Conversations with the President: Recent Episodes
The University of Oklahoma
Listen in on Conversations with the President – a podcast featuring Joseph Harroz, Jr., the 15th president of the University of Oklahoma, as he is joined by a variety of guests discussing all things OU.
College athletics is changing faster than ever before — from NIL and roster management to recruiting strategy and evolving leadership models. In this episode of Conversations with the President, Joseph Harroz Jr. sits down with OU General Manager for Football Jim Nagy to discuss what it takes to build and lead a modern college football program in the middle of unprecedented transformation.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept—it’s already transforming how we learn, work, and solve complex challenges. In this episode of Conversations with the President, Joseph Harroz Jr. sits down with Dr. Shishir Shah, the University of Oklahoma’s inaugural Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, to explore how OU is stepping forward as a leader in this rapidly evolving space.
In this episode of Conversations with the President, OU President Joe Harroz sits down with Chancellor Sean Burrage of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for a timely and wide-ranging conversation about the role of higher education in shaping Oklahoma’s future.
In this episode of Conversations with the President, President Harroz sits down with OU’s new Vice President and Director of Athletics, Roger Denny, during his very first week on the job. At a moment of unprecedented disruption in college athletics, OU is embracing change — not resisting it. President Harroz and Denny discuss the national search process that led to his hire, the qualities that set him apart, and why this era of transformation presents the greatest opportunity in decades to build lasting dynasties in Norman.
In this episode of Conversations with the President, President Harroz sits down with one of America’s foremost constitutional scholars, Akhil Reed Amar, to explore how a 236-year-old document continues to shape our democracy today. From the founding ideals of the U.S. Constitution to the challenges facing our republic on the eve of its 250th anniversary, the conversation delves deep into why this framework still matters — and how each generation redefines what it means to live under it.
In this episode of Conversations with the President, President Joseph Harroz Jr. welcomes Dr. Wilfred McClay — acclaimed historian, author, and former OU faculty member — for a timely discussion on the meaning and importance of free speech in today’s world. Drawing from his keynote address, “Speech as a Middle Ground,” Dr. McClay explores how speech serves as a vital bridge between thought and action, and how true dialogue can help bridge divides in an era of polarization and rapid technological change.
President Harroz sits down with Leo Mingee and Lauren Von Mingee of Quintessa Marketing about their journey as entrepreneurs, disruptors in the legal marketing industry, and champions of “irrational generosity.” From donating half of their profits to charity to creating a historic $6 million scholarship endowment for OU’s first-generation business students, the Mingees share how giving shapes their business, family, and vision for Oklahoma’s future.
In this episode, President Harroz sits down with Dr. Ian Dunn, Executive Dean of the OU College of Medicine and Chief Physician Executive for OU Health, to explore why Oklahoma’s leading comprehensive academic health system matters for our state. From improving health outcomes to training the next generation of physicians and advancing groundbreaking research, Dr. Dunn shares how OU is shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans.
President Harroz is joined by Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and new General Manager for Football Jim Nagy to discuss the excitement of OU’s second season in the SEC and the future of college athletics. They highlight OU’s pioneering approach with a pro-style GM model, expanded game day traditions like tailgating on the North Oval, and the importance of balancing innovation with preserving the traditions that make college sports unique. The conversation also looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities of revenue sharing, competitive scheduling, and sustaining a student-first culture rooted in family and growth.
On this episode of "Conversations with the President," President Joseph Harroz, Jr. welcomes Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), for an enlightening conversation as OU celebrates Free Speech Week. In this episode, we explore the importance of free speech on college campuses, the challenges posed by "vindictive protectiveness," and the role of higher education in fostering open dialogue.
In this episode of "Conversations with the President," President Joseph Harroz, Jr. welcomes Doris Kearns Goodwin, the acclaimed presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. As part of our Presidential Speakers Series, Goodwin, known for her bestsellers "Leadership: In Turbulent Times" and "Team of Rivals," shares her insights on leadership and its relevance today. We delve into her extensive research on historical figures like Lincoln and Roosevelt, discuss the role of universities in fostering future leaders, and explore the lessons from past political turmoil that can guide us through today's challenges.
On this episode of Conversations with the President, President Joseph Harroz, Jr. is joined by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione discuss OU’s inaugural day in the Southeastern Conference, the journey to joining the conference, and the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
The 54th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, joins President Joseph Harroz Jr. for this edition of Conversations with the President. Ryan was on campus for the annual Presidential Speaker Series where he discussed the state of American politics to a crowd of over 700 attendees. In this episode, Ryan dives in his connections to the state of Oklahoma, his decision to leave politics and enter his second career as well as his thoughts on the current state of American politics.
