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

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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

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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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ln the more than a quarter century of Dr. Carter's 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 new cam- pus. Dr. Carter's 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. ,,,..4 ,df g l 'QQ :is-