OSU/A&M Board of Regents Welcomes New Regent

Friday, September 14, 2007

(STILLWATER, Okla., Sept. 14, 2007) – Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry’s appointee to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, Andrew W. Lester, was welcomed today by his fellow Regents during a regularly scheduled meeting in Stillwater on the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU).  Lester fills a vacancy created when Regent Burns Hargis resigned from the OSU/A&M Board of Regents in July to explore the OSU and System Presidency.

“We are delighted to welcome Andy to the Board,” commented Regent Chair Lou Watkins.  “Andy is well-respected as a leading scholar on constitutional law and democracy.  His experience as an Adjunct Professor the past 18-years at Oklahoma City University School of Law where he has taught State and Local Government Law and Employment Law will be valuable particularly as it relates to our ongoing pursuit of academic excellence.”

Watkins continued, “His broad legal experience in civil rights, insurance and international law as well as his civic involvement in a number of important events and causes in our state will be beneficial to the Board as we carry out our duties and responsibilities to the diverse institutions we govern.”
“I am honored that Governor Henry has entrusted me with the responsibility to serve our state as an OSU/A&M Regent,” said Andy Lester. “I want to thank my fellow Board members for their warm welcome today.  I look forward to working with each of them as well as the leadership at the institutions we govern as we work together to educate our students and maintain stewardship over our resources.”
In accordance with state law, the Oklahoma State Senate will consider confirmation of Lester’s appointment to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents during next year’s session.

The OSU/A&M Board of Regents is the governing board for Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater and the OSU System including the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences in Stillwater, Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, OSU-Tulsa, OSU-Oklahoma City and OSU-Okmulgee as well as Langston University in Langston, Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami.