History

Oklahoma State Baptist College was founded in 1899 by the Oklahoma Baptist Convention. It was awarded to Blackwell, a city of 4,500 “progressive citizens,” who put up twenty acres of land and $15,000 in funds to attract the school.

 

The American Baptist Yearbook for 1912-14 gives an enrollment of 112—70 males and 42 females. Photo-Gravures lists 214 students.  According to the Handbook of the Young Women’s Christian Association, O.S.B.C. had 62 female students.  Patterson’s Directory of American Colleges shows a prep department, whose students may be included in some lists.

 

In 1901 The Wichita Daily Eagle lists faculty members, including the president and heads of the theology, scientific, normal, music, and elocution/oratory departments.  The American Baptist Yearbook shows 14 faculty members.

 

According to the Dallas Morning News, the first commencement in 1902 had 5 graduates—all in music.  A year later there were seven.  As usual with commencements at the time, these featured prizes given for contests in music, debate, and oration.

 

O.S.B.C. was strong in debate.  Intercollegiate Debate shows yearly contests with Southwestern College and Oklahoma Methodist College.  The Daily Oklahoman shows a triangular meet with those schools.  Tulsa Daily World lists O.S.B.C. among the six schools participating in a state meet in 1913, sponsored by the state Prohibition Association. 

 

As early as 1905 the Blackwell Commercial Club stepped in to pay off the indebtedness of the school.  The Baptist convention raised a subscription of $1,400 and pledged to raise $10,000 to operate the school.  But the financial woes continued.   In 1911 with the emergence of Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, O.S.B.C. was relegated to second rank in Oklahoma.  And by 1913 the financial status had reached the point that the buildings were sold at a sheriff’s sale to recover an $18,000 note.   The Southern Baptist Convention expressed sympathy and wished the school well