Oklahoma’s premiere leadership program for young men has a new home. For the first time in more than 35 years, American Legion of Oklahoma’s annual Boys State program will take place on the campus of Rogers State University in Claremore.
“We are proud to serve as the new host for Boys State,” said RSU President Dr. Larry Rice. “RSU and American Legion of Oklahoma share a long legacy of service to our state and nation. This new partnership ensures a bright future for the next generation of leaders.”
Boys State is a non-partisan weeklong intensive leadership development program. Hundreds of young men from across the state participate each year. Participants are selected by their local American Legion post and include high school students who have completed their junior year or senior year and are judged as representing the best of their community. Through concurrent enrollment, students in the program earn college credit during the program.
“The decision to locate our program at Rogers State University was made with careful consideration,” said Oklahoma Boys State Director Corey Brooks. “This historic move will best serve our students as we endeavor to instill within them a deep sense of service, leadership and patriotism.”
Rogers State University is the Tulsa metro’s four-year public regional university offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Tracing its roots back to 1909, the university has a long legacy of service to the state and nation. For more than five decades RSU’s predecessor institution, the Oklahoma Military Academy, was known as the West Point of the Southwest and operated from 1919-1971. The military academy was located in Preparatory Hall, the iconic gold-domed structure which remains the flagship building and centerpiece of the Rogers State University campus. Today the OMA legacy lives on through RSU GOLD Program. The Guard Officer Leadership Development Program is a challenging premier leadership program available to Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers who attend Rogers State University.
“Affiliation with a four-year university is an intentional move for Boys State. Gaining access to a top tier institution located within the Tulsa metro will expose our students to new educational opportunities,” Brooks said.
Upon graduating from high school, students who complete Boys State will be eligible for tuition and housing scholarships at RSU. Boys State will take place during the upcoming summer from May 28 to June 4.
To learn more, visit okboysstate.com.