The Gadfly Praises Oklahoma's Vo-Tech System

Forty years ago, I was privileged to be a small part of then-Governor Dewey F. Bartlett's emphasis on Oklahoma's system of vocational-technical education as a means of providing trained, skilled workers. Like Governor Henry Bellmon before him, Bartlett recognized the value of training some students for the workplace upon high school graduation and I recall in detail the many meetings I attended with Governor Bartlett, Dr. Francis Tuttle, Jay Casey and Jim Trickett as ideas for the system's expansion were discussed. Elected in 1966, Bartlett committed himself to becoming Oklahoma’s “job-gettingest” governor ever and resolved to make the vocational education system a major force in his crusade for economic expansion.

Now, all these years later, I have witnessed the second vo-tech success story in my own family.

A few years back, resident grandson Michael enrolled in an automotive repair course at the Mid-Del Technology Center in Midwest City while he was a Carl Albert High School student. With his training and through the center's contacts, Michael applied for a part time job as a mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base. He was successful and upon graduation, was given a full time job as a fuel systems specialist on the Air Force's big birds at Tinker. A few months shy of his 18th birthday, Michael had a solid, well-paying job. He's since continued his education, earning his associate's degree from Rose State College.

Last night, we family members witnessed the Mid-Del Technology Center graduation ceremony that included 19-year-old granddaughter Faye, a graduate of the center's health careers certification program. Faye's been a student at the center for two years while attending Del City High School. Within the past year, her training and the center's contacts paid off with a job offer from one of the top nursing homes in Midwest City, where she now works as a certified nursing assistant. She seems well on her way to a health care career.

While it is likely these two bright young people would have landed on their feet without their vo-tech training, it surely would have taken them longer to do so, and the job offerings might not have been the quality of those they landed. Thanks to their training, and the excellent reputation the Mid-Del Technology Center has earned as a career program developer, they moved from high school to the workplace without missing a beat.

A tip of my hat today to the vision of Dewey Bartlett and Francis Tuttle, to the state's vo-tech system in general, to the Mid-Del Technology Center in particular and to the thousands of young Oklahomans who have benefited from the training they received, their lives enriched by the opportunity.

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Bob Kamm Dead At 89

Dr. Robert B. Kamm, whose career included a nearly 11-year run as president of Oklahoma State University and a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1978, died Friday, university officials said. Kamm, 89, died in Okmulgee, but a cause of death wasn't released.

Kamm served as OSU president from July 1, 1966, to Jan. 31, 1977, but was teacher, counselor and administrator at the school for more than 45 years.

Kamm, a Republican, resigned at the urging of then-Senator Dewey F. Bartlett to launch what would be an unsuccessful run for the Senate in which he would be pitted against the Democratic nominee, then-Governor David Boren. Bartlett had been a candidate for reelection, but was forced to withdraw to continue treatments for lung cancer.

It was under Kamm's leadership that OSU became known as a national leader in telecommunications and international outreach, officials said.

"The Oklahoma State University community is saddened to learn of the passing of one of our university's most beloved presidents," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "Dr. Kamm made a lasting difference in the lives of students, and had a real impact on the Stillwater community, our state and our world. He became president during my undergraduate days at OSU and truly inspired me to seek opportunities in public service. Dr. Kamm will be remembered for his warmness, his friendliness and his philosophy of putting people first."

Kamm was born on Jan. 22, 1919, at West Union, Iowa. He received his bachelor's degree in English and theater arts in 1940 from the University of Northern Iowa. He completed his master's degree in 1946 and his Ph.D. in 1948, both in counseling psychology and higher education from the University of Minnesota.

His service in the Navy in World War II initially brought him to the campus of Oklahoma A&M College. Kamm spent three months in Stillwater as part of a yearlong radar study. After the war and college, he was named dean of students at Drake University in Iowa and also served as student personnel dean and freshman dean at Texas A&M University.

He came back to Oklahoma State University in 1958 to be dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and was promoted to vice president for academic affairs in 1965.

When OSU began preparations for its 1990 Centennial Celebration, Kamm was named the director of the Centennial Histories Project, which produced 26 books. He wrote 72 journal articles and five books, including "The Best of Mind and Spirit," published in 2002.

In 1988, he was presented with OSU's highest award, the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award for outstanding citizenship and leadership, at the university's 93rd commencement ceremony.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1972; the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 1987; the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 1994 and the College of Education Hall of Fame in 2000.

Kamm was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Maxine. They were the parents of two children, Steve Kamm of Okmulgee and Susan White of Boulder, Colo.

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Jack And Clem...And Now, Tony

Cancer has claimed another today. Television and radio personality, newspaper columnist and former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow has died of colon cancer.

Not long ago, stomach cancer claimed former Lt. Governor Jack Mildren.

A week ago, cancer claimed former Congressman Clem McSpadden.

All three were friends of many years. I knew Jack for more than 20 years, Clem for 40 and Tony for 20. I last spoke with Tony when he left the White House; I called him to encourage him to renew the radio show he had previously hosted and that I had placed on the air at KTOK in Oklahoma City. He was upbeat, as always, but was well aware, I believe, that his road ahead was narrow.

Thirty years ago, lung cancer claimed former Governor and U. S. Senator Dewey F. Bartlett, for whom I worked off and on for more than 10 years.

I will make a donation to cancer prevention and cure research in the names of Jack and Clem and Tony. - Mike McCarville

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Former GOP House Leader Jim Connor Dies

Former Republican House leader Jim Connor of Bartlesville is dead at age 75.

Connor, an attorney, served in the House from 1962 to 1970 and was one of those involved in the 1965 House impachment of then-Supreme Court Justice N. B. Johnson for bribery.

Connor was a key adviser to Republican Governor Henry Bellmon and his successor, Dewey F. Bartlett and carried much of Bartlett's legislative program in the House.

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