Students and faculty gathered Wednesday afternoon in the Beaird Lounge of the Oklahoma Memorial Union for a book signing of OU President David L. Boren’s biography, “Oklahoma Statesman: The Life of David Boren.”

The authors of the book, Bob Burke and Von Creel, were in attendance, along with Boren, to sign the books.

The two authors and Boren reminisced about the book and laughed with the audience.

“I learned things about myself I didn’t know,” Boren said.

Boren, Burke and Creel also attended a book signing Sunday on Oklahoma’s 101st birthday at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Publishers wanted to release the book on Oklahoma’s birthday to honor one of Oklahoma’s leading statesman, said Jay Doyle, press secretary and special assistant to the president.

About 475 books were sold Sunday, and around 200 were anticipated to be sold Wednesday, Doyle said.

Chris Purcell, executive secretary of the OU Board of Regents, said she got more than she bargained for when she was in line for the book signing. Burke recognized her and read aloud an excerpt from the book in which Purcell and Boren shared a few laughs.

Burke first met Boren when Boren was running for governor, and from that point on his life was changed, Burke said. Burke continued to take part in Boren’s administration and managed Boren’s first campaign for the Senate.

Boren is a busy man, so Burke and Creel were thrilled when they convinced him to let them write the biography, Burke said.

Boren has had more impact on Oklahoma than anyone else in our history, so it was vital that a book should be written about his life, goals, and achievements, Burke said.

“We have had great statesmen, we have had great senators, we have had great governors, we have had great university presidents, but no one has done all three,” Burke said.

Like Rome, the book was not built in one day, Burke said.

The book took around 18 months to write, said Burke and Creel.

“President Boren’s time is extremely fleeting,” Burke said of his time with Boren.

The book is comprised of one-on-one interviews with Boren, interviews with over two dozen former U.S. senators, CIA directors and others with whom Boren has worked in Washington and Oklahoma.

“It is an honor to have a book written about you,” Boren said. “I’ll probably remember things I have long forgotten, but it is a humbling experience to have someone write a book about you.”

Michael Linville, entrepreneurship junior, said he found it humbling that Boren took time out of his day to come and sign the book.

“I think it shows that he actually really cares,” he said. “He doesn’t see himself as more important or too good to take the time out to connect with the students and faculty.”