Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Media Contact:
Monica Roberts | Interim Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications | 405-744-4800 | [email protected]
Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum has recommended the appointment of
respected business and public policy executive Jerome Loughridge to serve as a strategic
advisor overseeing the operations of the OSU system campuses in Stillwater, Tulsa,
Oklahoma City and Okmulgee, with a combined enrollment of over 34,000.
The appointment follows a national search to identify a seasoned leader with significant
experience in administration, management, policy and planning to serve as senior vice
president of operations.
“Managing the operations of a higher educational system as large and diverse as OSU’s
— while developing an ambitious strategic vision to capitalize on our distinct land
grant mission with aspirations to elevate our status as one of the nation’s renowned
teaching and research universities — will require a dynamic individual with a fresh
perspective and history of leading bold initiatives,” said Dr. Shrum. “The experiences
and successes Jerome achieved in the private and public sectors in numerous high profile
roles leading private equity ventures, managing complex organizations and shaping
public policy will be a major asset as he works with our university community to seize
the opportunities ahead to shape a dynamic and impactful future.”
At OSU, Loughridge will serve on the president’s cabinet and be responsible for overseeing
the multifaceted critical operations of the various campuses, including development,
planning, budgeting and property management.
“Jerome’s strong background in operational leadership, policy development and strategic
decision making will support the development of a strategic plan to guide our initiative
to accelerate and elevate our academic and research endeavors to achieve greater presence
and prominence as one of the nation’s leading institutions. He shares our Cowboy values
of honesty, respect, trust and humility. Having worked with Jerome in the past, I
am pleased and excited to have him join my leadership team,” Shrum said.
Loughridge’s career spans more than two decades and includes key positions in higher
education and executive positions within the energy sector and Wall Street private
equity. He also served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Health & Mental Health.
A former Truman Scholar, Loughridge also was selected into the White House Fellow
leadership development program during which he served at the Pentagon as a special
assistant to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He holds a master of public policy
from Harvard University.
“I am honored to serve under the strong leadership of Dr. Kayse Shrum,” said Loughridge.
“I witnessed firsthand as secretary of health her calm-under-pressure leadership style,
strategic thinking, decisiveness and innovative ideas that made a real difference
for the state of Oklahoma.
“During a period which has seen many universities across the country poorly steward
resources and lose their focus, Oklahoma State University has leveraged its land grant
mission to bring important work to the campus and serve the state of Oklahoma. The
OSU system’s footprint is diverse and robust with many talented people, and the opportunity
to bring it together with sharp, strategic focus is the type of leadership challenge
I am looking forward to with high anticipation.”
Loughridge’s appointment is pending Board of Regents approval at the next regularly
scheduled meeting on Sept. 10.