. Vet '4 . ' gs .. '1

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igxk y In the more than a quarter century of Dr. Carterts leadership. the annual operating budget has risen to well over 1.6 million dollars; the faculty has grown to over ninety members. Since 1961, when a long range campus developmental blueprint was accepted, construction of new facilities has progressed at a phenomenal rate. Such improvement has enabled the college to nearly double its enrollment to 2,500 students. The City of Miami has responded to growth plans, with accep- tance of Urban Renewal planning which has permitted much of the construction progress over the last four years. Older facilities have been renovated; the campus itself has been attractively beautified. A central mall with walkways, Chimes, fountains. and statuary, is the paramount feature of the linewH cam- pus. Dr. Carters background and life is similar to that of Horatio Alger. Born in 1904, one of twelve children in a farm family. he was destined to a life of hard work; however, individual initiative was not lacking in the young lad from Chickasha, Oklahoma. Although he withdrew from formal education upon completion of the eighth grade to help support his family by working in a dry cleaning establishment, at age nineteen. with determination, he decided to complete high school. Entering the high school acad- emy at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, he worked persistently to graduate in only two years. Three years later, in 1928. he was granted a Bachelors Degree. He had finished an eight year course of study in only five. Despite the heavy academic load, the determined scholar worked in his spare time, hauling students' laundry on his back to cleaning establishments in town. During his stay at OBU, with effective management, his student laundry concession provided the necessary funds not only to com- plete college, but to buy a new automobile. He earned a Doctorate in Education at the University of Oklahoma in 1948.

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- t .-,-:. .i i 4' N Dr. Carter regards his long career of public service as part of his stewardship responsibilities as a Christian and churchman. The young Bruce Carter was State President of the Baptist Young People's Union and often led in the organization of summer Bible schools in his early teaching career. A life-iong Southern Baptist and former chairman of the Board of Deacons in the First Baptist Church of Miamit he is presently on the Executive Board of the nation-wide Southern Baptist Convention. He formerly pre- sided as President of the Oklahoma Baptist University Alumni Association, being presently active in Alumni Development activities. A pioneer in junior college education in Oklahoma, Dr. Carter affirms that he is not retiring, but only accepting another position in the field of education. He will become Executive Director of the Alumni Development Program for Higher Education in Oklahoma, and if predictions of his associates are accurate, Dr. Carter may yet become a pioneer of a quarter-century of work in this new area as well.