Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Savage Yearbook (Durant, OK)

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Southeasternis Academics Praised by speakers ttStudents and faculty continue to share a belief in excellence in the academic lifef she said. The Honorable Wes Watkins, U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma District 3, challenged students, the faculty and the new president to hold a vision of what is before them. He said that Oklahomais high school graduates matriculate to institutions of higher education in numbers that far exceed the national average and praised parents for instilling in them the motivation to do so. To the students, he said, ttYou should dedicate yourselves to learn all you can from your college experience. tiTo teach carries an awesome responsibilityf, Watkins stated. ttEach of us can recall . . . at least one educator who had a profound impact on us. Congressman Watkins reminded Dr. Williams and the faculty that the citizens of Oklahoma entrusted to them a most precious I ; , State Representative Guy Da vis of Calera tells that Southeastern has been a major force in his life. Ms. Linda Blankenship Grantham, president of the board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges presents th seal of Southeastern Oklahoma State University am charge to Dr. Williams. Following the presentation of the seal, the medallio and mace, Congressman Wes Watkins and State Representative Guy Da vis flank Dr. Larry William product - the minds of young people. tiTeach them to reason, to think, to solve with their minds the problems which do not easily yieldf he challenged. N ext came Dr. Dan Hobbs, Interim Chancellor for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, who presented the symbols of office to Dr. Williams.

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l: x J t: r 1' I.meW-sznz.w , . .e 4 Aw 3A7? Awayan-sw r -:4 Dr. Larry Williams responds to remarks by participants. Dr. Paula Platter thanks the members of the inauguration preparation committee. Dr. Littlejohn said, tiThe recent history of this university is deeply troubling. It has embarrassed us, saddened, and angered us? He also remarked that the tradition of Southeastern is an honorable one, and told Dr. Williams, ttI believe, With your guidance, we can live down the recent months. I believe that we can do what we do with distinction. We can recover the honorable tradition? Speaking on behalf of the student body was junior Laura Williams. Expressing her humility at being asked to represent 4,300 voices, she said that students proudly chose SOSU for their post-secondary educational beginnings. iiHereX' she said, itwe have the resources; and, here, we have the teachers to help us get started. We have all, for various reasons, entrusted ourselves at this crucial time in our lives to you - you the faculty and you, Dr. Williams, our president, she said. Speaking directly to Dr. Williams she added, itWe offer you our time and our labors, our support and our cooperation. And to guide you as president of our university, I offer you the light of our hope? Dr. Sam L. Pool, a 1958 graduate of Southeastern and Chief of Medical Science and Research of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, represented Alumni at the investiture. Dr. Pool reminisced briefly concerning his studies at Southeastern, and noted that it was clear that a strong academic HENRY G. BENNETT MEMORIAL LIBRARY SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIV hIlDAhIT DVIALIHIAA 7A'1n1 tradition was building at the University. ttOne 0f the measures of success of any educational program is reflected in the achievements of the graduates. Southeastern graduates from the very start? he said, ithave had significant achievements in art, science, law, medicine, literature, and public service? ttCurrieulum was not as broad as offered at some institutions, but standards were high, he said. Completing his salutation to Dr. Williams, Dr. Pool called on the new president ttto set high academic standards to create an environment in which the students may truly develop. Ms. Avalon Reece, representing the Oklahoma State Board of Regents for Higher Education, referred to the unique and important function of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the educational system,

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Dr. Hobbs traced the historical roots of the mace to its origins in Italy, later to France and England. It initially belonged to the military, but was changed by the church from a weapon of war to a weapon of peace. itToday we present the academic mace to Dr. Larry Williams as a symbol of the Presidents authority to carry out the mission of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. iiIt is a symbolic reminder that the Universityis pursuit of truth is both powerful and sacred? he said. The Southeastern mace, created by members of the Southeastern faculty, was made of moradillo wood from Brazil, which attested to the international mission of the university. The crown, in the shape of a torch, signified the spirit of knowledge. Six medallions on the hexagon-shaped head identified the institution as one of six sisters. Dr. Hobbs also presented Dr. Williams with the medallion to be worn as the embodiment of learning and the symbol of presidential office. iiMay you always carry the mace With honor, and wear this medallion with dignity, Dr. Hobbs said during the presentation. Ms. Linda Blankenship Grantham, president of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, presented the official seal of the university to Dr. Williams. Ms. Blankenship verbally applauded Dr. Williams for his leadership abilities in his short tenure as chief administrator. iiHe has set the faculty and students on course to the future? she said. As the representative for the Regents, she gave him the charge to tigather a faculty with the scholarly knowledge and the teaching competency to meet the needs of the students . . . and give them the support to do their important work? In presenting the seal of the university, which bore the words Progress and Education, she reminded him of his reponsibility to make education and progress secure at the university. In his address to the large audience, Dr. Williams spoke of his humility in representing the large groups - student, faculty and alumni - represented at the ceremony. iiA leader must keep some humility ever alive in his character and in his behavior. It is of fundamental importance in leadership, he said. Butf the new president said, iivision and boldness must accompany humility? iiWe must dare to imagine the future as the present is not, but we must dare to make our visions come true? he said. Dr. Williams explained, however, that his vision alone was not enough to mold the future of Southeastern and called on students, faculty, alumni, and the regents to devote the support to help do so. Dr. Williams promised his strength, energy, and individual resourcefulness to help make the university an institution which can fulfill the dreams of each group represented on the campus. iiThere is no middle of the road. We must keep our eyes on the one simple goal of any institution of higher learning - to educate its students and to do so with the highest standards of excellence it can achieve with its resources? iiThis university can contribute significantly to all worthy human endeavors? Dr. Williams emphasized. iiWe can share the goal of doing our best to enable our students to acquire the fundamental university education they need to succeed in the world today. I donit refer only to financial success in their professions? iiI intend success in both their careers and personal lives? he stresses. iiAbsolute dedication of all the universityis resources, human, and monetary? said the president, iigives a university its integrity. Organized and thorough research of the knowledge and intellectual abilities graduates should have in order to live fulfilling lives was also emphasized as a needed undertaking of the university by Dr. Williams. iiUniversity teachersli he said, iiare persons who research and study and evaluate and teach their academic subjects. iiStrengthening instructional programs and bringing the vision of teaching and learning to fulfillment must be done boldly, the president said. Closing, the newly-invested president said, iil want to thank the persons Who have challenged me here on this stage - not only because I owe them gratitude for taking the time to honor me - but also because they have made the effort to instruct me? til share the vision?