The fate of OSU-Okmulgee's Boot & Saddlemaking Program
"It is with regret that we officially announce OSU-Okmulgee's decision to close our Shoe, Boot & Saddle program of study. NO new students will be accepted for enrollment this spring 2005, and SBS technical courses will be offered only through December 2005." (Source)
Yes, the rumors are true...Oklahoma State is closing it's Boot & Saddlemaking Program*, but all is not lost. I spoke with longtime instructor Mike DeWitt today and he tells me the program will be moved to nearby Green Country Technology Center.
You can contact the Center at (918) 758-0840.
Details will follow, but students will begin their courses in August 2005.
Mr. DeWitt thinks the move will benefit both the program and its new students. The program will be housed in a brand new building ...custom-built to meet its instructional and equipment needs. And students will no longer be burdened with general education requirements like history, math and speech classes.
Mike DeWitt has agreed to follow the program to its new location...at least long enough to make sure it gets off to a good strong start.
*OSU-Okmulgee's Boot & Saddle program is the only one of it's kind remaining in the United States.
Alumni of the OSU program include:
- Brian C. Thomas (Abilene, TX)
- James "Smitty" Smith (Beggs, OK)
- Lee Miller (Austin, TX)
- Glenderson Daly (San Antonio,TX)
posted by Jennifer June at 10:02 AM
2 Comments:
I`m a bit sad to hear about this (even if it`s already been a year and a half). I was enrolled in the bootmaking program there in 1981/82 and have some fond memories of my time there. We called it OST then.
I made boots and did repairing for a few years and am planning to start back up in the not-too-distant future as my retirement is not all that far off.
I was surprised to see that this program was shut down at O.S.T., I felt this coarse was excellant. I spent a year there ,85-86, with Erle Bain and Mike Dewitt instructing. I have nothing but great memories of all the people and especially the instructors who really, held back no secrets. I wish everyone good luck at the new location !!!
Kevin - Camp Creek Alberta
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