Dr. James (OSU Photo)
(STILLWATER, Okla., April 29, 2025) — Scores of Cowboy faithful packed into the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center on Tuesday to welcome Oklahoma State University’s 20th president, Dr. Jim Hess.
Hess was initially named interim president in February before being officially appointed by the OSU/A&M Board of Regents on April 25.
A native of Henryetta, Oklahoma, Hess holds degrees from Northeastern State University and OSU. Throughout his career, he has made a lasting impact across the OSU system.
At OSU-Tulsa, he was instrumental in doubling student enrollment and launching the Big Orange Bus shuttle service. At the OSU Center for Health Sciences, he led efforts to expand the OSU Physicians Group and introduce new graduate programs. His leadership was also pivotal in establishing OSU Medical Center as the nation’s only osteopathic teaching hospital. In recognition of his contributions, Hess was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2023.
During the ceremony, OSU Student Government Association President Aubrey Ruffin introduced Hess, highlighting the meaningful connection he has already fostered with student leaders.
“Landry Baker, our vice president, and I have absolutely loved getting to know Dr. Hess. He has shown us genuine kindness, respect and a clear desire to listen to and uplift student voices,” Ruffin said. “His warmth and dedication have already made a lasting impression on us both.”
In his remarks, Hess expressed deep gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead his alma mater, pledging to prioritize students in every decision he makes.
“I appreciate you all being here today to celebrate me, but this really isn’t about me,” Hess said. “This is about our students, faculty, staff and the people that we serve in this great state of Oklahoma. Students are why we’re here. I’ll never forget that is the most important mission that we have together, to serve students.”
Despite stepping into OSU’s top leadership role, Hess has remained deeply connected to students and still teaches graduate-level courses — an intentional choice that reflects his steadfast commitment to education and mentorship. That same spirit of engagement extends beyond the classroom and into his broader vision for the university.
One of the president’s top institutional priorities is securing long-term investment in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Together, with Board of Regents Chairman Jimmy Harrel, he has already started implementing strategies to strengthen and sustain the CVM’s future.
Tuesday’s ceremony, titled “A New Chapter: Celebrating President Jim Hess,” marked the official start of this new era, one that Hess is eager to begin in close partnership with the Cowboy family.
“Each president who serves this great institution has a chance to write a single chapter in the book of the history of this great university,” Hess said. “I’m so grateful that I will have the opportunity, along with you, to write a chapter that we will all be very proud of. We are going to do it together.”
Students who attended the event got a sense of both Hess’ deep love for OSU and the personal warmth that has already begun to define his presidency.
“It seems like it’ll be very good for the university. Getting to meet him today, it was really cool. I found out he likes a restaurant my mom used to work at,” freshman Chase Sloane said. “I am very excited that he will be leading the university. He’s very kind.”
Hess emphasized that he is focused on taking on his presidency one day at a time, driven by values from the university he is proud to lead. He didn’t shy away from challenges OSU might face, but instead looked to the wisdom of the Cowboy Code.
“I confidently reaffirm to all of you that we will live by the Cowboy Code. We will do what is right. We will lead and serve with integrity. We’ll dream big dreams, and we’ll accomplish great things along the way, but the most important thing is that we will cherish each other while we’re doing it,” he said. “We might even have a little fun, too.”
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 26,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 290,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.
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