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University of Central Oklahoma
Motto	N/A
Established	1890
Type	Public university
President	W. Roger Webb
Faculty	655
Students	15,500
Location	Edmond, Oklahoma, USA ( 35°39′30″N, 97°28′19″W))
Nickname	Bronchos
Mascot	Buddy Broncho
Website	http://www.ucok.edu/
Logo is a trademark of the University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in the state with over 15,500 full time students with approximately 400 full-time and 255 adjunct faculty. Founded in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the state. The original purpose of the school was to train teachers, and it still boasts the largest and most respected school of education in the state.

Contents 1 History 2 Athletics 3 Notable Alumni of University of Central Oklahoma 4 External links

On November 9, 1891, students met for classes in the Edmond First Methodist Church and the oldest state higher education institution in Oklahoma began its evolution toward what is today the University of Central Oklahoma.

Construction of the first campus building, Old North Tower, began in the summer of 1892 and classes were first held in Old North on January 2, 1893.

In 1919, the institution’s name was changed from the Territorial Normal School to Central State Teacher's College and the training program expanded to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree in education. From 1901 until 1961, UCO housed a laboratory school in which local elementary schoolchildren were schooled by UCO faculty and soon-to-be teaching graduates.

Two decades later, Central State Teacher's College became Central State College. In 1939, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the institution to grant both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

On March 11, 1941, Central State became part of a coordinated state system of post-secondary education overseen by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, and joined institutions with similar missions as a regional institution.

The college is also the only institution in the state of Oklahoma with a Funeral Science degree.

On July 1, 1991, Oklahoma lawmakers gave the institution its current name: the University of Central Oklahoma.

Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh served as UCO President from 1992 to 1997.

UCO athletes participate in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference. Both men's and women's teams are nicknamed the "Bronchos." UCO currently competes in baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross-country, football, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.

• Michael D. Brown, former FEMA director
• Amy McRee, weekday evening co-anchor for KWTV 9 Oklahoma City
• Milena Govich, actress on the TV series Law & Order
• Jim Beaver, actor on the TV series Deadwood
• Jeremy Castle, country music singer and songwriter
• Randall L. Stephenson, Chief Operation Officer SBC Communications
• W.K. (Kip) Stratton, author
• Matthew S. Reed, artist

• http://www.ucok.edu/
• http://www.bronchosports.com/ - Official UCO athletic website
• http://www.ucok.edu/alumni/ - University of Central Oklahoma Alumni Association
• http://library.ucok.edu/ - Chambers Library at University of Central Oklahoma
• http://busn.ucok.edu/ - University of Central Oklahoma's College of Business
• http://www.kuco.fm/ - Z-100 KUCO 99.9FM in Edmond; also streaming online
• http://www.libarts.ucok.edu/masscomm/ - University of Central Oklahoma Department of Mass Commuincation
• http://www.kcscfm.com/ - Classical music station: KCSC 90.1 FM in Edmond/Oklahoma City; also KBCW 91.9 FM in McAlester, OK

Public universities in Oklahoma

Cameron University • East Central University • Langston University • Northeastern State University • Northwestern Oklahoma State University • Oklahoma Panhandle State University • Oklahoma State University • Rogers State University • Southeastern Oklahoma State University • Southwestern Oklahoma State University • University of Central Oklahoma • University of Oklahoma • University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma

Lone Star Conference
Abilene Christian • Angelo State • Cameron • Central Oklahoma • East Central • Eastern New Mexico • Midwestern State • Northeastern State • Southeastern Oklahoma • Southwestern Oklahoma • Tarleton State • Texas A&M–Commerce • Texas A&M–Kingsville • Texas Woman's • West Texas A&M