Oklahoma City University - Keshena Yearbook (Oklahoma City, OK)

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r 1 Dr. NVilkes presents an honorary doctorate of humanities to Miss Florence O. NVilson. Others who were so honored by the University --4 were Bishop XV. Angie Smith, Bishop Fred P. Corson, Donald S. Kennedy, Virgil Browne, Frank A. Sewell, and A. Schuler. Inauguration The most colorful and inspiring cere- mony possible for a university, and the first of its kind held at OCU in a decade and a half, is the inauguration of a new president. i On March 6, 1958, Dr. jack Stauffer YVilkes stepped into the open ranks of history as the sixth president of Oklahoma City University. The inaugural proceedings began with the procession of faculty and dele- gates from other colleges, universities, and learned societies, Bishops, and the Board of Trustees of the university in full aca- demic regalia. Representatives of other colleges and universities and of learned societies file into their places in the audi- torium of Fine Arts Building behind the faculty. Representatives included 26 visiting college presi- 1 dents and 142 administrative delegates. Deans of the university stand during the invocation Left to right, they are Deans Wheat, Poffenberger King, Foster, Burg and Hanson. a

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Alumni Da oincides In addition to dignitaries and representatives of the Methodist Church, other universities and colleges, and the Board of Trustees, the alumni of the univer- sity were present to honor Dr. Wilkes on his inaugura- tion. Many of them were on hand for the day packed with inaugural festivities and alumni activities. Delegates and representatives of 315 colleges, universities, and learned societies were present for the inauguration of Oklahoma City Universityis sixth president. Here they register and receive the day's schedule. A I Two of the first alumni arrivals, Katherine Stall and Susan Waite register for the many alumni activities of the day and evening. With Inauguration The second annual Alumni Day was purposely scheduled by the Alumni Board of Directors to coin- cide with the inauguration of Oklahoma City Univer- sity's sixth president. Vanguarding the events of the day was the Flap- jack Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Alumni were entertained by the sororities and fraternities throughout the after- noon and were present for a tea honoring Dr. Wilkes, a buffet in the evening and dance following the In- auguration Convocation at St. Lukeis Methodist Church. Alumni Bill Harkey and Bill Doenges, both candidates for Governor, exchange greetings with Maxine Daugherty, alumni secretary, at the Pancake Breakfast. 21 . i

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Members of the President's Party proceed to their places on the stage. Among the group were the Bishops, recipients of honorary doctorates, members of the Board of Trustees, and five student leaders. Five Methodist Bishops participated in the Inauguration. They are, left to right, Bishop Paul E. Martin, Arkansas-Louisiana Area, Bishop Fred P. Corson, Philadelphia Area, Bishop A. Frank Smith, Houston Area, Bishop H. Baseom VVatta, Nebraska Area, and Bishop W. Angie Smith, Oklahoma-New Mexico Area. Willis McDonald Tate, President of Southern Methodist University delivered the inaugural address. He has been president of S.M.Ui since May 4, 1954. The University Choir stands during the invocation. Later in the ceremony they presented Blessed Is the Man CPsalm ll, ac- companied by brass ensemble and organ. The anthem was com- posed by Professor Everett Gates for the occasion and dedicated to Dr. Wilkes. u- ' 23