East Central University

East Central University (ECU) is located in Ada, Oklahoma. The university was founded as East Central State Normal School in 1909, only two years after Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state. As a normal school, East Central provided four years of "preparatory" (or high school) study, followed by two years of college work. Graduates of the normal school program received lifetime teaching certification statewide. In 1919, the normal schools were authorized to offer four years of teacher education, to offer bachelor's degrees, and were designated teachers' colleges. In 1939, the mandate expanded beyond education degrees, and the school became East Central State College. In 1974, the state legislature renamed the state colleges, and the school became East Central Oklahoma State University. It retained this name until 1985, when it gained its present name.

Related Topics:
Ada, Oklahoma - 1909 - Oklahoma - 1919 - 1939 - 1974 - 1985

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East Central's athletic teams (the "Tigers") compete in the NCAA Division II.

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Blanchard, Oklahoma country music singer and songwriter Jeremy Castle played baseball for East Central graduated from East Central University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in May 1997.

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