Hello! This Monday Memory from the McCarter Museum takes a look back at the early years of the University Preparatory School or “UPS” in Tonkawa. Northern Oklahoma College was originally created as a prep school in 1901. On September 8, 1902
UPS opened its doors “for the purpose of preparing young men and women for freshman standing at the University of Oklahoma at Norman.” Anyone over the age of 14 could enroll, but students without diplomas had to pass an entrance examine to attend.
History found at the museum tells of the early student “yell”…. (Hi rickety hoop di doo! Preparatory for O-Kla-U.) Classes were held in the four story brick Central Hall. Tuition was free to residents of the Territory and tuition for non-residents was $500 a term. Annual faculty salaries were $1,200 for men and $900 for women.
Wilkin Hall was unfortunately gutted by a fire in 1914. UPS athletic teams were an important part of campus life, celebrating many championships along the way. In 1911 a boy’s gymnasium with an indoor pool was built. At the time O.U. had the only other indoor pool in the state. In 1921 the school developed into a junior vocational college.
The institution’s name was changed by legislature to Northern Oklahoma Junior College in 1941.
To see photos of early campus life visit our Tonkawa Historical Society Facebook page!
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