Centennial Celebration

Volume 35

Number 1

Spring 2004

Centennial Celebration

By Janet L. Taber
Director, Communications & Marketing
Pioneer Technology Center

The Oklahoma Legislature honored the CareerTech system April 6 with a concurrent resolution in celebration of the system's heritage and in recognition of the distinctive position CareerTech holds as one of the premier systems in the world. The resolution officially declared the year 2004 as the centennial year of the system and applauded Oklahoma's CareerTech system for its outstanding contributions to Oklahoma as well as to all Oklahomans during its first 100 years.

The event featured a brief program, with presentations from State Director Phil Berkenbile and former State Director Roy Peters. Former Governors George Nigh, Henry Bellmon and David Walters were recognized for their efforts in the expansion of the CareerTech system. In addition, Dewey Bartlett was recognized for is efforts as governor when the system was significantly expanded establishing Technology Centers and TIP programs.

Former Gov.George Nigh speaks to the Senate on behalf of the CareerTech system during the centennial presentation.

"This celebration is as much about the future as it is about the past," stated Berkenbile. "As the CareerTech system turns 100 years old, we look back with pride on our past achievements, but we also look forward to providing the exceptional career and technology education and training to the next generation of Oklahomans."

Berkenbile added that this celebration would not be possible without the commitment and expertise of many individuals from Oklahoma and with the support of the state legislature.

A year of activities across the state will incorporate the 2004 theme, "Securing Futures for Another 100 Years," including the 37th Annual Oklahoma Career and Technology Education Summer Conference scheduled for Aug. 3 through 5 in Tulsa.

In 1904, Oklahoma City's Superintendent of Schools, Edgar Vaught, first initiated a manual training program in an Oklahoma public school with the support of teacher H.F. Rusch, the program proved to be a success.

Prior to Oklahoma's statehood in 1907, schools in Lawton, Comanche, Ardmore, and Muskogee adopted Oklahoma City's successful programs, and some 90 Oklahoma schools followed prior to the inception of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917.

This was followed by the 1957 National Vocational Education Act and the subsequent establishment of Oklahoma's area schools, now known as technology centers.

Today, Oklahoma's CareerTech system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 54 campuses, 400 comprehensive school districts, 25 skills centers and three juvenile facilities.

See image gallery of days events here