The University of Tulsa (TU), which grew out of Henry Kendall College, dates back to before Oklahoma became a state.

Nowadays it is a leading private research institution, with a focus on liberal arts, sciences and engineering disciplines.

Overall, 84 percent of students receive some financial assistance, and more than 90 percent of all first-year students continue into their second year.

The school is nonetheless fairly selective; almost three-quarters of freshmen are in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

The campus is spread over 200 acres and is home to a diverse population of students representing 73 countries around the world. A variety of multicultural organisations and committees which organise food stands, festivals, lectures and social events.

The university offers many community engagement programmes to foster relationships between students and locals and address community issues. A unique agreement allows TU to manage the Gilcrease Museum in the city, which contains a huge collection of American Western art and The Bob Dylan Archive.

Many colleges are leading the way with innovative research, including Kendall College of Arts and Sciences which supports psychology research into sleep and pain tolerance; Oxley College of Health Sciences where researchers explore concussion effects among footballers; Collins College of Business which teaches energy management courses; the College of Law which offers renowned programmes in both Native American Law and sustainable energy law, and the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences where students can train to prevent cyber-attacks.

Like many old institutions, the university has its unique traditions, including bell-ringing when students complete their final exam and a homecoming bonfire.