1939: Southwestern was granted a government training school through the Civil Aeronautics Authority. The school was set up with an enrollment of 10 students and headed by a licensed pilot in charge of flight instruction.

1961: A new science building was planned after Southwestern received $1.2 million from the Regents. Nearly $800,000 was allocated for the new building, while the remaining $400,000 was to be used for modernization of the Old Science Building.

1963: Three men became the first members of the Southwestern Athletic Hall of Fame. Rankin Williams, Lee K. Anderson and J.E. Simmons were the first inductees.

1974: Dr. Leonard G. Campbell was named president of Southwestern. The Oklahoma City Western Heights superintendent was selected to take over for Dr. Al Harris, who was planning to retire.

1975: Around 25 Weatherford citizens joined with other concerned citizens from across the state to express support of Oklahoma's 10 regional universities.

1976: Two Southwestern professors, who were working under a grant to help convert to the metric system in southwest Oklahoma, were featured on the television program Candid Campus. Dr. Ray Fleishmann and Dr. James Kitchens appeared on the 30-minute program.

1981: A Southwestern professor died after being struck by a hit and run driver. Billy D. Johnson was riding a bicycle and was struck from behind by an unidentified vehicle, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Johnson was a professor in the School of Business.