Oklahoma State University names Natalie Shirley new president at OSU-Oklahoma City
Thursday, April 28, 2011
“Natalie is an experienced leader with a proven record as a strategic thinker and team builder,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “We are pleased to have her join our team. As an OSU alumna, she has a great passion for our land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach. We look forward to continued growth and success at OSU-OKC.”
Shirley served as Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism and was executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce from 2007-11 under Governor Brad Henry. Prior to that, she held several executive positions during a 16-year career with ICI Mutual Insurance Group, including serving as president and chief executive officer from 2001 to 2006.
“It is an honor to return to my alma mater and I am excited about joining the team at OSU-Oklahoma City,” Shirley said. “The school is experiencing historic growth and I look forward to helping advance our mission of education and service to our community and state.
“Thanks to faculty and staff, and the support of our generous donors, OSU-OKC is preparing students for success across a broad range of key disciplines and serving as an important economic engine for Oklahoma City and beyond,” she said.
A native of Blackwell, Shirley earned degrees in both psychology and political science
at Oklahoma State University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. She
has held numerous community leadership positions, including current work with the
Oklahoma CASA Association and the Calm Waters Center for Children and Families.
Shirley and her husband Russ Harrison have six children.
Shirley replaces Larry Edwards, who had been serving as interim president, and becomes the second president in OSU-OKC history. The school was led by a provost until Jerry Carroll became the first president in 1999; a position he held until he passed away last year.
OSU-OKC has more than 7,500 students and offers associate degrees in agriculture technologies, arts and sciences, business technologies, health services, human services, and science and engineering, as well as a four-year bachelor of technology in emergency responder administration.