0:00 – 1:33 – Introduction
1:34 – 5:19 – Ryan's connection to the state of Oklahoma
5:20 – 8:21 – Experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives
8:22 – 11:35 – Walking away from politics
11:36 – 18:00 – The changing state of American politics
18:01 – 21:28 – Foreign threats to democracy
21:29 – 24:00 – The outlook of presidential races
24:01 – 27:25 – Advice to students
27:26 – Ryan's hope for a third career and his advice for the country.
President Joseph Harroz Jr. Is joined by Dr. Amy McGovern, a Lloyd G. and Joyce Austin Presidential Professor of Machine learning/data mining/data science for the physical sciences; Real-world applications with a special interest in high-impact weather. 2023 saw a massive increase in the discussion surrounding artificial intelligence and its impact on the world. Dr. McGovern and President Harroz discuss the implications of A.I. and its influence on severe weather research at the University of Oklahoma.
0:00 – 2:10 – Introduction
2:11 – 5:40 – A.I. hesitations and concerns
5:41 – 7:00 – Amy McGovern’s time at OU
7:01 – 14:55 – Machine learning and severe weather
14:56 – 16:30 – The rate of development with A.I.
16:31 – 17:35 – What success looks like
17:36 – 21:00 – Trustworthy A.I. and biases
21:01 – 25:58 – National Institute for Standards and Technology announcement
25:59 – Standards that exist
President Joseph Harroz Jr. Is joined by Regents’ Professor of the Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies Dr. Karlos Hill and Marilyn Luper Hildreth, the daughter of University of Oklahoma icon Clara Luper. For Black History Month, the guests and President Harroz discuss Clara Luper’s living legacy within the university as well as the state of Oklahoma.
0:00 – 1:30 Introduction
1:31 – 3:40 Guest intros
3:41 – 11:10 Clara Luper’s life
11:30 – 17:30 The Katz Drug Store sit-in
17:31 – 28:45 Luper's legacy of radical love
28:46 – 36:18 What Luper’s legacy teaches us what we must do
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. is joined by Student Veteran Association President and former United States Army Green Beret Harrison Anderson and the director of the Aerospace and Defense Program at the Michael F. Price College of Business, Shad Satterthwaite. Both guests served in the United States military and speak to the unique experience on a college campus that a student veteran will go through.
0:00 – Intro
4:19 – Why Harrison chose OU as a student following the service
5:55 – OU as a friendly environment to current and former servicemen and women
9:13 – Some of the challenges a student veteran faces transitioning from the military into college life
13:18 – What OU and the SVA is doing to make OU better for student veterans and the importance of the new Veteran Zone
17:02 – The growth at OU for student veterans
19:22 – The ROTC relationship
20:54 – Recent gift to renovate the Armory
23:18 – Aerospace and Defense at OU
30:00 – Signing off
President Joseph Harroz Jr. Is joined by Nadine Strossen, the John Marshall II Harlan Professor of Law Emerita at New York Law School and past president of the American Civil Liberties Union. Strossen’s appearance on Conversations with the President was a part of the University of Oklahoma’s annual celebration of Free Speech Week. Harroz and Strossen discuss the importance of reinforcing and encouraging freedom of speech, thought and discourse on college campuses and everywhere.
0:00 – 2:52 – Introduction
2:53 – Strossen's introduction
5:38 - Strossen’s Elevator Pitch on Free Speech
11:52 – Hate Speech
13:00 – The need for a civics education on the First Amendment
17:39 – Disagreeing with someone
21:57 – Strossen's book, Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know
27:03 – Discussing “the other”
33:40 – Wrapping up
President Joe Harroz is joined by the Senior Vice President and Provost of the University of Oklahoma André Denis-Wright. The two discuss OU’s trajectory over the next five years, the changing nature of incoming students as well as the importance of OU’s strategic plan.
1:07 – Denis-Wright intro
3:37 – Provost duties on the Norman campus
11:09 – Success over the next four/five years
13:46 – Changing nature of incoming students
18:16 – Polytechnic Institute
20:01 – Strategic Plan importance
23:30 – OU as a research enterprise
President Joe Harroz is joined by Gary Raskob, Ph.D., the Provost and Senior Vice President of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Today’s conversation deals with OU HSC, the three missions of HSC as well as how OU is addressing health care needs within the state.
