Dr. Michael Turner, Vice President for Student Affairs at Rogers State University, has been named the 18th President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The announcement was made by the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents.
The regents voted to hire Dr. Turner late Wednesday after interviewing five candidates this week. A total of 77 applications were received for the position, which became vacant on Jan. 17 when Glen D. Johnson left the presidency to assume the duties of Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System for Higher Education. Since that time, Dr. Jesse Snowden has served as Interim President of SOSU.
Dr. Turner will assume his new duties at Southeastern on Jan. 1, 2008.
“We believe that Dr. Michael Turner is an excellent fit for Southeastern,’’ said RUSO chair Belva Howard. “After a very thorough search process, he emerged from a field of highly qualified candidates as the choice to assume the presidency. Southeastern Oklahoma State University has a long and proud history of excellence, and we are confident that Dr. Turner will provide the leadership and direction needed to build upon that success. The Regents would like to thank the members of the Presidential Search Committee, as well as other faculty, staff, students, and community members for their valuable input during the search. We also want to acknowledge Dr. Jesse Snowden for doing an outstanding job as interim president.’’
At RSU, Dr. Turner oversees Student Development, Student Activities, Residential Life, Career Services, the Student Health Center, Counseling Services, TRIO Special Programs, the Child Development Center, Greek Life, Cheerleading and other student services for all three RSU campuses. He began his duties at RSU in April 2003.
Prior to that, from 1999-2003, Dr. Turner served as special assistant to the president at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Okla., where he was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with students, faculty and staff. He also served as a liaison to the community to provide guidance for university and civic engagement programs.
Previously, from 1997-1999, he was director of admissions and prospective student recruitment at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee and admissions recruiter and college strategies instructor at NSU.
He also served eight years with the U.S. Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of captain.
“Lisa (wife) and I are very excited about this opportunity,’’ Dr. Turner said. “We want to thank the RUSO Board for its confidence and support in us. I also want to thank all of the faculty, staff and students who were involved in the search process at Southeastern, as well as the Durant community for being very hospitable. Our family looks forward to becoming an active part of the campus and community.’’
Dr. Turner received a doctorate in education from Oklahoma State University; a master’s degree in college teaching with an emphasis in student personnel services and a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology, both from NSU; and an associate in applied science in electronics technology from OSU-Okmulgee.
He is a current participant in the Leadership Oklahoma 2007-08 Class and a graduate of the Oklahoma Higher Education Leadership Academy. Dr. Turner serves as Vice President for the Claremore Public Schools Foundation Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee for the First United Methodist Church. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman for the Oklahoma Council on Student Affairs and past Chairman for the Claremore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is the Club Service Chair for the Claremore Rotary Club Board of Directors and a graduate of Leadership Rogers County.
Dr. Turner, his wife Lisa, and daughters Madison and Megan reside in Claremore.
The nine-member RUSO board governs the following regional institutions: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.