PETER DAVIS
Staff Writer
A self-described businessman since the age of eleven, Dr. Joe Kinzer has been hard at work for the past 57 years of his life. He retires from Northern Oklahoma College with a legacy that will not soon be forgotten.
Many things have changed since Dr. Kinzer’s first day on the job. He honestly can’t tell you about his first day on the job, but he can tell you about the biggest part that he remembers — and that is the students. However, one thing is not lost on Dr. Kinzer, the size of NOC.
“It’s come from a much smaller place to now, a more complex place,” Kinzer said.
In the past 18 years during Dr. Kinzer’s tenure, enrollment has grown from 2,000 students on the Tonkawa campus to over 5,000 students spread across three campuses at Enid, Stillwater, and Tonkawa. The OSU gateway program has been established, and partnerships with Oklahoma State University and the city of Enid have helped with the success of the satellite campuses.
Dr. Kinzer’s vision for growth has not stopped with just students. In 1990, when the he arrived on campus, there were 14 administration positions and 50 full time faculty. Today there are nearly 144 administrators and 91 faculty members. That’s not including adjunct and part time instructors.
That alone is success enough for most Presidents of two-year colleges, but Dr. Kinzer refuses to take any credit if at all for the growth of NOC.
“I surround myself with the best people that I can find and to watch them be successful, I view myself kind of like an orchestra leader,” he said. “The music that we make is the payback you get and to try to put everyone, not to put them, but allow them to get in position that they can maximize their creativity and talent is just what I really like to see happen.”
Although Dr. Kinzer may remain modest and humble with a slight sense of humility, his contributions to NOC are great and large in stature. They include the college motto of “Tradition of Excellence,” the self-study initiative “Future-Oriented, Learning-Focused, Connected and Distinctive,” 1998 and 2008’s reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and major growth in the number of associate degree programs, and significant growth in student aid and scholarships for students.
Dr. Edward Vineyard, NOC President Emeritus, went to the board of regents in 2006 and asked that the Performing Arts Center be named in Dr. Kinzer’s behalf for the extraordinary work and service he had done for the college. For Dr. Kinzer it was a shining moment, one that he defines as a possible best memory he will take with him.
One of Dr. Kinzer’s lesser-known contributions to Northern Oklahoma College and Tonkawa was the campaign to start the planting of thousands of redbuds.
“I went to Washington D.C., about this time of year, and I noticed all the blossoms there, and it’s just gorgeous, and I thought, ‘Well, why couldn’t we do something like that in Oklahoma?” Dr. Kinzer said. After the success of the campaign, the jazz festival was renamed the Redbud Festival to coincide with the start of spring and the blossom of the redbuds.
Things might have been different for Dr. Kinzer early on in his educational career without the assistance of his late friend, Arch Alexander.
Alexander, who was dean of Cameron University, and Dr. Kinzer became friends. Alexander was instrumental in Dr. Kinzer receiving a grant to go to graduate school at Oklahoma State University.
That grant allowed him to complete his studies at OSU and go on to begin working at Central State University, now better known as UCO. While there, Dr. Kinzer was the Dean of the College of Business Administration. After 17 years and some discovery about the students of NOC, Dr. Kinzer made the leap to become the President at Northern Oklahoma College in 1990.
Many questions have been raised as to why now? Why is Dr. Kinzer leaving now? His age is one factor, but Dr. Kinzer says he’s still in good health, but it’s simply time to. It is very direct and honest answer from someone who is an otherwise complex individual, one that is ready to watch TV, go golfing, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with his wife Pamela.
“I’ve never been without a job, ever so I’m kind of curious how this is going to work,” Kinzer said.
With graduation coming soon, it will be Dr. Kinzer’s final commencement as president of Northern Oklahoma College, one that promises to be an emotional one.
“The people, the community, the campus, the students — that’s going to be tough,” Dr. Kinzer said. “I don’t want to think about it.”
He will deliver a message to let the graduates know they need to continue their education. After all according to Dr. Kinzer, “Education is organized inquiry,” and people in general should always strive to learn more.
Even though his time draws near an end, Dr. Kinzer still looks at both NOC’s near and distant future. He sees new remodeling construction on Central and Harold Halls, potentially a new cafeteria to take advantage of the wonderful new kitchen at the Renfro Center, work on the dorms, and perhaps making Northern Oklahoma College a four-year university in the distant future.
As a young man in Lawton, Okla., Dr. Kinzer started his first job for The Lawton Constitution Morning Press. He began passing newspapers, and to hear him tell it, it was one of the most important jobs he ever had. “I learned, it was my job,” Dr. Kinzer said.
From delivering rolled newspapers 57 years ago to handing out college diplomas today, Dr. Kinzer will make his final delivery on April 26, 2008, and then on July 2, he will walk off the Tonkawa campus for the final time as President of Northern Oklahoma College.
