More than 15 years removed as Oklahoma City University’s School of Law dean, Judge Robert Henry concedes that more than a few things have changed on the campus of the liberal arts institution.

But preparing to take over as the university’s 17th president on July 1, there are a lot of things the soon-to-be former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, wants to remain the same.
Henry already knows some of the 105-years-young university’s major selling points by heart: the average freshman class size is 17; 90% of students receive financial aid; and 80% of faculty have the highest degree in their field.

Those are just a few of the things that make OCU special, he says.

“I think it gets the liberal arts mission,” Henry says. “It clearly is one of the finest music schools in the country, with celebrated alums from opera to popular music to dance to the management side of the arts and drama, et cetera. But it also has a growing reputation in the sciences and in nursing.”

A 15-member search committee, chaired by trustee Ron Norick, reviewed 43 applications and 10 more nominations to replace the retiring Tom McDaniel. The committee was comprised of faculty, staff and the Student Government Association president.

“I guess the most important thing was … I love students, I love teaching, and I love the liberal arts education that OCU espouses,” Henry says of the reasoning behind his career change. “It was just a really exciting opportunity. I have a really good job – a really secure one – but after talking with Ron Norick and the search commission, I have a new vision now.”

Henry heaps tons of praise on McDaniel and wife, Brenda, who guided the 3,700-student, Methodist-affiliated school to new heights.

“They just moved the school forward in every field. We have to continue to do that,” Henry says.

Increasing the endowment, aggressive recruiting of top students in their field and continuing an outstanding athletic program are what he lists as his top priorities, once he retires from the bench this summer after more than 16 years of service.

His love affair with OCU can be traced back to the early ’90s, when he served as dean of the OCU School of Law and was a tenured professor from 1991-94. During his time there, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses, and frequently returned as a guest lecturer.

The Henrys believe strongly in liberal arts education, with their son a theater major at OCU, and daughter away at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Henry says his wife, dentist Jan Ralls Henry, is excited about her new role as first lady.

And what are the odds he will continue McDaniel’s tradition of lunching with students in the dining hall?

“If they’ll have me,” Henry says with a chuckle.

photo/Mark Hancock