OU President
Cross's popularity quickly grew amongst the faculty and staff, and when the university president at the time stepped down, he was named interim president while the board of regents searched for a new candidate. They eventually realized no better candidate existed and he remained president for 24 years.
Cross oversaw the college through a period of skyrocketing enrollment following World War II as thousands of veterans attended under the GI Bill. He saw the construction of 37 new buildings and the donation by the U.S. Navy, in May 1946, of 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) to the campus. Cross also oversaw the integration of the University of Oklahoma and the student protests of the 1960s.
Cross was known for his public speaking ability and quick wit. His most famous quote came at a budget meeting with state legislators. After a long presentation and 45 minute justification of the OU budget,a legislator asked him why the university needed more money. A frustrated Cross replied "I would like to build a University of which the football team could be proud."
David L. Boren, the university's current president, proclaimed that he wanted his time as president of the university to parallel that of Cross's.
Read more about this topic: George Lynn Cross
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