Jerry Farley

Farley was born in Tipton, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1968 with a bachelor of science in finance and accounting. In 1972, Farley received his master's degree in 1977, and his doctorate in 1986.^[2]

After graduating from OU, Farley began his nearly thirty-year career at OU as a controller.^[3] In 1981, Farley became OU's associate vice president for administration before leaving for Oklahoma State to become Vice President for Business & Administration in 1986. Between 1989 and 1997, Farley served in two vice president roles at the OU.^[4]

On July 1, 1997, Farley began his new position as Washburn University's 16th president.^[5] Since his first year in 1997, Farley has led Washburn to the construction of more than 10 new buildings,^[6] including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Laboratory that was completed in 2015,^[7] and acquired the Washburn Institute of Technology from Topeka Public Schools in 2008.^[8] Besides the construction or acquiring schools, Farley has seen enrollment increase since 1997.^[9] He also saw the women's basketball team win the 2005 NCAA Division II Championship.^[10]

Farley is mostly known around the state of Kansas for his bowtie.^[11]

Farley retired September 30, 2022, taking on the status of president emeritus.^[12]