0:00 – Introduction
1:03 – Gary Raskob introduction
4:28 – OU HSC’s layout
5:38 – HSC’s three core missions
9:08 – Oklahoma's need for nurses during COVID
13:00 – Addressing the need for more physicians within Oklahoma
15:22 – Healthcare research importance
17:15 – Cancer research and the implication of new technologies
22:03 – Diabetes research at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center
25:38 – How healthcare can be improved in Oklahoma
26:48 – Pediatric Behavioral Health
30:00 -- Outro
President Joe Harroz is joined by Teri Reed, Ph.D., the inaugural Director of the Polytechnic Institute based at OU-Tulsa. The two share thoughts on what a Polytechnic actually does for the university, the state as well as the region. With the institute’s expertise lying at the intersection of business, education and technology, the future for this new school is incredibly bright.
0:00 – 3:17 Intro
3:18 - Teri Reed introduction
5:29 – On what a Polytech is
6:44 – What kind of students that pursue a polytechnic degree
8:44 – On the demand for STEM/Polytechnic degrees in the workforce
10:00 – The demand in Oklahoma
13:41 – How this could help attract businesses and jobs to the state
15:07 – Cyber security gaps to fill
21:09 – How A.I. affects the workplace
24:33 – The kinds of people interested in pursuing these careers
28:12 – What students become when they graduate with their polytechnic degree
31:18 – Harroz's closing thoughts
President Joe Harroz is joined by Randall Stephenson via Zoom. Stephenson is the former CEO of AT&T, retiring in 2021. Stephenson, who was born in Moore, Oklahoma, earned his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1986 and went to work for Southwestern Bell until working his way up. He earned a status as a global leader in technology and innovation.
(0:00 – 2:20) Introduction
(2:23 – 3:39) Randall Stephenson’s OU origin story
(3:40 – 6:48) How OU prepared Stephenson for professional life
(6:49 – 9:22) Stephenson’s advice for OU graduates
(9:23 – 14:44) The importance of affordable higher education
(14:45 – 20:02) Adapting to the world in business
(20:03 – 24:30) Stephenson’s “business done right” as a part of the Business Roundtable
(24:31 – 28:11) The greatest threat to America’s status as a global superpower in business
(28:12 – 32:49) Oklahoma’s aim in preparing students for the professional world
(32:50 – 35:33) Sneak peak on Stephenson’s commencement speech
(35:34) Final thoughts
President Joe Harroz is joined by the head coach of the women’s basketball team, Jennie Baranczyk. Among the topics discussed are the strength of multiple women’s sports at the University of Oklahoma, Jennie’s now-famous daughter, Jordi and the trajectory of the program under her leadership.
(0:00 – 1:49) Intro
(1:50) Baranczyk introduced
(3:00) The first two years under her coaching
(4:00) Women’s sports success at OU
(6:27) Baranczyk speaks on her recent Big 12 title team
(8:24) The phenomenon of Jordi Baranczyk
(13:04) The increase in viewership in women’s basketball
(17:24) NIL’s impact on recruiting and college athletics
(24:20) The demands on modern coaches
(29:02) Coaching at Oklahoma
(30:36) Closing
President Joe Harroz sits down with Dr. Gregg Garn, the dean of College of Professional and Continuing Studies and the vice president of online learning at the University of Oklahoma, to discuss OU Online. As online education becomes more synonymous with a normal learning experience for many, President Harroz and Dr. Garn aim to fill in the blanks for questions people may have about the online experience. OU Online is growing at an exciting rate and today’s episode speaks to that growth.
0:00–2:42 – Introductions
2:43 -- Origins of OU Online
6:40 – The aim of OU Online’s programs
7:39 – What programs are offered
9:40 – The advantages of gaining a degree within OU Online
11:54 – Adult Degree Completion opportunities
13:40 – The challenge of keeping local students in-state who choose online programs
17:39 – Building community in an online environment
23:43 – Future of online education and OU Online
27:00 – How students should think of their online experience moving forward
President Joe Harroz is joined by Dr. George Henderson to discuss his place within the University of Oklahoma’s history. Dr. Henderson came to OU in 1967 and broke new ground in both the OU community and the city of Norman. Through his own life experiences prior to coming to OU, and his teaching history and interactions with students on campus, Dr. Henderson has created a legacy for positive change and inclusion for all.
(0:00 – 3:24) Introduction and background of Dr. George Henderson
(7:44) Dr. Henderson’s moment of realization during his younger days
(10:03) Coming to Norman for the first time in 1967
(13:10) Dr. Henderson first impressions of Norman and OU
(20:39) Lessons from the Civil Rights movement
(23:04) Harroz’s son’s story of meeting Dr. Henderson
(27:20) Dr. Henderson recalls a story when his students influenced him to stay at OU
(31:00) OU as a place of belonging
(33:50) Harroz thanks Dr. Henderson for joining.
