Regents approve new name for OSU-Okmulgee

Friday, December 7, 2007

The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents approved a new name for the Okmulgee campus of Oklahoma State University on Friday. Board members voted to change OSU-Okmulgee to Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee.

“OSU-Okmulgee offers life-changing learning for its students and is a key component of the OSU System,” OSU Interim President Marlene Strathe said. “This name change to OSU Institute of Technology-Okmulgee better communicates to prospective students, future employers and the general public its mission.”

In March 2006, OSU-Okmulgee began a comprehensive research study to find ways to improve marketing and enrollment management at the Okmulgee campus. One of the recommendations was to change the name of the school in an effort to increase the marketing strength of the institution.

“OSU-Okmulgee’s fundamental purpose has always been and will continue to be preparing its highly skilled graduates for the marketplace and based on research the new name is associated with better jobs and salaries,” said Bob Klabenes, president of OSU-Okmulgee.

The name change must be approved by the Oklahoma State Legislature and then the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education before going into effect.

Known for its strong corporate partnerships, OSU-Okmulgee prepares students to be the technicians of the future for major industry employers. It offers three Bachelor of Technology Degree programs in addition to Associate Degrees in Applied Science.

OSU-Okmulgee is nationally known for its programs in automotive and heavy equipment technology, construction, culinary arts, engineering technology, information technology, nursing, orthotics and prosthetics technology, visual communications and watchmaking.