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Strathe named interim OSU President, search procedures announced |
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
 OSU/A&M Regents appoint Oklahoma State University Provost Marlene Strathe OSU Interim President and System CEO
STILLWATER, OK-- Meeting in a special session on the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU) to discuss a transitional plan following the announcement on Saturday that OSU President and System CEO David J. Schmidly had been named the next President of the University of New Mexico, the nine-member OSU/A&M Board of Regents announced the appointment of OSU Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Marlene I. Strathe as interim president and CEO from March 1 until a new president assumes office.
“We are very pleased Dr. Strathe has agreed to serve in this capacity. Dr. Strathe is an accomplished scholar and administrator, and she is very familiar with the OSU community,” said Joe D. Hall, Chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. “It is important during leadership transition that we remain committed to pursuing the priorities of importance to OSU and the System and that we sustain continuity and momentum. We have complete confidence in Dr. Strathe’s abilities to provide excellent leadership during this transitional period and we are also confident in the faculty and staff to continue fulfilling their important roles.”
Dr. Strathe joined OSU as Provost and Senior Vice President in July of 2003. As Provost, she has overseen the day-to-day operations of the Stillwater campus and has served as chief academic officer of the OSU System. Her responsibilities have included oversight of nine colleges, including the Honors College and Library as well as scholar development, academic services to students and assessment.
“I look forward to working with the Regents and the broad OSU community during this time and I appreciate the confidence they have shown by naming me the interim President and CEO of the System,” Dr. Strathe said. “It is important during a time of transition to reaffirm our shared commitments and purposes to our students and members of the OSU family.”
Dr. Strathe also expressed appreciation to Dr. Schmidly for his leadership the past four years and his efforts to take OSU and the System to new heights in academics, research, student experience and athletics. She commended him for his energy, commitment to innovation and dedication.
Dr. Schmidly will continue his teaching responsibility with his leadership class and conclude his work with several graduate students after the March 1 effective day as part of a special assignment. Dr. Schmidly will also be available to the Interim President to provide assistance needed to facilitate a smooth transition.
As interim president and CEO, Dr. Strathe, who earned her Ph.D in Educational Research and Measurement from Iowa State University, will be responsible for OSU campuses in Stillwater, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Okmulgee, as well as the OSU Center for Health Sciences and Medical School also in Tulsa.
Dr. Strathe was unable to attend today’s special meeting because of a previously scheduled trip to join her husband, Dr. John Lowthian M.D., in Colorado where he is on assignment. She returns to Stillwater this weekend.
OSU/A&M Regents Outline Procedures for Presidential Search
Stillwater, OK – The OSU/A&M Board of Regents outlined procedures today at a special meeting held on the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU) for conducting an extensive national search for the next President and System CEO at OSU.
In outlining the procedures, OSU/A&M Board of Regents Chair Joe D. Hall, said, “We know seeking a president and CEO for OSU and the System is a matter of great importance to the University community and the state of Oklahoma. The Regents are fully behind and will strive throughout the search process to ensure it is inclusive. It is our hope that everyone with input to offer will take the time to communicate with us during the process. Your thoughts will be appreciated and, I am certain, helpful.”
The Regents also announced they would establish a Presidential Search Committee composed of broad and diverse representation of constituencies from the OSU community. The committee will include faculty members, students, staff, and administrators from OSU’s main campus in Stillwater as well as representatives from OSU’s Center for Health Sciences, OSU’s technical branch in Okmulgee, and OSU’s campuses in Tulsa and Oklahoma City in addition to representatives from the OSU Foundation, Alumni Association, and Cowboy Athletics, Inc. In addition, the Committee will also include a representative of the City of Stillwater.
“As we continue to implement the OSU Master Plan, we recognized the importance of having a representative of the City of Stillwater participate in this process,” Hall said.
Board Chairman Hall appointed OSU/A&M Regent Doug Burns from Norman to chair the OSU Presidential Search Committee. Other Regents to serve on the Committee include Jay Helm from Tulsa, Calvin Anthony from Stillwater, and Joe Hall from Elk City.
One of the initial duties of the Search Committee calls for developing a Position Description and Statement of Qualifications after seeking input from various constituencies with OSU and the System.
A representative from OSU’s Office of the Vice President for Institutional Diversity will serve in an advisory capacity ensuring the process complies with Affirmative Actions laws. |
