| Author |
Message |
Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member
Username: Brian_c_thomas
Post Number: 265
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 10:58 pm: | |
http://www.osu-okmulgee.edu/academics/health_and_e nvironmental/shoe_boot_and_saddle/
It is with regret that we officially announce OSU-Okmulgee's decision to close our Shoe, Boot & Saddle program of study. NO new students will be accepted for enrollment this spring 2005, and SBS technical courses will be offered only through December 2005. (Students may continue general education requirements for graduation after this date.)
"Sad for the Brand"
Brian C. Thomas
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Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member
Username: Tex_robin
Post Number: 629
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 1:13 pm: | |
Brian,
I don't like to see any program for bootmaking be discontinued but I believe that the time and money spent with a good bootmaker would be an improvement over the program they had there. Give a good bootmaker 6 mts and the tuition they spent for the course and he will turn out a better bootmaker....TR |
Brian C. Thomas (Brian_c_thomas)
New member
Username: Brian_c_thomas
Post Number: 266
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 5:33 pm: | |
Tex, I agree with your statement about working under a bootmaker. After spend almost 5 years working in your shop, I could see all the bootmaking that was not taught at Okmulgee.
Keeping in mind that some of us, Lee Miller, Steve Martin, Smitty, Glenderson Daly, and Skinny Dip, attended Okmulgee in the 70’s years before the internet was invented, and the information was accessible about boot makers and their locations.
I know that in 1976 I was leaving California for Okmulgee due to articles printed in Shoe Service Magazine. At the time, I was told it was the only school in the country teaching bootmaking. I was told later that TSTI Amarillo was open at that time, again no internet, and a lack of information.
How about you Lee, how did you hear about Okmulgee?
I also do not see the program director contacting bootmakers about apprenticeships, employment for students either. If the school is not in contact with the bootmaking industry it was just a matter of time before they close.
“Riding for the Brand”
Brian C. Thomas
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Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member
Username: Tex_robin
Post Number: 630
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 6:33 pm: | |
Brian,
Yes, the reason for yours and Lee's success was finding a good bootmaker to work for. I believe Glenderson Daly worked for several makers before he finally went on his own. I don't know about Smitty at Bloucher, but the 70s was a good time for Okmulgee graduates. It seems the the ones from the 70's had a good record of success in the trade. I know two others from that time that could have made it in the business but they are out of it now. I can't say much about the graduates since because I don't KNOW any of them, but I believe a lot of them have bit the dust because they started out on their own too soon. I just look at all of the time that was wasted at Okmulgee with the English, Math , and social Sciences, etc and see no need for those things in bootmaking. The high school graduate nowadays is way ahead of my generation in all of those subjects. But the big question is:? Do we really need so many custom bootmakers. Some NOW are having a hard time surviving and with the El Paso stuff that is coming out now. And with their prices of even exotics, and now the overseas production , how long will the Custom Trade survive? I believe unless something changes the custom trade as we know it may not survive much past our generation except for a novelty. This is a good topic! Maybe someone else can chew a little on what I have biten into....TR |
Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member
Username: Bronbo
Post Number: 311
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 12:44 pm: | |
Tex,
After Okmulgee, Smitty went to work for Dixon Boots and Jay Griffth before he went to Bluchers.
I agree, a student would probably be better off going to a good bootmaker and learning the trade from them, if that student has decided what he wants to do for a career.
However, some young college kids that go to Okmulgee probably haven't made up their mind what they want to do with their life, so they may take some of the required courses and a few other courses that they may want to pursue, before focusing on what they really want.
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Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member
Username: Bronbo
Post Number: 312
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 12:55 pm: | |
Tex,
I also think it would be a good topic for the custom bootmakers to discuss the future of the trade.
Somebody start it......... |
Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member
Username: Tex_robin
Post Number: 631
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 2:39 pm: | |
Mark,
I thought it had already been started! I think we are waiting on Lee! And anyone else that has any comments to add....TR |
Mark W. Fletcher (Bronbo)
New member
Username: Bronbo
Post Number: 313
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 3:02 pm: | |
From Jennifer June's Web Log (many thanks Jenn for looking into it)
Monday, April 25, 2005
The fate of OSU-Okmulgee's Boot & Saddlemaking Program
"It is with regret that we officially announce OSU-Okmulgee's decision to close our Shoe, Boot & Saddle program of study. NO new students will be accepted for enrollment this spring 2005, and SBS technical courses will be offered only through December 2005." (Source)
Yes, the rumors are true...Oklahoma State is closing it's Boot & Saddlemaking Program*, but all is not lost. I spoke with longtime instructor Mike DeWitt today and he tells me the program will be moved to nearby Green Country Technology Center.
