Four Oklahoma schools search for new leaders

Monday, February 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma colleges and universities are losing some of their most experienced presidents this year because of retirement, says higher education Chancellor Hans Brisch.

Retirements will force four colleges to conduct national searches. Brisch said he doesn't think regents at the schools will have difficulty finding qualified candidates. But he said presidential tenures may get shorter as pressure on college presidents increases. "There aren't many presidents left from when I came here 13 years ago," Brisch said. "There were a lot of changes in the 1990s."

Schools losing presidents to retirement include the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton and Connors State College in Warner.

Rose State College in Midwest City has already named James Cook, an executive vice president, to replace outgoing President Larry Nutter. The presidents at the five colleges had a combined experience of 87 years on their jobs.

Oklahoma college presidents serve an average of nine years. Nationally, presidents keep their posts for an average seven years, said Madeleine Green, vice president of the American Council on Education.

The presidencies of Joe Struckle at Northwestern and Roy Troutt at USAO combined for more than 50 years. Both are retiring at the end of the current school year.