Category: books, literature, arts

The Heart of Art at The University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is renowned for its successful athletic programs, particularly in football, softball, and gymnastics. However, it also excels in the arts, showcased by the Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, highlighting both artistic and educational pursuits.

If you have heard of the University of Oklahoma at all, it’s probably because of our football team, which has won several national championships. Or maybe you’ve heard about our softball and gymnastics teams, also national champions.

But the “university on the prairie” is also a leader in the arts.

I was a student there and met my husband in the 1970s.

I took these photos during visits to the campus in Norman, Oklahoma, about 30 miles south of Oklahoma City.

The Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art

From the acclaimed Weitzenhoffer Collection of French Impressionism to more than 6000 works by Native American artists,the museum’s holdings are vast, varied and nationally significant.

Thomas Brent Smith, Director, in Sooner Magazine, Summer 2025
cabinet, chairs, sculpture
Hester Hall, home of the College of International Studies
dancer
“State of Grace”, artist Robert Taylor
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Native American pottery
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“The Guardian”

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 

The Sam Noble Museum at The University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation and education.

Sam Noble Museum

They may not be “art”, but the natural history museum exhibits are informative and inspirational.

Exploring the HEART of learning

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The University of Oklahoma also has two medical campuses, in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. After my years in Norman, I attended the medical school in Oklahoma City, which is where I became

Dr. Aletha
a rearing horse statue

Where a bookmobile can take you

Bookmobiles bring more than books to a child; they might just bring the world.

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The first public library I ever visited was a bookmobile. Every week the bookmobile parked next to my elementary school. I  remember climbing the steps into the bus and walking down the book-lined aisle.  These books took me to faraway places, introduced me to famous people, and prompted dreams of what I could do with my life.

I read about people who tried new things, made discoveries, traveled around the world, and invented products that changed our lives.

I discovered the mysteries of the human body and read about the people who studied to understand it, uncover the causes of diseases, and work to cure them.

I learned about people who used their talents, time, and knowledge to make the world a better place. From the library, my dream of working in healthcare was born and nurtured.

Before I graduated from elementary school, a permanent library was built at the site where the bookmobile had been parked. I continued to make the library my second home and loved the new building.

But there is still a place in my heart for the library on wheels,  which brought the world to a little girl who otherwise might never have known it existed.

Here are links to book reviews I have written for this blog

What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear- a book review

Pandemic- a book review

TRUMPED BY SOVEREIGNTY- a review

Working Stiff -a book review to remember 9/11

exploring the HEART of reading

Please follow for more book suggestions and posts with information and inspiration to help you on your health journey.

Dr. Aletha