July 17, 2023
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon has announced the selection of Ms. Lori (Baker) Boyd of Yukon as the university’s next Vice President for Administration & Finance (VPAF).
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO).
Boyd will succeed Ms. Brenda Burgess in the role. Burgess, who has guided SWOSU’s financial affairs for over two decades, has announced that she will retire effective December 21, 2023.
“Ms. Lori Boyd brings decades of experience in financial and budgetary matters as well as in facilities construction and management and personnel supervisory matters,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana R. “Diane” Lovell. “That expertise, combined with her enthusiastic support of SWOSU’s mission as one of our graduates, makes her the right candidate to build on the enormous array of positive and helpful initiatives that Brenda Burgess put into motion during her many years of skilled, tireless service here on the Hilltop.”
Boyd will assume her responsibilities as VPAF-designate on Monday, July 31, and will work closely with Burgess to ensure a successful transition ahead of Burgess’s retirement.
“SWOSU has my heart and is the place where my story begins, and I am truly excited to return to my alma mater to serve in this important capacity,” Boyd said. “It will be a great honor to work with the teams within the VPAF division to deliver quality services to our students, faculty, staff, and the community.”
Prior to coming to SWOSU, Boyd served as Chief Operating Officer of Rainbow Fleet, Inc. and as Chief Operating Officer of the Hearts for Hearing Foundation, Inc. From 1997 to 2021, Boyd was Chief Operating Officer of The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital where she supervised 750 employees and oversaw the formulation and implementation of an annual budget of over $50 million while also guiding over $55 million in new construction projects.
Boyd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from SWOSU and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She is also a graduate of the Executive Education Program at Harvard University and has been inducted into the American College of Healthcare Executives. Boyd is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma (Class 31) and Leadership Oklahoma City (Class 28). She has served on the governing boards of Science Museum Oklahoma and of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. The Journal Record has named Boyd one of its “50 Women Making a Difference” and in 2017 Boyd was recognized with SWOSU’s highest honor, the SWOSU Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Boyd and her husband, Bobby Boyd (a 1988 & 1996 SWOSU alumnus) reside in Yukon. They are parents of two daughters, Audrey (a current student at SWOSU) and Evann (a current student at Yukon Public Schools).
The VPAF functions as SWOSU’s chief financial and operating officer and as one of the institution’s chief administrative officers. The VPAF is a member of the President’s Cabinet as well as the Executive and Administrative Councils and oversees a significant portfolio of SWOSU departments including Business Affairs; Physical Plant; Public Safety; University Press; Information Technology; Food Services; Business Enterprise Center; Student Union; Academic Technology; Mailroom; Bursar; and University Bookstore.
For more information, please visit www.SWOSU.edu or contact the SWOSU Office of Public Relations & Marketing at 580-774-3063.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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