My memories of OCLA are much different from those of the classes after 1969 or 1970. I was a sophomore at Oklahoma College for Women when the change to OCLA was announced to the student body. We took none of the core courses so praised by others this weekend (during the 2010 reunion), because they hadn’t been developed yet. We did get the benefits of the trimester schedule (senior year) and a more dynamic student government. Many of my contemporaries were adamantly opposed to the change. I took a wait-and-see attitude at first, then, after many talks with Dr. Irene Mitchell, decided it was time to pitch in and help. That was made difficult by spending half of the first trimester (1967-68) doing student teaching in Lawton.
Quite honestly, I came back for visits during the last 70’s and early 80’s and was disappointed in the deterioration of the buildings and lack of students out and about on campus. I’m glad that has turned around. I’m glad those whose total experience with OCLA were so satisfied. Those of us who were caught in the middle didn’t always have that positive an experience.