Welcome from the Dean

It is with pleasure that I welcome you to the University of Oklahoma College of Education. I find such a welcome is similar to introducing a dignitary or keynote speaker. Such introductions are never complete without a somewhat significant recounting of accomplishments. Milestones are often the markers we employ to underscore the accomplishments of which we are most proud.

To that end, the OU College of Education has many accomplishments to celebrate. Each year, the College continues to grow in stature in our state, region and nationally. This year, U.S. News and World Report ranked the College 40th in its 2008 edition of "America's Best Graduate Colleges of Education." That recognition is certainly well deserved and reflects deeply the dedication of the College's faculty and staff to providing the best possible education for all our students.

The College's faculty continue to be recognized nationally in their fields of expertise as some of the best and brightest. They serve as editors, jurists, peer-reviewers and, of course, producers of research that shapes education today and for the future. Their impact on the field is immense and their teaching impacts the lives of our students. This year, College of Education faculty members were honored by the University of Oklahoma Student Association with awards recognizing outstanding classroom teaching and administration. There is no higher praise than that of the students you teach.

Students in the College are also receiving record financial support in the form of scholarships offered by the College. Such critical financial support from our alumni, friends and donors means our students will graduate with less debt and will begin their professional careers more focused on the path ahead than the financial trail left behind.

Those who believe in our mission also have been generous in lending a solid foundation to the College's "Campaign for Collings Hall," a capital campaign aimed at building a state-of-the-art addition to the current building. Space in the addition, which will nearly double the size of the current facility, will be dedicated to student and faculty use, making the learning process more dynamic and allowing our students and faculty use of facilities and equipment that will rival those of any Big 12 institution.

Rankings, honors, the accomplishments of our faculty, and new buildings only tell part of the story about the strength of the College. I would like share another side of that story, perhaps the most important measure of the value of what we do.

A few years ago, one of the local school administrators said that you could always recognize one of our graduates because they are so well prepared when they walk into their classrooms. This sentiment was echoed again recently when one of our graduate students who is seeking certification in special education was placed in an early childhood setting for her practicum experience. She was there to help with an autistic preschooler who was unable to communicate effectively with the children and staff.  Our practicum student worked with the preschooler and the staff to develop a language system and a structured learning environment.  The outcome was that this preschooler began to participate fully in the class, and the staff has asked our intern to return and conduct in-service sessions on working with autistic children.

We believe this is typical of the learned, dedicated students the College attracts. They will be the future teachers, counselors, administrators and business leaders who will carry out our mission of promoting "inquiry and practices that foster democratic life and that are fundamental to the interrelated activities of teaching, research, and practice in the multi-disciplinary field of education."

We welcome you to the University of Oklahoma College of Education.