David Boren, influential Oklahoma politician, dies at 83

NORMAN, Okla. — David Boren, a significant figure in Oklahoma‘s political history, died Thursday at the age of 83 at his home in Norman, a family spokesperson confirmed. Known for his service as the 21st governor of Oklahoma, U.S. senator, and president of the University of Oklahoma, Boren’s death marks the end of a long and impactful career in public service.

Boren’s son, Dan Boren, reflected on his father’s dedication to the state, stating, ‘My father loved the people of Oklahoma. He saw public service as a noble calling and dedicated his life to it.’ He added that his father was driven by a desire to improve the lives of others.

Born on April 21, 1941, in Washington, D.C., Boren was raised in Oklahoma. He attended grade school in Seminole and graduated from Yale University in 1963. He completed a master’s degree at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar and earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1968.

Boren entered politics in 1967 when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, serving until 1974. He became the youngest governor in Oklahoma history in 1975 at age 33 and served until 1979. His campaign was marked by the slogan ‘Boren Broom Brigade,’ which aimed to sweep away corruption in state politics.

Following his governorship, Boren was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978, where he served until 1994. He became a prominent figure in Washington, chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee. His leadership led to increased funding and support for public schools through initiatives like the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

In 1994, Boren transitioned to academia, becoming the president of the University of Oklahoma, a role he held until his retirement in 2018. Under his leadership, OU experienced significant growth, including over $2 billion in construction projects and the initiation of 31 new academic programs.

During his tenure at OU, Boren also emphasized the importance of undergraduate education by teaching a political science class each semester. His contributions to the university helped it gain national recognition, particularly in athletics, where the Sooners achieved significant accolades under his guidance.

Despite his successes, Boren’s later years were shadowed by allegations of misconduct. In March 2019, he resigned from all affiliations with the university after claims of sexual harassment were made against him. Investigations were conducted, but no criminal charges were ever filed, and details of the investigations were not publicly disclosed.

Boren is survived by his wife, Molly Boren, and two children, Dan and Carrie. His legacy as a leader who championed educational reform and involved himself deeply in public service remains influential in Oklahoma.