In this episode of Conversations with the President, President Harroz sits down with one of America’s foremost constitutional scholars, Akhil Reed Amar, to explore how a 236-year-old document continues to shape our democracy today. From the founding ideals of the U.S. Constitution to the challenges facing our republic on the eve of its 250th anniversary, the conversation delves deep into why this framework still matters — and how each generation redefines what it means to live under it.

In this episode of Conversations with the President, President Joseph Harroz Jr. welcomes Dr. Wilfred McClay — acclaimed historian, author, and former OU faculty member — for a timely discussion on the meaning and importance of free speech in today’s world. Drawing from his keynote address, “Speech as a Middle Ground,” Dr. McClay explores how speech serves as a vital bridge between thought and action, and how true dialogue can help bridge divides in an era of polarization and rapid technological change.

President Harroz sits down with Leo Mingee and Lauren Von Mingee of Quintessa Marketing about their journey as entrepreneurs, disruptors in the legal marketing industry, and champions of “irrational generosity.” From donating half of their profits to charity to creating a historic $6 million scholarship endowment for OU’s first-generation business students, the Mingees share how giving shapes their business, family, and vision for Oklahoma’s future.

In this episode, President Harroz sits down with Dr. Ian Dunn, Executive Dean of the OU College of Medicine and Chief Physician Executive for OU Health, to explore why Oklahoma’s leading comprehensive academic health system matters for our state. From improving health outcomes to training the next generation of physicians and advancing groundbreaking research, Dr. Dunn shares how OU is shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans.

President Harroz is joined by Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and new General Manager for Football Jim Nagy to discuss the excitement of OU’s second season in the SEC and the future of college athletics. They highlight OU’s pioneering approach with a pro-style GM model, expanded game day traditions like tailgating on the North Oval, and the importance of balancing innovation with preserving the traditions that make college sports unique. The conversation also looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities of revenue sharing, competitive scheduling, and sustaining a student-first culture rooted in family and growth.

On this episode of "Conversations with the President," President Joseph Harroz, Jr. welcomes Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), for an enlightening conversation as OU celebrates Free Speech Week. In this episode, we explore the importance of free speech on college campuses, the challenges posed by "vindictive protectiveness," and the role of higher education in fostering open dialogue.

In this episode of "Conversations with the President," President Joseph Harroz, Jr. welcomes Doris Kearns Goodwin, the acclaimed presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. As part of our Presidential Speakers Series, Goodwin, known for her bestsellers "Leadership: In Turbulent Times" and "Team of Rivals," shares her insights on leadership and its relevance today. We delve into her extensive research on historical figures like Lincoln and Roosevelt, discuss the role of universities in fostering future leaders, and explore the lessons from past political turmoil that can guide us through today's challenges.

On this episode of Conversations with the President, President Joseph Harroz, Jr. is joined by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione discuss OU’s inaugural day in the Southeastern Conference, the journey to joining the conference, and the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. 

The 54th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, joins President Joseph Harroz Jr. for this edition of Conversations with the President. Ryan was on campus for the annual Presidential Speaker Series where he discussed the state of American politics to a crowd of over 700 attendees. In this episode, Ryan dives in his connections to the state of Oklahoma, his decision to leave politics and enter his second career as well as his thoughts on the current state of American politics.

0:00 – 1:33 – Introduction 

1:34 – 5:19 – Ryan's connection to the state of Oklahoma

5:20 – 8:21 – Experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives

8:22 – 11:35 – Walking away from politics

11:36 – 18:00 – The changing state of American politics

18:01 – 21:28 – Foreign threats to democracy

21:29 – 24:00 – The outlook of presidential races

24:01 – 27:25 – Advice to students

27:26 – Ryan's hope for a third career and his advice for the country. 

President Joseph Harroz Jr. Is joined by Dr. Amy McGovern, a Lloyd G. and Joyce Austin Presidential Professor of Machine learning/data mining/data science for the physical sciences; Real-world applications with a special interest in high-impact weather. 2023 saw a massive increase in the discussion surrounding artificial intelligence and its impact on the world. Dr. McGovern and President Harroz discuss the implications of A.I. and its influence on severe weather research at the University of Oklahoma.

0:00 – 2:10 – Introduction

2:11 – 5:40 – A.I. hesitations and concerns

5:41 – 7:00 – Amy McGovern’s time at OU 

7:01 – 14:55 – Machine learning and severe weather 

14:56 – 16:30 – The rate of development with A.I.

16:31 – 17:35 – What success looks like

17:36 – 21:00 – Trustworthy A.I. and biases

21:01 – 25:58 – National Institute for Standards and Technology announcement

25:59 – Standards that exist