In 1975, John R. "Jack" Sokatch, Ph.D. was appointed Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Sokatch was the only non-pharmacist to serve as Dean of the College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Sokatch received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Michigan in 1950 and his master's in 1952 and Ph.D. in 1956 from the University of Illinois, studying bacteriology for both graduate degrees.

At the time of his appointment as Interim Dean of Pharmacy, Dr. Sokatch was Associate Dean of the Graduate College and Associate Director of Research Administration at the OU Health Sciences Center. Dr. Sokatch chaired several committees involved in planning and directing the growth of the Health Sciences Center, including pharmacy's expanding role in the health care delivery team.

The appointment of Dr. Sokatch as Dean of Pharmacy marked the first time the College's leadership was based at the Health Sciences Center campus. Administratively, this brought pharmacy into the mainstream of health care educational and helped in the move of the College from Norman to the Oklahoma City campus.