Hall of Fame Member Biographies

Paul Frederick Sharp

Paul Frederick Sharp was inaugurated as the ninth president of the University of Oklahoma in 1971. A renowned scholar and administrator, he previously served as president of Hiram College from 1954-1957, as chancellor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 1964-1966, and as president at Drake University, 1966-1971. Sharp was president of OU for seven years, then stepped down to became President Emeritus and Regents Professor of History and Higher Education. He continued at OU until his retirement from the classroom in 1988. Sharp led the university through a difficult time in its history, restoring the public's confidence in its mission and leadership. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 1995.