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“ Oklahoma State University is stronger today than at any time in its 130-year history due to the historic leadership of Burns Hargis ,” said Rick Davis , chair of the OSU / A & M Board of Regents .
“ We are grateful beyond words for the dynamic leadership and dedicated service of both Burns and Ann . It isn ’ t easy to quantify their influence and impact . They have been immense and at the top in instilling genuine pride in our Cowboy heritage , values , culture and land-grant mission .”
Hargis has been quick to say thank you to compliments but often notes that he has had plenty of help along the way .
“ Ann and I have been blessed and honored to serve Oklahoma State University the past 12½ years . The opportunity to be president of my alma mater exceeded all my expectations ,” he said during his retirement announcement . “ OSU is a special place . It is where I found friends who became family for a young man who lived in many different places growing up . I received an excellent education , preparing me for my careers in law and banking , and culminating at OSU as president . Ann and I are grateful for the faith and trust extended to us by the Regents and the support from faculty , staff , students , and alumni . There remains much work to be done , and in that regard , I look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead , and welcoming a new president next summer .”
Hargis modernized the Stillwater campus with premier academic and athletic facilities , including the Henry Bellmon Research Building , the ENDEAVOR Engineering Lab , a new home for the Spears School of Business , the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts , a North Wing expansion for the Human Sciences Building , the OSU Museum of Art , and residential halls . A new facility to house the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music is under construction and expected to open for the fall semester of 2021 . A new teaching and research facility for the Ferguson College of Agriculture is preparing for a groundbreaking this spring . These developments reflect Hargis ’ vision to improve the student experience with an enhanced campus infrastructure for the modern land-grant university .
“ Burns has worked from the beginning to make sure an OSU education was accessible and affordable regardless of a student ’ s financial
circumstances ,” said Regent Davis . “ Burns has worked tirelessly to raise money for scholarships and financial aid for students .”
Scholarships and student financial aid have risen each year under Hargis ’ leadership , from more than $ 204 million in 2008 to more than $ 379 million in 2020 .
Familiar to many Oklahomans through the political perspective he provided on the award-winning television program Flashpoint , Hargis used his on-camera experience to launch Inside OSU with Burns Hargis , a program that spotlighted OSU programs and local , national and global leaders .
Hargis was vice chairman of Bank of Oklahoma , N . A . Before joining the bank in 1997 , Hargis had practiced law in Oklahoma City for 28 years . He is a former president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association , former president of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation , and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation . He has been active in many civic and philanthropic activities . Hargis received the state ’ s highest honor when he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2009 .
Story and photos courtesy of OSU Brand Management
Visit okla . st / retire to watch President Burns Hargis ’ announcement to the Cowboy family .

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COMMERCE | 2021 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce