Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has announced that Kelvin Droegemeier, OU vice president for research, will join her cabinet March 13 as secretary of science and technology.
Droegemeier, who currently chairs the academic research and development subcommittee on Fallin’s Science and Technology Council, is a Regents Professor of meteorology, Weathernews chair emeritus and Teigen presidential professor at OU, according to a press release from Fallin's office.
Fallin said in the release that Droegemeier’s background in science, technology and government were key reasons for his appointment.
“Dr. Droegemeier is a leading expert in the science and engineering research fields, as well as in the education community, and I am thrilled he has agreed to continue to serve the state in a greater capacity,” Fallin said in the release.
Droegemeier earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from OU and a master’s degree and doctorate in atmospheric science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He began working at OU as an assistant professor of meteorology in 1985.
Droegemeier also served on the National Science Board under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, according to the release.
“I am deeply honored by the privilege of serving in Governor Fallin’s Cabinet as secretary of science and technology,” Droegemeier said in the release. “I look forward to working with the governor, with other cabinet members, and with elected leaders and citizens in Oklahoma to unlock the full potential of our state’s science and technology enterprise.”
Kelvin Droegemeier is one of the smartest people that I know, so having him serve on Governor Fallin's cabinet gives me great comfort. https://t.co/FuLqEr5ufv
— Kelly Damphousse (@kdamp) March 9, 2017
