David L. Boren: My Dear Friend

WLT’s executive director, editors, and staff all deeply mourn the passing of David L. Boren, who died on February 20, 2025. Nick Hathaway, who served as a vice president at the University of Oklahoma during Boren’s tenure, offered the following tribute on Facebook, which we are pleased to publish in the late president’s honor. 

David L. Boren’s influence spanned decades and continents. Those who knew him best will remember his profound kindness. His strength was always on-the-ready to ensure that his kindness was never mistaken for weakness. He was a strong leader. But he really didn’t like the suggestion that he had “power.” To my knowledge, he never wanted “power” and didn’t even want you to say he had it. He most wanted a life of impact spent in service to others. 

David Boren (1941–2025) had a profoundly positive impact on my life, including his leading role in introducing me to my wife, Nanette. Few likely know that matchmaker was one of Boren’s favorite roles. In fact, he boasted of his success in linking Nanette and me. When we recently shared a reflective goodbye, he proudly began to sing the song “Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.” 

The David I knew seemed to most enjoy being a teacher. Teaching fed his soul. His U.S. Senate internship program was legendary for its dynamism. At OU, he loved teaching his government class. In fact, on numerous occasions David Boren shared his appreciation for Mr. Chips, a fictional teacher in the 1934 novella, Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Boren saw a lot of himself in this fictional character. It’s no surprise that Chips embodied the enduring power of human connection and a life dedicated to service. 

For those privileged to serve alongside him, as I was, David Boren was a caring mentor. He instilled a fundamental principle: to dedicate one’s life to something greater than oneself. This was not merely mentioned in countless speeches; it was a daily mantra, a guiding force in his actions and interactions.

His counsel was sought by world leaders, from Margaret Thatcher to Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela as well as numerous U.S. presidents. These and many other world leaders visited the university during his transformative presidency. He fostered an environment of intellectual exchange and global engagement, leaving an indelible mark on OU.

David and Molly Boren love the State of Oklahoma, its people and its geography. I can remember driving David one day, as I often did, through rural Oklahoma. From the white noise of a car at seventy miles per hour, he said, “Isn’t it beautiful?” I had no clue what he was talking about. But, quite simply, he loved the sight of the Oklahoma landscape. On those same drives, driving through McDonald’s had the qualities of a food stop and “I shouldn’t do this” bank robbery. 

David was a visionary in higher education. He was fond of a poem by the English poet John Masefield that begins with the words, “There are few earthly things more splendid than a university” and includes lines like “wherever a university stands, it stands and shines; wherever it exists, the free minds of men, urged on to full and fair enquiry, may still bring wisdom into human affairs.”

One of his greatest legacies as a university president was that he gave OU a greater understanding of itself. He championed efforts to tell the story of the countless people who served through history to build the foundation of a great university. He installed numerous historical markers and photographs celebrating the university’s past. His speeches often highlighted the contributions of visionary predecessors like George Lynn Cross and David Ross Boyd. In fact, the iconic statue of the legendary President George Lynn Cross—where Cross sits on the North Oval as if in command of the university—stands because Boren put him there. 

Boren also revolutionized women’s athletics at the university. He demonstrated remarkable foresight by massively elevating the salaries of women’s coaches, including the legendary Patty Gasso, to unprecedented levels. This was a bold, controversial move that advanced the unparalleled success that is now a source of state pride. Of course, his partnership with Bob Stoops brought countless victories to the football program.

Teacher, friend, senator, mentor, president, governor—David Boren embodied all these roles with grace and distinction. His legacy is one of lasting dedication to the State of Oklahoma and an unwavering commitment to public service. He leaves behind a world enriched by his presence and a university forever shaped by his vision.

University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma