The McDaniel Legacy

When Oklahoma City University's 16th president arrived at Oklahoma City University in 2001, he found a tradition-rich university on the brink of a renaissance. President Tom McDaniel immediately began a transformation of the then nearly 100-year-old institution. During the past eight years, that transformation has included new and renovated physical spaces, a larger endowment, the addition of academic programs and new athletic program offerings.

President McDaniel came to OCU from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he became the first graduate of that school to serve as its president. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from NOSU and a juris doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. McDaniel worked in private practice from 1963 to 1981, when the Supreme Court of Oklahoma appointed him as administrative director of state courts. He joined Kerr-McGee in 1984, ultimately becoming vice chairman of the company and a member of its board of directors.

During his tenure at Oklahoma City University, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $150 million for projects including the Wanda L. Bass School of Music, Centennial Residence Hall, Meinders School of Business, the Devon Boathouse – home of OCU Rowing, the renovation of the Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center, construction of the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management, construction of Lacy Stadium – home of OCU Softball, renovation of the OCU wrestling headquarters, the Steve and Suzan Knight Weight Room, Jim Wade Stadium – home of OCU baseball, campus beautification projects, the addition of Kerr-McGee Centennial Plaza, renovation and expansion of the Norick Art Center and renovation and expansion of the Lacy Visitors Center. OCU's endowment, which supports student scholarships, faculty chairs, professorships, lectureships and special programs has doubled during McDaniel's presidency and OCU completed its $100 million campaign, the largest to date, some 14 months ahead of schedule.

Under President McDaniel's leadership, OCU has added the Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University, establishing the first United Methodist seminary in Oklahoma. Programs have been added, including moving image arts, dance pedagogy and two doctoral tracks in nursing, just to name a few. Plans are underway for a new facility for Oklahoma City University School of Law and for construction of a new science center on campus. A new degree track, the Oxford Plan, launched this fall and allows students to complete undergraduate and law degrees in just six years.

New scholarship programs created during McDaniel's tenure include the Clara Luper Scholarship Program and the American Indian Scholarship program which fund full-tuition scholarships for 45 students annually. The new Priddy Fellows program gives a group of faculty the opportunity to examine arts integration teaching methods each year.

Athletic offerings have expanded to include cross country, track and field, volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, competitive cheerleading and rowing. OCU now has 18 athletic teams.

In June, OCU broke ground on the $10 million Devon Boathouse, home of OCU Rowing, and celebrated the designation of the Oklahoma City High Performance Training Center as a U.S. Olympic training site.

OCU's annual regatta, which began in 2004, has become one of the best in the country. Other annual traditions started under McDaniel's leadership include the Marianne Vannatta Race with the Stars, which raises scholarship funds for the Kramer School of Nursing, and Light the Campus, a community-wide Christmas celebration.

McDaniel also brought his wife Brenda, OCU's No. 1 cheerleader, to campus. The couple has taken an active role in campus life. It's not uncommon to see them eating in the university cafeteria, known as The Caf, attending sporting events, performing arts activities, religious events and campus lectures. The couple also hosts a monthly meal in their home for a small group of students.

McDaniel's forward thinking brought an extra measure of protection to the OCU campus with the security department transitioning to a full-fledged police force and the implementation of an emergency e-mail and text message notification system.

His community service includes past or present positions on the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, the State Fair of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma State Chamber, the UMB Oklahoma Bank, St. Anthony Hospital and the Downtown Rotary Club. He is a former president of the Petroleum Club and of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Along with his wife Brenda, he chaired the Oklahoma City Art Museum's annual Renaissance Ball and the couple co-chaired the 2006 Reflections of Hope dinner for the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial Foundation.

McDaniel is the recipient of a Eugene Kuntz Award, presented by the OU College of Law for his contributions to Natural Resources Law and Policy. He was named the OKC Friday newspaper's 2004 OKCITYAN of the Year and received the inaugural Urban Pioneer Award from the Oklahoma City Plaza District Association. In 2006, he was recognized by the Jewish Foundation and Oklahoma Asian Society, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.