Reflecting on Dr. Sandra S. Harper
When Dr. Sandra S. Harper started as a communications professor at McMurry in the mid-1980s, no one could foretell the path she would carve. Like the waters of a river that eventually sculpt the landscape around it, Dr. Harper’s imprint on McMurry and its students is transformative. When she retires in January 2025, the culmination of an impactful era will be complete.
Harper, the 10th and first woman president of McMurry University, is a person of profound intellect and curiosity. She personifies leadership and exudes empathy. She is highly respected by all and beloved by her students. Harper’s mark on McMurry is summed up by being the right woman at the right time at pivotal points to take on the significant challenges that leave a lasting legacy.
Harper isn’t reflective; that would be too passive for her. Harper approaches life with intellectual curiosity. Known for her tenacious work ethic, she eagerly explores new ideas, mastering the fine balance of focus and curious exploration.
Paul Lack ‘66, a former McMurry professor and vice president of academic affairs, notes, “Dr. Harper is instinctively an action intellectual, a doer, and very bright in both the cognitive and intuitive realms. She gets it and mostly gets it right.”
The Professor
Her early days at McMurry were marked by a sense of excitement and gratitude. “I loved my time as a high school teacher, but in some ways, I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I became a college professor,” she reminisces.
Mostly teaching Communication 1310: Introduction to Communications, she interacted with a cross-section of McMurry students. One of the most enduring lessons she emphasized is the importance of finding common ground in communication. “As a communicator, it doesn’t matter what you want to say as much as it matters that you are getting through to the audience,” Harper said.
“She was such an amazing professor – both fair and challenging, and always kind. When I think of Dr. Harper, her smile is the image that always comes to mind first,” said Kathy Miranda Luette ‘92.
Dr. Harper took a keen interest in her students and created opportunities for them. The eternal active listener, she met students where they were. She encouraged and recommended students to present at conferences and hired students as research assistants. She cheered on students, sometimes introduced them to reality, and was always right by their side, even if it meant pulling an all-nighter to finalize an honors thesis on deadline.
“Dr. Harper was very challenging, but that’s a positive. It’s easy for a professor to be difficult. It’s NOT easy for a professor to be challenging. She always found a way to motivate us to learn, to grow, to stretch our thoughts, expand our experiences, and develop new skills,” says Lon Outland ‘93.
“She was confident and smart and could command a room and was respected by her peers. But she was also kind and funny and cared about her students and their success,” said Marli George Chapman ‘91.
The Mom, Wife, and Friend
The professional skills and talents of Dr. Harper are universally recognized. Many who know her also immediately focus on her family dedication. Even with big responsibilities, she was a devoted wife to her husband, Dave, and mom to their two sons, Justin and Jonathan.
Now, she’s the devoted grandmother to their six grandchildren, and when each turns 13, she and her husband take the grandchild on a solo vacation to a place of their choosing.
“Sandra has worn many hats in the almost 60 years that I have known her, and she has worn them well. Mother, grandmother, life partner, career educator. Our sons and I are so proud of her accomplishments through the years while always putting the family first.”
~ Dave Harper, husband
The Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and University Transition Chair
In 1989, Dr. Fane Downs, one of the McMurry 100, called to say she was leaving McMurry to go into the ministry. “McMurry is a small enough place that if you take a big figure like Fane Downs, a very strong woman, out of the picture, something was going to happen. And I thought, ‘Oh wow, this is going to be something!’ I didn’t know what, but I knew something was going to happen that was really going to change my life,” recalled Harper.
She soon found out. She was asked to fill Downs’s role as chair of the transition from McMurry College to McMurry University. The transition was a massive undertaking that included restructuring the university and appointing deans for the four new schools. She was nominated to be dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which would include 55 of the 75 faculty. The rest is history.
“Dr. Harper taught me that people don’t remember what job title or position you had, but what you did in that capacity.”
~ Scott Larson ‘95
The Visionary Who Introduced Servant Leadership to McMurry
The development of the Servant Leadership Program at McMurry was a significant milestone. The program, which began in 1990, aimed to distinguish McMurry by fostering leadership grounded in service. “There’s always the question of what makes a small college distinct,” she explains. “It was probably one of the better educational experiences I’ve had because you received immediate feedback on what worked, by interacting with the 12 student preceptors.”
The President
For someone of Harper’s intellect and stature, opportunities opened. In her time away from McMurry, she served as president of Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of communication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma City University.
She always stayed connected to the McMurry community. When the presidency opened at McMurry, the timing was right.
“I was chair of the faculty during the presidential search, a time of collective anxiety. When I saw her name as a prospective candidate, my anxiety level subsided; I knew that our choppy waters were going to be smoothed out,” said Dr. Robert Wallace, professor of sociology and criminology.
“Her calm and confident demeanor immediately impressed me. The ease with which she took on challenges and rallied the McMurry community validated that she was the perfect person to lead McMurry in the face of numerous obstacles,” said Chuck Fallon ‘85, who was chair of the board of trustees when Harper was recruited as president.
“I was honored when Dr. Harper asked me to deliver the commencement address during her presidency,” said Steven Bristow ‘96. “She is impressive and true in her leadership, mentorship, and friendship.”
The Leader
Harper’s reputation as a leader transcends her many roles, judging by descriptions from others.
“Dr. Harper is the definition of a servant leader: selflessness, empathy, humility, vision, empowerment of others, and dedication to service to the community,” said Clay Bulls ‘95, a Servant Leadership student.
“Dr. Harper was always quick to lead by example and helped a lot of overachieving students not to take themselves so seriously,” said Denise Wilks Saltz ‘92.
“She is a great leader because of her ability to relate to and connect with a wide variety of people. She’s confident, has a deep self-worth, and knows her value,” says Jennifer Finch Niemann ‘91.
“Dr. Harper taught me that you can be a powerful person and also be caring. She encouraged me to ignore attitudes regarding gender in the workplace. She taught me that I have strengths that are uniquely mine. Weaknesses should be areas for growth,” says Alicia Kirkham Cate ‘94.
“As a professor and leader, she is very powerful. I was inspired by her and wanted to do great things because of her,” said Nikki Reed Vickers ‘92.
The Women’s Leadership Champion
The annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon was initiated at her inauguration. The program aims to highlight women’s leadership, provide educational opportunities, and inspire and engage more women in leadership roles.
“Dr. Harper managed to be a leader, teacher, and friend all at once. She struck this amazing balance.”
~ Patty Bandy ‘95
“She has invested in me throughout my life through mentoring me as a servant leadership preceptor and later as an alumni board president. That mentoring has grown me so much as a person and in my career.”
~ JoLisa Hoover ‘92
The Future Outlook
“The next 10 years are going to be extremely innovative and will emphasize having connection,” predicts Harper. She notes there will be a shift in how professors engage with students, emphasizing interaction and mentorship over merely providing information.
“As a McMurry alumnus, you should feel good about your university, the education you received, and that the education is still very rigorous and effective,” she says. “We are doing great work, we need your help, and we hope you’ll come along for the journey.”
The Legacy and Beyond
Harper’s legacy will be multi-faceted. She hopes it will focus on servant leadership and women’s leadership, and that people will remember her presidency for building pride in McMurry, a sense of momentum, and a sense of possibility.
“She has led the McMurry community to a place of renewed confidence, self-esteem, and pride as the university’s second century dawns,” said Kathi Edwards, current board of trustees chair.
Dr. Harper’s approach to retirement is to let it come to her, which is sure to be filled with curiosity. But first, there’s an Alaskan cruise with her grandson.