Phillips University

Last updated
Phillips University
Phillips University Pillars.jpg
Pillars from the Sunken Gardens at Phillips University
MottoVincit Omnia Veritas (Latin)
Motto in English
Truth conquers all things
Type Private university
Active1906–1998
Religious affiliation
 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Location
Enid
,
Oklahoma
,
US
CampusPurchased in June 1999 by Northern Oklahoma College
Colors Maroon and black
Nickname Haymakers/Fillies (women's teams)
MascotLil Hay (a skunk)
Website www.phillips.edu

Phillips University was a private university in Enid, Oklahoma. It opened in 1906 and closed in 1998. It was affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It included an undergraduate college and a graduate seminary. The university was also home to the Enid-Phillips Symphony Orchestra, and its campus regularly hosted events for the Tri-State Music Festival.

Contents

History

Originally named Oklahoma Christian University, the school was founded by Ely Vaughn Zollars on October 9, 1906. Enid-area businessmen raised $150,000 and purchased a 40-acre (160,000 m2) campus east of Enid. Though ultimately the university would base its teachings on the Disciples of Christ denomination, the committee to bring a university to Enid had a more diverse religious background: Edmund Frantz (Presbyterian), Frank Hamilton (United Brethren, Disciple), Al Loewen (Jewish), J.M. Pieratt (Disciple), and Everett Purcell (Presbyterian). [1] Funding for the operation of the university was supplied by Thomas Wharton Phillips of Butler, Pennsylvania and the Disciples of Christ Churches of Oklahoma. Following Phillips' death in 1912 the university was renamed in his honor. [2] During World War II, the Permanente ship builders manufactured a victory ship named after the university called the SS Phillips Victory (VC2-S-AP2, MC Hull Number 758). [3]

Oklahoma Christian University held its first classes September 17, 1907. [2] The first year's enrollment was 256 students, and of the freshman class, only 20 had completed high school. [4] Phillips High School was created in 1907 as a preparatory school at the same time to prepare students for college-level courses, and continued operations until 1925. [5] The school became affiliated with the North Central Association of Colleges on March 23, 1919, and in the American Association of Colleges in 1920. [5]

In 1987, Phillips Graduate Seminary incorporated as a freestanding institution independent of Phillips University. It is now known as Phillips Theological Seminary, and is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. [6] Currently, Phillips Theological Seminary houses the transcripts of the alumni of Phillips University. [7]

Phillips University also ran a graduate business school which awarded MBA degrees, and was well recognized in the states of Oklahoma and Texas. It also had a large international community of students from more than 20 countries.

Bankruptcy, closure, and Legacy Foundation

The Marshall Building on the former Phillips campus. Marshall Building at Phillips.JPG
The Marshall Building on the former Phillips campus.

Due to financial problems and decreasing enrollment, [8] Phillips filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 1, 1998, and closed its doors four months later. [9]

After the bankruptcy of the university in 1998, the liquidation of assets yielded $3 million in funds for the formation of the Phillips University Legacy Foundation, which, in honoring the legacy of the university, awards scholarships and provides leadership development opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students attending Disciples of Christ-related colleges and universities. They also administer leadership programs such as the Annual Leadership Development Conference and the Volunteer Leadership Projects.

The Phillips University Alumni and Friends Association also exists, serving as a voice of alumni and friends, communicating, preserving, and perpetuating the heritage of Phillips University. The seminary survives as the Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which also houses transcripts for alumni of Phillips University.

