EDMOND — President Roger Webb announced his retirement from the top role at University of Central Oklahoma. While Anna Grace, his intelligent third-grade daughter, is probably very excited, the rest of us are not. Webb’s vision and enthusiasm will be missed.

Under his leadership, we have watched as UCO became the nation’s focus for forensic science, gaining recognition because of new faculty members, like Dwight Adams.

We watched as a new kind of music school was started at the Academy of Contemporary Music, where young adults are given the chance to learn the business of music.

We excitedly took part in the U.S. Paralympics Games, both as volunteers and spectators, when UCO hosted more than 30 countries for the World Sitting Volleyball Championships.

City leaders have worked with Webb to bring the state medical examiner’s office to Edmond — an agency sorely in need of a new start and a reason to excel. He has spent hours and worked tirelessly touring the current facility with legislators, bringing them to Edmond to show them the promise of what UCO and Edmond could do to restart this agency.

As the longest-serving university president in Oklahoma, Webb is truly the definition of a leader. His attention to students and faculty makes everyone feel like an integral part of UCO.

When I meet mayors across America, they often ask how our university and city tolerate each other. When I explain that we don’t merely tolerate each other, but build on each other’s strengths, they are extremely surprised. The close working relationship between a city and its university is quite unusual. I give credit to Webb for that distinction.

To say Webb will be missed is a bit dramatic. He is not leaving Edmond. This is his family’s home. He is only moving on to the next challenge — the business world.

Though he will stay involved in our city, he will be missed in the role of president. He is Mr. UCO and has brought our university to the next level. Thank you, Roger.