President Joe Harroz is joined by the 28th governor of the state of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt. Stitt has served that position since 2019 and was re-elected to a second term in 2022. President Harroz and Governor Stitt discuss a variety of topics centered around the growth of the state of Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma’s role in that growth.
(0:00 – 1:52) Harroz introduces Governor Stitt and provides background
(1:53) Stitt and Harroz discuss Stitt’s recent re-election and reminisce about his first four years
(5:10) The university’s role in helping realize Stitt’s desire of making Oklahoma a top 10 state
(10:45) The last two years of workforce development and moving forward
(11:38) Stitt remembers the need for more nurses in the state and what the OU Health Sciences Center was able to do to meet the need
(16:19) Harroz and Stitt remember traveling to Indiana to recruit a company to the state before realizing the need for a polytechnical institute as well as recruiting Tomás Díaz de la Rubia
(21:30) Stitt recounts the three-city tour during his re-election innaugration
(25:40) Harroz signs off
President Joe Harroz is joined by Speaker of the House Charles McCall and Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat to discuss the value of an education earned from the University of Oklahoma and how their experiences on campus prepared them for life in government.
(0:00 – 4:09) Introduction
(4:10) Guests go over their time at OU
(10:10) Pro Tem Treat’s experience as an Ewing Scholar
(12:40) Speaker McCall’s experience in banking and entry into politics
(17:48) Advice for students
(22:09) On the importance of “learning how to learn” in college
(24:19) Making a difference for the state of Oklahoma over the next few years
(31:47) Final thoughts
President Joe Harroz is joined by Dr. Michael Detamore of the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering. Detamore has served as the founding director of the school since its inception in 2016. The Stephenson Schools placement within the Gallogly College of Engineering, as well as its connection within the academic health system across the three campuses, plays a vital role for the story of research at the University of Oklahoma. Detamore’s history of innovation and research have led the young school to many accomplishments during its short time at OU.
(0:00 – 2:23) Harroz introduces the show and praises the recent $3.5 million dollar gift to the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering
(2:24) Harroz introduces Dr. Michael Detamore
(5:08) Detamore explains the synergy the Stephenson School employs within the Unversity of Oklahoma
(6:23) The entrepreneurial role biomedical engineering employs with help from the Tom Love Innovation Hub and the Price College of Business
(7:26) The types of students that come through the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering
(11:23) Detamore walks through his research agenda with TBI and TMJ injuries
(15:04) The difference between translational and basic research
(19:17) Detamore tells his story of going on stage at a Metallica show in 2008
(21:56) The impact that Stephenson School students are having
(25:14) Detamore walks through some prototypes his students have developed to solve clinical needs
(29:01) Closing remarks
Jonny and Brenda Jones join President Joe Harroz to discuss the recently announced Lead On Campaign. The Jones’ serve as the Campaign’s Chairs as well as having given a recent gift of $15 million dollars to renovate Jacobson Hall. Jonny Jones is a multi-generational Sooner whose grandfather came to OU in 1919 but is passionate about investing in to future students – both legacy and first-generation.
(0:00 – 6:25) Harroz introduces the Lead On Campaign
(6:26) The Jones’ introductions and OU stories
(8:55) The Jones’ explain the process of going through with their gift
(13:58) The Jones’ explain why OU was the place they wanted to help
(16:54) The importance of giving back to the students
(21:21) Harroz describes the enthusiasm of the alumni
(22:58) Jones’ grandfather track and baseball story from 1922
(30:00) Signing off
President Joe Harroz is joined by six-time national champion coach Patty Gasso of the OU women’s softball team to discuss the recent run of consecutive national championships and celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Title IX’s impact has been felt throughout the country, but at OU it has had a special legacy that continues to grow.
(0:00) Harroz discusses the history and impact of Title IX for institutions across the country as well as the successful history of OU’s women’s athletic teams over the years.
(5:08) Patty Gasso joins
(6:48) Gasso’s background
(7:50) 50 years of Title IX and Gasso’s thoughts on the impact it’s had
(8:40) Gasso reflects on her history as OU’s head coach
(9:38) Gasso reflects on Pat Summit and dives into her desire to fight for women’s equality in sports
(12:34) On if Gasso feels a burden by being the best at her sport
(17:00) Gasso on how she conducts herself as a teacher with her players
(18:00) Gasso answers a question from former OU football coach Bob Stoops
(20:33) How the modern athletes are different emotionally and physically than from Gasso’s earlier career
(22:45) On how NIL affects the modern athlete in softball and Gasso’s thoughts on the transfer portal
(27:15) Gasso on teaching her players to play for something larger than themselves
(33:18) Harroz’s closing remarks
President Joe Harroz is joined by Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Dr. David Surratt, to discuss the start of the 2022 fall semester at the University of Oklahoma. With OU welcoming a record class of 4,700 incoming students, Dr. Surratt discusses the impact his office has on students in and out of the classroom as well as programming and resources for life after graduation. Later, President Harroz is joined by research scientist at the OU School of Meteorology, Matthew Flournoy, to discuss his supercell research and its impact on the community at-large.
