OU Names Harroz Jr. As 15th President In School History

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents unanimously approved Joseph Harroz Jr. as the school's next president, taking away the interim tag that he's carried since the abrupt retirement of previous president James Gallogly.

"We felt that we were at the end of a very open, very transparent 12-month interview," OU Board of Regents chairman Gary Pierson said.

As it turns out, the elongated job interview was self-imposed. Chairman Pierson said Harroz was offered the job originally, but he asked for the interim tag.

“My judgment, at that moment in time given all that was going on, is that there needed to be a period where there could be calm," Harroz said.

Harroz said he wanted some time to work with the Board of Regents and gain their trust before taking the presidential plunge.

A year later, with the unanimous support of the board and family by his side, Harroz is looking toward the future.

"It’s been an honor to serve as the interim and it's an honor to serve in this role," Harroz said. "The focus remains the same, which is, 'How do we move this great institution forward?'"

Chairman Pierson said the board considered a national search for the next president, but it never went through with one.

The board felt they already had their man right here in Norman.