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

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AN ENMQABLE RECORD . The obscure future of Northeastern Oklahoma A 8t M College, in 1943, was appraised cau- tiously by even the most optimistic men of the day. Located on a rural creek side, amidst gently rolling hills, the school adjoined a mining area, whose industrial outlook was only marginal for the postwar period ahead. A student shortage, created by World War ll-fewer than 200 were enrolled-made difficult the justification of the limited study programs remaining. Higher edu- cation, dependent upon state aid, was financially insecureg the junior college curriculum was criticized, the argument being that several programs of study were irrelevant to higher educa- tion. A curtailment of activities at Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College had already become an issue of some political importance. Called to assume the position of leadership during that time of crises for higher education in Northeastern Oklahoma was Bruce G. Carter, a young and confident administrator of the National Youth Administration for Oklahoma. In January, 1970, after a period of nearly twenty- seven years, during which the college has undergone a complete metamorphosis, Dr. Bruce G. Carter will resign his responsibilities as President of the College. lnheriting a campus of five worn, dust-red brick buildings, a ten-member faculty, and an annual budget of S30,500, the new president soon demonstrated the ability and dignity of office he was so admirably equipped to command. Dr. Carter initiated a promotional campaign among area business and community leaders, encouraging them to sponsor scholarships for deserving young men and women, from his ef- forts has emerged one of the most outstanding endowment programs among junior colleges. at wh f Wh li ,,

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The quality of education, as well as the curricula, was dramatically improved-attesting to a con- stant betterment is the current high percentage of faculty who hold Master and Doctoral degrees. An infant agricultural program, initiated as part of the college's curricula soon after Dr. Carter's inaugural, has achieved splendid recognition for its record of judging championships as well as for its vocational and instructional graduates. A new vocational-technical program was launched, programs in the fine arts fdrama, music, art, and stagecraftl were innovated. A master of the public relations field and an advocate of physical, as well as intellectual and tech- nical skills, the president promptly instituted highly successful physical education programs in inter- collegiate athletics and girls' drill teams. Golden Norsemen have become synonymous with excel- lence, and the Norse Stars, an organization that Dr. Carter considers his team, has displayed poise and southern charm everywhere they have performed. Football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, golf, and cross-country have attained national prominence. Such sports as swimming, archery, and gymnas- tics now add versatility to an impressive list of variety and intramural pursuits. ln the early years of leadership, Dr. Carter served as administrator, public information director, teacher, and counselor. The new president, with his young family, even assumed the responsibility of head resident of one of the student dormitories. Today, the President strides to his office from a lovely traditional, Georgian brick home on the west edge of the campus, such proximity allowing constant communication with the students. -N