The former campus was purchased in June 1999 by Northern Oklahoma College (NOC), a public college, for $6.1 million (split $1.9 million paid by the city of Enid, $800,000 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and $3.4 million by NOC). [9] NOC, based in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, phased the entire property into use as a satellite campus. [9]

Presidents

Athletics

Phillips University time capsule Phillips University founders cornerstone.jpg
Phillips University time capsule

The school's sports teams were called the Haymakers. For one year, 1920, the school was a member of the Southwest Athletic Conference. Between 1917 and 1920, John Maulbetsch was the head football coach at Phillips University. [11] Maulbetsch was an All-American running back at the University of Michigan in 1914, where he earned the nickname the "Human Bullet". With his name recognition, he was able to recruit big-name talent to Phillips, including future Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Owen, and future United States Olympic Committee President Doug Roby. Maulbetsch quickly turned Phillips into a major contender in the southwest, as his teams beat Oklahoma and Texas and lost only one game in the 1918 and 1919 seasons. The 1919 team, known as "Mauley's Iron Men", was considered by many experts to be the finest football squad in the southwest that season. [12]

After defeating the Oklahoma and Texas football teams, the "Haymakers" gained a reputation as “one of the strongest teams in the southwest.” [13] [14] When Phillips defeated Texas 10–0 in Austin, Texas in October 1919, the Longhorns had not lost a game since 1917. [15] One Texas newspaper reported that Phillips had "whitewashed the Longhorns in their own corral." [16]

As a result of Phillips' success, it was admitted to the Southwest Conference for the 1920 season. With the loss of several key players from the previous squads, Phillips fell to 4–5–1 record, failed to score a single point in conference play and immediately dropped out of the conference. Maulbetsch was hired to coach Oklahoma A&M in 1921. Unable to sustain its previous success, the program's reputation faded; the school finally closed the program in 1933. [12]

Subsequently, Phillips University baseball and basketball teams were in the NAIA. From 1952 through 1981, Phillips University baseball teams dominated their division. Coached by Dr. Joe Record during this period, the Haymakers compiled a 648–294 record for a .688 winning percentage. [17] Three of Record's teams went to the NAIA World Series. He was the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1973, and inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1975.

Phillips University Japan

In 1989 Phillips University opened a 12 acres (4.9 ha) branch campus at the Kyoto Institute of Technology and Science in Japan. Students at the Japanese campus earned credits towards a Phillips degree, and were required to complete a one-year residency on the Enid campus. Faculty members from the Enid campus taught some classes in Japan. [18] [19] The arrangement also allowed students from the Enid campus to earn part of their required credits abroad at the Osaka campus. In 1992 Phillips University filed suit against Phillips Japan Co., Ltd, the private entity which ran its academic programs in Japan, along with the Kyoto Institute of Technology and Science, and Tanezo Yamasaki, chief director of the institute. The suit alleged that the defendants failed to pay taxes to the Japanese government, withheld funds due to Phillips University to pay some taxes which they were responsible for paying according to the contract, and alleged unauthorized use of the Phillips University name. [20] In April 1995, Phillips University International (PUI) was created with the new purpose of taking American education in Japan a step further by creating a new bilingual and bicultural academic program. In the fall of 1996, PUI moved its campus to a growing suburban area of Kyoto Prefecture, Kyotanabe City, and became an independent educational entity under the new name of Kyoto International University.

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enid, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Enid is the ninth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,308. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a character in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. In 1991, the Oklahoma state legislature designated Enid the "purple martin capital of Oklahoma." Enid holds the nickname of "Queen Wheat City" and "Wheat Capital" of Oklahoma and the United States for its immense grain storage capacity, and has the third-largest grain storage capacity in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southwestern Assemblies of God University</span> Christian university in Waxahachie, Texas

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private Christian university in Waxahachie, Texas. SAGU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and endorsed by the Assemblies of God USA. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in a variety of liberal arts programs, as well as programs in Bible and church ministries.

