Oklahoma State University Appoints First Ombuds

The public university in Stillwater, Oklahoma has named former administrator Ronald Beer as its first Ombudsperson. OSU President Burns Hargis said that Beer, “was selected from a strong pool of candidates for the position, for which he is especially well suited, thanks to his 20 years of experience as vice president of student affairs.”  Beer will serve a population of about 26,000 faculty, staff, administrators, and students. 



Dr. Beer retired from OSU in 2000 after serving 43 years of work as an administrator at three major universities, including the University of Nebraska in Omaha and Kent State. Beer was the executive assistant to the president during the National Guard shootings at Kent State University in 1970. he has written and spoken extensively about these experiences and his involvement in the student demonstrations and the tragic aftermath. Beer holds degrees from Illinois State University, Michigan State University, and Kent State University. (OSU News; ZoomInfo.)

Note: The OSU System had an Ombudsperson a few years ago, but that appears to have been an unrelated position with collateral duties.

Related posts: Oklahoma State Appoints New Ombuds; Job Posting.