David Boren dies at age 83

David Boren, former Oklahoma governor and longtime president of the University of Oklahoma, has died.

Boren, 83, died early Thursday at his home new Newcastle, family members said. Longtime family friend Bob Burke said Boren died as the result of complications from diabetes.

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that flags on state property have been lowed to half-staff to honor Boren’s life and legacy. The flags will remain at half-staff until his interment, Stitt said.

“Today, I join Oklahomans in mourning the loss of former Gov. David Boren, who dedicated his life to serving our state. His love of Oklahoma was evident in everything he did. Sarah and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Molly, and the entire Boren family,” Stitt said in a statement.

Boren, a conservative Democrat, became one of the nation’s youngest governors when he was elected at the age of 33, serving from 1975 to 1979. He also is credited for helping shape national intelligence as a U.S. senator, serving three terms in the U.S. Senate (1979 to 1994), including a tenure as the longest-serving chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

He went on to serve as president of the University of Oklahoma from December 1994 until his retirement in June 2018.

The son of a Democratic congressman, Boren followed his father’s footsteps into elected office and oversaw a dramatic downsizing of government in Oklahoma, where over decades in legislative corridors and university offices he became one of the state’s most influential figures. His son, Dan Boren, also served four terms as an Oklahoma congressman.

In 2019, David Boren cut ties with the university he had led for 24 years amid a probe into allegations that he had sexually harassed male subordinates. Boren denied wrongdoing and the allegations never resulted in charges or civil litigation.

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U.S. Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole, released the following statement about Boren’s death: 

“In spite of the controversies about David Boren’s personal life, there is no question that he was one of the most consequential political and academic leaders in Oklahoma history. As a reform minded legislator, a popular two-term governor, and a pragmatic, deal-making senator, Boren really did accomplish much that benefited not only our state, but also our country as a whole throughout his long career in elective politics.

“Boren was equally effective as the University of Oklahoma president. In fact, his impact is still visible today on the OU campus through academic programs, architecture, infrastructure, and the university’s dynamic role in the civic, cultural, and economic life of the state. 

“While David Boren and I belonged to different political parties and never served together at neither the state or federal level, our paths did cross many times over the years. We often worked together on matters we both saw as beneficial to Oklahoma and to OU. I always found him to be insightful, pragmatic, and dedicated to advancing the public good.”