Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Growth is the word that most accurately describes what took place at Bartlesville Wesleyan College during the decade of the ’70’s. During those years BWC became one of the fastest growing colleges in Oklahoma and in the nation.

The Oklahoma State Regents report in the spring of 1979 showed that BWC had the largest five-year enrollment increase of any four-year school in the state — private or state supported. That report showed BWC had a 97.4 percent increase during that period.

BWC’s regular student headcount during the 1971-72 year was 203 compared to 652 in the fall of 1979. Naturally, as the student population grew, so did the size of the faculty budget and campus. From 1972 to 1979 the full-time and part-time faculty grew from 17 to 57. Similarly, the college’s budget of $400,000 in 1972 had now topped the $2 million mark.

Miltonvale Wesleyan College’s merger with the Bartlesville school in 1972 was a key to the growth of the college. BWC began operation as a four-year liberal arts college that year. Prior to this both schools had operated as junior colleges with a four-year ministerial program.

Thus the merged institution emerged as a broader academic institution than either of its antecedent schools, providing greater academic opportunity and strength.

Four new buildings were constructed during the 1970’s. The Haltom Campus Center went into operation in the fall of 1973. Two buildings went up in 1974. They were the Science Building, constructed largely by funds provided from the community, and Dorm ’74, which housed 56 men. Then in November of 1979 the long awaited Performance Center was dedicated.

April 12, 1978 was a very significant day in BWC’s progress. On that day the college was granted full accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This came three years ahead of schedule, a first in the nation.

In addition to the increase in students, faculty, budget, and campus facilities, the academic programs expanded greatly during the 1970’s and continued to grow. Four-year degrees were available only in religion until 1975, when the first students graduated with a four year degree in elementary education.

When entering the 1980’s, Bartlesville Wesleyan College offered four year degrees in accounting, behavioral science, biology, business administration, business education, church music, elementary education, history/political science, music education, music performance, religion (three options available), secondary social science education and secondary science education.