Phillips Theological Seminary is a private seminary affiliated with the Christian Church and located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was established in 1906 and was originally a part of the now defunct Phillips University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern Oklahoma State University</span> Public university in Alva, Oklahoma, U.S.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) is a public university in Alva, Oklahoma, with satellite campuses in Enid and Woodward. It offers both bachelor's and master's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abe Lemons</span> American basketball player and coach

A.E. "Abe" Lemons was an American college basketball player and coach. As a head coach at Oklahoma City University, Pan American University and the University of Texas at Austin, he compiled a record of 594–343 in 34 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enid High School</span> Public school in Enid, Oklahoma, United States

Enid High School (EHS) is a public tertiary school in Enid, Oklahoma, U.S., operated by the Enid Public Schools school district. With a student body of about 2035 in grades 9–12, Enid High School has a matriculation rate of about 65 percent. Some graduates continue their education at University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, or other establishments in Oklahoma. In recent years some have gone to West Point, Princeton University, Trinity University (Texas), Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Yale University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Wharton Phillips</span> American politician

Thomas Wharton Phillips was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Maulbetsch</span> American football player and multi-sport coach (1890–1950)

John Frederick Maulbetsch was an All-American football halfback at Adrian College in 1911 and for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1914 to 1916. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Oklahoma College</span> Community college in Tonkawa, Oklahoma

Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) is a public community college in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, with additional campuses located in Enid, Oklahoma and Stillwater, Oklahoma. Student enrollment is approximately 2,700. NOC bought the former Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1999 and it became the NOC Enid campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Cappon</span> American athlete and coach (1900–1961)

Franklin C. "Cappy" Cappon was an American college football and college basketball player and coach. He played football and basketball at Phillips University and the University of Michigan and coached at Luther College (1923–1924), the University of Kansas (1926–1927), the University of Michigan, and Princeton University (1938–1961).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Roby</span> American athlete and official

Douglas Fergusson Roby was an American sportsman and Olympics official. After playing football at Phillips University and the University of Michigan, he worked for American Metal Products Company, an automobile parts manufacturer, from 1923 to 1963. From 1951 to 1953, he was the president of the Amateur Athletic Union, then America's governing body for many amateur sports. He was vice president (1953–65) and president (1965–68) of the United States Olympic Committee and one of two American members of the International Olympic Committee (1952–84). As president of the USOC during the 1968 Summer Olympics, he expelled African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos after their raised-fist Black Power salute during a medal ceremony.

The Phillips Haymakers football team represented the now-defunct Phillips University in college football. Between 1917 and 1920, John Maulbetsch was the head football coach at Phillips University. Maulbetsch was an All-American running back at the University of Michigan in 1914, where he earned the nickname the "Human Bullet". With his name recognition, he was able to recruit big-name talent to Phillips, including future Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Owen, and future United States Olympic Committee President Doug Roby. Maulbetsch quickly turned Phillips into a major contender in the southwest, as his teams beat Oklahoma and Texas and lost only one game in the 1918 and 1919 seasons. The 1919 team, known as "Mauley's Iron Men", was considered by many experts to be the finest football squad in the southwest that season.

Theodore Elwood "Toby" Greene was an American college baseball coach, most notable for leading the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team to the national championship in the 1959 College World Series.

The 1924 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1924 college football season. In their second year under head coach E. J. Stewart, the Longhorns compiled an overall record of 5–3–1, with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, and finished sixth in the SWC.

The 1919 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1919 college football season. In their third year under head coach William Juneau, the Longhorns compiled an overall record of 6–3 and a mark of 3–2 in conference play, and finished fourth in the SWC.

The 1919 Phillips Haymakers football team represented Phillips University during the 1919 college football season. John Maulbetsch arranged a game against the Texas Longhorns in 1919, the first meeting between the schools. When the game was announced The San Antonio Light reported: "Phillips University has one of the strongest teams in the Southwest. The only team to beat them in the past two years is Oklahoma and last year Phillips beat the Sooners 13–7." The report credited Maulbetsch for securing success at an institution little known in athletics before he arrived. The University of Texas had not lost a game since 1917 when the Phillips "Haymakers" arrived in Austin, Texas on October 11, 1919. Maulbetsch's team shocked the Longhorns, holding them scoreless and winning the contest, 10–0. One Texas newspaper reported that Phillips had "whitewashed the Longhorns in their own corral."

