David Boren: The Right Time Has Come For Retirement From OU

<p>The auditorium was packed for President David Boren's announcement Wednesday afternoon, September 20. The second he stepped on the stage, the entire room rose to their feet.</p>

Wednesday, September 20th 2017, 5:40 pm

By: News On 6


University of Oklahoma President David Boren announced he's retiring from the university.

The auditorium was packed for President David Boren's announcement Wednesday afternoon, September 20. The second he stepped on the stage, the entire room rose to their feet.

"I have always understood that there would come a time when I should pass the baton to a new president. I have thought long and hard about what is best for our university. I have wanted the transition to occur when the university was at maximum strength. I believe that the right time has come," Boren said.

After almost 23 years, OU President David Boren is stepping away from the university he loves. Boren said his biggest hope is that the next president will feel the same way.

"Most of all, I hope the next person loves this university as much as I do," he said.

He says he's proud of what he's done during his time at OU from boosting academics to raising more than $3 billion for the university.

9/20/2017 Related Story: David Boren Announces Retirement As OU's President
 
"I love being able to tell the presidents of Harvard and Yale and MIT, that we have more freshman National Merit Scholars enrolled than you have!" he said.
 
He called the job "the most satisfying experience" of his entire life.

"The talent and potential of our students is as great as any place in this country. I happen to be biased and think it's a little greater," said retiring OU President David Boren.
 
Students say David Boren's legacy will live on, long after he leaves. He says he will retire at the end of next school year on June 30, 2018, unless the university hasn't chosen his successor by then.

"I got chills. He's such a fun-loving guy it's hard not to like him. So I just want the best for him, because he's done the best for us," said Anthony Rayburn.

"The guys been here for years, and he's done a great job building up OU and its community," Lane Callaghan said.

As a former OU student I can speak to the fact that this entire community loves David Boren and thinks very highly of him.

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