David Boren Is My Hero
It's been a bizarre few days at The University of Oklahoma.
Over the weekend a video surfaces showing fraternity members doing a racist chant. Three days later the frat is disbanded, the house is closed and two students are expelled.
Amazing stuff!
The University's reputation took a huge hit with the release of the video. OU's quick reaction helped the school and the state ease some of the embarrassment.
We have one person to thank for that...OU President David Boren.
For those not familiar with him, Boren has served Oklahoma as both its Governor and as a United States Senator. He left the Senate to become OU's President in 1994.
Boren has many accomplishments in his 20 years in office. Donations are way up. New buildings are all over campus. Test scores and grades of incoming Freshman are higher. Entrance requirements have been raised.
In 1970, I was accepted to OU. In 2015, I never would have applied. I'd have zero chance to get in. By the way, that's a good thing.
At one time The University of Oklahoma was considered a party school. The students may still be partying but with better grades. OU was considered an academic joke....not anymore.
David Boren gets a lot of credit for this.
Last year I felt his reputation took a hit. There was a situation at The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on OU's campus.
A painting stolen by Nazi's from a Jewish family, during World War 2 ended up in the museum. Myself and many others felt the painting should have been returned to the family. The situation was handled poorly and it looked like there might have been antisemitism involved in the decision.
I still feel it was wrong but after the events of the past few days I take back the antisemitism charge. Boren showed he's not that type of person.
The last few days in Norman is one of those truth is stranger than fiction stories. It's going to make a great movie.
If you told me a racist video made by a fraternity would surface, I certainly would have believed that.
If you told me that one of the largest fraternity's in the country would be kicked off campus, the house cleared of all it's members and two students expelled from school...all in two days...I'd wonder about what kind of drugs you were taking.
And yet that's exactly what happened!
As strong a hit as the school's rep took, the response was just as strong!
It was exactly what was needed. Powerful in a situation where it was desperately needed.
It salvaged some pride not only for the school but for those of us that love and care for The University of Oklahoma.
For this we have one person to thanks....David Boren.
On March 11, 2015, President David Boren...you are our hero.
This is yesterday's piece on the situation at The University of Oklahoma. I'm hoping not to write about my school again for a long time.
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