Dr. Hans Brisch, ’64, was named the fourth Chancellor for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education on December 14, 1987. He is known for the courage, vision, and strength he has brought to that higher education system. His leadership and Oklahoma’s strong constitutional framework for higher education have formed a dynamic combination to carry out the ambitious goals of providing the best higher education opportunities for Oklahomans.

Born in Germany in 1940, Hans Brisch immigrated to the United States at the age of 17 and completed his high school and college education while supporting himself through work, scholarships, and loans. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Park College in Political Science with a minor in chemistry, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. Academic honors accorded Hans Brisch include Fulbright-Hays Fellow, University of Alabama Research Grant Award, Venice Seminar Fellow, Public Administrative Fellow, Seminar Fellow—University of Belgrade, and NDFL Title VI Fellow.

His academic career spans teaching and research appointments at the University of Kansas, the University of Alabama, the University of Nebraska, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Professor Brisch has published a number of articles and books and participated in professional conferences relating to his diverse expertise in the areas of public administration and management, legislative politics, and Soviet studies.

As an academic administrator, Hans Brisch served at the Illinois Board of Higher Education as Assistant Director and Associate Director for Academic Affairs. At the University of Nebraska, he held the posts of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Assistant to the President, and Associate Executive Vice President and Provost.

His leadership abilities were clearly established in his two-year service as Chief of Staff for Governor Kay Orr of Nebraska, a role in which he provided leadership in the state’s executive branch and provided oversight for planning and policy activities undertaken by state government.

Hans Brisch is a  member of numerous professional, academic, and civic organizations and has held positions of active leadership in many of them. He is married to Margaret Gatton Brisch, Ph.D., (Park University ’63) and they have three children: Ellen, Matthew, and Megan.

Dr. Brisch passed away February 22, 2006.