NSU's NET Building officially renamed for W. Roger Webb

TAHLEQUAH, OK -- The distinctive white arch that greets visitors to the campus of Northeastern State Universitys main campus now bears the name of the man who made possible construction of the facility that was dedicated 13 years ago.

The W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center was formally renamed on Wednesday, Apr. 21 as a tribute to the leadership of NSUs fourteenth president whose vision turned into reality when the building was opened in April 1997. Since then it has been known as the Northeastern Education Technology Building.

During his keynote speech Webb, who is now president of the University of Central Oklahoma, paused to gather words to express his gratitude for a gesture that recognizes his contributions to the university during the 19 years he served as president.

"How do you thank, from the bottom of your heart and as sincerely as you possibly can, every person in this room and people who have walked through our collective lives," Webb asked the crowd of nearly 200 assembled in the Webb Center Auditorium.

The legacy created by Webb symbolizes a golden era in NSUs history. During his tenure dating from 1978-97, the College of Optometry and the Fitness Center opened, the Branscum Alumni Center was dedicated, the university expanded to include a branch campus in Muskogee, numerous annual programs featuring arts and culture were established, and enrollment nearly doubled.

Webb reminded the audience that he was a young and "unconventional" choice to run Northeastern by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma. He recalled fondly the people at NSU who helped him settle into the position and worked to implement his ideas.

"This was a group of people that I would love to write about someday," he said. "Because they were playing 'money ball' back before it became a cliche. These were people who said '...We're going to get the best, the most out of what we have. And we are not satisfied with being second best.' They had this marvelous attitude and feeling that NSU is important."

NSUs current president, Dr. Don Betz, noted the contrast of architecture between the late-19th and early-20th Century buildings on NSU's campus and the 1997 design of the Webb Education Technology Center.

This notion that while we have a storied past and we embrace it with all of our heart we embrace the virtue, the values and the opportunities we're also about the future, Betz said. This building in so many ways represents a sense of that future. And it is appropriately dedicated today."

The decision to rename the building was approved in February by the board of regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma -- NSUs governing body to honor Webbs enduring impact on NSU as one of the two longest serving presidents in the institutions history.

Jan Gordon, a Broken Arrow businesswoman, spoke as chairperson on behalf of the RUSO board, and John deSteiguer, a 1984 graduate of NSU who is now vice president for advancement at Oklahoma Christian University, offered memories from his days as a member of the Presidents Leadership Class.

Nearly 200 university and community members, along with alumni and colleagues from around Oklahoma, were on hand to view the unveiling of a plaque in the main lobby that describes Webbs impact on the institution. Among these were a number who were worked or attended classes at NSU in 1997.

Dedication of the NET Building was considered the capstone of Webbs career at NSU and a milestone for the institution. Under Webbs visionary leadership, the university laid claim to the distinction of becoming Oklahomas first fully electronic campus at a time when computer networking technology and the Internet were still in their infancy. Centralizing the campus computer system was the culmination of a philosophy that Webb established in the mid-1980s investing in technology would ensure a competitive edge with other universities.

Everywhere on this campus, and on our campus in Muskogee, there is evidence of the dreams Roger Webb guided to reality, said Betz. His vitality and enthusiasm gave direction to the work we accomplished, and the successes continue to impact the university today. Anyone who has attended classes here, worked here, or has connected in any way with Northeastern has benefited from his vision. Roger brought out the best in each of us, and challenged us to live the promise of our creativity in helping students learn and communities thrive."