Cameron University in Lawton will soon have a new interim president.
Jari Askins, who has worked as a former district judge, state legislator and Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor, will serve as Cameron University’s interim president as the Lawton school searches for a new leader.
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, which governs Cameron, announced the appointment on Tuesday, pending formal approval by the board at its next meeting in June. Askins’ first day at Cameron is scheduled to be July 22.
Askins told The Oklahoman she will not be a candidate for the permanent post. Cameron is seeking to replace John McArthur, who announced his retirement in January after 20 years at Cameron, the past 11 as president. McArthur’s last day at the university will be July 21.
“I’m pleased to be able to help Cameron and for the opportunity to work with the next generation of leaders from southwest Oklahoma,” Askins said.
Askins, 71, has served as the administrative director of Oklahoma’s court system since 2015, but has announced plans to retire from that job, with her last day being June 30.
She served as a special district judge in Stephens County from 1982 to 1990, then as the chair of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in 1991 and 1992 before spending two years as the deputy counsel to former Gov. David Walters.
Askins was born April 27, 1953, in Duncan. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1975. In 1980, she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Askins spent 12 years, from 1995 to 2006, as a state representative before being elected as lieutenant governor, a job she held from 2007 to 2011. She ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor as a Democrat in 2010.
Askins holds the unique distinction of having served in all three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial.
After leaving office, Askins was the associate provost for external relations at OU Health Sciences Center. Then-Gov. Mary Fallin appointed Askins as a special adviser to the governor on child welfare issues and Pinnacle Plan implementation, a role that helped the state reform the foster care system for deprived and neglected children.
“Jari Askins is highly regarded — and rightfully so — for her service to Oklahoma,” said Eric Stevenson, the chair of the OU regents. “She is a judge, a native of southwest Oklahoma, and is familiar with Cameron with its operation. The board feels CU will be in extremely capable hands while we conduct the search for the university’s next president.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jari Askins to serve as Cameron University's interim president
