East Central University

East Central University International Student Insurance

East Central University, located in Ada, Oklahoma, was established in 1909. It was founded as one of six state-funded normal schools (providing four years of high school education and two years of college education toward a teacher certification) following Oklahoma’s admission into the U.S. in 1906. Ada was chosen as the location after intensive lobbying efforts by a local booster club, who also raised funds for faculty salaries. The school opened in 1910 as East Central State Normal School. It began offering four-year degrees in 1919 and was designated as a state college in 1939. The first graduate program opened in 1954. In 1985, the school was officially named East Central University. 

The school’s colors are orange and black, and its athletic nickname is the tigers.

On Campus

ECU has several distinguishing characteristics. It’s a leader of Oklahoma universities in “promoting access to handicapped students and the development of corresponding undergraduate and graduate degree programs for rehabilitation services, services to the deaf, and similar areas.” Five ECU alumni have been elected to the position of governor: two of Oklahoma, one of Arizona, and two of the Chickasaw Nation. ECU is one of a very small number of schools in the country to offer a B.S. degree in cartography, a B.S. degree in environmental health science, and a bachelor’s degree in medical physics.

Notable Alumni

Noteworthy ECU alumni include authors Aaron Gwyn and Kenneth Hite; Harland Stonecipher, founder of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.; mathematician Jennifer McLoud-Mann; and professional golfing legend Dr. Gil Morgan.

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