“i see amazing potential at OSUit and feel deeply privileged to serve as its next president.” — Bill Path
“Dr. Path’s experience, accomplishments and vision for student success in previous university leadership positions makes him a natural fit for OSUIT’s unique programs,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “Dr. Path will be an outstanding addition to the OSU leadership team.” Under Path’s guidance the past 10 years, Nebraska’s Northeast Community College expanded facilities and curriculum, enhanced student services and strengthened community outreach. “Dr. Path’s experiences and leadership will help OSU Institute of Technology continue its important mission,” Hargis says. Path’s earlier higher education leadership roles include vice president for academic and student affairs at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colo., and vice president of student services at Northeast Community College. Before that he served at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, and in Texas at Kingwood College in Kingwood and North Harris County College in Houston.
Path plans to spend several months meeting with community leaders in Okmulgee and across the state, as well as with OSUIT advisory board members, high school principals and CareerTech administrators. “My goal is to improve educational opportunities for students,” Path says. “I plan to start by forging relationships and visiting with the leaders who have made OSUIT the remarkable institution it is now.” Path holds an undergraduate degree from Harding University in Arkansas, a master’s in educational psychology from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas. “We are confident Dr. Path will build on the strong industry partnerships already in place to sustain OSUIT’s leadership in providing students with the technical skills they need to excel across many industries,” says Fred Harlan, an Okmulgee businessman and former Regent who led the presidential search committee. Path’s previous colleagues say they will miss his achievement-oriented, studentfocused attitude.
“When I think of Bill Path, I think of his great vision,” says Van Phillips, chairman of the Northeast Community College board of governors. “He always has been a forward thinker. He thinks of students for generations to come in all his plans. Northeast is a better place because he served here.” Don Oelsligle, chairman of the Nebraska Northeast Community College board of governors’ human resources committee, says Path “has taken Northeast Community College to the next level of excellence. We bid him goodbye with our very best wishes for great success as he goes to Oklahoma.” Former OSU-Stillwater Vice President David Bosserman, who served as OSUIT’s interim president until November, believes Path’s vision and enthusiasm will propel the campus to the next level. “OSUIT is poised to make a significant contribution to the needs of Oklahoma’s and the nation’s businesses and industries,” Bosserman says. “Bill Path can make that happen.” SHARON SMiTH
Bill PAth’s decade-long presidency at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., led to arguably the most prolific period of growth in the college’s 83-year history. • 10 new buildings, three major expansions and eight extensive remodels • 12 new degrees and four additional diploma programs • 20-percent increase in credit enrollments • 100-plus new, full-time employment positions • Increase in annual operational resources (from $29.8 million in 2001 to just under $77 million in 2011) • Four capital campaigns, including the largest in Northeast Nebraska’s history ($12 million in 18 months) • And, ground-breaking partnerships with other sectors of higher education, technology-focused restructuring, a rural revitalization emphasis, and a globalization component within the curriculum
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