Celebrating a transformational presidency | Oklahoma State University

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A message to the cowboy family

OSU President Burns Hargis has officially announced his plans to retire on July 1, 2021, to coincide with the end of the current academic year. Hargis announced his retirement plans during a regular meeting of the OSU A&M Board of Regents held in the Performance Hall at The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on the Stillwater campus, one of several significant new facilities built during his nearly 13-year presidency.

Read the announcement

Hargis celebration

Cowboys gather to celebrate Burns and Ann Hargis

Burns Hargis and his wife, Ann, transformed the university during their 13 years at the helm. Students, staff, alumni and donors all gathered on Friday inside Gallagher-Iba Arena to honor their success.

81,546

new donors

$2.15

billion

in private support

139%

increase

in minority freshman enrollment

70,344

degrees granted

(including all-time highs nine times) nearly a quarter of the total OSU degrees granted (291,961) since first graduating class in 1896

$74

million

energy savings across the OSU System

$1.6

billion

external grant funds for research, other sponsored programs

50,959

new freshmen

including 5 largest classes in OSU history- 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019

Doubled

out of state freshman enrollment

AND minority undergraduate enrollment

2.5

million square feet

of new/ updated facilities

3.3

million

bricks used for campus projects

81

new

Alumni Association chapters

burns hargis portrait

burns hargis portrait — Burns Hargis greeted the campus on his first day as president with a video message discussing his plans to work closely to continue to transform lives through OSU’s land-grant mission of instruction, research and outreach. He becomes only the second OSU graduate to lead the university. Oliver S. Willham was the first, serving from 1952 to 1966. Burns and Ann Hargis greeted campus members throughout the day and held an afternoon reception.

burns and anne participate in wellness walk

burns and anne participate in wellness walk — The American Heart Association recognized Oklahoma State University as a Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite and awarded OSU the Worksite Innovation Award. The award honors OSU for going above and beyond when it comes to employees’ health. The honors single out employers that fulfill criteria such as promoting and supporting physical activity, increasing healthy eating options at work and promoting a wellness culture.

Burns hosts interview on OstateTV

Burns hosts interview on OstateTV — Oklahoma State University made it easier than ever to view video that showcases its events, people, expertise and spirit with the launch of OStateTV, a one-stop source for OSU video across all devices: personal computers, tablets and smartphones. “We're excited to launch OStateTV, a digital video network which will enable us to showcase our great work here at Oklahoma State and to fulfill our land-grant mission of instruction, research and outreach,” said Burns Hargis.

Burns hargis and donors announce Branding Success campaign

Burns hargis and donors announce Branding Success campaign — Before an orange-clad crowd in the packed atrium of the Student Union, OSU President Burns Hargis unveiled the five-year, $1 billion “Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University” to fund scholarships, faculty positions, research, programs and facilities. “This campaign marks the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the history of OSU," said Hargis.

burns hargis speaks at undergrad commencement

burns hargis speaks at undergrad commencement — President Burns Hargis addresses graduates during one of the five undergraduate commencement ceremonies inside Gallagher-Iba Arena at Oklahoma State University.

burns and ann hargis in office

burns and ann hargis in office — The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce announced that OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis are the winners of its prestigious Hall of Fame award, which recognizes individuals who have or are making a significant impact in the development of the history of Stillwater.

burns hargis and students gather for picture

burns hargis and students gather for picture — Burns Hargis and his wife Ann announced a $1.5 million gift to the OSU Branding Success campaign to fund scholarships for freshmen students. “Ann and I love being with our students,” Hargis said. “Many students across our state have the ability to succeed in college … but, they simply must have some financial support.”

burns and ann hargis celebrate their tenth anniversary

burns and ann hargis celebrate their tenth anniversary — The Cowboy family marked the 10th anniversary of OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis with a cordial celebration on the Student Union Plaza in March of 2018.

burns hargis and donors celebrate groundbreaking of Greenwood School of Music

burns hargis and donors celebrate groundbreaking of Greenwood School of Music — Burns Hargis announced that OSU will build a nearly $60 million Performing Arts Center and home for the Department of Music on the south side of the Stillwater campus. The groundbreaking ceremony was held September 2018.

burns hargis and davis family unveil Nancy Randolph Davis statue

burns hargis and davis family unveil Nancy Randolph Davis statue — A statue depicting Nancy Randolph Davis, the first African-American student to attend Oklahoma A&M College, was dedicated in a ceremony when her lifesize sculpture was unveiled on the Oklahoma State University campus. The bronze figure depicts a young student in a graduation cap and gown crossing a threshold and looking ahead to a bright future.

burns hargis interviews celia sandys, winston churchill's granddaughter

burns hargis interviews celia sandys, winston churchill's granddaughter — OSU had the honor of hosting Celia Sandys, acclaimed author and granddaughter to Winston Churchill. When asked what advice Sandys thinks Churchill would offer college students, she simply said, “You must believe in yourself. If you don’t ... no one else will.”

Mcknight Center Grand Opening, an Orange Carpet Affair

Mcknight Center Grand Opening, an Orange Carpet Affair — OSU celebrated the opening of its world-class performance hall on October 11, 2019. “To be around the greatest musicians on the planet is an amazing opportunity for any college student, but for a center like this to be at your own home — it’s just incredible,” said Burns Hargis.

burns hargis shakes hand with Boone Pickens after gift announcement

burns hargis shakes hand with Boone Pickens after gift announcement — A crowd of more than 3,000 people gathered on the south library lawn for the announcement of a $100 million academic gift to endow faculty chairs and professorships from alumnus T. Boone Pickens. Burns Hargis said, “This gift launches us on our way to achieve big dreams and will ignite a bold vision of a new era in land-grant universities.”

Award-winning couple

During their 13 year tenure as OSU President and First Cowgirl, the Hargis' were presented numerous awards from various institutions.

Awards and accolades

Access the media kit

Download photos, videos and additional message points regarding Burns Hargis' historic presidency below.

For media inquiries, contact Monica Roberts at 405-744-4800 or email monica.roberts@okstate.edu.

Media meets with OSU and state leaders for announcement

Join us in celebrating Burns and Ann!

Friends, colleagues and well wishers can share a message on social using #HargisCelebration, leave a comment on this site or send them an email.