Oil painting by NOC Art Professor Emeritus Gene V. Dougherty of historic Central Hall. The work was commissioned for NOC’s Centennial Celebration in 2001.
NOC Historical Art Exhibition Celebrates 125 Years
In celebration of Northern Oklahoma College’s 125th anniversary, Eleanor Hays Art Gallery will open its doors for an Historical Exhibition, September 22 – December 8, 2026, in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center on the Tonkawa campus.
Gallery Director Audrey Schmitz has curated a diverse collection of artifacts dating from 1901 when Central Hall was constructed as a landmark building. Objects on view in the lobby area include a stone mason’s mallet used in the construction of Central Hall, ashes from Wilkin Hall’s destructive 1914 fire, 1930s era typewriter and drafting set Dineo Heilmann’s original clarinet and personal sheet music, vintage Roustabouts costumes, Maurice Brewer’s 1931 Football Jersey and cleats, historic sports trophies, 1916 book of student art work and the official Presidential Medallion. A selection of college yearbooks, The Maverick student newspapers, performing arts programs and art exhibition posters are also on display.
The East Gallery features a large collage of historical photographs along with sixty framed Faces of NOC, a spotlight of alumni success and testimony of the college’s impact on the lives and careers of former students.
Historic photographs of campus buildings are featured in the West Gallery along with photographs of the college’s founding father, James H. Wilkin, 15 presidents, and 3 acting/interim presidents. Early diplomas chronicle the institution’s name changes since its inception as University Preparatory School. In addition to the six most recent NOC Distinguished Alumni, a selection of original paintings of campus scenes by Art Professor Emeritus Gene V. Dougherty are on view.
The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 1-5 PM and during performances in the center. For further information, contact Audrey Schmitz at Audrey.schmitz@noc.edu.
Other quasquicentennial events include the Silent Auction/Purse Raffle at 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the NOC Tonkawa Renfro Center and the Quasquicentennial Concert at the KPAC’s Dineo Heilmann Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 85% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 69% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College or giving to the NOC Foundation, please contact the development office at (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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