Led by a strong president, a visionary Board of Trustees, and dedicated administrators, The University of Tulsa continues transformative growth that has seen an unprecedented rise into the ranks of the top 100 national universities.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to support charitable causes, give thanks for their good fortune and find fulfillment by engaging in volunteerism through any number of local, national, and global organizations.
Celebrating multiculturalism and welcoming internationalization is a way of daily life on TU. We embrace students and faculty worldwide and find ways to introduce U.S. students to other countries and peoples. Faculty and staff are not just employees; they are part of a tight-knit TU family that appreciates differences while helping find common ground to unite our campus. Generous benefits supplement a supportive workplace.
The University of Tulsa is a private, independent, doctoral-degree-granting institution whose mission reflects these core values: excellence in scholarship, dedication to free inquiry, the integrity of character, and commitment to humanity. The university achieves its mission by educating men and women of diverse backgrounds and cultures to:
- Become literate in the sciences, humanities, and arts.
- Think critically and write and speak clearly.
- Succeed in their professions and careers.
- Behave ethically in all aspects of their lives.
- Welcome the responsibility of citizenship, service, and leadership in a changing world.
- Acquire the skills and appetite for lifelong learning.
The Committee for Sustainability promotes a culture of sustainability on the TU campus. The committee facilitates research, learning opportunities, policies, and practices that address environmental, economic, and social responsibility. We serve as a connection for all campus community members – including faculty, staff, and students – to advance policies and projects and participate in processes that lead to a more sustainable future.
With more than 1,000 international students from approximately 70 countries, The University of Tulsa provides a safe and welcoming environment for students from all nations. The University of Tulsa's growing academic reputation has placed us among the top 100 schools in well-known U.S. publications that rate higher learning institutions, and our College of Engineering and Natural Sciences enjoys international renown. Here at TU, faculty, administrators, students, and staff value our diverse campus population because it enriches the educational experience for all.
Student Life at TU refers to the vast array of programs, services, organizations, and activities designed to address students' interests and enhance their understanding of and appreciation for the student body's diversity.TU strives to promote individual and group wellness for the campus community through education, prevention, detection, intervention, and better access to comprehensive health, psychological, and fitness resources.
TU provides programs and services designed to promote academic success and global leadership through co-curricular and extracurricular activities and student development programs that broaden their educational experiences. A vital component of The University of Tulsa's mission is to engage students in the responsibility of citizenship and service in a changing world. We strive to be a good neighbor in our community and encourage our students to do the same. Research is the lifeblood of modern universities and a defining element of an institution's character. New and exciting research opportunities occur across campus and are not necessarily confined to a laboratory or a classroom.
The University of Tulsa has its roots in the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls, a small boarding school in Muskogee, Indian Territory, founded in 1882. In 1894, at the Synod of Indian Territory's request, the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church elevated the academy's status. It chartered it as Henry Kendall College, a name that honored the first general secretary of the Home Missions Board. The first classes in the new college were held on September 12, 1894.
In the years following, financial difficulties prompted school officials to ask the Synod of Indian Territory to assume control, sell the school's land, and seek a new location. Successfully courted by Tulsa's business and professional community, which was booming after the discovery of oil at Glenpool, Henry Kendall College moved to Tulsa in 1907, the year of Oklahoma's statehood. Several years later, a new college named after oilman Robert M. McFarlin was proposed for the city. Aware that Tulsa was not large enough to support two competing colleges, the Henry Kendall College trustees proposed that the contemplated McFarlin College and Kendall College affiliate under the common name "The University of Tulsa." A charter for the university was approved on November 9, 1920. By 1928, the incorporation of articles was amended to create the modern structure as an independent school corporation governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees.
Today, TU operates as an independent, nondenominational university. A top-rated research institution, the university welcomes students from many different faiths and countries. The TU campus fosters a rich, diverse experience for students and faculty regardless of religious or cultural background through a strong belief in mutual respect and understanding.
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