Sandefur named Provost, Vice President at Oklahoma State

CONTRIBUTED BY Gene Lehmann, Media Relations, Media Relations.

This article appeared in the September 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

STILLWATER, Okla. – A Chickasaw citizen has been named Provost and Senior Vice President at Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Gary Sandefur took over the positions recently, arriving from the University of Wisconsin where he served as Dean of Letters and Science and professor of sociology. He served at UW from 2004 to 2013.

Dr. Sandefur received his high school education in Madill, Okla., a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma in 1974 and a Ph.D. in sociology from Stanford University in 1978.

“I am honored to be selected to lead the academic programs and work with the excellent academic team at Oklahoma State University,” Dr. Sandefur said. “As a native of Oklahoma, I have great respect for OSU’s land-grant heritage and the outstanding work it does through its diverse academic offerings. My wife, Kathy, and I are excited about this opportunity and look forward to joining the OSU family.”

While in Wisconsin, Dr. Sandefur focused on a number of pressing issues at the university. He helped raise more than $240 million to support activities at UW. He worked on many campus initiatives, including chairing the steering committee for redesigning the university’s human resources system.

A prolific writer on issues of public policy and populations, Dr. Sandefur also has written many works on American Indians, racial inequality and family-based issues. His work is cited extensively in “Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps,” by Sara McLanahan and published by Harvard University Press.

Dr. Sandefur has served on numerous national committees. He chaired the search and screen committee to fill the position of assistant director of social, behavioral and economic sciences at the National Science Foundation.

“We welcome Gary Sandefur back to Oklahoma as our chief academic officer,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “He brings an outstanding record of achievement to OSU and I know the university will benefit from Dr. Sandefur’s success in faculty recruiting, retention, research, diversity, fundraising and other areas. His skills as a leader and enthusiasm will guide OSU to further success and growth.”