University of Oklahoma President David Boren applauds Saturday during the ceremonial unveiling of his statue. The ceremony was moved inside the Oklahoma Memorial Union because of rain. [Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman]

NORMAN — President David Boren may be retiring at the end of academic year, but he is not leaving campus. The University of Oklahoma's 13th president will remain in the classroom and in a garden west of Oklahoma Memorial Union.

A statue of Boren was unveiled there Saturday, his 77th birthday. He called it his "best birthday ever."

Sculptor Paul Moore said he tried "to show the strength of President Boren and the kindness in his eyes, and the love he has for OU and the students."

Moore, OU artist-in-residence and professor of figurative sculpture, sculpted Boren standing, clothed in a presidential gown and medallion, holding his favorite book, "On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill.