Dr. Myron Pope is one of the top three candidates in the running for university president. Pope has been the vice president of student affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond since 2013.
Pope has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Alabama. Pope has worked at several universities, including the University of Oklahoma, Walden University in Minneapolis and Alabama Southern Community College.
Students attended a luncheon March 20 to meet with Pope and ask him questions about what they expect out of a president.
Some of the topics addressed were unity, diversity, academics, accessibility, improving facilities, and creating a safe environment for students.
“I want to make college campuses, wherever I work, as positive and student-friendly as possible,” Pope said.
Pope discussed plans for environmental sustainability and increasing campus security. He said his first action in office, if he were to be elected, would be to reach out to students to find out what’s important to them.
Students who were present at the luncheon brought up concerns about keeping the students united, increasing enrollment and improving diversity within the school.
Pope has mostly had experiences serving in public institutions, so he said one of the main differences he will face with potentially working at a private university is relying on donors for fundraising.
“I always wanted to be on a smaller campus,” Pope said.
He said he’s hoping to get students involved with other organizations and make the campus more unified, especially in regards to multi-cultural organizations.
Students brought up concerns about accessibility, and Pope said he will work to make himself available to students by attending events and student meetings.
Meredith Funkhouser, film production senior, attended the luncheon and said she enjoyed listening to him speak.
“I really liked Dr. Pope’s emphasis on listening in leadership and his philosophy of fundraising,” Funkhouser said.
Lucas Freeman, political science/history sophomore, also attended the session.
“I thought he seemed like a good presence, good with students and all,” Freeman said.
Freeman also said he didn’t feel entirely certain about the candidate, though, and he said he’s waiting to make his judgment until after he hears from the other candidates.
“I felt like he skirted around some important questions that really pertain to being president, so I don’t know,” Freeman said.
Dr. Karen Youmans, honors program director and associate professor of English, attended Pope’s session. She said she’s excited that so many students are interested in the process.
“I think it’s great that the search committee is seeking input from all different constituencies, and I’m encouraged by the number of students who showed up to ask questions,” Youmans said. “I think that speaks well of our student body.”
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