Strathe to step down as OSU Provost, will remain on faculty

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

(STILLWATER, OK., Sept. 15, 2009) -- Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis announced today that Marlene Strathe plans to step down as Provost and Senior Vice President effective June 30, 2010.  She plans to remain on the faculty at OSU.  Hargis said the university would start a national search for her replacement.

In a letter to faculty and staff, Hargis said, “Dr. Strathe has given yeoman's service to Oklahoma State University over the past six years.  Her service as Provost and as Interim President have been exemplary.  Dr. Strathe is looking forward to rejoining the faculty next fall.  She will undoubtedly provide similarly outstanding service in her new role.   I know I speak for the faculty, staff and administration in thanking her for all she has done for OSU.

“I'm especially grateful to Dr. Strathe for providing advance notice so that we can begin the process of a national search for her successor.  Barring unforeseen developments, this should permit us to have a new Provost in place for the start of school next fall.”

Strathe said, “I have been inordinately fortunate to work with outstanding administrators, faculty and staff members during my administrative tenure at OSU.  I look forward to assuming my responsibilities in the areas of instruction, scholarship and service as a faculty member at Oklahoma State University.  In the meantime, I look forward to an outstanding academic school year.”

Bruce Russell, chairman of the OSU Faculty Council, said, “The OSU faculty value the outstanding leadership and strong support Dr. Strathe has provided as Provost.  During her tenure, Dr. Strathe exhibited professionalism, energy, vision and creativity in leading the academic mission at OSU.  Personally, I appreciate Dr. Strathe’s engaging personality which only worked to enhance her role on campus as the senior academic officer.  We are sorry to see her step down as Provost but look forward to working with her as an OSU faculty member.”

Strathe joined OSU as Provost and Senior Vice President in July of 2003.  She also served as interim OSU President from March 1, 2007 until Hargis became OSU President on March 10, 2008.

Prior to her OSU appointment, Strathe was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Northern Colorado from 1998 to 2003 and Provost at the University of North Dakota from 1993-98.  From 1976-1993 she was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Northern Iowa where she directed a research and development center, served as associate dean of the College of Education and as assistant vice president of academic affairs. 

Strathe holds the B.S. degree with majors in bacteriology and government, the M.S. degree in counseling psychology, and the Ph.D. degree in educational research and measurement, all from Iowa State University.  In 1973 she received the Ed.S. degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa.  In 1995, Strathe was the recipient of a Fulbright Award for the study of higher education administration in the Republic of Germany.