Cameron University
Cameron University is a public university in Lawton, Oklahoma, founded in 1908 by the Oklahoma Legislature as the Cameron State School of Agriculture and named after state superintendent E. D. Cameron.[1] It evolved from an agricultural high school to a junior college in 1927, began offering baccalaureate degrees in 1966 (first awarded in 1970), and introduced master's degrees in 1988 (first awarded in 1990), before being renamed Cameron University in 1974.[1] The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and emphasizes student-centered education with small class sizes, free tutoring, and an open admissions policy.[1][2] As of fall 2024, Cameron University had a total enrollment of approximately 3,700 students, including 3,319 undergraduates, with a diverse body that includes international students and a significant number from the nearby Fort Sill military base.[3] It offers more than 50 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels across fields such as liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and professional studies, along with micro-credentials and certificates.[4] The university also maintains a branch campus in Duncan, Oklahoma, to extend access to higher education in southwest Oklahoma.[5] Cameron University's mission focuses on providing quality educational opportunities in a supportive environment that fosters student success, community leadership, and lifelong learning, with core values including excellence, diversity, and responsible stewardship of resources.[6] Notable for its military ties, the university has produced 18 alumni who achieved the rank of general officer in the U.S. military.[7] Its 160-acre campus features modern facilities, active student life with athletics in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference, and cultural events, contributing to its role as a key educational hub in the region.[8]History
Founding and early years
Cameron University was established in 1908 by the Oklahoma Legislature as the Cameron State School of Agriculture, one of six district agricultural high schools created to provide vocational training to rural youth in the state's judicial districts.[9] Located in Lawton, the institution was named in honor of Rev. E. D. Cameron, a Baptist minister and Oklahoma's first State Superintendent of Schools, and placed under the oversight of the State Commission on Agriculture and Industrial Education.[1] The school's founding reflected the needs of a newly admitted state with a predominantly agricultural economy, aiming to equip students with practical skills for farming and related pursuits.[5] The school opened its doors in November 1909, with initial classes held in the basement of the First National Bank building in downtown Lawton while a permanent campus was under construction two miles west of town.[9] Enrollment began modestly at 58 students under the guidance of five faculty members, focusing on a curriculum that emphasized agriculture, manual training, mathematics, English literature, and domestic science (home economics), delivered over a six-day weekly schedule to foster hands-on learning in practical farming and animal husbandry.[10] The early campus featured basic facilities, including classrooms and faculty offices in the first building, alongside a demonstration farm that supported the institution's role in advancing local agricultural practices during the 1910s and 1920s; by the early 1920s, the site encompassed approximately 150 acres.[11] These efforts helped sustain southwest Oklahoma's rural economy by training youth in sustainable farming techniques and home management, amid challenges such as funding shortages and legislative debates over the viability of the agricultural high schools, which led to frequent changes in leadership.[9] In response to growing community demand for broader educational opportunities, the institution transitioned to junior college status in 1927 through legislation sponsored by U.S. Congressman Jed Johnson, Sr., and was renamed Cameron State Agricultural College.[9] This shift allowed the addition of general education courses while maintaining its agricultural emphasis, marking a pivotal evolution toward expanded academic offerings.[1]Expansion and name changes
In response to growing regional demand for advanced education in southwest Oklahoma, Cameron State Agricultural College achieved four-year status in 1966 when the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the addition of baccalaureate degrees in education and business.[5] This transition was driven by the need to serve local communities beyond junior college offerings, with the first bachelor's degrees awarded in May 1970.[1] Reflecting its broadened academic scope, the institution was renamed Cameron College by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in 1971.[5] Further program development led the Oklahoma Legislature to change the name to Cameron University in 1974, signifying its evolution into a comprehensive institution.[12] During the 1970s, this period of growth included the construction of new academic buildings to accommodate expanding curricula and student needs.[13] The university entered graduate education in 1988 when the Oklahoma State Regents approved master's programs in business administration and education.[14] This expansion coincided with an enrollment surge in the 1980s, reaching over 4,000 students amid economic shifts in Oklahoma's oil-dependent region that increased demand for professional training.[15]Presidents and leadership transitions
Cameron University's leadership has evolved through a series of presidents who have guided its transition from a junior college to a comprehensive regional university, with each tenure marked by significant administrative and academic advancements. The institution's first president, J.A. Liner, served from 1908 to 1912, establishing its agricultural roots as Cameron State School of Agriculture. Subsequent leaders, including Ralph K. Robertson (1912–1913) and E.M. Frost (1913–1914), focused on foundational infrastructure like dormitories and campus facilities.[12]| President | Tenure | Key Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| J.A. Liner | 1908–1912 | Established the institution as Cameron State School of Agriculture.[12] |
| Ralph K. Robertson | 1912–1913 | Built the first girls' dormitory and coached the inaugural football team.[12] |
| E.M. Frost | 1913–1914 | Oversaw operations with a predominantly rural student body.[12] |
| Robert P. Short | 1914 | Brief tenure as the first Native American president; added a creamery.[12] |
| A.C. Farley | 1914–1920 | Grew enrollment to 168 students and added a boys' dormitory.[12] |
| A.E. Wickizer | 1920–1923 | Expanded teacher training programs and developed a school farm.[12] |
| John G. March | 1923–1927 | Improved campus access with a gravel road.[12] |
| John L. Coffey | 1927–1931 | Added junior college courses, making it the largest junior college in Oklahoma by 1930.[12] |
| Charles M. Conwill | 1931–1946 | Guided the institution through the Great Depression using federal aid.[12] |
| Clarence H. Breedlove | 1946–1947 | Resigned for a U.S. Army commission after a short tenure.[12] |
| C. Vernon Howell | 1947–1957 | Oversaw post-war growth and established the ROTC program.[12] |
| Clarence L. Davis | 1957–1960 | Pursued accreditation and built a new gymnasium.[12] |
| Richard B. Burch | 1960–1969 | Achieved four-year status and introduced the first baccalaureate coursework.[12] |
| Don J. Owen | 1969–1980 | Oversaw the awarding of the first baccalaureate degrees and the name change to Cameron University in 1974; led infrastructure growth in the 1970s, including new academic buildings.[12] |
| Don C. Davis | 1980–2002 | Expanded academic offerings to include master's degrees, launched public radio station KCCU-FM, and developed the university's first website; emphasized accreditation achievements during his 22-year tenure.[12] |
| Cynthia S. Ross | 2002–2013 | Succeeded Don C. Davis directly upon his retirement; implemented long-range strategic planning, led the centennial celebration, and oversaw capital improvements to campus facilities.[12] |
| John M. McArthur | 2013–2024 | Navigated financial challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, including renewed accreditation; focused on operational stability during recovery efforts.[12] |
| Jari Askins (Interim) | 2024–2025 | Increased enrollment and rebuilt the fiber optic network amid leadership transition.[12] |
| C. Shane Hunt | 2025–present | Appointed as the 18th president in July 2025 following the interim period, with a focus on student success initiatives and post-pandemic recovery; formally installed on September 9, 2025.[16][17][18] |