Office of the President

October 15, 2026

A great public research university must be a place where ideas are freely expressed, difficult questions are welcomed, and differing viewpoints can be openly debated. These freedoms are fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge and discovery, and they are essential to our responsibility to prepare the next generation of informed, thoughtful leaders. Next week, the University of Oklahoma will mark our sixth annual celebration of Free Speech Week, joining institutions and organizations across the country in recognizing the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. This national observance reminds us of the vital role free expression plays in our democracy and in higher education.

September 30, 2026

Today, I am excited to share the next major step in that work: OU Onward, a new scholarship that will put an OU education within reach for more Oklahoma families than ever before. For generations, higher education has been central to the American Dream: the promise that talent, hard work, and determination can open doors to a better future. OU Onward builds on a longstanding commitment shared by the state of Oklahoma and OU to make that opportunity possible for more Oklahoma families.

September 22, 2026

There are moments in the life of a university that do more than just mark progress. They fundamentally expand the horizon of what comes next. Today is one of those moments. I am profoundly grateful to announce an historic $150 million gift from Harold Hamm – the largest single gift in the history of the University of Oklahoma – to advance health education, research, and discovery across our Health Campus and accelerate the groundbreaking work of the OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center.