Former Oklahoma governor and OU president David Boren died on Thursday. He was 83.
Boren served as Oklahoma's governor in 1975-79 before becoming a United States senator in 1979 until 1994. He was only 33 when he became governor.
After leaving the U.S. Senate after 15 years, Boren then became president at OU in 1994. He held he position for 24 years until he retired in 2018. Boren did not associate with OU after 2019 because he was accused of sexual harassment during his time as president. He denied the allegations and no charges were ever filed.
As OU's president, Boren oversaw upgrades to Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the addition of Heisman Park. He also hired athletic director Joe Castiglione, softball coach Patty Gasso and former football coach Bob Stoops.
Sooner Nation and leaders throughout the state remembered Boren on Thursday, including current OU president Joseph Harroz, Jr.
The University of Oklahoma is saddened to share the passing of David L. Boren, whose life’s work was rooted in his commitment to the people of Oklahoma and his belief in the power of education to change lives. pic.twitter.com/dOWh6sb9jE
— University of Oklahoma (@UofOklahoma) February 20, 2025
I join Oklahomans in mourning the loss of former Governor David Boren. Sarah and I extend our condolences to his wife, Molly, and the entire Boren family.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) February 20, 2025
I’ve ordered all flags on state property be flown at half-staff until his interment.https://t.co/HDzB1687Bx
It’s hard to put a title in front of David Boren’s name because he carried so many. Representative, Governor, Senator and President, to name a few. He certainly leaves a major legacy in Oklahoma City through his state and federal service… (1/2) pic.twitter.com/a4VZqTbGQ4
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) February 20, 2025
Story Time: I’m sure I’ll get ripped for this but I am choosing to tell a good story about President David Boren. In the spring of 2010, I decided I didn’t want to be in college anymore. I had enough credit hours to graduate but wasn’t quite done with a few minor courses. Cont.
— Johnny Baseball (@Webbdingus) February 20, 2025
We join the OU community in mourning the passing of our college's namesake, David L. Boren. pic.twitter.com/TZAuYVVDaA
— OU College of International Studies (@oucis) February 20, 2025