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Right Here in Altus... History Was Made


Feb 20, 2026 -- maegan.martin
Graduates from the 1930s with Emily Smith.
Graduates from the 1930s with Emily Smith.
Western Oklahoma State College, originally Altus Junior College, opened its doors in 1923 and is the oldest existing municipal two-year college in Oklahoma. What started inside Altus High School nearly didn’t survive its early years. Financial struggles forced it to close in 1924, reopening in 1926, and by 1933, enrollment had dropped so low that many believed the end was near.
But then came Emily Smith.
Small in stature but mighty in determination, Smith, a history and debate teacher who had battled polio and overcome incredible personal challenges, was appointed dean at a time when some expected the college to fail. In fact, it’s said that a few board members assumed a woman would simply preside over its closure.
They were wrong.
With bold vision and relentless optimism, Smith transformed AJC. In just three years, enrollment skyrocketed from 10 students to 219. The debate team won a national championship. A powerhouse football program emerged. By 1936, the college was being called a “minor educational miracle.”
And she wasn’t finished.
Anticipating the needs of a nation on the brink of World War II, Smith became a ground school instructor and licensed pilot, helping train qualified aviators after the Civil Aviation Act of 1939.
After her departure in 1943, the college continued to thrive under strong leadership. By the 1960s, AJC was recognized statewide as a technological leader, offering hands-on computer training and a modern language lab.
In 1970, the college became a state junior college. In 1974, it proudly took the name Western Oklahoma State College, and by 1976, WOSC moved to its current 142-acre campus under the leadership of its first president, W.C. Burris.
From near closure to statewide impact, Western’s story has always been one of resilience, vision, and Pioneer spirit.

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What is Western Oklahoma State College?

  • About

    Western Oklahoma State College, established as Altus Junior College in 1926, is the oldest original municipal two-year college still in existence in Oklahoma...
    [About WOSC]

  • Vision

    Western Oklahoma State College aspires to be the outstanding and innovative community college known for its focus on student success and its service to community and regional development.

  • Mission

    The mission of Western Oklahoma State College is to provide high quality education while ensuring equity, supporting student success, and empowering individuals to become productive members of diverse local, regional, and global communities.