For more information contact:

OU Public Affairs

(405) 325-1701

OU Outreach

(405) 325-4351

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORMAN, OK – Dr. James Pappas, University of Oklahoma vice president for Outreach and dean of the College of Liberal Studies announced today that former State Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson will join the staff of the College of Continuing Education as director of Adult Executive Training Programs. In that capacity, Hobson will work with corporate military, governmental, and Native American tribal leadership training programs which are operated through the center for continuing education. He will provide direction of the training programs and also work to prepare grant applications to bring additional training programs to the center. 

Vice President Pappas said, “Cal Hobson brings valuable experience in leadership roles across a broad range of sectors and I am delighted that he will be joining us.” 

President David Boren said, “Cal Hobson is a person with great ability who will work to not only expand the number of our adult leadership training programs but also to improve their quality.”

Hobson said, “It would be the highest honor for me to be affiliated with Oklahoma’s flagship university. I hope I can contribute to its great mission.” 

Hobson earned his bachelor’s degree from OU and has completed all course work for a master’s degree. He served six years active duty in the U.S. Air Force and 26 years in the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, earning the rank of colonel. He graduated with the highest honors from the Squadron Officer School in 1972 and the Air War College in 1993. 

In 1978, he was elected state representative. During his career in the House, Hobson served as chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee on public safety and later was appointed chairman of the House appropriations committee.

Hobson was elected to the state Senate in 1990, and served as chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on public safety and judiciary, chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee on education, and vice-chairman of the full Senate appropriations committee.

In 2002, his Senate colleagues elected him to the post of Senate President Pro Tempore – the top leadership position in the upper legislative chamber. In addition to setting the agenda for the Senate, as President Pro Tempore Hobson was second in the line of succession to the governor, serving as state chief executive when both the governor and lieutenant governor were out of state.

Hobson lives in Lexington with his wife Elaine, who is a speech pathologist. They have three children – Matt, Jack and Aubrey.

Hobson’s salary will be $65,000 per year and will be paid from non-appropriated income to the university from grants and contracts.