George Lynn Cross Ph.D. | |
---|---|
7th President of the University of Oklahoma | |
In office 1944–1968 | |
Preceded by | Joseph A. Brandt |
Succeeded by | John Herbert Hollomon Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Woonsocket, South Dakota, U.S. | May 12, 1905
Died | December 31, 1998 Norman, Oklahoma | (aged 93)
Spouse | Cleo S. Cross |
Alma mater | South Dakota State University (B.S., M.S.) University of Chicago, Ph.D. |
Profession | Botanist, University President |
George Lynn Cross (May 12, 1905 – December 31, 1998) was a botanist, writer, and the longest serving president of the University of Oklahoma[1] (1943 to 1968). After he was appointed president at the age of 38, Cross helped peacefully integrate the university; built and oversaw the most winning college football program of the 1950s; spearheaded the expansion of numerous academic programs and facilities; and then helped lead the university through the 1960s protest period.[2] After retiring as president, Cross wrote several books, the first of which, Blacks in White Colleges, described his personal experiences during the constitutional desegregation litigation that arose almost immediately after he became the university's young president.