TU President Resigns Due To Medical Issues

The University of Tulsa said Dr. Gerard P. Clancy, M.D. has resigned from his position as president of the university. Clancy stepped down due to ongoing medical issues, according to a news release.

The TU Board of Trustees accepted Dr. Clancy's resignation Thursday, January 30. The board appointed Provost Janet K. Levit, J.D., as interim president.

Dr. Clancy headed TU for four years and said he hopes to continue to contribution to TU in the form of fundraising and student recruitment.

Here's a brief statement from his resignation letter:

Paula and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the TU community as President and First Lady over these past 4 years. As I have said numerous times to our students, work will not always be happy but it should be fulfilling. We both believe that a college degree is the single best way for a person to change their life’s trajectory and for that student’s family members as well. I can think of no more fulfilling work than changing one’s trajectory in life as we do each and every day.

Read Dr. Clancy's full resignation letter here.

The Tulsa Regional Chamber also released the following statement: 

“Dr. Clancy’s career is defined by visionary leadership. He saw the potential of our region working cooperatively for the collective good, and as Chamber chair in 2011, he formalized this cooperation with the first series of regional economic development compacts in northeast Oklahoma history. His unwavering commitment to collaboration helped secure greater economic prosperity for all Tulsans.

“Since arriving in Tulsa nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Clancy has worked tirelessly to unite people behind common goals, particularly in health care and education. He was instrumental in the creation of the OU-TU School of Community Medicine, TU’s Oxley College of Health Sciences and the Wayman Tisdale Clinic in north Tulsa. During his tenure as president of OU-Tulsa and the University of Tulsa, as well as Chamber chair, he was celebrated for his ability to strengthen old relationships, form new partnerships, and build consensus on a vision for the future. As private higher education faces declining enrollment and changing student populations, Dr. Clancy has taken steps to ensure TU has the vision and resources to be successful well into the future.

“Gerry is one of the our most dynamic and vibrant community leaders. Jana and I, along with our entire Chamber family, wish Paula and Gerry continued health, and we thank them for their outstanding years of service to our community.” 

- Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.