The 1920 Phillips Haymakers football team represented Phillips University during the 1920 college football season. John Maulbetsch coached the team. Phillips joined the Southwest Conference for the 1920 season and was outscored 97–0 in conference play against Texas A&M (47–0), Texas (27–0), and Arkansas (20–0). The Galveston Daily News noted that Maulbetsch's 1920 team could not "compare with the strong team" he surprised Texas with in 1919. At the end of the 1920 season, Phillips withdrew from the Southwest Conference, and Maulbetsch accepted a new position at Oklahoma A&M.

Arthur J. "Dutch" Strauss was an American football player and coach, newspaper executive, and politician.

The 1922 Phillips Haymakers football team was an American football team represented Phillips University as a member of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference during the 1922 college football season. Led by second-year head coach Mont McIntire, the Haymakers compiled an overall record of 7–1 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, sharing the OIC title with Tulsa and Southeastern Oklahoma State. The team's captain was Joe Milam.

The 1928 Phillips Haymakers football team was an American football team represented Phillips University as a member of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference during the 1928 college football season. Led by Louis Wilke in his second and final season as head coach, the Haymakers compiled an overall record of 7–1–1 with a mark of 5–1–1 in conference play, winning the OIC title.

References

  1. ↑ Rockwell, Stella, ed., Garfield County, Oklahoma, 1907-1982, Vol. I, Garfield Historical Society, Josten's Publishing Company, Topeka, Kansas. 1982. pg 26-27
  2. 1 2 Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture Archived 2012-11-19 at the Wayback Machine , Oklahoma Historical Society Online Edition, Oklahoma State University Library Electronic Publishing Center
  3. ↑ "Mrs. Stettinius Christens Ship", The Oakland Tribune, May 27, 1945, pg A-7
  4. ↑ Burke, Bob, and Franks, Kenny, "Oklahoma Christian University", In Reverence We Stand: Memories of Phillips University, Oklahoma Heritage Association, 2003
  5. 1 2 McCash, Isaac Newton, History of Phillips University Archived 2011-05-23 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "Our History". Phillips Theological Seminary. Archived from the original on 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
  7. ↑ "transcripts". Phillips University Legacy Foundation. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
  8. ↑ Desperately seeking students. Chronicle of Higher Education. June 21, 1996
  9. 1 2 3 Northern Oklahoma College moves on Enid campus Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine , Associated Press, June 18, 1999.
  10. ↑ Burke, Bob, and Franks, Kenny, "Presidents and Chancellors of Phillips University," In Reverence We Stand: Memories of Phillips University, Oklahoma Heritage Association, 2003, p. 183
  11. ↑ "Maulbetsch Is Married". Syracuse Herald. 1917-06-29.
  12. 1 2 Jim Strain, The Iron Men Of Phillips Used Just 12 Players In Upsetting Mighty Texas Archived 2012-11-02 at the Wayback Machine , Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1981, Accessed June 4, 2010.
  13. ↑ "A New Force in Football: Texas University Will Meet Phillips University in Austin". Corsicana Daily. 1919-10-10.
  14. ↑ "Longhorns to Play Phillips Uni. October 11th". San Antonio Evening News. 1919-09-13.
  15. ↑ "Texas, Unable to Score, Bows to Haymakers, Phillips University Blanks Longhorns on Muddy Field 10 to 0". San Antonio Light. 1919-10-12.
  16. ↑ "College Elevens Busy Today". The Galveston Daily News. 1919-11-08.
  17. ↑ Enid News & Eagle, July 31, 2001, page 27
  18. ↑ "Excerpts from "In Reverence We Stand – Memories of Phillips University"". Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
  19. ↑ "Phillips University Plans New Campus in Japan". Oklahoman.com. 1989-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  20. ↑ "Phillips University Sues Japanese Firm for Course Payments". Oklahoman.com. 1992-08-22. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  21. ↑ "Google Scholar". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "A Lifetime of Dedicated Service: Sheriff Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau, Major General (Ret.)". University of Wyoming. September 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.

Further reading

36°23′49″N97°50′41″W / 36.39694°N 97.84472°W / 36.39694; -97.84472

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.