OU Regents To Consider Naming 15th University President

The University of Oklahoma could soon have a new permanent president.

The OU Board of Regents could vote to make Interim President Joseph Harroz the university’s 15th president at a meeting Saturday, according to a meeting agenda.

Harroz, dean of the OU School of Law, has been filling in as interim president since the sudden departure of the university’s shortest serving president a year ago.

The day after the school’s 2019 graduation, former oil executive, OU donor and alumni James Gallogly announced he would retire after one school year as president.

Gallogly was chose by a secret search committee that did not disclose potential candidates.

His selection as the university’s 14th president came after the quarter-century tenure of David Boren, who remains under investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for alleged sexual misconduct while university president.

In his resignation letter, Gallogly said he had discovered significant financial issues at the university under Boren. Boren criticized Gallogly for launching a high-profile financial audit of the university.

Gallogly reportedly asked staff to tell Boren, “I am the meanest son of a *explitive* he has ever seen, and if he ever crosses me again, I will destroy him.”

Since taking over as interim president, Harroz has navigated the university through racial incidents on campus and now through the coronavirus.

A formal search has not been conducted for the school’s 15th president, however Harroz was promised to be considered as part of accepting the interim role. 

Regents will reconvene Saturday at 8:30 a.m.