The title “Internal Auditor” was first recorded in the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents minutes of September 8, 1948. In 1948 the University Internal Auditor was a staff member in the Office of the Comptroller. Dudgeon Giezentanner is the first person recorded in the Regents’ minutes in 1948 with the title “Internal Auditor”. The annual salary of the Internal Auditor in 1952 was $300 per month.

The Title “Director of Internal Auditing” was not used until June 1, 1979. John Eckert is recorded as the first person at the University to hold the title “Director of Internal Auditing”.

Prior to September 1985 the Director of Internal Audit reported directly to the University President but not directly to the Board of Regents. One Regent proposed that the Director report directly to the Board; however, at that time not all Regents were in full agreement. A management study was commissioned and conducted. Several recommendations were made to the Board to restructure University governance which included having the Audit Director have a dual reporting relationship to the Board of Regents and the University President.

The Board of Regent’s Finance and Audit Committee was formed in 1987. Today the Director of Internal Audit reports directly to the Board of Regents Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee and administratively with a dotted line report to the University President.

Prior to 1990 the Board of Regents was tasked with the review of detailed findings from individual audit reports in order to determine which issues required policy comment or action. In March of 1990 the Board of Regents requested that the Director of Internal Audit streamline the reporting process, introducing the production of quarterly reports to identify internal audits performed,  post audit reviews performed, and to summarize the significant audit findings or significant trends in such findings and related recommendations. 

The passage of Oklahoma House Bill 2246 on May 21, 1992, transferred governance, supervision, management and control of Cameron University from the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges to the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma effective June 1, 1992. Governor David Walters signed the Bill on May 28, 1992 at University Theatre on the Cameron University Campus in Lawton, Oklahoma.

The passage of Senate Bill 164 on May 21, 1999, transferred governance, supervision, management and control of Rogers State University from the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, effective June 1, 1999. Governor Frank Keating signed the Bill on May 27, 1999. Due to the governing role of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the Internal Audit Department now has audit responsibility for both Cameron and Rogers State Universities.

Over the years Internal Audit has experienced change as we have adapted to the increasingly complex environment.

• An Internal Audit Internship Program was first implemented in 2010.
• In 2012, we implemented a system of electronic workpapers, enhancing the audit process and reducing the need for paper records.
• In 2013, we relocated our main Norman office from Evans Hall to an off campus location on Lindsey Street.
• In 2013, an internal Quality Assurance and Improvement Program was established for measuring performance, ensuring quality and monitoring for continued improvement.
• In 2016, we established an anonymous hotline for all campuses under the Board of Regents.
• In 2018, the University President brought in new leadership with Charles Wright as the Chief Audit Executive.
• In 2022, a hybrid work from home protocol was established.
• June 2023, the Internal Audit main office moved back on campus into the Boomer Outreach Building.

1.  Dudgeon Giezentanner (Unknown – 1950)
2.  Don M. Frensley (1950-1952)
3.  William H. Jordan (1952-1973)
4. Gary L. Smith (1973-1974)
5. Mark E. Lemons (1974-1977)
6. Lonnie M. Moore (1977)
7. John Eckert (1978- 1994)*
8. Glen D. Earley (1994-1998)
9. Kenneth D. Rowe (1998-2000)
10. Bradley D. Avery (2000-2006)
11. Clive W. Mander (2006 - 2018)**
12. Charles D. Wright (2018 - present)

*The title of “Director of Internal Audit” was established June 1, 1979.

**The title of "Chief Audit Executive" was established July 1, 2014.

Compiled from the Board Minutes of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents from 1893 to the present as retrieved from the http://digital.libraries.ou.edu/regents/