OU’s 15th President

from Boyd Street June 2020

Teaching Norman

Board of Regents names Joseph Harroz Jr. OU’s next President

BY: Lindsay Cuomo

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents unanimously voted to name Joseph Harroz Jr. the university’s 15th president, effective immediately.

“Joe Harroz is an exceptional leader,” said Gary Pierson, chair of the OU Board of Regents. “His deep devotion to OU and compelling vision for its future are precisely what the university needs. There’s no one better suited to lead OU.”

Harroz, formerly the dean of the OU College of Law, has served as interim president since May 2019, following former President Jim Gallogly’s resignation.

“This is more than a promotion or a dream job to me,” Harroz said. “My role is not to carry a title, but to serve. At the end of the day, I am but one of many temporary stewards of this life-changing institution.

“It’s a chance to pay back the debt I owe our university. OU changes lives every day. I know firsthand because it changed mine. I wouldn’t be who I am if not for the education my father the son of Lebanese immigrants – received at OU, and the education that I also received from this extraordinary institution. My family’s story is just one of countless others that prove the power and possibilities of an OU education.”

A native Oklahoman, Harroz earned a bachelor of arts in economics from OU in 1989, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and a juris doctorate from Georgetown University in 1992. Harroz rejoined the University of Oklahoma in 1994, the beginning of nearly 25 years of service to the university. He served first as vice president for executive affairs and then for 12 years as general counsel, the chief legal counsel to the president, the OU Board of Regents, Rogers State University and Cameron University.

“Students feel visible after meeting President Harroz,” said Justin Norris, president of the OU Student Government Association. “Over the past two semesters, he has immersed himself within multiple perspectives of student life by attending campus events, conversing with students, and most importantly, listening to them. He is an advocate, ally and role model, and he possesses what I believe to be some of the most important leadership attributes: compassion, connectivity and drive all of which I believe are reflected in his work this past year.”

In 2008, Harroz became president of a publicly traded health care company, growing its market capitalization to more than $80 million, before returning to OU in 2010 as the dean and director of the OU Law Center and Fenelon Boesche Chair of Law. Harroz has taught law for more than two decades, focusing on employment, sports and health care law.

Throughout his nine-year tenure as dean, the OU College of Law earned record national recognition, including the highest-ever U.S. News & World Report ranking by any Oklahoma law school and the first law school in the nation to achieve Apple Distinguished School status (Apple, Inc.). Under Harroz, National Jurist Magazine named OU Law one of the nation’s “Best Value Law Schools” for 10 consecutive years, and its graduates consistently led the state in bar exam passage rates.

In addition, his fundraising efforts more than tripled the size of the college’s scholarship endowment and expanded the annual amount of scholarship money given to students to more than $1.5 million.

At OU Law, Harroz also led efforts to create new joint degree and certificate programs to enhance the J.D., instituted a pro bono service commitment for all law students and launched the nation’s first-ever law school Digital Initiative, preparing students for success in the 21stcentury legal profession.

“OU needs strong, stable leadership to guide it successfully into a future that is ever-changing,” Pierson said. “Throughout the past year, while serving as interim president, Joe has exceeded our high expectations. His diverse experience and commitment to OU’s purpose and our university community is unparalleled.”

“I am extremely pleased with the OU Board of Regents’ decision to appoint Joe Harroz as the university’s next president,” said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.

“Joe is a devoted public servant and he has the leadership skills of a top chief executive. I am confident he will continue to lead OU successfully, ensuring its mission of service to state and society is fulfilled.”

During his year as interim president, university leaders connected with key stakeholders - students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, corporate partners and government leaders -to develop a strategic plan to move the university forward in its goal to “provide a world-class education that is affordable and accessible to all.”

“Through all of our feedback, we heard a clear overall message: OU must remain a place of opportunity and excellence,” Harroz said. “As our state’s public flagship institution, welcoming all who possess the talent and the drive to succeed is fundamental to our purpose. At our core, we must create and sustain a culture of inclusivity, making OU a welcoming place ofbelonging.”

“During the past year, Joe Harroz and the Faculty Senate leadership have developed a great working relationship, and we appreciate how much he values faculty input and perspectives,” said Amy Bradshaw, OU Faculty Senate chair. “With the uncertainties of his interim position now resolved, we look forward to collaborating on ongoing strategic priorities, including transparency, effective administrative search processes and achieving meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion goals.”

Amidst a global pandemic, leadership plays a vital role in navigating the unique challenges before the university and the country.

“During the current unprecedented situation, I am thankful the board has voted to name Joe Harroz our president,” said Sarah Connelly, OU Staff Senate chair. “He has been an advocate for staff since stepping in to the role of interim president last year. I appreciate that he has regularly engaged in open and honest conversations. While we know there are still difficult times ahead, I believe President Harroz will lead with honesty, empathy and input from staff and other constituencies.”

Harroz said that the pandemic has forced the university “ to be more introspective and focused than ever.”

“Generating opportunity for the next generation has always been central to our purpose … Guiding us forward is our promise to remain a beacon of hope, knowing that we will emerge stronger from this crisis in a way that’s worthy of ourselves and our great state.”

Pierson also pointed to the Board of Regents’ most recent nationwide presidential search, noting Harroz’s candidacy and standing as a top finalist. Harroz went through the extensive search process; meeting with a 19-member search committee comprised of students, faculty, staff and alumni, and was presented to the board as the only internal candidate.

“I count it an immense privilege to serve my alma mater and our state’s flagship public research university as its president,” Harroz said. “Throughout our 130-year history, OU has been a source of limitless opportunity. Through the generations, thousands of our graduates have found purpose and meaning in their pursuit of an OU education, who go on to leave their own unique impact on the world.”

“As President, I pledge to work tirelessly with you – our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends – to be worthy of our extraordinary legacy. Together, we can realize the full potential of our purpose to change the lives of each next generation of students and to impact the world through what we discover and create.”

Harroz, a grandson of Lebanese immigrants to Oklahoma, is father to Joseph, Zara and Jude and partner to Ashley Tate. - BSM