OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt’s third nomination to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents stuck when senators convened Monday for a special session.Jennifer Callahan’s nomination was approved with a unanimous vote from the Education Committee Monday morning. The full Senate convened afterward and approved her appointment with another unanimous vote.Callahan will serve an eight-year term, replacing Regent Rick Davis. The A&M Board of Regents supervises and manages five higher education institutions, including Oklahoma State University.“My goal would be to provide educational opportunities for the kids that grow up here and have them stay here and go to undergraduate here,” Callahan said. “I’d like to see them stay here and work here.”Callahan thanked members of the education and agriculture industry, including Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum, for supporting her nomination.“I’m truly blessed to live and work in a state, in an industry, where this type of support is the rule, not the exception,” Callahan said.Sen. Kristen Thomspon, R-Edmond, sponsored Callahan’s nomination in the Education Committee and introduced her to the committee. Senators asked Callahan a few questions about her goals as regent before voting to confirm her nomination.Callahan works as an attorney for McAfee and Taft, an Oklahoma City-based law firm. She serves on the firm’s board of directors and co-chairs their Agriculture and Equine Industry Group. She is also the widow of Jarold Callahan, who served on the board before his death in December.Stitt’s first nominee, Susan Bergen, CEO of Bergen Enterprises, was voted down by the Senate in May. Mike Holder, former athletic director for Oklahoma State University, was withdrawn from consideration in June following concerns over his qualifications.