(0:00 – 4:47) OU achievements
(4:48 – 8:10) Dr. Surratt joins to discuss the 2022 incoming class and Camp Crimson
(8:11 – 10:43) Surratt’s background
(11:00 – 13:33) Student Affairs’ role in the OU strategic plan
(13:34 – 16:25) How Student Affairs has grown since Harroz and Surrat were at OU
(16:26 – 22:56) Career development within Student Affairs
(24:18 – 27:06) Flournoy’s introduction and background
(27:10) Flournoy’s research on supercells
(27:51) The recent TORUS study
(30:18) The goal of supercell research
(33:29) Harroz congratulates Dwight W. Birdwell for receiving the Medal of Honor
(34:45) Harroz’s final thoughts going into the fall semester
President Joe Harroz is joined by the Vice President of Research and Partnerships, Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, to discuss all things research at the University of Oklahoma. Díaz de la Rubia has been in his position at OU since 2020 and has overseen research growth through his expertise in strategy and consulting. Harroz and Díaz de la Rubia go through each of the four verticals of research and dive into the horizontals that accentuate each field of research. Later, Harroz is joined by the men’s golf coach Ryan Hybl to discuss the recent men’s golf season as well as the outlook of the program over the next few years.
First Things First:
(0:00 – 4:23) Harroz OU announcements
(4:24 – 6:06) Tomás Díaz de la Rubia introduction
(6:07 – 9:30) Díaz de la Rubia discusses when he took the job at OU and his strategy on research
(9:31 – 10:55) Harroz and Díaz de la Rubia introduce the research verticals
(10:56 – 14:15) Aerospace & National Security Defense Vertical and the relationship with the National Weather Center
(14:16 –16:33 ) Energy and Environmental Sustainability vertical
(16:34 – 18:38) Díaz de la Rubia discusses the Future of Health vertical
(18:39 – 20:30) Díaz de la Rubia discusses the Society and Community Transformation vertical
(20:31 – 24:46) Harroz and Díaz de la Rubia discuss the horizontals that supplement the research verticals
(24:47 – 26:48) How OU research’s performance since Díaz de la Rubia joined in 2020
(26:49 – 28:19) On the importance of partnerships when it comes to research at a university
(28:20 – 29:20) Projecting the next five years of OU research
(29:21 – 31:40) Closing thoughts with Díaz de la Rubia
(31:45 – 33:31) Harroz goes through spring/summer sports’ accomplishments
(33:32) Harroz’s conversation with Men’s Golf coach Ryan Hybl
President Joe Harroz sits down with three graduating students – Parker Primrose, Devin Brown and Shannon Ehrhardt -- as they reflect on their experiences at the University of Oklahoma. Following the conversation with the students, Harroz is joined by the women’s gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler, who just won her fifth national title as OU’s coach.
First Things First:
Giving Day update [00:33 – 1:47] Spring Game reaction & K.J. Kindler tease [1:48 – 3:28]
Conversation with the President:
Introducing the guests [3:29 – 5:39] What brought you to OU? [5:40 – 13:57] What was a defining moment for you at OU? [13:58 – 24:18] What is Harroz’s motivation? [24:19 – 26:19] Harroz’s favorite experience as an Alpha Tau Omega member [26:19 – 28:59] What piece of advice does each student have upon graduation [29:00 – 36:04] Farewells [36:05 – 37:20]
And Finally:
K.J. Kindler joins the show [37:22] Kindler on her recent championship win [37:57 – 42:10] Harroz on going to Washington D.C. with the gymnastics team [42:11 – 42:59] Spring semester athletics program wrap-up [42:59]
For the first episode of “Conversations with the President,” OU President Joseph Harroz, Jr. sat down with Coach Brent Venables. Venables became the 23rd head coach of the University of Oklahoma’s football program on December 5th, 2021. Harroz and Venables discuss the pivotal moments before the head coaching job was offered and the electric energy of OU’s impromptu pep rally to welcome the Venables family home to Norman. The two go on to discuss the dynamic changes in collegiate athletics, particularly in football, and how Venables’ role as a mentor and coach has grown.