Move on in
Interim president welcomes new Sooners
NORMAN — The welcome brigade waved signs and cheered as the long line of cars ushered in the next wave of University of Oklahoma students on Thursday.
Much to the amusement of some parents and the delight of most, OU handles the heavy lifting for students. An army of volunteers handles the unpacking from the line of pickups and SUVs, using carts to ship the dorm contents up as many as 12 floors.
OU Interim President Joseph Harroz watched the process unfold, dodging between the hardworking student workers.
“These guys have got it covered,” Harroz said to a group of students walking in the doors to Walker Tower. “Everyone is doing a great job. “Welcome to the family.” As OU classes are set to begin Monday, Thursday was the end of move-in week for OU's more than 5,000 incoming freshmen.
This is also Harroz's first time seeing first- week festivities from the office of the president.
Harroz was named OU's interim president in late May,
replacing the OU's 14th president, James Gallogly, who stepped down from the role after less than a year on the job.
“It's all just incredibly familiar and really exciting,”
Harroz said. “We started talking three months ago when I moved into this job about what it would be like, but this is the part that I'm thrilled about. Just seeing everything start and a new generation of OU students.”
Coming up from Frisco, Texas, Chris and Sarah Hickey were impressed with the move- in operation for their son Graham even if OU wasn't their No. 1 choice for their son.
“We are a Texas A& M family,” Chris Hickey said. “I was a little torn but at least we have the same hatred for (the University of) Texas.”
As Harroz wandered to meet other students and staff, he told the story of when he moved into Adams Hall and how it was up to his mother and sister to help him move in.
“I think my dad figured out somewhere else to be that day,” he said. “But the feeling of stepping on campus for that first time is still so strong.”
Harroz spent the past eight years as the University of Oklahoma College of Law and the Director of the OU Law Center
After he was named the interim president, Harroz met with numerous members of faculty and staff and also hosted meet and greet sessions with students around campus.
After a rash of racist incidents during the spring semester of 2019, Harroz said he hopes to focus on spreading the message that OU is a place for all students and that preaching inclusion would be a main priority.
OU Student Government Association President Adran Gibbs was also out greeting new students and encouraging some to take an active role in university life.
“Having a new president on campus makes things exciting,” Gibbs said. “It really feels like students have a seat at the table and we can't wait to work with our new dean of students and the office of the president, as well.”
The stream of new students moving around him, Harroz agreed.
“It's constantly spring in the literal sense on campus,” he said. “I think everyone will remember this day forever because it just sticks with you.”