The vital statistics have been widely disseminated by now, ever since the May 2, 1989, selection of Richard L. Van Horn as the 12th president ofthe University of : Born November 2, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois; raised inFort Wayne, Indiana . Bachelor of science degree in indus- trial administration with highest hon- ors from Yale University, master ofsci- ence in industrial management from the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnol- ogy, doctoral degree in system sciences from Carnegie-Mellon University. Ten years with the Rand Corpora- tion, where he worked on the applica- tion of computers to management, still his area of academic interest . Sixteen years at Carnegie-Mellon as faculty member, associate dean of the Graduate School of Industrial Admin- istration, vice president for business af- fairs, vice president for management, provost . Two years while on leave of absence as director and professor of manage- ment systems at the EuropeanInstitute fr Advanced Studies in Management in Brussels, Belgium. Six years as president of the Univer- sity of Houston . Married to Dr. Betty Jane Pfeffe- baum, a childpsychiatrist, professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas School of Medicine and vice president of the University of Texas Medical Center at Houston; father of three daughters, Beth Rodriguez of Houston, Patty Florin of Paris, France, and Lynda Graziano of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania . Those are the facts, none of which answer the questions on the minds of faculty, students, alumni and friends of the University : Have you metthe new president? What is he like?How doyou think he will do? Are we going to like him? To answer these and otherquestions, Sooner Magazine dropped by for a visit. Continued

The New Man in Evans Hall

he new president does not "There are easily another 10 or 15 vantages in being a big university and stand on ceremony. A pleasant, areas where the University could un- provide a special kind of undergrad- confidently quiet individual, dertake research of significant in- uate experience?" Van Horn asks . "You The is quick to offer his hand, introduc- terest to the state, where we can make have a diversity of areas, so you pro- ing himself simply as "Dick Van a contribution . We can expect the vide a wider range of choice. Ifyou are Horn," turning to his attractive wife largest volume of research dollars- a research university, you can do a sec- with ". . . and this is Betty." He re- say 70 percent-in the areas of sci- ond thing; you provide students the members if you have met before and, ence, engineering and medicine . But exposure to faculty members who are unlike some tightly scheduled execu- there will be research in every area- really outstanding role models, who tives, gives you his undivided and un- education, law, fine arts, the are making significant contributions . hurried attention. Although he handles humanities ." "Then," he continues, "you make himself well in large groups, the im- Van Horn cautions, however, that an sure that faculty members are seri- pression is unmistakable : here is a institution should never be so re- ously interested in and are rewarded one-on-one person . stricted to a strategic plan as to be for excellence in teaching, for being Since moving into his office in Evans unable to take advantage of unantici- innovative, for creating new courses, Hall in mid-July, Van Horn has pated opportunities . The University of for being concerned about under- adopted a number of priorities in his Houston's entry into super-conductiv- graduates, for involving them in lab- orientation to the new job. ity research, based on an unexpected oratory activity - undergraduates "I want to become very familiar with scientific breakthrough by one of its make great research assistants." the state and with the alumni," he faculty researchers, was such an op- Not everyone can be a superior, in- says, "get to everymajor city, visit each tuitive, natural teacher, Van Horn ad- of the legislators in his or her home mits, but he insists that every faculty area . I want to move ahead with the member can provide a comprehensive two strategic plans just prepared for "Undergraduate students will class outline, make clear assignments, the Norman campus and the Health generally turn out to be the keep regular office hours, be available Sciences Center. Both have a number to students and take time to help. He of good ideas in them ; both stress the most visible alumni of the also feels that students in a large uni- importance of research, and that will institution. They become versity must be made aware that they be a high priority of mine. the leaders in the state and have a greater responsibility to ask for "I have a particular interest in ad- that help, to seek out needed informa- missions and recruiting," he adds, in the nation, and they tion. acknowledging the University's suc- identify most fondly with "I always try to stress to students cess in recruiting honor students . But the institution." that the faculty and administration he also is studying other factors im- would like to solve their problems," he pacting the institution's funding- says, "but frequently they don't under- public appropriations, private giving stand that there is a problem ." and sponsored research . "That should portunity, he says, making possible a Van Horn intends to demonstrate ac- keep me busy for a few weeks," he con- major institutional investment with cessibility to students by his own cludes . great returns . example, although he admits that But even as he is settling in and "You can do the same thing in stu- time is always a problem . becoming familiar with the com- dent areas," he claims . "It's very im- "Obviously you can't do everything, plexities of his new job, Van Horn has portant to the state of Oklahoma to but I try to participate in as many stu- his eye on long-range goals, not just bring good students in from outside dent activities as I can . I meet on a forecasting where the University will the state and to provide good oppor- regular basis with student organiza- be in five to ten years but where the tunities for the best students in the tion leaders, and I like to do `random institution would like to be. He sees state. The honors program does that ; student lunches,' just pick out 20 stu- the impact of strategic planning very it's part of the strategic plan ." dents, invite them to lunch, ask them clearly in the area of research. Van Horn is aware that some con- how things are going and talk about "What size research program do you cern has been voiced that under- what they think the problems and is- want to have five years down the graduate education might suffer in sues are . You get totally different com- road?" he asks . "What areas should OU's pursuit of comprehensive re- ments back than you do from the stu- the research be in? It is very difficult search university status. He is deter- dent leaders . They're not worried to direct faculty research ; faculty mined that that will not happen. about power battles between the ad- members are going to work on the "Undergraduate students generally ministration and students . They are problems they find interesting . But turn out to be the most visible alumni concerned about very simple things- you can have some influence by em- of the institution," he says . "They be- the book store doesn't open when they phasizing areas that are relevant to come the leaders in the state and in need it, library hours are not conven- the future of the state." the nation, and they identify most ient. He cites the Energy Center concept fondly with the institution . `At the University of Houston, I al- as illustrative of such emphasis . "So how do you overcome the disad- ways had open office hours once a

