George Lynn Cross

George Lynn Cross (May 12, 1905 – December 31, 1998) was a botanist, writer, and the longest serving president of the University of Oklahoma (1943 to 1968). After he was appointed president at the age of 38, Cross helped peacefully integrate the university; built and oversaw the most winning college football program of the 1950s; spearheaded the expansion of numerous academic programs and facilities; and then helped lead the university through the 1960s protest period. After retiring as president, Cross wrote several books, the first of which, Blacks in White Colleges, described his personal experiences during the constitutional desegregation litigation that arose almost immediately after he became the university's young president.

Early life Cross was born into a poor family in Woonsocket, South Dakota. Some of his half siblings had been affected by Huntington's Corea, which brought disrepute to his family in the small community. Due to these circumstances, attending college seemed unfeasible to Cross. Instead, he aspired to become a high school science teacher. However, his talent in athletics, particularly football, caught the attention of the football program at South Dakota State College. They helped him secure a dishwashing job in the women's dormitory, which enabled him to finance his education there. During his first day at school, Cross met Cleo Sikkink from Waubay, South Dakota, and the two embarked on a romance. Despite opposition from Cleo's family, who disapproved of Cross due to his poor prospects and family background, the couple eloped a few months later. Realizing the toll football was taking on his body and its limited future, Cross decided to shift his focus to academics as a prospective career. He pursued the study of botany and earned a master's degree in 1927.

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, who served as the university's president from 1994 to 2018, proclaimed that he wanted his time as president of the university to parallel that of Cross's.