East Central University
East Central University (ECU or East Central) is a public university in Ada, Oklahoma. It is part of Oklahoma's Regional University System. Beyond its flagship campus in Ada, the university has courses available in McAlester, Shawnee, and Durant, as well as online courses. Founded as East Central State Normal School in 1909, its present name was adopted in 1985. Some of its more prominent alumni include former Microsoft COO B. Kevin Turner, Modernist painter Leon Polk Smith, former NFL player Mark Gastineau, past governors Robert S. Kerr and George Nigh, former U.S. Representative Lyle Boren, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Tom Colbert, and U.S. Army General James D. Thurman.
Former name | East Central State Normal School (1909–1939) East Central State College (1939–1974) East Central Oklahoma State University (1974–1985) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1909 |
Parent institution | Regional University System of Oklahoma |
Academic affiliations | Space-grant |
| Endowment | $35,564,099 |
| President | Wendell L. Godwin |
| Provost | Jeffery Gibson |
Administrative staff | 422 |
| Students | 3,577 (2019) |
| Location | , U.S. 34°46′28″N 96°39′53″W |
| Campus | College town |
| Colors | Black and orange |
| Nickname | Tigers |
Sporting affiliations | Great American Conference |
| Mascot | Roary the Tiger |
| Website | www |
ECU is approximately 90 miles (140 km) from Oklahoma City, 115 miles (185 km) from Tulsa and 150 miles (240 km) from Dallas. Today the campus consists of 37 buildings on 135 acres (55 ha); the university typically enrolls more than 3,500 students per semester from more than 30 countries and 25 states.