4 SOONER MAGAZINE

"Answer any question . . . Horn replied simply, "That says more on an individual basis, taking into ac- about the president than it does the count differences between disciplines discuss your problems. coach." and the maturity of the faculty. If those problems become At the same time, the president, who "You don't hire faculty locally ; you so dominant that people experienced similar NCAA problems have to be competitive with other don't want to discuss at Houston, insists that his media pol- states and other institutions," he says. icy is openness with the press. "Some- He knows he will have to sell that anything else - and a great times to my detriment, I suppose," he premise continually to the legislature deal else goes on at a says. "You should try to provide as and the tax-paying public . university - then it's much information as you can, answer In addition to securing new funds any question that is asked, discuss by public and private means, Van Horn better to try to be your problems . If at some point those is willing to reallocate existing re- very `nonquotable.' " problems become so dominant that sources . "It is a very painful thing to people don't want to discuss anything do," he admits, "but you must build else - and a great deal else goes on and preserve quality. You don't go out month for students," Van Horn says. at a university - then it's better at and fire people or anything like that. "Then faculty and staffshowed up and those times to try to be very `nonquot- I don't believe in sudden dramatic wanted to sign up. I'd start about able.' change in the organization ; that's just 2 p.m. and go all through the after- "The only thing we can say on athlet- disruptive . It's a matter of going noon, spend about 10 minutes with ics at the is through, over a period of years, and each person and in the process see that we're going to run a high-integ- looking carefully at the issues and al- maybe 20 or 30 people . Some just come rity program ; we're going to have lowing slow adjustment to take place." by to say hello. They just wondered athletes who behave well and are mod- The new chief executive will opt for who the president was, what he looked els to the rest of the student popula- a relatively lean administrative staff like, but others have problems ." tion; and we're going to try to continue but one that "still does a very good job. The president also likes to have ran- the winning tradition. We will take Everybody has to work hard, but most dom lunches with faculty and to meet steps that are appropriate to go with people would prefer to be in a job once or twice a year with each depart- those broad goals. where they're busy from the time they ment head . By these contacts he feels "I'm not going to get involved in arrive in the morning to the time they much better informed and better able answering a lot of detailed questions," go home at night." He does see the to talk intelligently about University he says flatly. "We have an athletic need for expansion in certain depart- programs . director, and he is the person who has ments, however, particularly in such "The problem with administrations to take broad policy directions from revenue-producing areas as develop- is that they tend to be cut off from the University and carry those out . It ment and student recruitment . what is going on," he insists. "A lot of is not, I suppose, very newsworthy, but When vacancies do occur, Van Horn filtering goes on, so you have to find I don't make decisions about coaches ." says he has no immediate plans to a way ofgetting information. Ofcourse While the public may be preoccupied bring in colleagues from the Univer- presidents have to be careful when with peripheral issues, Van Horn him- sity of Houston or Carnegie-Mellon. they have lunch with a groupoffaculty self is going straight to the heart of "Of course I would keep them in mind," that they don't start making commit- the problems involved in building the he admits, "but I plan to get to know ments. Commitments are made by reputation ofthe University as a major the people who are here and work with deans and department heads; presi- force in higher education . " First we them . If positions become available, dents should not make commitments." need to be good," he says emphatically, you think about anyone who would be Already Van Horn has demonstrated "then we need to communicate that a good candidate, looking very broadly his ability to handle himself before a quality." to make sure you are really getting variety of groups . In his first press con- In Tulsa for his first major address, the best person . None of us know ference, on the day his appointment the president declared his intention to enough people to fill positions was announced, he encountered the focus on faculty salaries . "It is impor- media preoccupation with things ath- tant to direct most of the new money letic, most of the reporters' questions coming into the University into higher "I want people to ask centering on NCAA football probation, salaries so we can retain the best of then-coach Barry Switzer and last the current faculty and attract new how they can make the spring's criminal incidents involving faculty members." institution run better. players . As the audience of University Van Horn cites a need to add $10,000 I like organizations that people bristled, Van Horn refused to to average full professor stipends make progress, change, be drawn into the kind of quotable re- within the next three years to meet torts his questioners sought . , the competition, but he is careful develop over time, where When one reporter suggested that when using statistical "averages ." A there is a real sense of at OU the coach has more to say about strong proponent of rewarding merit, excitement about each day." what goes on than the president, Van he insists that judgment must be made 1989 SUMMER 5

