OU Regents to name interim president for Cameron University

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents will appoint an interim president for Cameron University as it conducts a nationwide search for a new president.

Officials have not said when the interim would be named or when the presidential search committee would be named so its work could begin.

Long-time CU President John McArthur announced in January he would retire July 3, after holding the office for 11 years. McArthur also has previous ties to the university, serving as provost of Cameron’s Office of Academic Affairs and also dean of the university’s science and technology department before being named president by the OU Board of Regents, the governing body for OU, Cameron and Rogers State University.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Board of Regents said in a statement Monday that an interim president would be appointed for Cameron, followed by a national search to find a permanent president.

“The Board looks forward to finding the next leader to fill this vital position,” the statement read.

At their meeting in January, regents authorized then-Board Chair Natalie Shirley to appoint the members of that committee because regents only meet quarterly (meaning the next meeting wouldn’t be until March). Regents said appointments would be made in consultation with Regent John “Rick” Braught, the Duncan businessman who is Cameron’s liaison to the board.

Regents said the selection would be made according to their existing policy, which designates a search committee comprised of representatives from Cameron’s faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the community and the Board of Regents. Regents said then that they expected the process to include the details on advertising the position nationwide and the criteria candidates must meet.