Political science professor David Ray will likely be named the new interim dean of the Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College, according to a statement released Wednesday by OU Public Affairs.
Ray’s appointment awaits approval from the OU Board of Regents during its June meeting. Ray would succeed Robert Con Davis-Undiano, who resigned as dean to focus on his new role as executive director of OU’s literary journal, “World Literature Today.”
“I appreciate the extra service Professor Davis-Undiano provided to the university by serving as both the Honors College dean in addition to his responsibilities as executive director of World Literature Today,” OU President David Boren said in the statement. “In concert with our efforts to minimize hiring during the economic downturn, I’m also grateful that Professor Ray will serve as interim Honors College dean for approximately two years, after which the university will conduct a national search for a permanent dean.”
Ray joined the political science department in 1992. Prior to coming to Norman, he spent 14 years teaching at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Georgia Tech, he received the Teacher of the Year Award and the Inter-Fraternity Council’s Outstanding Professor Award.
During his time at OU, Ray received the University General Education Teaching Award in 1995, the Regents Award for Superior Teaching in 1999, the Student Athletes Association “Most Inspiring Professor” award in 2000, and the University College award for Outstanding Instructor in a Freshman Seminar in 2001. In April of this year, UOSA honored Ray with the Outstanding Faculty Award.
Ray represented Ward 4 on the Norman City Council from 2002-2003. Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal also represented Ward 4 before becoming mayor, but said she first met Ray working in the political science department at OU.
“We’re both political science faculty members and that’s how I first knew him,” Rosenthal said. “I think David has a well-established and well-deserved record as a really gifted teacher.”
Rosenthal said she thinks Ray’s teaching capabilities will be a good fit for the Honors College.
“To the extent that the Honors College is about quality teaching, I think he’ll be a great leader at the college,” she said. “He’s very well-liked by students and he’s just interesting, provocative, entertaining and thoughtful in the classroom, and that’s a lot of what the Honors College contributes to the university.
Boren also said Ray’s popularity among students will be beneficial to his new role as interim dean.
“Professor Ray is a master teacher known as a professor who puts students first,” Boren said. “He is often mentioned by student leaders and those who have excelled academically as one of their most important mentors. The mission of the honors college is to serve as a catalyst for intellectual growth and vitality on our campus. The Honors College should be an integral part of the entire university, and I can think of no one better positioned to underline the importance of great teaching and mentorship than David Ray.”
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TheJR 2 years, 11 months ago
One of the best professors I've ever had at the university. Congratulations to him.
smit7309 2 years, 11 months ago
This is great news for Prof. Ray, and for the students! I had him as my political science professor for last fall semester. He really deserves this honor.