University on pace to add site in Ardmore

ARDMORE — Members of the Ardmore Higher Education Authority have approved an agreement with East Central University to work toward establishing a four-year college in Ardmore.

Board members approved the move in a vote of 7-to-3 Tuesday evening. Officials with the Ardmore Higher Education Center are working to create a college branch campus in Ardmore, said Steve Mills, director and chief executive officer of the Ardmore Higher Education Center.

East Central University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University had both expressed interest in growing in Ardmore, Mills said.

Members of a planning commission recommended East Central to board members, Mills said.

"We're very pleased with the decision,” said East Central University President Richard Rafes.

"We've been committed since the very beginning to building a branch campus there.

"We think Ardmore is a perfect location.”

Now the Ardmore Higher Education Authority must get support from the Oklahoma Legislature and the state regents to add another college to the state's education system.