This fall, the University of Oklahoma will proudly celebrate the inauguration of Joseph Harroz Jr. as the university’s 15th president in a number of events designed to showcase the unique OU spirit and the university’s bright future. The entire OU community is invited to participate.

The inauguration will stand as a ceremonial marker of Harroz’s presidency, which began May 9, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the postponement of celebratory events.

Leading off the inauguration festivities will be a celebration dinner on Thursday, Sept. 16, in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom of Oklahoma Memorial Union.

The inauguration ceremony is set for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Lloyd Noble Center. A livestream link to the ceremony will also be available at ou.edu/president/inauguration, and the worldwide OU family is encouraged to gather online for the historic event.

A university celebration will follow the inauguration at 11:30 a.m. on the South Oval. Tours of Boyd House, the official residence of the university president, will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The inauguration events will take place on the eve of the much-anticipated football matchup between OU and Nebraska – a renewal of one of college football’s greatest rivalries being held on the 50 ^th anniversary of the “Game of the Century.”

All inauguration events are open to the entire OU community and the public; however, reservations for the Thursday evening celebration dinner will be required, as limited seating will be available.

“The University of Oklahoma is incredibly fortunate to have a visionary leader at the helm like Joe Harroz, whose first year as OU president has been anything but normal,” said Michael A. Cawley, chair of the OU Board of Regents. “President Harroz’s steady leadership during these unprecedented times demonstrates not only his unwavering devotion to the university’s collective well-being, but also his tireless commitment to champion OU to new levels of excellence. We look forward to celebrating his exceptional service and leadership at his inauguration.”

Prior to his being unanimously selected by the Regents in May 2020 to serve as OU’s president, Harroz had served the university for over 25 years in various leadership roles, including a one-year term as interim president, nine years as dean of the College of Law and 12 years as general counsel.