Innovations

Making changes and innovative practices for area students

Partners In Education
Tulsa's Partners In Education program is a joint effort between the Tulsa Metro Chamber and Tulsa Public Schools. The program seeks to link community resources with Tulsa’s children in order to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary for future success.

The Partners In Education program connects children and teachers with corporate, education, volunteer, government and civic leaders. These partnerships help educators improve the academic and personal growth of all children. Our mission is to unite businesses and the community with schools for the common goal of increasing the quality of education for all students in Tulsa Public Schools. 

Established in 1983, Tulsa's Partners In Education program has brought thousands of volunteers into Tulsa Schools. In 2007 the chapter has accumulated more than 800 local business partners committed to securing a positive educational experience for the future businessmen and women of Tulsa. The number of partners in the area is expected to reach 1350 by 2010.   

The University of Tulsa Continues to Build on Success 
Following more than a century of providing higher education to students, The University of Tulsa (TU) is revamping their campus leading to a change in address. The University's main entrance, Tucker Drive, will relocate along 11th Street. The project is named in honor of TU alumni Gene and Carole Tucker, whose generous gift assisted with the entrance project and other university priorities. Prominent archways built of TU’s signature Tennessee ledge stone will be located on both the east and west side of the Tucker Drive entrance from 11th Street. Sidewalks will pass through each entrance, with monument-style signage identifying this location as TU’s main entrance. 

In addition to the construction of Tucker Drive, the south entrance also will include the six-acre Chapman Commons, named in honor of the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Foundation. Chapman Commons will be a park-like, landscaped green space with walkways that will provide a dramatic flair to the entrance.  

Another phase of renovations is set to construct the Genave King Rogers Fountain Plaza, named to honor the 1938 alumnus who was the first female graduate of the College of Business Administration. The Genave King Rogers Fountain Plaza will be located at the northern most end of the Chapman Commons, just in front of the recently completed Collins Hall. Chapman Commons and Tucker Drive are lined on the east and west by the new student apartments that opened on campus in the fall of 2007.

TU Chairman Fulton Collins called TU’s south entrance project the capstone to TU’s transformation from a commuter campus to a residential campus. The projects are part of TU’s Campus Master Plan, which was conceived and overseen by the trustees’ Building and Grounds Committee, chaired by Bill Fisher. Visit the university’s website for continuing updates http://www.utulsa.edu/.