NORMAN—The University of Oklahoma has selected Jason R. Vogel as the director of the Oklahoma Water Survey. Located on the University Research Campus, the Survey is the focal point and catalyst for OU’s expertise in research, outreach and education in water topics. The Survey’s mission is to study the state’s water resources and to collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate research-based information to industry professionals, researchers, students, teachers, citizens, governments and other organizations.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of Jason’s experience, energy, stature and vision joining the OU Family, especially at a time when water issues are of increasing importance to our State,” said Vice President for Research Kelvin Droegemeier. “The Oklahoma Water Survey, which he will lead, will play a major partnership role in a wide array of water issues that directly affect our citizens.”
In addition to his responsibilities as director of the Survey, Vogel will serve as associate professor in the OU School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science. For more than 20 years, Vogel has worked to facilitate and develop solutions for water issues throughout the Great Plains. Prior to joining the Survey, Vogel held faculty and research positions at Oklahoma State University in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and the U.S. Geological Survey.
While at OSU, he developed an award-winning research and outreach program on stormwater and stream management and is recognized as one of the leading experts in low-impact development stormwater management systems in the region. In his role at OSU, Vogel presented and organized water-related educational programming to more than 10,000 individuals, including water-industry professionals, government officials, regulators, youth and the general public at more than 230 events.
Vogel has served the water sector in leadership positions and on committees at the national, state and local levels for a variety of groups, including the Water Environment Federation, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the American Ecological Engineering Society, the Oklahoma Clean Lakes and Watersheds Association, the Disaster Resilience Network of Tulsa, the Green Country Sustainability Forum and the Stillwater Drainage Appeals Board.
Vogel begins his new position as director of the Oklahoma Water Survey on July 1, 2017. He and his wife, Stephanie, and twin daughters will be moving to Norman soon.