just with people we know." you're doing a good job," he says sim- strengthen the relationship . I find Once he has people in place, Van ply. "I don't think that a president that a perfectly acceptable way to Horn gives them a large degree of should ever stay longer than the relax or socialize ." operating freedom . "In a large, com- people around him want him to stay. Fortunately for their domestic har- plex organization-with locations in And I'd never want to be in the situa- mony, the president's wife shares his Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa- tion where being president was more work ethic. A widower, Van Horn met it would be very foolish to believe that important to me than doing what I Betty through mutual friends ata Uni- you could make all the decisions. thought was right." versity of Texas function in Houston. "I want people continually to ask Van Horn believes, however, that the They have just celebrated their first how they can make the institution run value of a president to the institution anniversary. better. I like organizations that make goes up every year he stays if he con- "Betty understands that she spends progress, that change, that develop tinues to work diligently and does his 20 hours a week as wife of the presi- over time, where there is a real sense job effectively. In spite of recent na- dent, then 50 hours on her own profes- of excitement about each day. Find tional and local trends to the contrary, sional job; she's been doing that in something new. Expand a research he does not think 10 or 12 years an Houston," Van Horn explains . "She program. Do a better teaching job. I unreasonable term . He cites his record puts in a lot ofhours, but again, those like managers who are innovative, of 10 years with Rand, 16 with Car- are things she likes to do. creative." negie-Mellon and six at Houston . "She brings with her a very high As president, Van Horn does not ex- "If the University of Oklahoma re- visibility in childpsychiatry," the pres- pect to be constantly involved in day- gents hadn't been so enthusiastic or so ident says proudly. "Betty is probably to-day operations. "When it is impor- a better scholar than I am. She has a tant to make a decision to keep every- really outstanding publications rec- thing moving along, a manager should ord, and in addition to being a faculty go ahead and make that decision. "If the University member and administrator, she has There isn't always a chance to talk it of Oklahoma regents continued to have anextensive clinical over with the president, and presi- hadn't practice. She will be very happy here, dents must be willing to accept the been so enthusiastic or and she is looking forward to being fact that certain decisions will be so determined a group, able to continue her professional made that they don't really like. You I might still be at the career and professional development." don't want people worrying about mak- Pfeffebaum will wind up her duties ing a mistake, just as long as they look University of Houston. at the UT medical center in mid- at the issues and make the decisions But I am very glad they September and become a tenured pro- for the right reasons ." were so determined." fessor in child psychiatry at the OU Van Horn anticipates being allowed Health Sciences Center. Her employ- to perform his duties in much the same ment at HSC presented something of manner, maintaining a cooperative, a dilemma for OU regents, who have open relationship with the OU Board determined a group, I might still be a nepotism rule that technically would of Regents based on mutual respect at the University of Houston," he prohibit her employment . However, and understanding . laughs . "But I'm very glad they were the way was cleared by a legal ruling "Regents feel very strongly about so determined ." that the president's wife would be em- the institution," he insists . "They The new president expects to give ployed by the regents, not her hus- want the institution to work well. The the regents their money's worth. He band, and therefore not in violation of administration has to build confidence finds that university concerns domi- the state nepotism law. that it is not necessary for them to nate not only his professional life, but The Van Horns are accustomed to micro-manage . You tell the regents also his social and private life . being on public view all the time, even everything that's going on. You make "Just about everything that goes on experiencing such a high profile in the sure they know all the significant is- in my life from early morning to late crush of metropolitan Houston . "I dis- sues, that they aren't surprised . A at night and weekends has some con- covered that I could never go anywhere good rule is that regents should hear nection to the university. In that in the city without people saying hello. about things a week before anyone else sense, I suppose I am a workaholic," I would go out to a restaurant where does . You can't always do that-some he admits . I had never been before in my life, and things break too fast-but where the The Van Horns' social companions the waitress would come up to the university has control, you should give are usually members of the univer- table and say, `Hi, there, Dr. Van Horn . the regents adequate notice." sity community, potential donors or I'm one of your students .' Such a harmonious working ar- legislators . "I just don't think there "You have to remember that you are rangement should give Van Horn an is enough time otherwise. I enjoy continuously representing the univer- opportunity to provide the University plays, the symphony and other musi- sity. You don't make personal com- with much-needed stability in top ad- cal events, and those are nice occa- ments; anything you say is a public ministration . "You stay in a job as long sions to invite a donor. I get to enjoy comment . I guess that if you really as you have support and people think the event and at the same time Continued on Page 32 6 SOONER MAGAZINE