You can contact the Center at (918) 758-0840.
Details will follow, but students will begin their courses in August 2005.
Mr. DeWitt thinks the move will benefit both the program and its new students. The program will be housed in a brand new building ...custom-built to meet its instructional and equipment needs. And students will no longer be burdened with general education requirements like history, math and speech classes.
Mike DeWitt has agreed to follow the program to its new location...at least long enough to make sure it gets off to a good strong start.
*OSU-Okmulgee's Boot & Saddle program is the only one of it's kind remaining in the United States.
Alumni of the OSU program include:
Brian C. Thomas (Abilene, TX)
James "Smitty" Smith (Beggs, OK)
Lee Miller (Austin, TX)
Glenderson Daly (San Antonio,TX)
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Lee Miller (Lee_miller)
New member
Username: Lee_miller
Post Number: 113
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 6:52 pm: | |
Brian,
Sad news about the closing of the Bootmaking course at Okmulgee. I talked to my old high school guidance counselar in Feb. of 75' about info of the schools teaching boot and shoemaking in the U.S. At that time, the most popular school was in Lynn, Mass. and had just burned down.......their was a school in Altoona, Penn. which I visited and did'nt like at all. Okmulgee was listed but not Texas TSTI . I really enjoyed my time at school.....would'nt trade it for the world. It gave me a good start where as I had no options before. I agree with Tex though, you really need that experience of working with somebody after ....that's where you learn the most. |
Mark (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 42
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 10:53 am: | |
All,
Please note that I have move some of the last topics to the topic about the future of bootmaking.
If possible, please keep the posts for this topic on the OSU Boot and Saddle Making School closing.
Just trying to keep things on topic... |
Ben_nobody (Ben_nobody)
New member
Username: Ben_nobody
Post Number: 224
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 12:38 pm: | |
On the topic of the O.S.U. so called program.If you will notice the only successful candidates from the program were prior to the current instruction or dropped out and found someone to help them that has actually made boots or shoes for a living. Maybe the failure in this program has been lack of successful knowledge in the profession. Moving it to a new shiny building will not line anyones pockets but those that are buzzarding over the hopes and dreams of people that want to learn and won't be taught anywhere near what it will take to even get a minimum wage job let alone be adequate shop help.
Just Sayin' what everyone already knows!
Ben Nobody |
Ben_nobody (Ben_nobody)
New member
Username: Ben_nobody
Post Number: 225
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 12:52 pm: | |
Should Anyone need conformation as to the programs inability to live up to the sales job they gave to students I am compiling a list of people who have attended OSU's bootmakin program that feel they wasted both time and money as well as income.They number over 200 folks and counting!! A job wurth doin is wurth doin well
Ben Nobody |
Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member
Username: Tex_robin
Post Number: 636
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 29, 2005 - 1:47 pm: | |
Ben,
Since you opened this can of worms and I don't have to eat them all by myself here goes...
While I don't agree with you on some things I do agree with you on this subject about the effective teaching of bootmaking at Okmulgee. I recently got some pics of a graduated student from there and even though the shots weren't close-up you could see every inseam stitch in the photos! If the school is ever to be effective there must me some criteria for the teachers to meet. Maybe a board of directors made up of practicing bootmakers. There may not be any answer to the lack of standards there because of one thing. What bootmaker is going to teach there for the peanuts they pay? Not me! Maybe they need a shorter course in bootmaking and an on the job training program. Even then I would want to see the students work before I would partisipate.
I have had three graduates from Okmulgee since 1976. Only one is still in the business. The other two were in the wrong vocation! I called the school several times interested in students beginning in about 76 or 77. Two came to see me and later recommended Brian Thomas, the only really qualified graduate I have had dealings with. I have repeatedly called the school in the last 20 yrs and got zilch from them...They would tell me they would put it on the bulletin board...No response....I think they are too busy brainwashing the students into starting the glorious business of bootmaking and skipping the most important part which is making a proper Cowboy Boot that meets the Standards.....TR |