Members of the OU presidential search committee shared their positive outlook on the role the committee played in the decision to select James Gallogly as OU’s next president.
The presidential search committee was appointed by the Board of Regents and consisted of 17 individuals representing various parts the OU community. Although the regents made the final decision in appointing Gallogly, the search committee reviewed applications, narrowed the list of applicants and sent a final list of candidates to the regents.
Cameron Burleson, a political science senior and one of three student representatives on the search committee, said he supported Gallogly because he was a candidate who wanted the position for the right reasons.
“I feel like (Gallogly) wanted to take this university to the next level because he loves it, because he loves the students here, because he loves the faculty here, because he loves the alumni,” Burleson said.
David Rainbolt, chair of the search committee, said all of the candidates would have benefited the university, but Gallogly represents a wide variety of values and experiences that best fit the university. He also said that Gallogly is the right person to follow in the legacy of current President David Boren.
“I think Jim Gallogly’s strength is that he’s got the presence to deal with the legislature, donors, faculty, the regents and all the constituencies very effectively. And I think that’s what his greatest strength was with the breadth of his leadership experience and skillset,” Rainbolt said.
Several of the committee members addressed the campus’ concern for Gallogly having limited experience in academics. Carrie Pavlowsky, the graduate student representative on the committee, said Gallogly’s experience in business helped him stand out among candidates.
“He does not have any academic experience, but he has a lot of experience building things, and creating things,” Pavlowsky said. “He's attached to Oklahoma, he knows Oklahoma and I think those were some of the things that stood out.”
But Burleson encouraged students to hold Gallogly accountable since the transition will be a learning process for the new president.
“Those are legitimate concerns, so it's going to be up to him to make sure that he is working with the students ... working with the faculty, working with the alumni to ensure that those concerns are being addressed,” Burleson said. “He has a tough job ahead of him and the students are going to hold him accountable.”
Rainbolt said the diverse and qualified pool of candidates made the decision difficult, but overall, the members of the committee support the choice of Gallogly.
“Given that the talent pool was so deep, I think the real decision came down to who was the right person to follow a multi-year icon in David Boren,” Rainbolt said. “I think at this time and this place that Jim Gallogly is exactly that person.”
Scott Kirker contributed to this report.
