Cameron University history

The first classes were held on Statehood Day, November 16, 1909, in the basement of a bank building, while a new campus building was being constructed.

The early Cameron students took great pride in moving out of the basement to the main campus when the first building was completed in 1911.

In 1927 Cameron added junior college-level classes to the school's offerings, when local higher education needs exceeded what was available in southwest Oklahoma.

Although Davis's premature death in 1960 cut short the completion of some of his projects, most were realized by his successor.

Richard Burch secured junior college accreditation in 1962 and sought funding for several planned campus buildings.

The institution's name was shortened to Cameron College in 1971 and, with more program expansion, changed to Cameron University in 1974. Based on additional development of programs and curriculum, in 1966 the legislation passed a bill authorizing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to allow the college to award Baccalaureate degrees.

Nonetheless, Cameron began granting four-year degrees in 1970 and the university found a renewed sense of identity and purpose.

In 1988, State Regents expanded Cameron's functions to include graduate offerings at the master's degree level.

In May 2004, a higher education center located in nearby Duncan became an official branch campus and was renamed Cameron University-Duncan.