OSU-OKC mourns death of President Dr. Jerry Carroll

Friday, October 29, 2010

Dr. Jerry D. Carroll, 70, president of OSU-Oklahoma City, died early today at his home in Oklahoma City. He had battled cancer for over a year.

“The entire OSU family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Carroll,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.  “He did a wonderful job leading OSU-OKC through an exciting period of growth.  Jerry will be missed and we extend our thoughts and prayers to his wife Jan and their family.”

Dr. Carroll worked in higher education in Oklahoma for nearly 40 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Counseling at Northeastern Oklahoma State University and his Doctorate of Education from Oklahoma State University.

He began his career in 1970 at Tulsa Community College, holding a wide-range of positions that culminated in serving as provost from 1990 to 1992. Dr. Carroll served as president of Northeastern A&M College in Miami from 1992 to1997. He was president of OSU-Oklahoma City since 1997.

With a philosophy of education based on experience, training and personal commitment, Dr. Carroll lived his belief that the institution belongs to the community and the students it serves. His focus was to blend academic degree programs that respond to the needs of business and industry with student support services that meet students’ goals.

Dr. Carroll served on numerous boards including civic clubs, business committees, honor societies and private organizations, and was a past member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City. In 2008 he served as chair of the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk for a Cure. Dr. Carroll challenged the OSU-OKC family to participate in the JDRF Walk which was held on the OSU-OKC campus from 2008-2010.

Dr. Carroll is survived by his wife, Jan, two adult children, Justin and Jayme, their spouses, and two grandchildren.

For more information, go to www.osuokc.edu