President Robert Henry sent out an email this morning announcing he will retire as president in June of 2018.
Henry became the university’s 17th president in July 2010. He’s served as president for seven years and will officially retire after his eighth.
In the email, he wrote that he would take a one-year sabbatical to address health issues and focus on legal consulting and writing. Henry plans to return to teach law and humanities.
Henry said he and his wife have cherished their time with the university and its people.
“We have been privileged to get to know the most talented students and see them pursue their dreams here in Oklahoma, on Broadway and around the world,” Henry said. “Along with extraordinarily dedicated trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and especially the students, we have enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate and promote the university’s ideals of scholarship and servant leadership.”
During his tenure, the university’s School of Law moved downtown and new academic programs were introduced, including the Physician Assistant program. Henry was also named Best Administrator by The Campus’s best of survey.
“I have had the honor and pleasure to work alongside President Henry for the past seven years and can assure the alumni, faculty and students that the university is ready to meet the future opportunities and challenges of higher education,” said Ron Norick, board of trustees chairman, in a statement.
A national search process for a new president will begin this summer with a campuswide search committee. The committee will include university trustees, tenured faculty, staff, and administrators.
In the full email, Henry wrote:
Dear Students,
After careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the position of president at the end of the next academic year. This was not a decision that came lightly or without difficulty, but it is a good decision for the university and for me.
When I accepted the position as president and CEO, I committed to a five-year appointment, which I have fulfilled and surpassed as I will step down at the end of my eighth year in this role.
I could not be more grateful that I took on this position and that I have had the great pleasure of working with the great people at OCU. Through teamwork, we have positioned Oklahoma City University for continuous growth as a liberal arts institution serving students who look to become global learners and passionate servant leaders. We have put this institution on sound footing and we can look forward to sustaining our mission for decades to come.
After retirement on June 30, 2018, I will be addressing some health issues and turning my focus to some legal and writing issues that I have been considering for some time. After a one-year sabbatical, I plan to return to Oklahoma City University to teach law and humanities.
A national search process for a new president will begin this summer and a campus wide university search committee will be formed. The committee will include trustees, tenured faculty, staff, and administration.
Sincerely,
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