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Constructed as a residence hall in 1964, Adams Center was
officially named in 1965 for K.S. “Boots” Adams, a former Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Phillips Petroleum Company. Adams and
the company made one of the first large private gifts to the university
during the administration of President George Lynn Cross. Adams was a
civic leader in Bartlesville and the state.
The center is made up of
four residential towers: Tarman, Muldrow, McCasland and Johnson. These
were named in honor of four prominent individuals who distinguished
themselves as leaders in their own communities and among OU alumni.
Tarman Tower - is named for long
time Norman resident Fred E. Tarman. From 1922 until his death in
1977, Tarman worked at the Norman Transcript newspaper where he served
as the editor and publisher. He served as one of the three original
trustees of the University of Oklahoma Foundation and played a large
role on several university committees.
Johnson Tower - is named for the family of Neil Johnson, a pioneer
resident of Norman, who was a founding member of the OU Dads’
Association, an organization that in 1994 merged with the OU Mother’s
Association to form the Parents’ Association.
McCasland Tower - named after T. Howard McCasland, who distinguished
himself as a student athlete and as a generous alumnus. As a student
the University of Oklahoma, McCasland played football and basketball,
while holding numerous leadership positions on campus. Following his
service in World War I, McCasland became a key figure in several alumni
organizations. He too was an original trustee of the University of
Oklahoma Foundation, and in addition, served as President of the OU
Dads’ Association, President of the Alumni Association, and he was a
charter member of the Touchdown Club. In 1959 he received the
Distinguished Service Citation from OU in recognition of his
extraordinary efforts.
Muldrow Tower - named for Hal Muldrow, who served as a former state
senator and a two-star General who commanded Oklahoma’s famed 45th
Infantry Division, better known as the “Thunderbirds.” Muldrow, during
his four years as an undergraduate, was involved in the ROTC program
and lettered three times as a lineman for the Sooner football squad
while gaining a position as a leader in the Student Council. Like
Tarman, he also served as one of the University of Oklahoma
Foundation’s original trustees. Muldrow helped to co-found the
successful Agar-Ford-Jarmon & Muldrow Insurance Agency in Norman.
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