The New Man in Evans Hall

The new president opens his first day on the job with breakfast in 7:3~ A. M . Dining Room 1 of the Oklahoma Memorial Union with the executive committees of the Norman campus and Health Sciences Center Faculty Senates. IY As with most meals, the menu took second place to getting acquainted.

From his first day in office, Dick Van Horn gave notice that he intends to cover all the bases. Photographer Gil Jain followed the new president through a grueling eight hours of meeting, greeting, Leading the way down a corridor of the OU 8:3~ A. M . Energy Center is its executive director, Barnet conferences and Groten, right, who personally served as President Van Horn's guide on an extensive tour of the massive $50 million structure consultations. , nearing completion on the northeast corner of the campus.

Continued

1989 SUMMER 7

The New Man in Evans Hall

Van Horn meets researchers Above, in thePaul and Doris TravisRoom ofthe DorisW Neustadt v :a7~ A. M . in one of the many Energy 9:45 A. M . Wing of the Bizzell Memorial Library, Van Horn is introduced Center laboratories, above, then confers in to his deans by the Norman campus provost, Joan Wadlow (back to camera), the atrium with OU Architect Arthur Tat- but in thephoto below, the conversation soon turns more lively as thepresident tle, left, and Director Groten, below. responds to questions on his educational and administrative style.

From the full professor to the land- came from the Health Sciences scape gardener, everyone at the Uni- Center to join their Norman col- versity of Oklahoma wanted to meet leagues around conferencetables, all the new president, shake his hand anxious to get down to business after and welcome him aboard . So, having a long and thorough national search helped wife Betty unpack shipping for this new president . They found crates and arrange furniture all Dick Van Horn as willing to listen as weekend at the president's home on to voice his own views, more inter- South Pickard, Richard L. Van Horn ested in learning than in impressing spent Day 1 trying to oblige. them . Starting early with a business- By day's end, Van Horn had filed man's breakfast, he crisscrossed the away dozens of new names and faces, campus meeting as many ofthe cho- catalogued their opinions and con- sen representatives of organizations cerns, aware that he had only just as could be squeezed into his sched- begun to meet his Sooner consti- ule. Faculty, administrators and staff tuency.

8 SOONER MAGAZINE

DAY ONE

his ever-present media With 1 :55 A.M. shadow, above, Van Horn leaves for his South Campus lunch appoint- ment at the OU Foundation building.

Packing boxes still in evidence above, Van Horn sits behind his 11 :15 A.M. president's office desk to face media representatives in his first official press conference as the OU chiefexecutive.

Above, Van Horn visits with his hosts, the officers and members Campus organization lead- 12 NOON of the executive committee of the OU Foundation Board of 1 :30 RM . ers gather in the StudentAf- Trustees, as they wait for lunch to be served in the conference room. fairs office to meet their new president.

After meeting with executive 2:30 PM. committees of the HSC and Norman employees' councils in the Union, Van Horn, left photo, returns to his office conference room for a session with his own executive staff, rounding out his initial day and letting him get back to unpacking.

