10th Circuit Chief Surprises Colleagues, Resigns to Head University
Robert H. Henry, chief judge of the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, stunned colleagues, friends and staff Thursday when he announced that he’ll give up his lifetime federal appointment to become head of Oklahoma City University.
A Clinton appointee, Henry has been on the 10th Circuit for nearly 16 years and served 23 months as chief judge, the Tulsa World reports.
His resignation from the $180,000-a-year post will create a vacancy for President Obama. His resignation is set for June 30, when Henry will become president and CEO of OCU.
The move to OCU is a homecoming of sorts for the 56-year-old judge. Henry served as dean of OCU law school from 1991 until his appointment to the circuit court.
Senior Judge William J. Holloway Jr. told the Tulsa World that Henry’s resignation “came as a shock.”
“We didn’t know he was contemplating leaving,” Holloway said.
Related material:
Oklahoma City University (news release): “OCU Names Judge Robert H. Henry as 17th President”
