Oklahoma State University names new president after former leader's surprise exit (2025)

GOODWELL ― In a surprise move, regents that govern Oklahoma State University have removed the “interim” tag from James Hess' title, approving his hiring as the Stillwater university’s 20th president.

The vote came during an OSU/A&M regents meeting held at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on April 25. Coming out of a 53-minute executive session, regent Rick Walker made the motion to make Hess the president of OSU’s system, which includes campuses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Okmulgee.

The board had named Hess as interim president on Feb. 7, just days after former President Kayse Shrum resigned amid allegations of alleged misspending by the OSU Innovation Foundation. Shrum has denied those allegations.

Walker described Hess as "the right person to lead Oklahoma State University" as he made the motion to hire him.

"Jim has walked the halls of higher education in Oklahoma for decades," Walker said. "Throughout those years, he has been the driving force behind much of OSU’s success. He has been a trusted counselor to multiple university presidents. And from the state regents to the state House, Jim’s track record for driving change and advocating for students, faculty and this institution is well-known."

The board voted 5-0 to hire Hess, with three regents absent. Walker said the three absent regents — Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur, Jennifer Callahan and Cary Baetz — all supported Hess' appointment.

Hess told reporters he “was surprised but honored” by his selection as president, which surprised even OSU’s communications staff, which was not given a heads-up about what might happen. Hess choked up at the end of his remarks to regents after their vote.

“I've had the opportunity of the last many, many years to observe Oklahoma State University from inside, and we have such a great system,” Hess said. “For the faculty and staff and students that make up our system, I’m so honored to serve them. My biggest focus, of course, is keeping the students front and center. They're the only reason we're here."

Hess said a primary focus in the short term will be continuing to lobby the state Legislature for $295 million for a new veterinary hospital. Hess has spent much time at the Oklahoma Capitol in recent weeks doing just that.

More: OSU's once-prestigious vet school is at a crossroads. Can it repair its reputation?

Board chair Jimmy Harrel said at the regents' March 7 meeting that the board hadn't yet started a formal search for a new OSU president.

Harrel said after the April 25 meeting that the idea of removing Hess' "interim" tag had crossed his mind, and when Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, an OSU alum, suggested that idea to Harrel, Harrel was convinced it was the right thing to do.

Hilbert said in a statement that he was thrilled to learn Hess had been hired into the permanent post.

"Since stepping in as interim president, he’s been a great partner to the Legislature, and his official appointment brings stability to the university as it prepares for continued growth and future success," he said.

State higher education Chancellor Sean Burrage said Hess understands the university's mission and vision for student success.

“Jim has become a fixture in higher education in Oklahoma, and his appointment reflects a confidence that, under his leadership, OSU will continue to strengthen the state’s workforce and drive our economy forward,” he said.

Hess most recently has served as vice president for graduate programs at the OSU Center for Health Sciences, where he had worked since 2003. The Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame inducted Hess in 2023. He is from Henryetta and has spent 43 years in Oklahoma higher education.

While chief operating officer of the Center for Health Sciences, Hess' efforts led to the acquisition of the teaching hospital, creating what is now OSU Medical Center, which OSU says is the only osteopathic teaching hospital in the United States. He has served as the CEO of the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority and is designated as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship.

Hess earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah before completing his doctorate at OSU. His career in Oklahoma higher education has also included leadership roles at Rogers State College in Claremore and OSU-Tulsa.

Hess paid tribute to OSU alumni in making his remarks to regents, and later when speaking to reporters.

"We are blessed with a huge, loyal, mature alumni base," he said. "They never forget the experience that they had at OSU. The thing I love about our alumni the most is they're all committed to the thing and creating an opportunity for somebody like me, who came from a little rural place in Oklahoma. The university changed my life a long time ago."

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State University names new president after Kayse Shrum's exit