Skip Navigation

OU Engineering Remembers Dean Emeritus Thomas Landers

NEWS
Thomas Landers standing in an office setting.

OU Engineering Remembers Dean Emeritus Thomas Landers


Date

Sept. 12, 2025

The University of Oklahoma Gallogly College of Engineering is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dean Emeritus Thomas Landers, who served OU for 21 years, including 14 years as dean of the college, until his retirement in 2019.

Under his leadership, OU Engineering experienced a period of remarkable growth and transformation. Dean Landers oversaw the opening of the ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility, Devon Energy Hall, and Gallogly Hall, as well as the establishment of the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering. These achievements helped expand opportunities for students and faculty while positioning the college for continued success.

“Dean Landers’ vision and leadership shaped the future of engineering at OU in profound ways,” said John Klier, current dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering. “Beyond the facilities and programs he helped bring to life, his greatest legacy is the community he fostered—his care for students, faculty, staff, and alumni continues to inspire us today.”

Dean Landers will be remembered not only for his accomplishments, but also for the meaningful relationships he built across the OU community.

Those wishing to honor his legacy may do so with a gift to the Tom L. Landers Memorial Scholarship, which supports future generations of OU Engineering students.

View obituary: https://www.schaudtfuneralservice.com/obituaries/thomas-landers


Recent News

Research
February 04, 2026

OU Researchers Develop New Way to Deliver Cancer Therapies

University of Oklahoma researchers have created a new drug delivery system that helps cancer cells take in much more of a treatment, improving its ability to kill tumors. “The delivery system is like a Trojan horse,” said Joshua Seaberg, Ph.D., the doctoral student who created the system.


Research
February 04, 2026

Research Shows How Humans Make Sense of Major Life Changes

Two communication researchers from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Connecticut have published a study examining how religious missionaries readjust to their old surroundings. Their findings provide insight into how people get through significant life transitions.


Campus & Community
February 02, 2026

OU College of Medicine Names T.R. Lewis as Associate Dean for Student Affairs

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine has announced the appointment of T.R. Lewis, M.D., as associate dean for student affairs, effective Jan. 25, 2026, pending approval by the OU Board of Regents.