a 1989 SUMMER 9

Letters The New Man in Evans Hall Continued from Page 2 Continued from Page 6 we were at Norman together. It's been value privacy, it might be a problem, service activities that go on at the Uni- an interesting and rewarding experi- but I happen to live a relatively non- versity." ence, but those six years I spent in controversial life . The things I like to The new president brought his Norman have to rank right up there do society considers very acceptable . Sooner Magazine visit to a close 30 with the best of all. They really don't mind if you go to par- minutes past the allotted time, and All kinds of good wishes to Jessie . ties or read books." with seeming reluctance . Although Wish we could sit down for some "Do Van Horn is having little difficulty this practice may make problems for you know whatever happened to . . . T' in adjusting to the reprieve from the schedulers, such consideration sends B. Abbott Sparks big city pressures of his last two posts his graciousness rating sky high . '41 B.EA., '43 M.A. in Pittsburgh and Houston . His home- The first-impression verdict? Dick Dallas, Texas town in Indiana was about the size of Van Horn knows his business . More- Norman, and he is very comfortable in over, this is a man who intends to be A dedicated in charge, but he will do so in his own The "Sooner Song Book" article such an environment . way and his own pace, with diplo- (Spring 1989) took me back, alright! I hiker and outdoorsman, he finds the at deliberation . was on the campus (in high school) area's open spaces one of its most at- macy and measured After months of the frustration of a when the "OU Chant" was introduced tractive features . resident is con- national search, when seemingly no and went to many of the OU games, Oklahoma's new as well that his one was being singled out for the job, stage productions and pep rallies at vinced in other ways state is the place to be . the University of Oklahoma ulti- the "corner." I didn't know until I read newly adopted that is really in- mately made an extremely good Margaret French's article how many "One of the things this job is the choice . songs have been composed for OU. triguing to me about . "The state and Haveyou met the newpresident? Yes, There are probably many ofyour read- timing," he explains are sitting in a very as will a host ofother Sooners over the ers today with the talent to put to- the University . The next 10 years will next few short months. gether words and melodies . And I have good situation of a tremendous amount of What is he like? Totally competent, a challenge for them. be a time very appealing thing surprisingly candid, at home with My reason for writing is to tell your development . A University of Oklahoma is himself. readers about the song contest held about the impact on the How do you think he will do? Very annually by the Oklahoma Heritage its ability to have an out students, provid- well. Association for songs that tell some state-turning leadership in a variety of areas Are we going to like him? We would historic, cultural orgeographic charac- ing through research, the host of public not be at all surprised . teristic of Oklahoma . d The purpose of the contest is to "en- hance the on-going heritage and qual- ity oflife in Oklahoma by encouraging grads and former students . The con- magazine by calling toll-free 1-800- the composition and performance of test deadline is October 17 . 888-8286, specifying "Repairing Fur- original music which deals with the Carol E. McWilliams niture with Bob Flexner" and/or "Re- heritage of Oklahoma," and "to help '43 B.Mus, '47 M.Mus finishing Furniture with Bob Flexner." aspiring composers, writers and per- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Each tape is .$29.95 with a $2.50 hand- formers of music in Oklahoma by ex- ling charge per order, regardless ofthe posing their state-oriented works to Toothaker in the Spotlight number of tapes. the public." I just read "Sooner Spotlight : Tooth- The contest has been conducted for aker" by Michael Waters in the Spring Keep Those Photos Coming 18 years, so there is a collection of 1989 issue of Sooner Magazine. A treasure drove of historic photo- Oklahoma songs just waiting to be What a fascinating and likable per- graphs and alumni memories has re- used for any centennial function . In son Professor Toothaker seems to be. sulted from the notice in the Spring fact, Dan Faulkner's "Oklahoma Is My I'd love the opportunity to visit with issue of Sooner Magazine that such Home," one ofthe winners of 1987, has him. memorabilia is being accepted for the been sung at the Sooner Games of Lewis Burton, '50 B .S . Centennial Collection of the OU Ar- 1988, the Torch Run ceremonies at Wichita, Kansas chives in the Western History Collec- Boise City and Lawton in 1989, and tions and for use in Centennial public- we are expectingto hear it in the Open- Flexner Tapes for Sale ity. The invitation remains open for ing and Closing Ceremonies for the Regarding your article on "Bob Sooners wishing to give or loan their Olympic Festival this month in Nor- Flexner: Craftsman." Do you know favorite campus photographs and con- man. how I can get copies of his woodwork- tribute brief written anecdotes about For rules of the contest, you may ing tapes discussed in the article? their University days . Send to Carol write to the Oklahoma Heritage As- Jessie Kent, '61 B.S . J. Burr, Editor, Sooner Magazine, sociation at 201 NW. 14, Oklahoma Atlanta, Georgia 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, Okla- City, OK 73103, or phone (405) 235- homa 73019. Pack carefully and indi- 4458 . I work for the Association and Editor's Note: The tapes may be or- cate whether the photographs are to hope I'll be hearing from many OU dered directly from Fine Woodworking be returned .

32 SOONER MAGAZINE